I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season. As one of my New Year’s resolutions, I have resolved to communicate more effectively via my blog. This new monthly dental blog, “Dental Bytes” is my attempt to reach out to all of you in cyberspace. The blog, I hope, will contain interesting and sometimes thought-provoking information about dental care, so that you may be better informed and make wise decisions about your dental needs. It will not contain our usual pleas that you brush, floss and gargle after meals, especially after those wonderful holiday meals and parties with family and friends.

“Men and Their Appalling Dental Habits”

According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing dental education, men are less likely to visit the dentist than women. This traditional stereotype has been confirmed by an online poll of general dentists and patients.

Nearly 45% of the respondents felt that men don’t see the need to go to the dentist, and 30% of those polled reported that men may not visit the dentist because they are afraid or embarrassed to go. Nearly 18% revealed that men just don’t have the time for a dental visit, and about 5% of the men don’t even have a regular dentist.

This trend may be disappearing, as more men are climbing back into the dental chair for a surprising reason.

“Looking for a Better Job? Start by Visiting a Dentist”

With lay-offs and company closings throughout the country, many middle-aged men are competing for jobs with younger men, which makes that winning smile a major factor in the job search.

“In my practice, more men are coming in and requesting bleaching, veneers and bonding,” says AGD Spokesman J. Nick Russo, Sr., DDS FAGD.  “Many have noticed the positive effects from a colleague’s improved smile and realize that a great smile has a lot of value in the business world.”

Dr. Russo also points out that in the past most men worked for one or two employers throughout a lifetime and many did not think about the way their overall appearance affected their professional life.

These new cosmetic concerns for men need to be transferred to an increased awareness among men about the overall health benefits associated with seeing a dentist biannually.

“As a dentist, I want men to come see me because they are concerned about their health; however, I am glad to see them for whatever reason they come in,” says Dr. Russo. “Many times after men come back to the dentist they realize that proper maintenance and biannual checkups are the key to improving the way one looks and feels.”

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 16th, 2010 at 12:42 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.