Holistic dentists are traditionally trained and licensed dentists who incorporate holistic philosophy and alternative treatment methods into their dental practice. Holistic dentists work on the teeth and mouth like all dentists, but they are conscious that they are treating the whole person. The teeth are believed to be related to the whole body, and each tooth corresponds to specific organs and body parts via acupuncture meridians and energy pathways. Holistic dentists examine how teeth and gum problems can be affecting the overall health of a patient. They tend to practice conservative care by attempting to use the least invasive methods of treatment and are concerned with how to prevent periodontal disease. They view gum surgery as a last resort. Many are mercury-free dentists, and others incorporate homeopathy and herbal medicine into their practices. There is wide variation from dentist to dentist as this is a new and developing specialty area.
Philosophy
Holistic dentists have a holistic view of health. They look at a person's general health and are concerned with early detection and prevention of tooth problems and disease. They believe in the body's natural healing abilities and use the least toxic methods of care available.
Specific to holistic dentistry is the belief that each tooth is related to body organs through acupuncture meridians or pathways. This philosophy came from Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Holistic dentists believe the bacteria residing in tooth sockets under gums can cause infections not only in the gums but in different parts of the body. Cases have been cited of patients who have recovered from seemingly unrelated physical illnesses after receiving holistic dental care. There is also the belief that bacteria and microorganisms under the gums are compromising people's immune systems by forcing the immune system to be constantly activated whether an infection is evident or not. An exhausted and weakened immune system can cause the body to be out of balance and can lead to illnesses. For this reason many holistic dentists are concerned with controlling or eliminating bacteria with deep periodontal cleanings and irrigations.
Types of Clients and Problems
"Most of the people who come into my office have alternative lifestyles and are into some form of alternative medicine. They are appreciative and grateful that I spend so much time with them. That is the nicest part about being a dentist!"
-Bernard Dorr, D.D.S.
Since holistic dentists complete mainstream dental school and are licensed, they are qualified to provide full dental care and see patients with all types of dental problems. They provide typical care expected from any dentist, such as regular checkups, cleanings, fillings, crowns, tooth repair, and other typical dental health problems.
While holistic dentists see all types of clients, clients who are knowledgeable about health and interested in receiving holistic care gravitate toward holistic dentists. In addition to the average client, they may see clients who are receiving other forms of holistic care for health problems. Clients with allergies, environmental illnesses, chronic fatigue syndrome, or health problems that are often not helped by the standard medical profession may seek out holistic dentists. Some clients may seek holistic dentists as another avenue for treating their physical health problems. Other clients want to discuss how their diet is affecting their dental health, or they want their mercury fillings removed and replaced with a less toxic material. Some clients who have been told they need gum surgery see holistic dentists to explore other options before submitting to surgery. Clients who want to avoid a root canal may seek out a holistic dentist to try more conservative methods for saving a tooth. Typically, clients are knowledgeable about holistic health care and their own physical, emotional, and spiritual condition.
Types of Treatment
"It is more conservative dentistry. I try to save tooth structure and avoid surgery as much as possible. I want to give the body a chance to heal and give the immune system time to be activated rather than going after things with a knife."
-Bernard Dorr, D.D.S.
In addition to all the services provided by any dentist, holistic dentists offer different forms of treatment. One area that is common among holistic dentists is the elimination of the use of silver fillings. Standard silver fillings contain up to 50 percent elemental mercury. Studies have shown that mercury from tooth fillings can migrate and become deposited in other body organs, and this can lead to health problems. Many holistic dentists are "mercury free" and use less toxic alternative substances for cavity fillings.
Another unique treatment in holistic dentistry is the use of homeopathy and herbal medicine. Homeopathy and herbal medicine are used to prevent gum disease and minimize pain, inflammation, infection, anxiety, stress, and fear in a patient. Typically these are used in conjunction with traditional dental medicine to aid in the healing process. A cavity can't be cured from homeopathy or herbal medicine, but these additional treatments can enhance healing and comfort for patients. Since holistic dentists are concerned with using the least toxic methods possible, many try to avoid gum surgery and root canals. Again, gum surgery or root canals are necessary for many patients, but a holistic dentist will try other avenues of treatment before resorting to surgery. This can include herbal mouthwashes or deep periodontal cleanings under the gums with herbal solutions.
"You have to be concerned with a person's physical condition, their sensitivities, and allergies, which are frequently not recognized by the standard medical profession. I often spend the first fifteen to twenty minutes of an appointment talking with my patient and doing some counseling."
-Bernard Dorr, D.D.S.
Many holistic dentists spend time counseling clients on diet and nutrition. They will discuss a client's diet and how it is impacting their dental health. They educate patients on the relationship between dental health and the body and often discuss current health issues. Some holistic dentists even branch into vitamins and mineral supplements. Supplements can be used to detoxify the body, supplement the diet for what is causing gums to be inflamed, or re-mineralize decaying teeth.
It is a broad field, with some dentists utilizing many alternative treatment methods and others offering only a few different approaches. Some holistic dentists focus on mercury-free fillings; others focus on nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, or specific problems such as TMJ (temporal mandibular joint) dysfunction. The common thread for all holistic dentists is the use of conservative dental care, where the body is a given a chance to heal itself before resorting to severe measures.
Employment Settings and Working Conditions
Holistic dentists work in the same environments as traditional dentists working in individual or group private practices. Group practices are typically with other dentists, although some may include nutritionists or massage therapists. Their offices are clean, professional, and include dental equipment and technology. A holistic dentist's office may have educational reading materials on homeopathy, herbalism, and other topics that would not be found in a traditional dentist's office, but overall the settings are similar. Dentists also have the option to do research, write, or teach at dental medical schools.
As entrepreneurs, holistic dentists have the flexibility to design their own work environment. They set their own goals for their practice and decide work schedules, fee scales, vacations, and how many patients to see each week. Holistic dentists typically have longer appointments and rarely see patients for less than one hour. It is common for the first fifteen to twenty minutes of an appointment to be spent talking with patients, learning about their overall physical condition, stress level, sensitivities, allergies, and concerns. Successful holistic dentists have patience and strong interpersonal skills.
Being a dentist is physically demanding. Dentists often have trouble with their eyesight as they get older because of the small area and instruments they work with. The work can also cause strain in the neck, back, hands, and elbows from bending over and using hands and arms for drilling. Dentists need to keep in shape and take care of their own physical health.
"It is very hard physical work. Dentists need to take care of themselves and pay attention to their diet and physical, emotional, and spiritual condition."
-Bernard Dorr, D.D.S.
Like any self-employed professional, holistic dentists have the responsibility for running a business. In addition to seeing patients, they are responsible for marketing and advertising their services, billing patients and insurance companies, keeping records, and managing the office. Most holistic dentists have office employees working for them and are responsible for supervising their staff as well.
Training and Qualifications
"Go to dental school, get a license, and then you can do what you want. Be prepared to do reading, studying, and continuing education in areas such as homeopathy, herbalism, craniosacral work, and other areas of the holistic movement because patients know about these and will have questions."
-Bernard Dorr, D.D.S.
To become a holistic dentist, one must first become a dentist by attending dental school and earning a license to practice. All states require dentists to become licensed. Dental school typically takes four years to complete. Admission to dental school requires at least two years of college-level pre-dental education in the sciences, although most applicants have received a bachelor's degree. Dental schools award the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.). Upon completion of dental school, most states require dentists to pass written and practical exams. Once licensed, dentists are free to design their practice, and this is where holistic dental training begins.
To become a holistic dentist, additional training in the holistic philosophy and alternative treatments is required. Obtaining training is flexible and there are no set standards or minimum requirements. There are no dental schools that teach holistic dentistry, so it is up to the dentist to take the initiative to receive training and develop a specialty in holistic dentistry.
Training can take many forms. The best way for a dentist to learn about holistic dentistry is to join one of the holistic dental professional associations. The Holistic Dental Association, the International Dental Health Foundation, and the International Academy of Medicine and Toxicology are dental organizations concerned with holistic dentistry. They offer meetings, conferences, and seminars for dentists to receive training on new techniques. They also publish newsletters and literature so concerned dentists can participate in and learn more about different perspectives and attitudes of holistic dentistry.
In addition to joining and participating in holistic dental organizations, dentists can also develop their specialty through self study in other areas of holistic care. Some holistic dentists take classes or seminars on nutrition, herbalism, or other holistic modalities to complement their training. This knowledge is helpful because many clients who seek holistic dentists are involved in other areas of holistic health care as well. For many dentists, becoming a holistic dentist is an ongoing learning process that continues throughout their careers.
Job Outlook and Salary
The field of holistic dentistry is a small but growing specialty area in dental medicine. The employment prospects for dentists as a whole are expected to have a slower than average growth for the next ten years. Most of the growth will come from the need to replace older retiring dentists. Although the demand for dental care will be high due to needed care for children and the elderly, dental hygienists and assistants will also be available to meet the demands. Though there are no data to predict the demand for holistic dentists specifically, as the field of holistic health care grows it will likely increase the demand for holistic dentists. As society becomes interested in preventive health and alternative care methods, people will become aware of these options for dental health as well.
"Expect that the income might not be as high as a regular general practitioner who doesn't have a consciousness of holistic health, because you will have to give more time to conversation and interaction than does a mechanical dentist. You can still do very well; it's just more difficult to mass produce."
-Bernard Dorr, D.D.S.
According to the American Dental Association, the median income of dentists in private practice was approximately $100,000 a year in 1994. Holistic dentists can expect to earn similar salaries. Holistic dentists may have different rate/pay scales because they tend to spend more time with patients in long appointments. They may need to charge more per office visit to balance out their long appointments and retain a competitive salary.
