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33 TheSouthShoreMagazine.com HANOVER -- When you become a patient of Leland Dental in Hanover, you enter into a personal relationship with a group of dentists, hygienists and staff who treat your whole person, not just your mouth. Dr. Robert Leland, who joined the practice in 2001 and then bought it in January of 2008, says, "I'm not a huge fan of patch-work dentistry. It tends not to be good for strong long-term oral health. Our treatment is more about comprehensive care… We take a step back and treat the bigger picture." When you walk through the door, you are greeted on a first-name basis. In fact, the majority of patients do not even need to check in anymore, as the staff knows them by sight. They work hard to make sure that you are scheduled with the same providers - down to the hygienists - every time you visit. This helps build a relationship and ensure a continuity of care that will ultimately result in better oral health. "We want to make sure your mouth is healthy and, therefore, your whole body can be healthy as well," Dr. Leland explains. "Your mouth can say a lot about your overall health. For example, we will sometimes see gum inflammation in a mouth free from plaque and tartar. This is often an indication that something more systemic is happening… things like diabetes, infection or heart disease. In a lot of these cases, the patient is unaware of these systemic health issues." In the newly formed "selfie culture," he says, many patients are also now seeking treatment based on what they are noticing in pictures of themselves. Typically, these treatments include teeth whitening, repairing or replacing old or discolored crowns, replacing fillings and other cosmetic procedures. In addition to periodontal treatment, exams and minor surgeries, including extractions and gum surgeries, Leland Dental also offers an implant procedure that allows people who can no longer keep their teeth to go home the same day with something that is not a removable denture. This procedure involves removing the necessary teeth, placing 6-to-8 implants per jaw (usually one jaw per visit) and attaching an appliance directly into the implants. This allows the patient to go home with a fixed (non-removable) denture the same day. The permanent appliance is then placed within the next 12 months. Another specialty of the practice is oral care before, during and after cancer treatment. Dr. Leland says that even for those patients who are not being specifically treated for a head or neck cancer, the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation often involve dry mouth, gum issues and increased risk for tooth decay. "We're skilled at assessing patients' oral health needs and helping people through treatments and educating people on what will happen," which Dr. Leland explains falls under their philosophy of treating the whole patient. Leland Dental is currently accepting new patients of all ages. Appointments can be made through the website or by calling the office. Early morning appointments are available for those who need to come in before work and Dr. Leland extends after-hours urgent care to his existing patients. "The bottom line is we're about patient-focused, comprehensive care," Dr. Leland says. "We're trying to help people make the connection between oral health and full-body health." LELAND DENTAL 51 Mill Street, Unit 10, Hanover • 781-826-8395 www.lelanddental.com