How Much Do You Know About Your Mouth?

By Jane Farrell

Having good dental health means more than brushing and flossing (though those are essential). Dental professionals, marking World Oral Health Day this month, emphasizes the importance of a healthy mouth, especially when it comes to patient awareness of how dental restorations are made.

“World Oral Health Day 2016 aims to help everyone recognize the impact their oral health has on overall physical health and wellbeing,” says Dena Lanier, President of the National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL). “NADL takes this message to heart each and every day by encouraging dental patients to become better informed about where their restorations are coming from.”

From dentures to bridges to retainers, many patients assume these common types of restorations are made by their dentists. However, most dentists do not make restorations themselves. Many dentists work with laboratories and technicians, either in the U.S. or abroad, to order customized restorations for their patients.

Supporting the theme of healthy mouth, healthy body, NADL’s campaign, “What’s In Your Mouth?” raises public awareness of transparency, minimum standards, safety issues and the important role that the dental laboratory and dental laboratory technician play as part of the oral health care team. Patients should assess the quality of their restorations by asking their dentists these five basic questions:

“What is the education and training of the dental technician creating my restoration?”

“Is the dental laboratory you work with certified and by whom?”

“Where is your dental laboratory located?”

“What patient contact materials are in the restorations you are prescribing for the treatment plan?”

“How does your dental practice ensure that it is not using misbranded or grey market dental parts or materials?”

“When one thinks of oral health, they might think of brushing their teeth or visiting their dentist regularly,” says Lanier. “However, taking oral heath into your own hands goes beyond that.”

For more information on the “What’s In Your Mouth?” campaign, click here.