Dr. McBride is a general dentist who has been in private practice in Long Beach, California for over 30 years. He received his Bachelor of Science from UCLA and his Doctorate in Dental Surgery from The College of Physicians and Surgeons of The University of The Pacific. He is a member of the American Dental Association - Harbor component, Orognathic Bioesthetics International, Kovats Academy of Prosthodontic Research, Western Society of Periodontology, American Society of Dental Sleep Medicine and holds a Fellowship and a Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry. He is one of only 170 dentists worldwide who have been accredited in all four training levels in Orognathic Bioesthetics.
He has had articles published in Dental Economics (October, 1992), Parkell Today (September1993, October 1995), Dentistry Today, April, 1996 and the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) journal, summer 1999.
He has presented to various groups, including the Harbor Dental Society, the Academy of Prosthodontic Research, Xerox Corporation, Long Beach Memorial Hospital Family Practice Resident Program, the Orognathic Bioesthetic Interactive Conference, California Dental Association Spring 2000 Convention in Anaheim and the Downey Dental Academy. Last May, he spoke before a group of specialists and their staffs about the importance of intercommunication. He has lectured extensively for the American Education Bureau.
His holistic practice is unique in that it offers individual diagnostic time not bounded by the time restrictions inherent in insurance-based practices. This mode offers opportunity for clients to understand their dental problems, fostering high commitment as they become participants in their own health. The practice uses the latest technology, such as phase microscopy in evaluating periodontal (gum) disease, laser cavity detection, intra-oral cameras and jaw movement tracking devices. Prevention based, a large part of his practice is involved with treating dental-related head and neck pain (“TMJ”). www.rpmdentistry.com
Holistic Dentistry—My View
Accurate definitions are important prior to a discussion of any subject matter. The word “holistic” is defined in the Thorndike-Barnhart dictionary as, “concerned with all factors, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, that affect health, rather than treating isolated diseases and symptoms.”
A dentist with a holistic approach is not just checking your teeth and gums, looking for decay and periodontal (gum) disease, or wanting to sell you on the idea of an improved smile through the wonders of cosmetic dentistry. To me, holistic dentistry means first getting to know the whole person, their attitudes towards dentistry and their desires regarding prevention and treatment. True health requires patient education, but I believe that the holistic dentist’s first priority is to educate himself about the patient before recommending what they may need or should want.
Traditional dentists and physicians have been in a reactive mode when it comes to treating disease, i.e., dentists who only repair decay and replace missing teeth, and, for example, physicians who react to high blood pressure solely with symptom controlling medications. In both cases the cause of the disease is not addressed.
In dentistry, a holistic approach is based on an understanding of how a healthy and attractive mouth looks and functions, and how it influences and is influenced by the rest of the body. This understanding was brought about through careful research of people, some in their eighties and nineties who had exceptional oral health. Besides having attractive smiles, these people exhibited little, if any tooth wear or tooth loss, and most had no or very little dental treatment needs. In other words, the research was based on the study of health, not disease. By observing and measuring these fortunate individuals, it was found that, without exception, they had qualities in common that resulted in beauty, function, comfort, and longevity. It was discovered that their teeth arrangements not only resulted in a naturally attractive appearance, but were aligned in such a manner that there was harmony between the upper and lower teeth and their relation to the jaw joints (TMJ’s). This accounted for why they never experienced jaw joint noise or pain, head and neck discomfort, tooth loss, vertigo or migraines. The components of their oral systems were all working in harmony – TMJ’s muscles, ligaments, nerves, etc. - that precluded not only the above symptoms, but these people also had little or no decay or periodontal disease. The result: A model of oral health was discovered through careful observation of hundreds of healthy oral systems. These qualities became the Bioesthetic Guidelines, directing the holistic dentist in his diagnostic, preventive and treatment efforts. This research has incalculable value, as any person with a compromised smile, or head and neck aches from an inharmonious bite relationship can be assessed and treated towards this model of health & beauty discovered through the research of Mother Nature’s success.
Within the last decade or so, many new technologies have sprung up in dentistry, such as bonding, life-like porcelain materials used in crowns and veneers, as well as implant teeth replacements. These new technologies have given birth to the field of “Cosmetic Dentistry,” and the predominant content of most all dental journals today has to do with their application. Although these technologies offer many new and wonderful treatment options, their applications prior to a proper oral diagnosis may result in unfavorable side effects. When applied within the Bioesthetic model of health, the results can be awesome!
Also, it is crucial to use materials that are non-toxic and that are designed properly to support the health of the entire oral system. It is interesting that dentistry has named those black fillings as “silver amalgam” fillings when there is twice as much mercury in them as there is silver. Aside from the potential mercury toxicity, there are more durable and esthetic materials available that would alone point in the direction of a mercury free dental practice. Our Hippocratic oath says "First do no harm" and this is why it is important to be under the care of a dentist who has been trained in evaluating not only the oral system (relationship of the teeth, gums, muscles, ligaments, TMJ's), but how all bodily systems effect the health, and are affected by the health of the oral system - true holistic dentistry.
As stated above, definitions are important, and usage of the term “cosmetic” in dentistry does not belie its meaning.
Cosmetics: superficial measures to make something appear better, more attractive, or more impressive.
Esthetics: an underlying principle, a set of principles, or a view often manifested by outward appearances or style of behavior; a guiding principle in matters of artistic beauty and taste.
The latter more aptly exemplifies Bioesthetics, the definition of which is: “The study or theory of the beauty of living things in their natural forms and functions.”
Probably the most important word for a holistic dentist is diagnosis. Not only for the dentist to learn the individual nature of the patient’s oral and general health status, but in so doing, he can then teach his patient for the first time, the cause(s) of their problems. The new esthetic and replacement technologies can then be designed within a template of health, encompassing the Bioesthetic Guidelines that will lead the patient to a healthy, attractive, disease-free dental condition. The power of Bioesthetic Dentistry is that its principles can be universally applied by all dental disciplines to all dental system problems. Bioesthetic Dentists have the knowledge and skill development to treat proactively towards a specific optimal health goal.
A thorough oral health assessment and diagnosis starts with obtaining a thorough medical and dental history and an oral examination that includes:
We also offer basic blood chemistry testing for those whose physical condition may be a factor in attaining optimum oral health.
We have a family of talented, caring people that enjoys working this way within a unique, happy, warm, comfortable and safe environment that inspires amazing results. www.rpmdentistry.com
Treat symptoms (results of disease) or diagnose systems (causes of disease)?
One of the biggest joys I have in life is working with a patient who wants to become healthier by co-learning with me about the status of their oral health, and going through a process of diagnosis, prevention and treatment that can be life changing!
I have spent countless hours throughout the last 35 years studying far above the norm to become the best dentist I can be. This learning adventure has been joyful, insightful, laborious and satisfying – but I will never be completely satisfied as long as there is more to learn. I have had mentors along the way that have taught me how a healthy mouth appears and functions as a system and how an unhealthy one can definitely change the state of one’s systemic health. I believe that patient education is vitally important…..the word DOCTOR means TEACHER. Therefore, I spend the necessary time in the beginning learning about and educating my patients.
I have found that most new dental patients are seeking remedies for problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, enhanced appearance and improved chewing ability. Most dentists will satisfy these needs by filling, crowning and cleaning teeth, providing teeth whitening procedures, veneers, porcelain crowns and implants to replace teeth. This is the modus operandi of 99% of practicing dentists. And I do all of the above, however in a more calculated and holistic manner. I perform a diagnosis – but not just “how many cavities or gum pockets you have,” or “how I can replace your missing teeth with implants,” or how “six or eight veneers on your front teeth can solve your appearance problems.” I perform all of these procedures, but before starting I perform a thorough diagnosis of my patients’ entire oral system. After all these years of dental practice, being a student and teaching, and having learned how a stable and attractive mouth appears and functions as a healthy system, I cannot jump in and fix problems that may be the result of a system not being in harmony without first looking into and correcting the cause(s). Why are teeth crooked or worn? Why is there jaw joint noise and pain? Could neck, head aches and migraines be the result of an oral system being out of balance? Could broken and worn teeth be the result of their not meeting properly? Could your bleeding gums be causing you a systemic health risk? Could the state of your systemic health be contributing to your bleeding gums? These are questions we need to consider prior to performing any treatment, excepting of course for pain and social (appearance) emergencies. This is the difference between treating symptoms and diagnosing systems.
So, you see, my background and experience offers benefits to my patients beyond continuing on a path of merely repairing and replacing the results of disease. My in-office presentations and those I do within and outside of my community represent my commitment to provide information towards an understanding of how the mouth functions as a system, and how its health can influence and be influenced by bodily health. My knowledge and training requires that I teach my patients the cause of their problems to stop the continual repair and replacement cycle, similar to a mountain climbing guide who would give the proper knowledge and equipment to get you to the top. We can get to the top if you have as much interest in your health as I do, as teamwork is what allows it to happen. When dental services are diagnosed correctly, planned carefully and performed properly with a holistic approach that considers the entire oral system, it can be one of the best investments you will ever make as it can improve your physical and mental well-being and offer you a lifetime of oral health! www.rpmdentistry.com