Sandy Springs Dentist: OUR PHILOSOPHY

Always put the patient first.

From its inception, Scheinfelds, Orland and Tourial has focused on providing the right solution for every patient, every time. We do not waiver from this commitment. While many practices claim to put their patients first, few are able to resist the temptation to make small sacrifices to increase their revenues. Scheinfelds, Orland and Tourial has steadfastly refused to make any change in the treatment that does not offer a tangible benefit to our patients.

Don’t be all things to all people.

Scheinfelds, Orland and Tourial in specialization. It is one of the many things that make us revolutionary. Every decision we make, new person hired or new technology solution launched is aimed at expanding and deepening our specialization differentiation. We know taking our eye off this goal would be a costly injustice to our patients. We are proud to say that our patients represent long and endearing relationships that span several generations over 25 years.

Don’t push products.

At Scheinfelds, Orland and Tourial we take a consultative approach to ensuring each patient’s program aligns with their operating culture and unique risk exposures. This means we don’t believe in pushing products. We don’t try and sell you anything. Instead, we work closely with our patients and their needs to develop and deliver the right solution, even if that means not doing any dentistry at all.

Integrity in all that we do.

Events over the past decade have caused significant upheaval in the health insurance business and we are constantly navigating the industry to make sure you receive the coverage and care you deserve. These changing times are reflective of changing patient needs and a requirement for operational disclosure.

From the beginning, Scheinfelds, Orland and Tourial built its foundation on basic operating principles – integrity, honesty and quality health care. These are not just words to us, rather truths that can be validated by the patient relationships we have held for over 25 years. To us, it’s simple. We base decisions on what we believe to be in the best interests of our patients and our employees. We understand that each puts a great deal of trust in us, and we do not take that trust lightly.

Be passionate.

Scheinfelds, Orland and Tourial’s culture is unlike any in its industry. We emphasize team achievements and pride in individual accomplishments that contribute to the patient’s overall success. Ideas are traded, tested and put into practice with the highest degree of passion and excitement. Meetings that would take hours elsewhere are frequently little more than a conversation in the hall, and few walls separate those who are performing the procedures to our next technology innovation from those that created our foundation of dentistry. Our highly communicative environment fosters productivity, creativity and camaraderie fueled by the realization that some of the most wonderful people rely on Scheinfelds, Orland and Tourial. We are passionate about what we do and believe in giving the proper tools to a group of people driven to make a difference, and they do.

Hopefully, this is what you want from your Dental team.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

info@rightsmilecenter.com

http://www.rightsmilecenter.com

Xylitol — A Sweet Alternative

Xylitol inhibits the ability of bacteria to adhere to tissues in the mouth. This is an interesting article that should peek your interest in researching Xylitol.

mavenofhealth

We’ve all heard stories of the negative effects of sugar on our bodies. We actually consume a significantamount of sugar each day, and a lot of that — perhaps as much as 70% — is hidden in foods we would not normally think of as containing sugar (ketchup, for example). Obesity abounds in North America and each year it seems to get worse. Imagine — many children today are getting adult-onset (Type 2) diabetes! So, what to do???

We want to look for natural and safe alternatives to sugar. And I’d like to tell you about one of them that I think you’ll find really interesting. It’s called Xylitol.

Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar commonly derived from corn stalks and birch trees. Although it’s a lot like common sugar, it does have a significant difference — it’s actually healthy for you!

Xylitol is as sweet as sugar, but…

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Dentist Sandy Springs: String Floss verses Water (pik)

Check out this link which lists some very interesting points in the Floss vs. Water debate.  Either way, your gum health depends on flossing whether it is with traditional string or water!  Be sure to floss at least once daily, twice if you can.

http://www.consumersearch.com/blog/water-v-string-does-water-pik-et-al-unseat-traditional-floss#.UPa_G03zPEA.facebook

Sandy Springs Dentist: Oral Health During Pregnancy

Apparently, oral health care during pregnancy is often misunderstood by treating physicians, dentists, and their patients. Every pregnant woman should be screened for oral risks, educated about proper oral hygiene, and referred to a dentist where treatment may be necessary.[1] Dental procedures such as periodontal treatment, restorations, and extractions are safe and are best performed during the second trimester. We are hesitant to perform diagnostic radiography regardless of the accepted practice that its safe.  Xylitol and chlorhexidine[2] may be used as adjuvant therapy for high-risk mothers in the early postpartum period to reduce transmission of cariogenic bacteria to their infants.[3] Appropriate dental care and prevention during pregnancy may reduce poor prenatal outcomes and decrease infant caries.[4]

Every pregnant woman should be assessed by a dentist for dental hygiene habits, access to fluoridated water, oral problems (e.g., caries, gingivitis), and continued access to dental care.[5]  Patients should be counseled to perform routine brushing and flossing, to avoid excessive amounts of sugary snacks and drinks, and to consult a dentist.[6]  Many dentists are reported to be reluctant to treat pregnant women.[7] Optimally, physicians and dentists can overcome this situation through education, clear communication, and the development of ongoing collaborative relationships. Physicians can share information on the safety of dental treatment in pregnancy with dental colleagues and provide clear referral recommendations.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

info@rightsmilecenter.com

www.rightsmilecenter.com

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[1] http://www.mchaccess.org/pdfs/alerts/oral%20health%20during%20pregnancy.pdf.

 

[2] Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category B. Reproduction studies have been performed in rats and rabbits at Chlorhexidine gluconate doses up to 300 mg/kg/day and 40 mg/kg/day, respectively, and have not revealed evidence of harm to fetus. However, adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women have not been done. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. http://www.drugs.com/pro/chlorhexidine.html

 

[3] http://www.mchaccess.org/pdfs/alerts/oral%20health%20during%20pregnancy.pdf.  HUGH SILK, MD, University of Massachusetts Medical School and Family Medicine Residency Program, Worcester, Massachusetts. ALAN B. DOUGLASS, MD, Family Medicine Residency Program, Middlesex Hospital, Middletown, Connecticut.  JOANNA M. DOUGLASS, BDS, DDS, University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut.  LAURA SILK, MD, Health Alliance, Leominster, Massachusetts.

 

[4] Am Fam Physician. 2008;77(8):1139-1144. Copyright © 2008 American Academy of Family Physicians.

 

[5] Oral examination should include the teeth, gums, tongue, palate, and mucosa.

 

[6] http://www.mchaccess.org/pdfs/alerts/oral%20health%20during%20pregnancy.pdf.

 

[7] Livingston HM, Dellinger TM, Holder R. Considerations in the management of the pregnant patient. Spec Care Dentist. 1998;18(5):183-188

Related articles

• Dentist Dunwoody: Oral Health, Women and Pregnancy (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
• Dentist Dunwoody: Women and Oral Health Issues (therightsmile.wordpress.com)

Dental Insurance – sorting it all out

Walter Glass Dentistry is now PLUM CREEK FAMILY DENTISTRY Visit us at plumcreekfamilydentistry.com

The role your dentist plays in maintaining your oral health is easy to understand; however, the role of dental benefits is sometimes unclear. Insurance industry jargon used to describe your benefits often blurs the actual terms of coverage, and what is covered under one plan, might be excluded under another plan.  We encourage you to be informed on how your dental benefit plan works so that you can make the most of your coverage.  Dental benefit plans help you pay for certain kinds of dental care. Your dental care decisions should take into account more than just what is covered. Your dental health needs can only be determined through consultation with your personal dentist. Good dental care is your right, and can best be attained by understanding your specific dental needs and how your dental benefits plan relates to them.

There are many different types of insurance plans, and one…

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Dentist Sandy Springs: Sinusitis Got You Down?

Winter is getting cranked up and we need to take measures to maintain our health because during the winter months and at other times when the air is very dry, it is important to keep our nasal passages moist. When I was young I used to think my mother’s practice of medicine was just one more of her old wives tales, but practically applied her easy way to moisten your nasal passages is to sniff salt solution into both sides of the nose 2-4 times a day seems to work. To prepare a solution of proper strength, add 1/4 teaspoon of table salt to a cup of warm water, and stir it until all the salt has dissolved. Sniff some from a spoon or other small container into each nostril. Alternatively, you can buy ready-prepared nasal saline products, such as Ocean, Simply Saline or generic equivalents from drug stores. Such solutions can be used to wash away mucus from the membranous lining of the nasal passages. They also help by shrinking any parts of it that are swollen. This may save you a trip to the doctor.  If this is not done, mucus and the swollen membranes around these openings may block openings of the sinuses into the nasal passages. Sinusitis will then occur if nasal bacteria infect the mucus, which can no longer drain from the blocked sinus. Treatment of sinusitis (rather than its prevention) often requires the use of antibiotics.

Some doctors are not enthusiastic about nasal saline irrigation since researchers found that it does not significantly reduce the incidence of colds. Personally, I am a little skeptical about a doctor’s hesitation to try a home remedy rather than popping a few pills. I don’t mean to confuse colds with sinusitis. Viruses cause colds, while sinusitis is a bacterial-induced complication for some colds. Irrigation of the nasal passages with saline cannot kill viruses or bacteria, but according to my favorite ENT patient, it can help to reduce the incidence of sinusitis in people with a tendency to develop this common complication of colds.

Part of the source for this article came from my mom and part from the American Family Physician (70:1685 & 1697, “04) & Wall Street Journal (Dec.7″04, page D6).

Novy Scheinfeld DDS PC
290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620
info@rightsmilecenter.com
http://www.rightsmilecenter.com

 

Related articles

• How To Heal Sinus Infection Naturally (after50health.com)
• Dr. K: Can steroids relieve pressure in sinuses? (goerie.com)
• Neti Pot, Nasal Irrigation Pros and Cons (webmd.com)
• What Causes Sinus Problems? (webmd.com)
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lajolladental

According to the American Dental Association, “Only half of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer survive more than 5 years.”  And it strikes about 35,000 Americans per year!

Contrary to popular belief, oral cancer can occur without any known risk factors, such as tobacco or alcohol use or excessive sun exposure.

While the majority of cases occur after the age of 50, over the past decade there has been a sharp increase in the number of oral cancer patients under the age of 30 – again, with no identifiable risk factors.

That’s why we urge you and your family to schedule routine dental exams with us twice a year.

Oral cancer can affect your lips, gum tissue, inside cheek lining, salivary glands, tongue and hard or soft palate.

In its earliest stages, oral cancer can appear as tiny white or red spots.  Advanced symptoms may be swelling, a sore that…

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Atlanta Dentist: Clark Howard or Real Oral Health Care?

In response to Clark Howard’s opinion on dentists and mid-level providers, he’s dead wrong or could be.[1]  And he doesn’t understand the sector of patients who do and don’t seek to have proper oral health care.

Take my word for it, if Mr. Howard had a heart-attack today, price of care would be the last thing on his mind.  Do you really think he would negotiate before they installed the stint or after?[2]  His perspective is steeped in ignorance. The answer is not as Mr. Howard would suggest, devoting energy and time and money to creating a lesser trained dental provider to deliver a poor approximation of comprehensive dental care (in Georgia). [3]

His opinion comes from the lack of understanding of what a dentist is trained to do.  Clark Howard is living back in the 20’s, the 1820’s, where the only thing a dentist did was pull teeth and cut hair. But that’s not the case with your dentist in the 21st Century.

A recent example in our office was the discovery of suspicious cells on the underside of the patient’s tongue.  Ultimately, our discovery and recommendation  saved this patients life.  Our early detection of cancer comes from years of (university) training and experience that transcends the old view of what a dentist does for that 15 minute examination during your regularly scheduled hygiene appointment.  Contrary to your physician’s health care, the cost of delivering dentistry is under constant pressures from the free market system.  And the last thing my profession needs is being marginalized by the armchair quarterbacking of Clark Howard.

The answer to providing adequate and broad based oral health care lies in educating patients about the value of good oral health, who can best deliver the care, and how consumers can obtain and maintain that care.  Marred by an old view of dentists and dentistry, Mr. Howard is stuck in a mindset that all dentists do is just drill-and-fill.  There is much more to the art and science of dentistry than Clark Howard is remotely aware.  While he peddles that frugal baloney, I promise you he lives in a million dollar home and affords himself all of the luxuries  anyone making a million a year does.

What Clark Howard needs to tell you is that our society needs to understand the need to regularly maintain their oral health and that dental care for them and their families is not optional.  We need to instill in our society the need to maintain an oral health care regimen that includes visiting the dentist is a part of that regimen.  I find it interesting that Clark Howard wants to put you in a position where you bargain for your health care needs.[4]  Where he fails in his advice is to differentiate between oral health care and retail dentistry.

With regards to the specific point of creating mid-level providers as has happened in Alaska, census data demonstrates that 43% of our “public” health care providers aren’t busy because patients don’t show up for their appointments. This is not a lack of dentists, rather a lack of using the care available.  While there is no empirical evidence as to ‘why’, one would speculate it is because like Mr. Clark Howard, a large portion of the public fail to value the real benefits of oral health care.  Take a credible, but uninformed spokesperson like Clark Howard, and the notion that all dentists do is drill-and-fill and we, as providers are starting 10 yards behind the starting line.

The real solution is better patient education.

If we can answer your questions or you have comments, please feel free to weigh in on this matter.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Scheinfeld, MS, DMD

Hanna Orland, DMD

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

and

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

info@rightsmilecenter.com

www.rightsmilecenter.com

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https://therightsmile.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/cheap-dental-implants-not-so-fast/

https://therightsmile.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/dentist-atlanta-the-difference-between-dental-and-physician-health-care-costs/

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[1] http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/health-health-care/dentistry-too-expensive-for-many-americans/nCpN/

[2] http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/health-health-care/negotiate-better-deal-dentistry/nFyQs/

[3] http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/health-health-care/dentistry-too-expensive-for-many-americans/nCpN/

[4] This isn’t to suggest that we as a discipline of health care aren’t competitive.  The free market system has kept dentistry fairly moderate in terms of cost compared to the annual leaps in insurance coverage and physician/hospital care.

Dentist Dunwoody: The Good News About Root Canals

Root Canals are virtually pain-free.  Patients used to worry about root canals, and rightfully so?  Once synonymous with serious pain, today’s root canal procedures are almost pain-free.  Usually the pain associated with root canals is caused by waiting until the infection has become all too tolerable.                      

Root canals are needed when the dental infection, or tooth decay reaches the pulp chamber of the tooth. The infection destroys the nerves located within the root of the tooth, eventually causing the tooth to die. Years ago, the only option for this type of dental problem was a tooth extraction. Now, thanks to the progress in dental technology, often your infection can be stopped with a topical medicine applied to the tooth. And where this is not successful, the tooth can be saved with a root canal.

If you’re in need of root canal therapy, you may be having trouble eating or sleeping.  A toothache or sensitivity to hot or cold is common for those with infected pulp, and you may even have swelling or tenderness in the gums.

The best course of action is not to self-diagnose and don’t procrastinate.  Only a dentist can properly diagnose the pain and provide you with the appropriate treatment.

 

If you are experiencing symptoms of an infection in your teeth, don’t ignore them!  Our goal is to save your tooth rather than extract it, and with good reason.  Missing teeth can cause bite problems, shifting teeth and bone loss.  The vast majority of preventative treatment or root canal procedures are effective, and a successful procedure can help you keep that tooth for a long time.

If we can be of assistance or answer any of your questions, please give us a call or email us.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

ZoAnna Bock, MS, DMD

Hanna Orland, DMD

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

and

3781 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

770-455-6076

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

 

Thank you for all your referrals.  We truly appreciate them.

Information included is not dental or medical advice.  For your specific information

 be sure to consult your dentist.

Related articles

 

https://therightsmile.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/dentist-atlanta-how-much-does-a-root-canal-cost/