The history and progression of dental services in Weston Super Mare, a popular seaside town in Somerset, reflect the general trajectory of the dental industry at large. The town has come a long way, from an era where dental health and hygiene were severely neglected to the current era where dental services are highly advanced and accessible.
In the early 1800s, like much of the world, Weston Super Mare did not have a well-established system for dental healthcare. Dental practices were primarily performed by barbers, blacksmiths, and other common tradesmen who understood a little about the craft. As this period did not recognize dentistry as a special branch of medicine, the town had no dentists or dental clinics.
By the late 1800s, the importance of dental health was becoming more recognized. This was around the time when the first modern dental drills were being introduced and the dental profession was starting to become more structured. However, dental practices in Weston Super Mare were still quite rudimentary, mainly centred on pulling out troublesome teeth with little or no pain relief.
It was not until after the Second World War, during the inception of the National Health Services in 1948, that dentistry started to take a more structured form in Weston Super Mare. With the advent of the NHS, dental services became more accessible and affordable for regular citizens.
In the decades that followed, there was rapid growth and development in the dentistry sector in Weston Super Mare. Population growth, improvements in education, an emphasis on preventative treatment, and advancements in technology all contributed to the evolution of dental services in the town.
Dental clinics emerged all around the town, equipped with modern medical equipment and staffed by professionally trained dentists and hygienists. Preventive dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, and children’s dentistry started being offered, alongside general dental services.
dentist weston
The late 20th century and early 21st centuries saw further advancements, with digital imaging taking the place of traditional x-ray film and electronic patient records replacing paper files. Teeth whitening, dental implants, veneers, and other aesthetic treatments also entered mainstream dental practice. Dental services in Weston Super Mare started prioritizing patient comfort, with the introduction of sedation dentistry for anxiety-ridden patients and ergonomic dental chairs for enhanced comfort.
Today, the dental services in Weston Super Mare are characterized by a patient-centric approach and a focus on preventive and restorative oral health. Dental practices strive to provide comprehensive care, spanning from regular dental exams, cleanings, fillings, root canal treatments to the advanced services like Invisalign, dental implants, and cosmetic dentistry.
Technological advancements have facilitated the adoption of digital radiography, computer-guided implant surgeries, early cavity detection tools, 3D dental printing, and teledentistry, among others. The advancement toward digital dentistry offers numerous benefits, including faster treatment, less invasive procedures, better treatment outcomes, improved diagnosis, and greater patient satisfaction.
All dental surgeries in the area now adhere to strict infection control guidelines to ensure a clean and safe clinical environment. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has only strengthened these regulations, with dental clinics taking extra measures to ensure patient safety.
Looking back, one can appreciate the enormous strides that the dental profession and services have made in Weston Super Mare. Today, residents have access to a range of dental services featuring high quality, personalized care, and advanced technology. This indubitably is a testament to the continuous evolution and refinement of dental services in Weston Super Mare, reflecting the town’s commitment to enhancing the oral health and overall wellbeing of its residents.