How do I find a biological dentist?

Several professional groups provide online member databases to help you find a biological dentist in your area. The IABDM offers just such a resource Find a Biological Dentist. Other groups include the HDA and IAOMT. Membership in one or more of these associations suggests that the dentist is committed to holistic principles and keeps current with advances in biological dentistry and integrated medicine.

How can I be sure a dentist is really practicing biological dentistry?

Before making an appointment, talk with the dentist or a staff member about the practice.  You can do this by phone, but you may find it helpful to visit the office. This way, you can see how you react to the physical environment. A biological dentist creates a healthy, positive environment that is as toxin-free as possible. In fact, new patients often comment that their visit with a biological dentist marked the first time they ever entered a dental office without feeling sickened.

Whether you contact the office by phone or in person, ask several key questions:

• Do you use mercury amalgam fillings?
• Do you know how to safely remove amalgams? What safety measures do you take with equipment? Procedures?
• Do you inform patients of the potential risks of root canal therapy?
• Do you offer compatibility testing for dental materials?
• How are your instruments sterilized? How free of toxic chemicals is your office?
• What kind of continuing education does the dentist staff attend? How often?
• Do you work with holistic physicians, acupuncturists, nutritionists and other allied practitioners in the course of detoxing or providing other health and healing support?

A biological dentist will not use mercury and should have comprehensive protocols for removing it safely. He or she will fully inform patients about the systemic effect of root canals and consult on their advisability on an individual basis. Compatibility testing should be mandatory. Instruments should be sterilized without the use of toxic chemicals, and overall toxic exposure should be minimized. The dentist and staff should attend classes regularly to keep their knowledge and skills current. As a rule, they should work closely with allied practitioners in providing you with comprehensive care.

The healing process requires trust and open, two-way communication. You should feel comfortable asking questions, getting all the information you need to make informed decisions about your health. If you don’t feel this is the case, it is in your best interest to consider a different dentist.

What can I expect from my first visit?

Every dentist is unique and has a preferred way of doing things. But there are a few things you can expect from any conscientious biological dentist.

A first appointment involves information-gathering. Expect to spend a lot of time talking about your health history. You may even be asked to write about it in advance. The dentist will also conduct clinical exams and tests. All together, this helps the dentist pinpoint the causes of your problems and develop a comprehensive plan for your healing. The dentist will then study your case in depth and talk with you about your options. Only after careful analysis of all this information will a treatment plan be settled upon.

The conscientious biological dentist knows that healing is a process. It takes time. The body must be prepared for detoxification and healing. If the dentist you see tells you at this first visit that you need to have all your amalgams removed right away—or anything else done “right away”—and that this will solve all of your problems, find a new dentist. No responsible biological practitioner will ever rush into treatment.

Will a biological dentist finally be able to cure me?

Strictly speaking, a biological dentist never “cures” anyone. He or she diagnoses the problem, then helps encourage your body’s natural healing powers. So it’s more accurate to say that you cure yourself. The dentist shows you how, provides the means, and, of course, performs any clinical or surgical work needed to remove blockages and encourage your healing.

Biological dentistry has a long track record of helping people recover from illnesses that have stumped conventional Western medicine. Books and websites are full of stories of seemingly miraculous recoveries. But there are no guarantees. True healing depends on many variables. Factors include the state of your connective tissues (i.e. the “ground system”), immune system and biological terrain, your genetic predisposition and environmental / lifestyle factors. As a biological patient, you become the agent of your own healing. Your dentist often will recommend dietary changes, nutritional supplements, homeopathics and adjunct therapies that can further strengthen your body’s ability to detoxify and heal. The more active you are in this process, the greater your chance for full recovery. 

I’m not ill. So why should I see a biological dentist?

Health starts with preventing illness. A biological approach is your best bet to keep from getting sick. A biological dentist maintains a non-toxic, positive and healing environment and always opts for the gentlest and least invasive means of care. The result? You are not exposed to the myriad risks of toxic exposure and dental trauma common to most conventional dental offices. The biological dentist is also aware of the relationships between your teeth and the rest of your body. So he or she will provide dental care that won’t negatively affect other parts of your body. The dentist will also be aware when dental and oral conditions may increase the risk of illness or dysfunction elsewhere in the body. The biological dentist keeps your whole health in mind—not just the condition of your teeth and gums. This is comprehensive care in the fullest sense of the word.