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About Joel S. Teig, DMD, FABOMS
Expertise
I am a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and I am available to answer questions related to tooth extractions, implant insertion, facial recontruction, facial and oral tumor removal, TMJ dysfunction and various successful treatments, including surgery if all else fails, and occlusal discrepancy requiring orthognathic or jaw surgery.

Experience
Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon practicine for over 20 years. Assistant Clincal Professor and State University School of Dentistry.

Organizations
American Dental Association, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Education/Credentials
BA
DMD

Awards and Honors
National Honor Society (OKU), Philadelphia County Dental Society, Mosby Book Award, Oral Surgery Honors, Summa Cum Laude

You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Dentistry > Dentistry > infection control and other issues

Dentistry - infection control and other issues

Expert: Joel S. Teig, DMD, FABOMS - 10/31/2009

Question
Hi, Most people fear the dentist because of pain but I am extremely terrified of 'catching' a disease (via another patient's blood,etc) at the dentist's office. I know that some dentists are 'lax' in their infection control procedures but I can't call dentist's offices and ask about that (I probably wouldn't get an honest answer). Where can I get info about dentists who've had infractions in cleanliness? This is a paralyzing fear and I need to go because a piece broke off of my tooth. I can't bring myself to go because after I went I'd constantly worry that I'd contracted a disease from the dentist.
PS, If I need the tooth pulled would I need to find a general dentist or a specialist?
Thank You in advance

Answer
The Mom - You are correct to state that some dentists, especially the older ones, fail to be as clean and practice sterility in their practice. Probably the best way to determine if the dentist you choose has been caught not being clean, is to contact the Department of Health in your state or even a local health department. You can also contact he local dental society or state society to ask the same questions.

If you need to have a tooth removed and you are nervous and concerned about cleanliness, going to a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon to remove the tooth is the best choice. Not only will a doctor who operates on patients in a hospital like the oral and maxillofacial surgeon know how to practice sterility, but the surgery will have a better overall result due to the skill of the doctor.

I wish you well and hope everything turns out well for you.

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