An old friend and colleague Dr. Dick Tavtigian — a respected periodontist from Toledo, Ohio — used to present the practice of dentistry as a baseball diamond. It was a great euphemism that made a lot of sense, so we thought we’d share.

Home Plate

Here you are, the patient, stand, ready to play ball. It all begins a phone call. Good dental practices will answer promptly and politely, then get you an appointment within 24 to 36 hours. If a practice fails in that regard, take it as a clue that it isn’t the right practice for you.

First Base

This is where we assess and address your wants and needs. A good practice understands that patients have three primary concerns: pain, time and money. Did you know that 75 percent of patients wait until there is a problem to visit the dentist? The result is that by the time a lot of patients do get into our chairs, they’re in pain and they’re in a hurry — in a hurry to get out of pain and in a hurry to get back to their jobs, their kids or whatever normally occupies their time. They’re also usually concerned about finances, and first base is a good place to start that conversation, too.

Second Base

Second base is where the action happens. Somewhere along the way from first to second we identify the patient’s problem. Since about 80 percent of the population suffers from some degree of periodontal disease, this usually involves what we call Periodontal Screening and Recording, or PSR. Once we know what we’re dealing with, we start the appropriate Soft Tissue Management program to restore health your teeth and gums. If you are one of the lucky 20 percent who is gingivitis and gum-disease free, you get to cruise through second with a simple cleaning.

Why flossing is always a good idea https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/to-floss-or-not-to-floss#1

Third Base

This is where you’ll get your fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures and other restorative procedures. You must pass second before going to third because just as you wouldn’t want to build a house on a weak foundation, you won’t want to restore your teeth until the gums that anchor them are strong and infection free. If you don’t have any damaged teeth that need restoring, you’re free to run for home!

If you are happy with the service your dental practice provides, let your friends, family members and co-workers know. Believe it or not, 50 percent of Americans never see a dentist at all! Through referrals, you’ll be doing both them and your dentist a favor.

Pitcher’s Mound

Just like we can’t play a game of baseball without a pitcher, we can’t run a dental practice without money. Doctors and staff don’t work for free. We’ve got rent, electricity and other bills to pay, and supplies to buy. It’s a fact of life. But a good dental practice will offer options such as creative financing, credit card processing and insurance filing, to help patients pay for services.

Dr. Curtis H. Roy & Associates has been serving Acadiana residents since 1970. Find the practice on the Web at www.drcurtisroyandassociates.com, visit the office at 3703 Johnston St., Lafayette, call 337-981-9811, and look for it on Facebook and Twitter.

Image by skeeze from Pixabay

‍NOTE: The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.