The Four Quadrants of Oral Health

Can’t Buy Health
Rich people can’t buy health and poor people can’t have it given to them.  The development of optimum oral health is a function of participation between dentist and patient.  Participation involves patient education by a dentist who realizes that he cannot provide dental health through fillings, crowns, cleanings, etc. alone  The state of oral health that a patient is able to develop is determined by the level of education that the dentist has acquired beyond dental school.  His continuing education is usually based on his passion to learn, and his interest in teaching what he has learned to his patients.  It also requires that the patient become a willing partner in the process.  This view of health dignifies the definition of the word “doctor” which emanates from several languages meaning “teacher.”  

Developing Diagnosis
When undergoing a complete physical examination, a competent physician does not just perform a physical inspection, reaction tests and x-rays.  He will also take a complete medical history, do blood and urine tests and as the learning process continues he may order other types of testing based on what is discovered along the way – a developing diagnosis.  Also, there will be effective communication so that the patient understands the diagnostic process.  Ideally, the patient’s interest should at least match that of the doctor.

Four Quadrants of Oral Health
Similarly, a dentist trained in looking at the bigger picture realizes how the mouth relates to the rest of the body and how it influences and is influenced by one’s general physical health.  When making an assessment of a patient’s oral condition, there are four basic elements, or quadrants that comprise oral health.  These are: the teeth; their supporting gums and bone; the interrelationship of the form and function of the mouth components (esthetic and functional chewing system); the state of one’s general health.  Therefore, he will start out with a medical and dental history and progress with an oral and x-ray examination that provides information which will guide him through his developing diagnosis.  Also, the patient is educated as to the significance of each step.  

Fix Symptoms or Diagnose Causes
Many dentists and patients are caught up in “fix and repair” or “event dentistry” – when something bleeds, hurts or breaks, that’s the time to call the dentist.  Event dentistry is tempting for many dentists, as it can be more profitable to repair all day long than taking “non-productive” time away from repair to teach the patients how to become healthy.  A caring dentist will certainly want to get his patient out of pain as soon as possible with this basic, Tier 1 level of care (See “Our Philosophy” link on home page).  The highest level of care a dentist can offer after putting out the immediate fire that only deals with the symptoms, is providing opportunity for a developing diagnosis such as the competent physician described above, to uncover their causes. 

Neglect Costly
It still amazes me when I see a new patient who has not experienced pain from advanced pathology such as large tooth abscesses, severe periodontal (gum) disease, and tooth wear.  This factor, coupled with their negative past dental experiences, is why they have neglected their oral health.  I often see patients who have let things get to a serious disease state where the development of proper dental health care and repair can be a time consuming and expensive matter.  This is the reason that education and prevention are at the cornerstones of my practice.  

Understanding the Healthy Model
As a continuing student, I have learned how and why persons born with trouble-free, healthy, attractive mouths look and remain that way throughout their lives.  This knowledge allows me to assist an interested patient in developing optimum oral health based on this healthy model of Mother Nature’s success.  To only deal with symptoms dilutes the true meaning of care, especially if the dentist understands the “why” behind the symptoms.  This is the reason we place such importance on the initial visit – time is relegated to getting to know the patient, their past medical and dental histories and their dental goals. 

A Philosophy of Health (or) A “Preferred Dental Future”
All the above supports the philosophy on which this practice is based - relationship building, education, prevention, health development and the highest quality of restorative measures to support a lifetime of oral health.