Without Worrying About Overtreatment, Only the Necessary Care, Carefully Like Family - My Own Standard

Without worrying about overtreatment

'At the place I used to go to, they said this was needed too.' Or, 'Another doctor said this didn't have to be done.'

I hear this often in the treatment room. Behind those words is not just a simple comparison, but also anxiety about the diagnosis and hesitation toward the dentist. Some people worry that it might be overtreatment, while others, on the contrary, worry that something may be lacking or that something is being left out.

What proper care means

Dental treatment in particular can be judged differently even when the symptoms are the same. An individual’s oral condition may not be fully visible, and it can be difficult to judge based only on simple numbers or standards. That is because each doctor has slightly different criteria they consider important and different levels of experience when making decisions. So even for the same cavity, one person may see it as urgent, while another may say it can be watched a little longer.

Also, when the condition is not clearly divided, such as with cavities and gum problems, or even with the same symptoms, the management method can differ depending on the individual’s age, oral hygiene habits, lifestyle pattern, previous treatment history, and more. In this way, diagnosis may require looking at the whole picture rather than just the current condition. As a result, it can only be more confusing from the patient’s side.

So I always ask myself. "Is this really a treatment that is needed right now?" Thinking that way naturally helps me sort out priorities. If there is a situation where it is not necessary to reduce the tooth, I tell them to watch and wait, and I try to give them room so they can make the decision more carefully. On the other hand, if delaying could mean missing the right timing, I strongly advise them to take good care of it and make sure to explain the risks as well.

There was a patient who came in before with an unclear interproximal cavity. It did not show much on the X-ray, but I felt that it definitely needed to be removed. I hesitated, wondering if I might be unnecessarily reducing the tooth, but when I carefully removed the upper part, I could confirm that a cavity was hidden inside. I remember thinking, "I did not make a pointless judgment. I am glad I did not miss it." Over time, experiences like that have become my 기준.

Not too much, not too little, but only what is necessary. That is the principle I value most in the treatment room. Of course, from a medical professional’s perspective, doing things a little more decisively and in advance may feel easier, but I believe that treating only when truly necessary, in the most appropriate way and with the patient’s position in mind, builds greater trust.

The standard of "like family"

In treatment, there is no such thing as "just do it moderately" or "just decide for yourself." What matters is finding the right amount that is neither excessive nor insufficient. For me, especially when facing the question, "Is this really a necessary treatment?" the premise is always, "If this were my family?" For example: "If my child’s tooth hurt, would I treat it right away? If it were my mother, would I say it was okay to watch it a little longer?"

So when I look at a patient’s teeth, I always try to think about their daily life as well. If they are someone who works busy hours, I think about how burdensome treatment requiring multiple visits would be. If they are a parent who brought a child in, I think about how much the child’s emotions might be shaken. When planning treatment, I look not only at the immediate result but also at how stable it can be in the long run.

That is why, so that you can understand the treatment process more easily, I take photos from multiple angles and use PPT materials to help you see things visually. I provide enough explanation about the current situation, the process, and what is expected, and then we set up the treatment plan. After treatment, I explain the precautions again at the desk and check whether anything may have been missed.

People who have experienced having the cavity seen in the photos removed cleanly, and then feeling the pain disappear, often say things like this: "Showing me the condition before and after treatment helps me understand what was done. Seeing it with my own eyes makes me feel reassured." Those words give me strength. Rather than simply saying, "We will do something," I want to explain what will be done, why, and how, and to reassure you throughout the entire process.

Only the necessary treatment

With the mindset of treating you like family, the process of building trust through explanation is what I value most in treatment. I know very well how much anxiety and hesitation people have before opening the door to Every Dental Clinic for the first time or coming back again. The feeling of, "What if I go there and end up getting overtreatment for nothing?"—I understand that fully as someone who also goes to the hospital as a patient.

I believe that when I can feel proud of what I do, I, the dental clinic, and the patient can move forward and grow together. That is why I try even harder to be honest. I aim to recommend only the treatment that is truly necessary, choose proven materials, treat carefully and sincerely, and above all, make this a place that repays trust. Helping accurately at the right time, before things become more difficult or complicated than they are now—that is the direction I am aiming for.

Even today, I ask myself: "Is this really a necessary treatment?" "If this were my family, how would I decide?" A dental clinic that can answer those questions honestly—that is the kind of Every I want to protect. Going forward, I will keep doing my best with each patient, calmly and honestly, to create that together. Now, today’s treatment is about to begin~