This is an important question. There isn’t a governing body regulating holistic dentists, unlike the American Dental Association, which guides general dentists.
Like all dentists, holistic dentists must adhere to the regulations and standards of practice established by the Board of Dentistry in each state. However, holistic dentists often exceed the state board’s standard care practices and obtain additional certifications and memberships.
In other words, almost all holistic dentists would meet the criteria of "above" the standard of care because they are always required to meet ADA regulations, and then they exceed the standard by adding to it.
Standard of care within Holistic Dentistry
When searching for a holistic dentist, ensure they are accredited and certified by reputable associations. This way, you can be assured that they are practicing evidence-based, high-quality care.
Many dentists claim to be holistic when they have a broad scope of practice. For example, several dental offices label themselves as holistic when they provide white composite fillings instead of mercury fillings, without concern for safely removing them when necessary.
Training, credentialing, and certifications
Our dentists are members of the IAOMT (International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology), leaders in science-based biological/holistic dentistry. They are all certified with SMART certification for safe mercury amalgam removal. We have also obtained basic and advanced medical ozone certification.
Ensure that any holistic dentist is a member of the IAOMT and is SMART certified. This would indicate that if they ever remove a mercury filling from somebody's mouth, they have a protocol in place to keep the patient safe from exposure to unhealthy amounts of mercury vapor during the procedure. Being SMART certified means they have demonstrated that they possess the necessary equipment and understand the protocols.
Studio Z Dental is also a member of the HDA (Holistic Dental Association) and the IABDM (International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine). In addition to these highly respected association credentials, Dr. Tom Zyvoloski, our lead dentist, is Board-Certified in Integrative Biologic Dental Medicine and Accredited by the IAOMT.
Ozone- an essential aspect of holistic dentistry
We believe ozone is a vital ingredient in top-quality holistic dentistry. Look for a dentist with advanced training in ozone protocols, which have become the gold standard for treating oral health issues. If ozone isn’t used, infections can linger in the mouth, causing problems.
Some holistic dentists use medical-grade ozone in their offices to enhance every procedure and increase outcomes. For example, using ozone on a tooth with a deep cavity before filling it will increase the bond strength of the filling, decrease post-op sensitivity, and dramatically lower the risk of that tooth dying down the road. Additionally, ozone should be used when an infected root canal tooth needs to be removed, allowing the body to heal more thoroughly.
Please call our office so we can answer your questions about holistic/biologic dentistry and set up an appointment to begin your care. Contact us.