What is a Dental Home?

The concept of a dental home is borrowed from our medical colleagues. It was coined in the 1990s when the benefits of regular attendance with a familiar clinician were established. The main benefits of having a dental home are the trust and rapport that is established with the dentist, the receptionist, the nursing staff and other team members. This may be a comfort when you are in pain, but is also important to make sure you avoid unnecessary treatment that could otherwise be avoided with a regular review and preventative approach.

Having a dental home means that when the unexpected happens, including trauma or pain, you know there is a place that will prioritise your emergency care as a loyal patient. They know you, your history and your preferences when it comes to dental care.

There is also evidence that having an established dental home early in life means that a child will have reduced dental problems over a lifetime, which has financial benefits as well as broader positive health effects.

Some potential benefits of a dental home may include:

• Reduced dental costs over a lifetime

• Establishing good habits early in life

• Putting in place preventative measures to reduce the chances of problems arising

• Access to reliable emergency care if unexpected trauma or pain arises

If you would like more information about our services or how we can help you manage your oral health book a consultation with Dr Kate Amos or Dr Sam Rosehill at Ethical Dental on 6652 3185 or book online.

Reference: Interview with Dr Gwendolyn Huang and Dr Patrick Meaney, Dental Files 2017.