What Is In-Office Dentistry?

Let’s face it: It can be hard to get away from the office to get to a dental exam. Plus, with so many adult Americans suffering from odontophobia (fear of the dentist), a lot of people simply don’t make it a priority. But what if you didn’t have to leave the office to get your dental exam? What if your dentist dropped by for a work-based house call and came to you? Well, the future is here and so is the dentist at a new startup that’s sending dentists to business offices to do in-office exams and cleanings for employees.

The startup follows other oral health startups like those braces-by-mail companies. It offers dental exams and cleanings in the comfort of your own workplace, usually in an empty office or conference room. Great idea, right? Wrong!

So, what’s the problem with in-office oral health? After all, it is a timesaver and would solve a big problem for many people. But there are bigger problems created by this type of dentistry.

First of all, getting your teeth cleaned and scraped – something that can cause bleeding - is not something to do in a conference room where you just had a board meeting and celebrated Bob from HR’s 46th birthday. Dental offices are sterile environments that are cleaned thoroughly between patients. All materials used are either disposed of properly or sanitized properly. Most office conference rooms don’t have an autoclave sanitizer or proper disposal system for materials containing bodily fluids.

Next, think about how your job makes you feel. Even if you love what you do, it can get stressful. Do you really want the stress and tension of being in the office added to the stress of being at the dentist? How can you relax if you spend your entire cleaning worrying about that big report that’s due in three hours? Most dental offices go the extra mile to make patients feel comfortable and relaxed during your visit.

Finally, think about what may be required at your exam. Do you want your boss to see you in bitewings? Your HR person to hear you under nitrous oxide? Probably not. While in-office dentistry seems to have its heart in the right place, dentistry is one field that’s better left in-office: a dental office.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. George, please call 724-220-2347.