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Illustrations by Ryan Snook
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If you had a patient in need of a dentist, which dentist would you refer them to?”
This was the central question posed to more than 1,000 dentists and specialists in the St. Louis area. Queried by the independent topDentists research group, they were asked to make their peer recommendations on the basis of years of experience, continuing education, manner with patients, use of new techniques and technologies, and of course, physical results. The respondents were asked to individually evaluate the practitioners on their ballot whose work they were familiar with, while also being allowed to nominate other dentists they felt should be included.
Once the balloting was completed, the scores were compiled and then averaged. The numerical average required for inclusion varied, depending on the average for all of the nominees within the specialty and the geographic area. Borderline cases were given careful consideration by topDentists, which also considered voting characteristics and comments while making decisions. Past awards a dentist has received, status in various dental academies (Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Periodontology, etc.) could have played a factor in the company’s decision. Once the decisions were finalized, the included dentists were checked against state dental boards for disciplinary actions to make sure they had an active license and were in good standing with the board. The result? This third annual list of topDentists for the St. Louis region.
Click HERE for a searchable database of St. Louis' topDentists.
Finding the Perfect Dentist
How you—and your molars—can find a match made in dental heaven
By Erika Miller
Whether you’ve just moved or your current dentist doesn’t provide a necessary service, trying to choose and evaluate a new dentist can be overwhelming. SLM asked local experts for their tips to ease the quest for a dentist.
1) Ask for help. “It’s always good to talk to someone you know,” says Dr. Thomas Kemlage, a Fenton-based dentist. The American Dental Association suggests asking for recommendations from family and friends, coworkers, your physician, or a pharmacist. Kemlage also suggests calling the Greater St. Louis Dental Society (gslds.org) for a recommendation.
2) Do your research. Dr. Gene Cohen, a Chesterfield dentist, says the Internet can be a good starting point, because “you can look up different doctors and see what patients say about them.” For additional background on a particular title or specialty, you can consult a dental-association website (e.g., ada.org or modental.org).
3) Make the first call. This is a good time to ask any questions you may have had during your initial search. Remember to inquire about payment plans and whether the office accepts your dental insurance. Consider the office location and hours, especially if your whole family will use the same dentist.
4) Plan a visit. Pay particular attention to the cleanliness of the office, the type of equipment throughout the facility, and the overall friendliness of the staff. The thoroughness of this first examination should give you a good indication of the quality of care that a
dentist can provide.
Brace Yourself
St. Louis is home to a prestigious national orthodontics association.
By Steph Kukuljan
Believe it or not, St. Louis has long played a prominent role in the pursuit of better smiles. Edward Angle, the “father of modern orthodontics,” opened the first school of orthodontics here in 1900, and his Angle School of Orthodontia received a big boost from the World’s Fair. Though the school eventually moved to Pasadena, Calif., the orthodontics association he founded still calls St. Louis home.
The American Association of Orthodontists, established by Angle in 1900 as the Society of Orthodontists, boasts more than 15,000 members across the world and offers continuing-education services for orthodontists. “Of all dental fields and specialties, I think we have the best organization,” says Dr. Robert Shapiro, a local orthodontist who’s been a member for 13 years. “They are a good voice for our profession.”
But the AAO doesn’t just assist orthodontists. Its website for patients, braces.org, offers information ranging from when to call the dentist to recipes safe for those with braces. The Creve Coeur–based organization also sponsors year-round programs to raise awareness about oral health. “They’re looking out for the welfare of the patients,” says Dr. Jeffrey Cavanaugh, a Manchester-based orthodontist and AAO member of 16 years. The AAO also fields questions about procedures, what to expect, and how to find an orthodontist. And it supports local schools like the Center for Advanced Dental Education at Saint Louis University. “It’s a great
resource for students and faculty,” says Dr. Rolf Behrents, the center’s executive director.
“The AAO has a reach far beyond the state of Missouri and this country,” adds Behrents. Next summer, for instance, St. Louis will host 600 orthodontic students, a boon for the local economy. “Just as St. Louis is known for its outstanding medical community, St. Louis is recognized around the world as one of the leading cities in dentistry,” notes Pam Paladin, consumer-relations manager for the AAO. “And having so many outstanding academicians and clinicians in town enhances the quality of care that patients in the greater St. Louis
area receive.”
Chew on This
Flossing can be good for more than your teeth.
By James Kane
The big, new thing in dental research and development isn’t a sophisticated laser drill or miracle mouthwash. It’s the mounting clinical evidence suggesting oral health affects overall health and wellness in ways not before realized.
Dr. Harold Schreiber, a Saint Louis University professor of periodontics, cites recent studies from the American Dental Association that link periodontitis to problems throughout the body, such as heart disease and digestive issues. “There’s constant research being done,” he says. “We’re working to learn more about these connections.”
The working theory is that the chronic tissue inflammation caused by gum disease can trigger inflammation in other places, like arteries and blood vessels. Substances produced by more than 400 species of oral bacteria—some harmful, some benign—can also enter the bloodstream and cause arterial deposits to build up. Schreiber says gum disease has also been linked to respiratory disease, premature birth, and difficulties managing diabetes.
Chesterfield dentist Dr. Robert Boyle says that a genetic component also plays a “huge” role in this oral-systemic connection. “If your mom and dad both had dentures, there’s a higher-than-average chance you may develop problems as well,” he says. Boyle describes a simple new saliva test offered by a few regional offices that can detect the presence of certain detrimental bacteria, allowing for appropriate antibiotic treatment.
The science might be new, but the deterrents are familiar.
“Prevention is what we do best,” says Dr. Jeff Dalin, spokesperson for the Greater St. Louis Dental Society. His prescription is time-honored: Brush and floss regularly, use fluoride mouthwash, limit sugar, and visit your dentist at least twice a year. Even with progress in research and technology, he insists oral health begins and ends with cleaning, brushing, and flossing. “It’s still up to the patient,” he says.
