A biological dentist seeks the safest, least toxic and most conservative way to accomplish modern dentistry that is safe, functional, durable and esthetic. It is interesting how the term “alternative medicine” refers to a new holistic, integrative and functional approach to health…yet it has been in existence for thousands of years and “modern medicine” is about 100 years old.
Most people find the “alternative ways” because of a personal medical condition that has not resolved. Others, are well versed in holistic ways and understand and live by it. We have known for quite a long time that there is a mouth–body connection. Bacteria from the mouth travels through the blood stream to the organs. As a biological dentist, my mantra continues to be: A healthy mouth is a healthy body and a healthy life!
How Do You Find a Biological Dentist?
Ask questions! Most dentists today are mercury free, however, very few are mercury SAFE. Being mercury safe means you protect the patient from harmful mercury vapors while removing them. Specialized equipment is necessary as well as a strict protocol. A practice needs to be S.M.A.R.T. certified. This entails rigorous training and examination to minimize harm to patients and staff. Over the past few months, many have spoken about “the new normal.” Fortunately, our protocols in the office have always had universal precautions, but our S.M.A.R.T. certification eases us into even greater and extra precautionary measures than a traditional dental office. Our office is already biological, so we have been doing these protocols for a long time and do not need to “play catch up” to the new normal. Here are a few of the state-of-the-art offerings we have in our practice.
Compatibility Testing
Every person is different and every person’s toxic level is different. This is why the most important variable is finding the root cause. We encourage compatibility testing with everyone. It is extremely important to make sure what each person is compatible with and only then do we choose the appropriate materials. We all want to enjoy quality of life, so I strive for finding root cause so patients can know their own bodies and can live, play, travel, and dance to their heart’s content. It all begins with good food, and food is medicine.
Air and Water Purification Systems
We have state-of-the-art air purification and water purification systems. Our AC has always had MERV14 or better filters. Our air is surgical grade that not only traps bacteria, VOCs, mold spores, off gassing, parasites, and other toxins—kills them. We have specialized evacuation systems for aerosols, which we are using on every patient even if it’s just a cleaning. This aerosole EVAC system has silver impregnated activated carbon and an electrostatic filter. We have invested in specialized UV-C filters (222nm–254nm) that are left overnight.
Our ozone machine is producing fresh ozonated water all day; in fact, this ozonated water runs through our systems so that no biofilms are formed in any of the water lines. We have specialized PPE made to order and our masks are P100 respirators.
Homeopathy
We use homeopathics as much as possible and have them available pre- and post-treatments. We encourage healing with high-grade supplements and disinfect with laser and ozone/O2 treatments. We are also completely metal free, and our restorations are BPA and BisGMA free. We use fluoride alternatives and educate our patients on biomimetic toothpastes and adjuncts. We make our own sanitizers with 151-proof alcohol and high-grade, nonGMO, expeller pressed and/or cold pressed organic essential oils that we also offer to our patients. Our patients are offered a choice in their pre-treatment rinses: essential oil mouthwash, colloidal silver mouthwash, ozonated water or a peroxide rinse for 60 seconds.
We work with integrative doctors, naturopaths, chiropractors, healers, anti-aging specialists and the medical community because it’s all connected. What happens in your mouth does not stay in your mouth. Be proactive and not reactive.
What we do as a profession is not compartmentalized. Compatibility matters, technique matters, isolation matters, quality materials matter, overall health of a patient matters, ability to process toxins matters…and genetics matter. Our staff is regularly trained in this comprehensive protocol. Nothing is too excessive for the health and well-being of patients and staff. We go above and beyond the required standards recommended by the CDC, FDA, and ADA. This “choreography” is continuously changing in order to become better and healthier. We are a TEAM and we are all learning every day, we even learn from our own patients. We embrace change and welcome challenges. We are all just helping each other “home.”
Dr. Josephine Perez, DMD has been practicing dentistry for 29 years. She is a graduate of Tufts University School of Dentistry in Boston and interned at New Orleans Coast Guard/Navy Base. Her holistic approach to dentistry encompasses each person’s unique and entire (or whole, therefore holistic) state of physical and emotional well-being. The ability to maintain health through preventive measures and treatments of oral disease is her priority. Dr. Perez focuses on the underlying condition, rather than only treating the symptoms. She tests for biocompatibility to find pathways to reduce inflammation and apply biocompatible and biomimetic materials, supplements, essential oils to restore and strengthen the oral cavity and ultimately, the whole body. After decades of restoring and transforming smiles, Dr. Perez has integrated total wellness into her oral health enhancement practice—a revolutionary style of dentistry.
www.puredentalnaples.com.