CLEARWATER PERIODONTIST PROVIDES FREE DENTAL CARE TO VETERANS 1st Annual Event 2015

CLEARWATER PERIODONTIST PROVIDES FREE DENTAL CARE TO VETERANS

Patient John Smith sits with Dr. Todd Britten just prior to his periodontal surgery.

Published: November 18, 2015

CLEARWATER, FL — With the help of several volunteers, Dr. Todd Britten recently coordinated a free day of dental care for local veterans. Dr. Britten stated this was a cause close to his heart.  Both of his grandfathers served in World War II, one having stormed the beaches of Normandy and the other was stationed in the Pacific.  Two of Dr. Britten’s uncles served in Vietnam, along with close family friends who are currently serving in the military.  "I have always respected the sacrifices that our veterans and their whole families had to make to ensure our safety and freedom. The sacrifices are really innumerable,” said Dr. Britten.

Many dental professionals in the community reached out to help - hygienists, dental assistants, general dentists and other dental professionals willing to donate their time and resources to provide free dental care to veterans in need. The Community Dental Clinic of Clearwater and the local Clearwater VFW branch helped coordinate the care of veterans in need.

The event was held in Dr. Britten's Clearwater periodontal office on November 5th and 6^th.  Volunteers came from his practice as well as Dr. Jim Hayslett from Clearwater Dental Associates and Britten Dental Associates in Lutz.  Four veterans were seen for periodontal and restorative procedures, including IV sedation for two of the more extensive procedures.

One patient who received treatment was John Smith, who served in the US Navy in Vietnam from 1965-1969. Dr. Britten explained that he was honored to be able to help Mr. Smith. The VFW Post 2473 in Clearwater where Mr. Smith serves as canteen manager does much to help local veterans.  Mr. Smith stated that his local branch recently fed over 100 VA patients, raised over $15,000 for homeless veterans and additional funds for Cancer Research.  When asked what this event meant to him, Smith stated, "I get to keep my teeth and I can't believe it's free."

Dr. Britten said it was all about showing our appreciation for the sacrifices that our veterans have made. This was the first event of its kind for Dr. Britten and his staff and he is hoping it will be the first of many. His practice, Britten Periodontics and Implant Dentistry would like to make this an annual event.

Update:  Dr. Todd Britten's 2nd Annual Veteran's Day Event is scheduled for November 11, 2016.  

 

For more information, go to www.brittenperio.com or call the office at (727) 586-2681.

Clearwater Dental Implant Specialist Dr. Todd Britten: Why Choose a Dental Implant "Specialist"?

Why Choose A Dental Implant “Specialist”?

It is important to remember that with any surgical procedure, there are inherent risks that could be alleviated with experience. Dental implants are becoming a more common and desired option for tooth replacement.

Dental implants have such a high success rate (95-97% for 30+ years). This high success rate is likely due to the fact that most implants have been placed by highly skilled specialists (oral surgeons and periodontists) who completed surgical residency programs. These surgical specialists have an in-depth knowledge of surgical techniques, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of potential complications.

The comprehensive training and experience of the surgical specialists (oral surgeons and periodontists) enable them to diagnose and manage the potential complications that can occur with surgical procedures.

Some general dentists, prosthodontists, and endodontists have attended specialized training courses on surgical implant placement and have achieved very successful results placing implants for their patients. However, they may not always feel comfortable managing and treating potential complications that are routine for surgical specialists. As a result, some patients have experienced serious implant failures and complications that could have been possibly avoided if they had been treated by surgical specialists.

If you are considering dental implants or any other surgical procedure, the following questions can help you make an informed decision about your treatment and your oral health.

1) What is your specialty?
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons and periodontists are the only ADA recognized surgical specialists.

As periodontist, Dr. Britten specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, the placement of dental implants and bone grafts, and treatment of oral inflammation. Periodontists also perform cosmetic periodontal surgery.

Dr. Britten has received an additional three years of specialty education and surgical training beyond dental school.

2) What is the extent of your training and experience in implant placement?

Oral surgeons and periodontists will be more than willing to share their extensive training and experience with you.
If you are considering implant treatment provided by a non-surgical dentist, ask specific questions about the implant training courses they attended, such as the name of the courses, dates, duration, and sponsorship. You should also ask how many courses they attended on the management of complications and may even want to ask how many implants they have placed.

3) Ask to speak to other patients. Their experiences can be invaluable in determining if you are in good hands.

4) Speak to the staff about dental implants. If they cannot answer your questions, the office probably does not provide implant procedures on a regular basis.

5) Ask to see before and after photos of cases. Surgicals specialists have likely performed hundreds, or even thousands, of implant procedures and are usually happy to share their successful case results with you.

Please contact our office if you have any questions about dental implants at 727-586-2681 or www.brittenperio.com. ‪#‎dentalimplants‬‪#‎dentalimplantsclearwater‬ ‪#‎periodonticsandimplantdentistry‬