Let us share with you...

Our Philosphy of Practice

We understand that choosing a new dentist and dental health team can be a challenge, leaving you with some uncertain feelings.  We are writing this to welcome you and to share more specifically our beliefs concerning the types of services we offer and why.  Some time ago we wrote a mission statement which clarifies the purpose of our practice.  Briefly stated it is this...

We believe each person has the right to become as healthy as they choose to be. Our desire is to engage each patient in the co-discovery and realization of their level of health, allowing for choices while providing comprehensive, quality care using up to date techniques, in a courteous and relaxed environment.

In short, our goal is to help you become as healthy as you choose to be.  This is a major departure from the way in which I was trained.  Instead of telling you how healthy you should be, I will help you understand your choices about dental health and let you make an informed choice regarding health and treatment needs.

The goal of optimum dentistry is to help you keep all of your teeth for the rest of your life with good health, comfort, appearance and function.  Our belief in the importance and uniqueness of each individual patient demands that we treat each patient individually.  Your physical, mental and emotional health will always be the object of our prime concern.

Most patients expect that their dentist is a Master.  Mastery in dentistry begins with a careful examination and diagnosis and the development of a Master Plan to help us develop the health goals that we will establish together.  You have unique dental needs, and we will analyze and address them objectively and honestly.  We will identify and carefully consider your feelings and preferences.

In our practice we consider it far better to prevent diseases than to simply treat them after they occur.  The success of our efforts is assured through proper examination and goal setting to achieve an effective Master Plan.

Our pledge to you is accurately expressed in these carefully chosen words: Quality and Excellence.  We look upon you as a unique person of Infinite Worth both to God and to those who need and love you.  We will affirm that worth through our care and concern.
Dr. Michael S. McCann and Team

What to expect at your first visit

As you can probably tell from Our Philosophy, Dr. McCann is a very different doctor than most doctors.  He is a very caring person and wants to establish a meaningful relationship with each and every patient, both children and adults.

If you would like to become a new patient in our practice we are delighted and hope you will agree that getting to know one another is extremely important before entering into a long term relationship.  Dr. McCann does not wish to provide long term care and concern for strangers and feels that since every person has infinite worth, each new patient deserves the courtesy of getting to know their doctor before deciding to move ahead with treatment.

Dr. McCann feels that it is important for you to be comfortable with him, and he with you, to determine whether you are a match for our practice.  Dr. McCann will review your completed Acquaintance, Health History and Dental Questionnaire forms, and then sit and get to know you before you are escorted to the treatment area.

Dr. McCann will want to listen to you as you share your experiences, hopes, and desires for improving your health and discuss the nature of the three “dis-eases” we all battle related to dentistry.  When you come to the conclusion that you wish to learn more about your health, and you would like to enter into a process of discovering the level of your health with Dr. McCann, then a truly comprehensive co-discovery evaluation can occur in the treatment area of our office. 

Dr. McCann will not know how long to make any treatment appointments until after the comprehensive evaluation is completed.  This means that no treatment is completed, including adult prophylaxis (what most people refer to as a regular cleaning), at your initial visit because you and Dr. McCann will not know what treatment is appropriate for your level of health until after the comprehensive evaluation.

About Premedication

In 1997 and since then, the American Heart Association, American Medical Association, American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, American Red Cross, and other relative health related agencies and associations all got together and reviewed research regarding prophylaxis for prevention of Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis (SBE) and bacteremias leading to damage of prosthetic joints and certain heart conditions.  Their conclusions determined the prophylactic coverage with antibioticfor individuals at risk during certain dental and medical procedures.  Based on a number of different criteria, they have recommended the following guidelines.  I believe in following these guidelines as they are stated.  Please disregard any previous prescriptions for premedication.  For those patients that need premedication, we can call or fax a copy of a new prescription to their pharmacist prior to their appointment.  We want to make sure all of our patients are cared for appropriately and hope that those who need to will help us by cooperating with these new guidelines.  Fortunately, they seem to be simplified and less medication is necessary than the previous guidelines recommended.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation and also your continued support of our practice. 

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