Our "Team" Approach to Your Oral Therapy
You will find that many persons will be involved in your oral therapy as you are treated in our clinic. Because such a concept may be new to you, a short explanation will probably help you understand the logic behind this type of practice. Each of our team members accomplishes his or her part of your therapy to an optimum level, and you will be treated by several categories of practitioners in the oral health care team, which pledge to provide the best possible oral health care for you:
- Dentistry: Dr. Arthur Lyford is qualified in and enjoys many aspects of dentistry including complex prosthodontics (crowns, bridgework, removable partial dentures, complete dentures), implant restoration, cosmetic dentistry, smile rehabilitation, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) therapy, children’s dentistry, endodontics (root canal therapy), and limited periodontal and oral surgery therapy. Dr. Lyford is also trained in Anxiolysis or Relaxation Dentistry and is a member of the Dental Organization of Conscious Sedation (DOCS).
- Dental Hygiene:Our registered dental hygienists will perform your oral prophylaxis treatment, and Dr. Lyford will always examine you at the completion of your appointment.
Our hygienists work together as a team. Careful notes and considerations are taken so that each hygienist is able to take care of you completely, regardless of whom your appointment is with. As co-therapists with Dr. Lyford, they gather diagnostic information and formulate a treatment plan specific to your needs. Our hygienists are all skilled and highly trained in non-surgical periodontal treatment, and they work hard to ensure that your visit is both relaxing and informative.
All of our hygienists are certified in CPR/defibrillation, sealant placement, monitoring nitrous oxide, delivering local antimicrobials, and administering local anesthesia.
Our hygienists are skilled in taking and updating accurate medical histories to ensure a safe dental visit, and they practice the latest in preventative therapy. They are completely trained in oral inspection, including offering an oral cancer screening at each
dental hygiene preventative visit.
Dr. Lyford provides all funding for continuing education courses, and encourages his hygiene team to remain focused, challenged, and excited with their profession.
- Expanded Duty Dental Assistants:Some tasks that may have been accomplished for you in the past by a previous dentist will be done by our qualified and experienced dental assistants. You will enjoy these people, and their clinical activities will help to keep your costs down.
- Laboratory Technicians:In many prosthodontic and cosmetic procedures, dental laboratory technicians will be present in the clinical environment. Allowing them to see and assist with your therapy makes it a better quality and keeps costs down.
- Other Specialist Dentists:You may be referred to an endodontist (root canals); periodontist (gums and bone); oral surgeon; orthodontist; or pediatric dentist (children) for special therapy, after the completion of which you will probably come back to us for routine check-ups or further treatment.