Patricia Berube, D.M.D., M.S., P.A.

Mission Statement

It is the mission of this practice to treat others the way we would treat our own family members and ourselves. Patients shall receive guidance and counsel in a manner that is comfortable and in a format that is understandable. We will provide treatment in a gentle manner and respect the phases of emotion and feelings that come. All will be done to ensure comfort during and after a procedure and follow-up will be thorough to ensure compliance and therefore, optimal results.

A team effort:
During your first visit, the evaluation appointment, we will gather all of the data necessary to properly diagnose and treat your condition(s). After the examination, Dr. Berube will discuss your diagnosis and your treatment options. She will work with your general dentist in order to give you the best treatment possible.

Our role to help control systemic disease:
1) People with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than nondiabetics. Also, if you have periodontal disease, it may make it more difficult for diabetics to control their blood sugar. Dr. Berube will work with your physician to better control both periodontal disease and blood sugar.

2) People with periodontal disease are more likely to suffer from coronary artery disease, stroke and heart attacks. Again, we will work with your cardiologist to help control factors that may trigger these conditions.

3) If you are pregnant, the presence of periodontal disease may put you at risk for having a premature, low birth weight baby. If you are planning to become pregnant, a periodontal evaluation is an important component of prenatal care.

4) Smokers have an increased risk of developing more severe periodontal disease and losing more teeth than nonsmokers. Smoking cessation is one of our goals during treatment. Please ask about the many ways that we can aid you in quitting the habit.

5) There may be a link between osteoporosis and bone loss in the jaw. Studies suggest that osteoporosis may lead to tooth loss because the density of the bone that supports the teeth may be decreased, which means the teeth no longer have a solid foundation. However, hormone replacement therapy may offer some protection.

6) Those with rheumatoid arthritis may be more likely to have periodontal disease with moderate to severe jawbone loss. Both rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease are due to damage caused by the immune system and chronic inflammation.

Our relationship with medicine:
Most people are not aware that there is an intimate relationship between the mouth and the rest of your body. In the past, dentistry was viewed as a separate entity altogether and were known to be just "tooth doctors". This is not so in this day and age.

In general, we can be the first to help diagnose conditions such as:

Diabetes
Cancer
HIV/Aids
Gastrointestinal disorders

Because these and other conditions often first manifest themselves in the oral cavity, we are in a unique position to investigate any abnormal findings and diagnose a condition before you may experience symptoms. A thorough oral examination is performed to check for any abnormalities.

We also work with oncologists, cardiologists and other specialists in the medical field to make sure you are free of disease before any major surgical procedure or cancer treatment. Often times, a patient must be cleared by their general dentist and us before these procedures are scheduled.

Our goal is to make sure that you not only have healthy gums, but that you have a healthy body as well.