Hospital-based dentistry for phobic patients or those who need lots of work

Celebrating Dr. Hyman's Birthday with the Team -- and custom made T-shirts!

A special lunch marked the occasion of Dr. Hyman's birthday which is July 24.

Hospital Privileges for Dentists

I have had the privilege of serving on the medical staff of Moses Cone Medical Center since 1986 after completing a 2 -year residency in oral medicine and general practice at the University of North Carolina Hospital in Chapel Hill. I  am among a very small number of dentists in our community who can provide their patients the option of hospital-based dental care.  In my experience there are two specific types of patients that benefit from receiving their dental care in the hospital.

Phobia or Medically Compromised?

The first group of patients for whom hospital care is recommended are those who are phobic and prefer to be completely sedated for their treatment. This group may also include those who aren’t phobic but have gagging issues, or patients who want to have a lot of work done as quickly as possible. By sedating these patients we are able to complete several procedures, one after another, with dramatic changes resulting when they wake up. The second group of patients seeking hospital-based care are those who are medically compromised with conditions like heart or lung disease, and certain cancers, that render them too unhealthy to receive care in the traditional dental setting. This also includes those who may have suffered an accident or injury requiring emergency dental care.

At the Hospital

When we are scheduled to use the Moses Cone Surgery Center, we pack up a mobile operatory which includes all the instruments and equipment that we will need, and two of my dental assistants and one dental hygienist accompany me. Our patient is placed under sedation and we perform the procedure immediately. If our patient is going to have new crowns, we transport our CEREC machine to the hospital and just as we are able to complete this total procedure in our office, we will design, manufacture and place as many crowns as needed while our patient sleeps!

Amazing Outcomes

No matter how many times we create crowns with the CEREC machine – completed in one appointment, or in this case, a hospital visit – it always amazes our patients how quickly and easily they are able to achieve the most beautiful smile through this exciting technology.  We find that our patients are very comfortable in the hospital-based setting because it truly gives them the best of both worlds – a state-of-the-art surgical setting, and the dental team that they are very familiar with from their own dental home.

More photos from Dr. Hyman's Birthday Lunch - July 22, 2010