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BONITA DENTAL STUDIO
by Yvette Lynn A
great relation- ship with the family dentist
inspired Dr. Roger J. Pint Jr., DMD, to seek a career in dentistry. “My dentist was always happy to see me, enjoyed his work, and made me feel comfortable, which was important
The Pint family
to me as a kid and also is the tone we strive for in our practice today,” says the owner of Bonita Dental Studio, in Bonita Springs.
Before actually entering dental
school, Pint took an educational detour that led to a master’s degree in public health with an emphasis in environ- mental toxicology. “I was always inter- ested in science and working creatively with my hands. Dentistry was a perfect match and the science and research really set the foundation for my practice today,” advises Pint. While working on his degree, Pint
was involved in research related to the removal of lead, copper and mercury from contaminated naval bases and
ship yards. “Our task was to evalu- ate soil samples from two major sites and research possible meth- ods to reduce the bioavailability of these materi- als, which means making them less hazardous to hu-
mans,” notes Pint, who jokes that he’s still involved with removing hazard- ous materials. “Now it’s in the form of mercury amalgams, which some people refer to as silver fillings.” In his first semester of dental
school, Pint was shocked that mercury was used to fill teeth. “I’d spent sev- eral years trying to get that out of the environment, so I couldn’t hold back from telling my classmates that it was a crazy idea. Some of them who are now practicing biological dentistry still remember that moment,” advises Pint, who believes that mercury amalgams will be a thing of the past within the next five to 10 years. “Groups such as the Holistic Den-
tal Association, International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine, and the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology are help- ing to change things by educating the public as well as dentists on alternative approaches. Their continuing education programs for dentists are also helpful in that they provide different approaches to diagnosing and treatment of dental issues. Fortunately, these organizations all agree that while amalgam use as fillings is on the decline, the impor- tance of how these fillings are removed as they fail remains,” explains Pint. When removing mercury amal-
gams, which Pint chooses not to charge an additional fee for, he takes precau- tions for his patients and his staff. Patients that are unaware are often curi- ous about the layers of protection such as small high-speed vacuum with inner oral suction that removes even the tini- est piece of the dental amalgam. They are also curious about the amalgam separator and rubber dam. “Because we are subjected to mercury vapors on a regular basis, the staff are protected, as well,” notes Pint, whose listening skills are particularly appreciated by his patients.
Pint finds that when he takes the time to hear his patient’s story about their overall health journey, they are far more relaxed and he is much more in- formed. Pint’s wife Sarah is a marriage and family therapist in Bonita Springs, and he jokingly credits her with retrain- ing him over the years to not just think, but “feel” while listening.
“If there is something wrong that
doesn’t show up on an X-ray, I talk with the patient about what might have hap- pened in the previous days or weeks and we arrive at a conclusion together,” remarks Pint.
Pint listens with the intent of build- ing lasting relationships. “I have learned that if I listen to the patients concerns and help the patient verbalize their sus- picions of where the problem is com- ing from, the patient intuitively has the answer,” says Pint. “ I like to know who my patients are beyond their teeth. “
Bonita Dental Studio, 9200 Bonita Beach Rd., Ste 111, Bonita Springs 239- 676-8730. See ad, page 52.
16 Collier/Lee Counties
swfl.NaturalAwakeningsMag.com
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