Dr. Katrine Farag Takes the Fear out of Visits by Gina Birch
Dental V
According to the American Dental Association, more than one in five people surveyed had not visited the dentist in the last few years. The primary reasons why were fear and cost. For many people the mere thought of going to the dentist causes anxiety and evokes fear. However, you don’t have to dread the dentist, says Dr. Katrine Farag, owner of Advanced Dentistry of Fort Myers. She says, “Knowing what the visit will entail can help alleviate anxiety.” At Advanced Dentistry, the first few minutes of a new patient’s appointment are spent reviewing past and current medical and dental history. Dr. Farag explains, “We want to know about all of your surgeries and your medications as they can play a major role in your dental care.” For example, some dental conditions could require patients to take antibiotics before dental visits. In addition, certain medications can cause dry mouth, which puts you at a higher risk for cavities. With this knowledge, Dr. Farag can help you reduce your risks. X-rays of your teeth are also made during an initial visit. Dr. Farag explains, “At our office, these are taken digitally and are visible to you immediately on a large computer screen.” Besides the advantage of being able to see the results right away, digital X-rays, as opposed to traditional processed ones, expose patients to minimal radiation. Even so, Advanced Dentistry offers patients a lead shield to wear during the X-rays.
Beautiful Smiles Begin Here! mylivinglocal.com | MARCH/APRIL 2019