I practice dentistry differently as a result of my personal experiences as a dental patient. Looking back, I know that the dentists I saw in my early childhood were from an "old school" which was not highly concerned with patients' comfort.

When my family switched to a new dentist, it was like entering a whole new world. He offered nitrous oxide to help relieve my anxiety AND he waited the appropriate time for my local anesthetics to take effect - even if it put him a little behind in his schedule. He was also more personable and explained what he was doing and why he was doing it. At that point, dentistry became a MUCH better experience.

I decided to become a dentist after spending time observing my family dentist and other dentists and seeing the changes dentistry could make in people's appearance, health, and life. Up until that point, all I had personally experienced in dentistry were cleanings, examinations, and fillings. While I was observing, I saw the dentists rebuilding patients' mouths from conditions which initially looked hopeless to a point where those same patients could chew and enjoy their meals and smile again with pride and without embarrassment.

I have resolved that I will practice the caring style of my latter dentist rather than the hurried style of the earlier ones.

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David Dutkowski, D.M.D.

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