How To Choose A Good Mercury-Free Dentist
by Dr. James Hardy
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So, you’ve decided to replace all your mercury fillings and detox your body. How do you go about picking a good mercury-free dentist?
I have certain criteria I use when I choose a health-care professional. The two most important categories I use for selection are competency and compassion I know full well that membership in organizations are fine but they do not automatically denote that the member is proficient and has a genuine ability to communicate.
If possible, I recommend you ask about the doctor’s reputation prior to calling the office. You can ask friends, local health-care professionals, call the Better Business Bureau or ask at your local health food store. The answers may guide you in the right direction.
The practitioner must be competent and compassionate in several areas:
1. Patient communication
2. Professional, high-quality work
3. Office performance
4. Reasonable fees (around the national average)
Communication begins with the first phone call to the practice.
•How is your call received?
•Are they willing and able to answer reasonable questions you may have?
•How much time is set aside for your initial exam?
•Do they send out information you can fill out ahead of time?
•Does the office run on time?
Questions you may want to ask about professionalism might include:
•How long has the doctor been in practice?
•How long has the doctor been in the area?
•How long has the doctor been mercury-free?
•Does the doctor have dental materials compatibility testing available?
•Does the doctor use special precautions during amalgam removal?
•(Precautions such as: providing an outside air source to breathe during mercury removal and a special suction device, and a mercury vapor ionizer in the treatment rooms to minimize mercury vapor escape.)
•Does the office have other air filtering devices to remove mercury vapor from the air?
•Can you speak to any other patients regarding care at this office?
•Is there carpet in the patient treatment areas? (Carpet will trap mercury amalgam as well as bacteria, viruses and cannot be fully sanitized or cleaned. It should never be in the treatment rooms.)
•Has the office building always been a mercury-free dental office? (If there have been new mercury fillings ever placed in patients in the office before, office air mercury vapor levels may be much higher due to the inevitable spills that occur during handling. If mercury was never used in the building, then there would have been no chance for spills.)
Ask the dentist for physician referrals for detoxifying mercury from your body. This is as important as removing the source of mercury poisoning. There are many good and effective methods. Find out what is best for you.
The most important information can be gleaned during the time you spend with the doctor. This can be termed office performance.
• Does the doctor fully and willingly answer your questions?
• Are the answers seemingly knowledgeable and clear?
• Is the doctor flexible on your treatment plan or rigid?
• Is the doctor willing to take your treatment at your pace?
•Do the fees seem reasonable?
•Are you seen on time?
•Does the doctor spend good quality time with you and have good eye contact?
•Does the exam seem thorough?
If the fees seem excessively high, get another estimate. Fees can vary by large numbers, depending on the particular focus of the practice. There is usually more than one treatment plan (more than one way to approach your particular case) that will fit your needs for amalgam replacement. There are a few dentists that put profit before quality.
If you are new to an area, how do you find a starting point?
Two resources you can call are the Consumers for Dental Choice, 610-649-2606 or the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), 863-420-6373.
If you are still unsure of your comfort level after the exam, ask if the dentist could just work on one tooth to see how it goes. Then, without risking much, you can get a feel for the way the doctor and the staff work. Ask how long the staff has been with the doctor. A good team takes time to develop. The longer the team has been together, the better they can work as a team. This shows a level of stability and competence that is wonderful to have.
If you are more still unsure of your comfort level after the exam, get another opinion, if possible.
Finally, rely on your common sense and recognize how relaxed, professional and knowledgeable the doctor and staff seem to you. Notice how you feel in the office and with the doctor. Common sense and that inner feeling we all have will steer you correctly.
About Dr. Hardy:
In addition to practicing health-centered dentistry Dr. Hardy is an author and speaker on the topic of mercury fillings. He is one of the few dentists in the world who has never used mercury amalgam fillings in his practice. His office is located in Winter Park, Florida. 407-678-3399 For additional information visit his website: Mercury-Free.com
HWH: Through the years we have offered many articles about the health dangers of mercury fillings, and we are grateful to Dr. Hardy for contributing this informative article. For more information read Natural Dentistry which includes tips from Dr. Hardy.
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Send questions and comments to: Andrea@HealWithHope.com