Patient Education Is a Priority at Southern York Smile Care

Patient education is a priority at Southern York Smile Care, because you make better choices when you understand your own mouth. Good dental health depends on daily habits and informed decisions. That's why Dr. Steven Haywood and the team take the time to explain what they find, what your options are and how to care for your teeth at home.

Why Patient Education Matters

Most of your dental health happens between visits. You brush, floss, eat and drink every day, and those habits do far more to protect your teeth than any single appointment. When you understand why a habit matters, it is much easier to stick with it.

Education also matters when treatment comes up. If you are told you need a filling or a crown, you deserve to know why, what will happen and what your other choices are. People who understand their care tend to feel calmer, ask better questions and follow through on the plan that's right for them.

Dr. Haywood has more than 35 years in practice. Over that time, one lesson stands out: patients who understand their mouths keep their teeth healthier for longer.

Seeing Is Understanding

It is hard to care about a problem you can't see. That's why the office uses technology that lets you look at your own teeth alongside your dentist.

• Intraoral camera. A small camera shows close-up pictures of your teeth on a screen. You can see a cracked filling, a worn edge or a spot of decay for yourself.
• Digital X-rays. Images appear in seconds and can be enlarged, so it's easy to point out what's going on. Digital X-rays also use up to 90% less radiation than film.
• iTero Element 3D scanner. This scanner builds a 3D model of your teeth without messy impression trays. It is also used to show how Invisalign could move your teeth.
• DIAGNOdent. This laser tool helps find early decay hidden in the grooves of back teeth.

You can read about each of these tools on our dental technology page.

Explaining Treatment Before It Starts

When you need a procedure such as a filling, crown or root canal, the team walks you through it first. You'll hear:

• What the problem is and what may happen if it is left alone.
• The treatment choices that fit your situation, including simpler options when they make sense.
• What to expect during the visit and how long it should take.
• How to care for your tooth afterward.

Kelley Fisher, the Patient Care and Treatment Coordinator, then helps you with the practical side. That includes your written plan, insurance questions and payment options. Southern York Smile Care is out of network with every insurer. You pay at the visit and the office files the claim so you can be reimbursed. Payment plans are available through CareCredit and Cherry. See the financing page for details.

Learning Good Habits at Your Cleaning

Cleanings at Southern York Smile Care are a full 60 minutes. That extra time leaves room to talk, not just clean. Your visit is a good chance to ask about:

• Brushing technique. A soft brush held at an angle to the gumline works better than hard scrubbing.
• Flossing. If regular floss is hard to use, a water flosser or floss picks may work better for you.
• Diet. Frequent snacking and sugary drinks feed the bacteria that cause decay. Small changes make a big difference.
• Dry mouth, grinding or sensitivity. These are common, and there are good ways to manage them.
• Fluoride or remineralization varnish. Patients who prefer a holistic approach can choose remineralization varnish. Fluoride is available for anyone who wants it.

Learn more about dental cleanings and preventive dentistry, or read our brush or floss article for everyday tips.

Helping Families and Kids Learn Early

Good habits are easiest to build when they start young. When children visit, the team keeps explanations simple and friendly. Kids learn how plaque forms, why sugary snacks matter and how to brush the back teeth they often miss. Parents get practical tips too, such as when to start flossing a child's teeth and how to make brushing part of the bedtime routine.

Children who understand what happens at the dentist tend to feel calmer about visits. That comfort often carries into adulthood. You can learn more on the children's dentistry page, or read our article on preventive dentistry for kids.

Understanding the Link Between Your Mouth and Your Body

Patient education isn't only about teeth. Research shows links between gum disease and other health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. Inflamed gums can affect more than your smile. That's one reason the team takes time to explain bleeding gums, bad breath or loose teeth rather than brushing them off as minor.

For patients who want to look deeper, the office offers oral DNA tests that can identify the types of bacteria behind gum disease. Patients who prefer a whole-body approach can also learn about holistic dentistry and how it fits with their overall health goals.

Knowing Your Cosmetic Options

Healthy teeth come first. But many people also want a smile they feel good about, and they don't always know what's possible. Part of patient education is simply letting you know your options.

Dr. Haywood trained in cosmetic dentistry through the NYU Aesthetic Continuum. Common choices include:

• Teeth whitening to brighten stained or dull teeth.
• Porcelain veneers to change the shape, color or alignment of front teeth.
• Cosmetic bonding for small chips and gaps.
• Dental implants to replace missing teeth.
• A complete smile makeover that combines several treatments.

If you'd like to preview a result before you decide, cosmetic imaging can show what a change might look like on your own smile.

Questions Are Always Welcome

There's no such thing as a silly dental question. It helps to jot your questions down before your visit, so you don't forget them once you're in the chair. If you're unsure why something is recommended, ask. If you want a second explanation, ask again. If dental visits make you nervous, say so. Oral sedation is available, and the team will go at your pace. You can read more about sedation dentistry, or browse our FAQs for quick answers to common questions.

New to the practice? The new patient info page explains what to bring and what your first visit looks like.

Visit a Dentist Who Explains Things Clearly

If you want a dentist who takes time to explain your care, call Southern York Smile Care at (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment. The office is at 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury and welcomes patients from York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County.

About the authorDr. Steven Haywood, DDS

DDS cum laude 1987, US Air Force residency, NYU cosmetic training and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, with 35+ years in practice.

Meet Dr. Haywood →