Dental Health

KNOWING IS HALF THE BATTLE

By Xander Thomas I n the busy life of most Americans, it can be too easy to overlook some things that we don’t feel that we have time or money for, or maybe we just ignore things because we don’t really want to do them. Going to a dentist for regular cleanings and check ups is certainly one of those things that many of us easily talk ourselves out of, but it can help us catch issues that might later become a problem otherwise.

Salinas Santos was very diligent about regular check ups with his dentist, even when he didn’t necessarily feel happy with the one he was going to.

“I wasn’t really comfortable,” Salinas said, “I kinda just felt like, you know, I was just there, and they were just there collecting money.”

Salinas was used to a much kinder staff, where he felt like they cared and could explain to him what, if anything, was going on. He had been a Unicare patient previously, but when they went out of network on his insurance, he felt he had to switch.

“I just went there because, you know, I had to get my teeth cleaned and a check up,” He said, “I wasn’t really comfortable but I had to see a dentist.”

It was about a year and a half, he says, before he was notified that Unicare was accepted by his insurance again, and he could go back to his favorite dentist.

“I wanted to go to Dr. Noie because of the way he talks and explains everything to you,” Salinas said.

This is how, during a regular visit, he found out that his mouth was headed toward what could become a serious problem. Dr. Noie noticed some abnormal things and wouldn’t just leave him in the dark over it.

“He found a problem with the bone on my jaw. I was losing bone, so I started having issues with that,” he said, “When it

Salinas Santos, actual patient of Dr. Noie.

“He delivered on everything he said and I was glad.”

comes to your mouth, if you got issues you want to take care of them.”

The problem was hereditary, and aside from finding it in the early stages through X-rays, he probably wouldn’t have known anything was wrong until it was too late. The deterioration would have eventually made him begin to lose his teeth, but thanks to Dr. Noie, he never let it get that far.

“I’m glad I’m in the right place. Dr. Noie found the issues and, you know, my teeth weren’t going to fall out.”

Salinas did have to have some teeth pulled and steps were taken to help the bone grow back. They needed a good, healthy bone foundation for the implants so that they wouldn’t fall out later.

He said that the Unicare staff was very helpful along the way, sending him text reminders, answering any questions, and always willing to help with a payment plan if needed, so that the whole experience wouldn’t be overwhelming.

“He delivered on everything he said and I was glad,” he said. While it’s a situation no one thinks will happen to them, Salinas knows this is something people go through, and is thankful to Dr. Noie’s entire staff for the very efficient and professional way they treat people. They can handle just about any oral problem that may arise.

“I feel like a kid in a candy store! I can smile now,” he said, “Before, I covered my mouth up.”

Major problems can be prevented through regular check ups, and the Unicare staff are there to help every step of the way.

Dr. Noie has been in private practice in the Bay Area since 1996. He is a Diplomate of Int’l Congress of Oral Implantologists, Fellow of Academy of General Dentistry, and Assoc. Fellow of American Academy of Implant Dentistry. He has completed his surgical training at New York University as well as Medical University of South Carolina, Temple University, and Wright State University School of Medicine. He completed his oral Anesthesiology training at University of Alabama in Birmingham. He is a member of American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.