Holistic Dental Health: Changing the Attitude
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Authors
Greene, Debra
Issue Date
1997
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
As we approach the 21St century, technological advances, increased regulatory control, changing team concepts, cultural diversity, and growing patient dissatisfaction are challenging how health care is administered and practiced. Dentistry, a health specialty, is not immune to the pressures. The direction that the dental profession follows will depend on how dental caregivers view themselves and their roles concerning these challenges. This paper examines traditional dental practice procedures within a framework of holism and reviews the impact that holistic attitudes have on the ability of dental professionals to offer quality, patient-centered care. Current education and existing team models are evaluated in a holistic paradigm and considered tools necessary to transform dentistry from a specialized health model to a profession that is integrative, comprehensive, and responsive to the whole of the individual.