Resources

This organization of general dentists provides patient education materials on a range of dentistry and oral health topics. It also offers a directory of member dentists, organized by location, on the Web site and by phone at (877-292-9327; toll free). You may post questions to the Smileline online message board, and a member will respond within a few hours.

American Dental Association (ADA) 211 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-440-2500

The ADA offers many services for dental consumers. The Web site includes an oral health information section that covers the spectrum of dental concerns and a list of general dentists and dental specialists by location. In addition, the ADA maintains a database of all oral health products that have received the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse 1 NOHIC Way
Bethesda, MD 20892
301-402-7364

A service of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (part of the National Institutes of Health), the clearinghouse provides information and resources about oral disease, including specialized information for individuals whose oral health may suffer because of cancer treatment, chronic disease (such as diabetes), or physical or mental limitations.

Books

The Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery's Guide to Family Dental Care Rebecca W. Smith and the Faculty of the Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery
(W.W. Norton & Company, 1997, 446 pages)

This extensive reference provides descriptions of dental problems and practices. The book covers all the major types of specialty care and includes a chronology of appropriate oral health treatment for all stages of life.

A Consumer's Guide to Dentistry Gordon J. Christensen, D.D.S.
(Mosby, 2002, 214 pages)

This easy-to-read reference provides practical advice on the complete range of common dental problems and procedures. Step-by-step explanations, accompanied by color photographs, include a description of each problem, symptoms to look for, and advantages and disadvantages of the treatment alternatives.

Review Date: 2007-04-01

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