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Natural Awakenings Twin Cities

Natural Smiles Dental Care: Holistic Care for the Whole Family

Dec 30, 2016 11:56AM ● By Jackie Flaherty

Dr. Agnes Schindler (L) and Dr. Madelyn Pearson (R)

Natural Smiles Dental Care Integrative and Family Dentistry (NSDC), in Shoreview, specializes in holistic dental care for the whole family. Owner, Dr. Madelyn Pearson, and her associate, Dr. Agnes Schindler, are passionate about holistic and biological dentistry which looks at the entire health of the patient and not just the mouth.

From its inception, the clinic offered the most health conscious options in modern dentistry and in 2010 switched its focus to holistic dental care. Pearson, an associate there at the time, was instrumental in leading this process. In 2015 she purchased the practice.

Pearson has had extensive training in holistic orthodontics for children and has found much success using the gentle Advanced Lightwire Functional (ALF) appliance. Both Pearson and Schindler are also passionate about safe mercury filling removal and utilize the protocols set in place by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT). 

“Every member of our team is committed to serving our patients in the best way possible,” Pearson shares. “Our hygienists use fluoride-free and gluten-free prophy paste. We offer our patients Vitamin C following dental work and homeopathic remedies after dental X-rays are taken. Added elements of comfort such as headphones, movies for the kids, essential oils, warm tea and relaxing music all contribute to making the dental experience a pleasant one.”

Pearson, past president of the Holistic Dental Association, attended St. Olaf College for her undergraduate studies and the University of Minnesota for her Doctorate in Dental Surgery. She is an accredited member of the IAOMT.

Schindler grew up on a dairy farm in Corcoran, Minnesota. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of St. Benedict / St. John's University and her Doctor of Dental Medicine at the Oregon Health and Science University, in Portland, Oregon.

Both doctors are advocates for eradicating the use of mercury in dental fillings and banning the placement of fluoride in drinking water. “Aside from the environmental concerns, the overall impact of the toxic load from these two ‘dental’ materials can be so detrimental to one's health,” Schindler explains. “I encourage anyone who's interested to get involved on the grassroots level: ToxicTeeth.org and FluorideAlert.org are two different organizations committed to the advocacy of banning the use of mercury and fluoride. With enough support from the public, this may finally happen. At least that is my hope!”

The past few years have been a whirlwind of new developments and office improvements as the availability of holistic services to their patients continues to expand. One of the focuses over the next few months is to incorporate lip tie and tongue tie therapies into the practice. A tongue tie is when the thin membrane under the tongue is too tight and keeps the tongue from moving freely. A lip tie is when the upper lip is tethered to the upper gum. These situations, once properly diagnosed, are often corrected using a laser or scissor technique and usually take less than a few minutes.

The doctors are being trained to not only learn how to expertly perform the procedure but also learn when it's appropriate to do so. At present, Schindler is obtaining her certification in Laser Therapy in order to treat the lip ties and tongue ties that can so greatly inhibit proper nursing in infants and oral function.

“We are dedicated to supporting our patients on their overall health journey,” Pearson expounds. “Our primary concern is to satisfy the patient’s needs and desires within all aspects of their health. We do our best to provide information to our patients so they can make the most informed health choices possible. Many of the wellness practitioners we work with often share their knowledge, and this gives us the opportunity to pass that information along.”

Both Schindler and Pearson share their feelings as to how wonderful it is to help find a ‘missing piece’ in someone's health puzzle. “Our greatest source of joy is watching as a person’s overall health is improved and seeing the person within blossom.”

Pearson is certified in oral conscious sedation for both adults and children. Schindler performs surgical procedures along with restorative and cosmetic dentistry. At the heart of it all is the philosophy of integrative dentistry, encompassing modern science as well as knowledge drawn from the world's great traditions in natural healing.

Location: 4700 Lexington Ave., Ste. D, Shoreview. For more information and appointments, call 651-483-9800 or visit NaturalSmilesDental.com.