Why Holistic Dentistry Matters | Lotus Dental Wellness in Lake Oswego, OR
Orthopedics, neurology, and general medicine meets dentistry…
Although the terms “holistic” and “biological” have represented the kind of thinking and even identity of the predominate peer group and some of the mentors I have had over the last decade- for me, they are misnomers.
Through the study and implementation of science, techniques, technology, biology, and biomaterials- I am in the field of advanced oral medicine and surgery.
I was the only dentist or oral surgeon to present at the Mayo Clinic’s 1st and 2nd Conference on Robotics and advanced surgical technologies. I was humbled and honored to represent my field and share some of the most amazing concepts dentistry has seen to date. It was there that I found some of the world’s most talented, innovative, health oriented, and technologically savvy surgeons and diagnosticians did not call themselves “holistic” or “biological” cardiologists, neurosurgeons, orthopedists or gastroenterologists. It is assumed they use the most advanced technology, biological information, and technology. They are just called doctors.
Although the number one search patients use on the internet to find me is “holistic dentist,” it marginalizes myself, my peer group, and even my patients. I hear all the time from mainstream dentists and doctors about their “holistic patients” as they roll their eyes and huff at what a pain they are, or how crazy and misinformed they are. In reality these patients and all patients, all of us, just want a better way. Can you blame them? The history of dentistry, surgery, and medicine is archaic and painfully filled with folly and failure as it builds on a history of attempting to alleviate or palliate what is apparently still unavoidable, illness and death.
The word “mainstream” or “allopathic” does the same thing.
I believe we are all headed in the right direction, together, building on the hearts, minds, and lives of those before us. All doctors want their patients to heal.
I am not here to judge. I am here to serve.
Shepard DeLong DMD