As Treatment Coordinator at West Park Dental in Cleveland, my responsibilities include presenting the treatment plan to the patient and arranging financial options and payment plans for the treatment.
Posted 07/27/2020
New patients who visit our dental office for their very first visit do not have long to wait once they arrive. One reason we can see patients promptly is that the doctors tend to run on time.
Posted 07/20/2020
Posted 07/14/2020
In dentistry oral cancer is a very serious concern, which we screen for when we see our patients. Most people are not aware of how insidious this disease can be, because symptoms are almost nonexistent until the patient either has pain or swelling, or a sore that will not heal over time.
Posted 07/06/2020
There are a number of dental myths. A big myth is believing that cavities in a child’s baby teeth are not a problem because the teeth will eventually fall out. I do not like seeing people in pain, and a small child will be in pain if they have cavities that are not treated while waiting for baby teeth to fall out.
Posted 06/29/2020
My work is as a certified dental assistant and I have expanded function dental auxiliary duties as well. In this capaCleveland I have an opportunity to get to know patients well, which I love to do.
Posted 06/22/2020
Posted 06/15/2020
At West Park Dental we treat multiple generations, from small children to very elderly patients, and it is easy to relate to all these different generations because I really enjoy all these relationships.
Posted 06/08/2020
Many patients ask questions about the cost of dental treatment and financial options, and here at West Park Dental we have a staff who are experts concerning the options available to patients to help pay for needed dental services.
Posted 06/01/2020
The reason it is so important to floss your teeth is that a toothbrush has a really hard time getting in between your teeth. Toothbrush bristles are too thick to get into those areas.
Posted 05/25/2020
Posted 05/18/2020
As a dentist in practice for many years I have become very active in the community. During children’s dental health month we speak to the children at local schools, and we also participate in the local parades. For many years I served on the Board of Director for St. Joseph Academy, the all-girls school down the street from West Park Dental, and currently I lecture in their health sciences classes.
Posted 05/11/2020
When a patient comes in to have a cracked tooth treated, one of the biggest factors in determining the course of treatment is to examine the crack very carefully.
Posted 04/05/20
As the Insurance Coordinator here at West Park Dental, I know that the most common misperception about dental insurance is that it is like medical insurance.
Posted 04/27/20
Posted 04/20/20
Dental implants are often preferable to a bridge for various reasons. The implant is a single tooth, whereas a bridge will involve three teeth and span over the empty space where one natural tooth used to be.
Posted 04/13/20
These days we have the technology to straighten teeth with no wires or brackets using nearly invisible braces. The system we use is Invisalign, which incorporates computer-based imaging to create a digital mockup of the teeth prior to treatment.
Posted 06/04/20
With so many different kinds of toothbrushes and toothpastes on the market it can be confusing for consumers to know which ones are right for them.
Posted 03/30/20
Posted 03/23/20
While I practice the full scope of general dentistry, there are some aspects that I really enjoy very much, including, for example the cosmetic side of dentistry.
Posted 03/16/20
At West Park Dental there are specific steps we take to create and sustain patient loyalty. After operative procedures we call the patient to follow-up and see how they are doing.
Posted 03/09/2019
In addition to being a certified dental assistant, I have expanded function dental auxiliary duties, or EFDA. With that EFDA I am able to place fillings. To become qualified I trained for a year to learn how to place and finish fillings.
Posted 03/02/20
Some patients think that losing teeth is a natural part of the aging process. The myth goes back to the Middle Ages when there was no dental health care or an understanding of proper oral hygiene. When a tooth became problematic, the only option was to take it out.
Posted 02/24/20
Posted 02/17/20
At West Park Dental we have several systems in place in terms of protocols for ensuring proper levels of sterilization. We take patient safety very seriously here. As part of our protocol, we have a sterilization area that has a clean side and a dirty side.
Posted 02/10/20
The future of dentistry will focus very much on information being at our fingertips and patients maintaining dental awareness into later years of life.
Posted 02/03/20
In modern dentistry today one of the techniques we have at our disposal as an alternative to placing a full coverage crown on a tooth is bonding the tooth. When placing a crown we are required to grind down the whole tooth, but with bonding we bond pieces of porcelain to a fractured or decayed tooth.
Posted 01/27/20
Posted 01/20/20
At West Park Dental the entire team is involved in the prevention program in order for it to be successful. Prevention is part of our practice culture and everyone--from hygienists to assistants to the doctors--will emphasize prevention with patients.
Posted 01/13/20
Here at West Park Dental we have an overall philosophy that the patient comes first, which sounds simple but it is really something we put into practice.
Posted 01/06/20
Veneers are a wonderful product we can offer patients here at West Park Dental, and there are certain circumstances that make them a wise choice versus putting a crown on a tooth. An example is a patient I have who has what we call “tetracycline staining.”
Posted 12/30/19
Posted 12/23/19
The reason it is so important for a patient to have a proper bite is that certain teeth are meant to do certain things, and when they are asked to go beyond their intended function, there can be problems with teeth breaking.
Posted 12/16/19
A variety of payment options are available to patients here at West Park Dental in Cleveland. We accept coordination of payment via insurance, personal checks, and all the major credit cards including Discover and American Express. We also offer financing with CareCredit.
Posted 12/09/19
The main point of creating a filling is to create a very durable tooth. Scientists use the term “newton centimeter” to describe the bite force placed on teeth during compression or chewing.
Posted 12/02/19
Posted 11/25/19
X-rays are used for diagnostic purposes, and to protect the patient from oral health problems that could arise—or are currently present—which would not be discovered without the use of this important diagnostic tool.
Posted 11/18/19
Posted 11/11/19
Sleep apnea is a condition that happens while someone is sleeping and they either completely stop breathing or partially stop breathing repeatedly through the night. It is a significant problem that affects many people.
Posted 11/04/19
At West Park Dental we have infection control protocols in place that go beyond those required by law. We provide a very safe and hygienic environment for patients and staff alike. Our protocols begin with the way our treatment space is setup in the rooms.
Posted 10/21/19
Periodontal (gum) disease is a silent disease because without periodontal charting of the gums people often would not know it is present until it reaches an advanced stage. Periodontal charting is used to assess overall dental health by checking every surface of each tooth, and the condition of the gums in every location of the mouth.
Posted 10/14/19
Some patients need a full mouth rehabilitation or reconstruction. One example would be a patient who has several missing teeth while many other teeth are breaking down and some teeth are not functioning properly.
Posted 10/07/19
Posted 09/30/19
To help patients who grind their teeth, the first step is to get to know the patient and learn about their lifestyle. So many people have excess stress in their lives that often leads to clenching the teeth or grinding the teeth, or both.
Posted 09/23/19
When a patient tells me, they want to be smart about their insurance and make sure they are choosing a company that will cover them in the best possible way, I offer my services to the patient.
Posted 09/16/19
We are on call at West Park Dental after hours for emergencies. One new emergency patient was in town to give a talk at a conference, and while at the meeting he developed a toothache and was afraid it was so severe that it would prevent him from giving his presentation.
Posted 09/09/19
Posted 09/02/19
Non-metal crowns have changed cosmetic dentistry. I am very pleased to be practicing dentistry during these times when we have years of experience with modern materials.
Posted 08/26/2019
The way I would describe my favorite part of the job at West Park Dental is helping my patients maintain and restore their dental health.
Posted 08/19/2019
Many dental patients come to West Park Dental convinced that they are too old to have dental implants. I respond by asking a 70-year-old patient, for example, if they feel old and I ask about their overall health.
Posted 08/12/2019
Posted 08/05/19
Perhaps the most common reason for putting a crown on a tooth is that it previously held a large filling that now needs replacement due to additional decay, but there was not enough healthy tooth structure remaining in which to set a filling.
Posted 07/29/19
My work is as a certified dental assistant and I have expanded function dental auxiliary duties as well. In this capaCleveland I have an opportunity to get to know patients well, which I love to do.
Posted 07/22/19
If a patient would like whiter teeth the first thing we do is a thorough dental cleaning. After a cleaning a very good option for the patient is the gel and tray whitening service we offer.
Posted 07/15/19
Posted 07/08/19
There are many different types of dentures that we provide at West Park Dental in Cleveland. Years ago we only had the option of providing patients with conventional, full mouth dentures that were completely removable.
Posted 07/01/19
At West Park Dental we treat multiple generations, from small children to very elderly patients, and it is easy to relate to all these different generations because I really enjoy all these relationships.
Posted 05/06/19
Many patients ask questions about the cost of dental treatment and financial options, and here at West Park Dental we have a staff who are experts concerning the options available to patients to help pay for needed dental services.
Posted 04/29/19
The reason it is so important to floss your teeth is that a toothbrush has a really hard time getting in between your teeth. Toothbrush bristles are too thick to get into those areas.
Posted 04/22/19
Posted 04/15/19
Posted 03/18/19
Dental implants are often preferable to a bridge for various reasons. The implant is a single tooth, whereas a bridge will involve three teeth and span over the empty space where one natural tooth used to be.
Posted 03/11/19
These days we have the technology to straighten teeth with no wires or brackets using nearly invisible braces. The system we use is Invisalign, which incorporates computer-based imaging to create a digital mockup of the teeth prior to treatment.
Posted 03/04/19
In addition to being a certified dental assistant, I have expanded function dental auxiliary duties, or EFDA. With that EFDA I am able to place fillings. To become qualified I trained for a year to learn how to place and finish fillings.
Posted 01/28/2019
West Park Dental staff follow strict protocols for patient safety, including using disposables, testing sterilization equipment, and cleaning surfaces thoroughly.
Posted 11/15/17
Dr. Michael Gallagher, dentist in Cleveland, has many ways to keep patients comfortable during procedures-everything from relaxing views to laughing gas.
Posted 11/08/17
West Park Dental offers comprehensive exams that start with establishing rapport with the patient.
Posted 11/01/17
Sports drinks and other sugary drinks should be drunk at once instead of sipping and exposing teeth to sugar and acid repeatedly.
Posted 10/25/17
West Park Dental in Cleveland treats patients of all ages with modern technology and life-long care for the aging patient population.
Posted 10/11/17
West Park Dental in Cleveland is a family dental practice with father, son, and mother working together with a great team in a supportive environment.
Posted 09/12/16
Family Dentistry
If you are looking for a gentle, courteous, and friendly dentist, then you've come to the right place. Our practice offers dental services for the entire family. Your oral health has a significant impact on your overall well being and our team is dedicated to providing you and your family with the best dental care possible.
Cosmetic Dentistry
The first thing most people notice about you is your smile. Advances in cosmetic dental care have made it possible for a dentist with the right training, qualifications and expertise to completely redesign your smile.
Dental Implants
If you are missing one or more teeth, and wish to eat your favorite foods, increase your chewing ability, and improve your appearance, speech, and self-esteem, then you are a candidate for dental implants. The doctors at West Park Dental use the latest implant technology so you can smile again with confidence. Call our office today to schedule your appointment.
Sleep Apnea
Do you find yourself waking at night gasping for breath? Are you exhausted all day long because you just can't get a good night's sleep?
'Apnea' is a Greek word meaning "without breath"; people who have apnea literally stop breathing in their sleep. A cessation of breath lasting for 10 seconds in adults, or 2 and 1/2 breath cycles in a child, is the clinical definition of sleep apnea.
As Treatment Coordinator at West Park Dental in Cleveland, my responsibilities include presenting the treatment plan to the patient and arranging financial options and payment plans for the treatment.
Read More...
Posted 07/27/2020
New patients who visit our dental office for their very first visit do not have long to wait once they arrive. One reason we can see patients promptly is that the doctors tend to run on time.
Read More...
Posted 07/20/2020