The Five Levels of Dental Care

We offer people who choose our practice.

We understand that choosing a new dentist and dental health team can be a challenge, leaving you feeling somewhat uncertain. May we welcome you, and share our beliefs about what we do for people. A few years ago we wrote a philosophy or purpose for our practice. Briefly stated…

“Our purpose is to help people achieve the highest level of well-being personally appropriate for them and in so doing to enhance the quality of their lives and our own.”

In other words, we help you be or become as healthy as you choose. This is a major departure from the way we were trained. Instead of telling you how healthy you ought to be, we will try to help you understand your choices about dental health and then let you make a free and informed choice. Your first choice in this regard is how you would like to begin with us. There are five levels on which people may choose to be seen in our practice.

Level 1…URGENT CARE
People in crisis or with an emergency problem such as pain, swelling, or bleeding need our immediate help. We see urgencies immediately, whenever possible.

Level 2…REMEDIAL CARE
People who choose this level of care desire treatment only when something breaks or becomes uncomfortable. Generally, people at this level prefer a limited type of examination, focusing on obvious more advanced problems. They usually want to correct immediate problems with as little effort and cost as possible. Folks at this level are not yet ready for a thorough examination or preventive treatment.

Level 3…SELF-CARE
Patients who choose this level of care want a thorough examination and take an active part in the treatment and prevention of present and future disease problems. However, they choose repair solutions that are more short range in duration knowing full well that the dental treatment performed today will have to be repeated. Due to current life circumstances or beliefs, they take care of today’s needs in less than an ideal manner. This level of patient participates in dedicated preventive efforts to prevent problems in the future.

Level 4…COMPLETE DENTISTRY
Patients at this level are similar to people described in level 3. They choose to have a thorough examination and a MASTER PLAN to formulate a long-term treatment plan for health and repair. They wish to achieve a future based on choice not chance. These patients are very concerned about treating the causes of dental disease, not simply the effects. They want all dental treatment provided to be completed in the most lasting fashion possible.

Level 5…LOOK YOUR BEST
People in this group are in level 4 as far as dental health is concerned, but also want to look their best at all times. They know that their smile is the first thing others notice about them and want to put their best foot forward.

We hope these levels of care make sense to you. It is not uncommon for people to begin at a lower level and progress over time. We are here to help you discover and decide at what level you are most comfortable. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and provide you with the best dentistry appropriate for you.