Your Dakota Dental Family Dentistry friends are presenting you with this “which came first, the chicken or the egg” type of question in response to some new Harvard findings.Because your Apple Valley dentists, Dr. Shelley and Dr. Bennett, are focused not only on good dental services for their Dakota Dental Clinic patients but their total health and well-being as well, they were interested in this newly released Harvard study (published within the Psychological Bulletin on April 17, 2012.)
In the largest systematic review on the topic, Harvard School of Public Health researchers found a connection between psychological well-being and having a positive outlook and a reduced risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular health concerns. They found that the most optimistic individuals had about a 50 percent reduced risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event as compared to their less optimistic peers.
We hear findings like this often, don’t we? So then, back to our “which came first question” … Do you suppose that the benefits of having a positive attitude significantly improve our overall health, or is it that healthy people naturally feel more positive and optimistic?
Both are correct! While it’s true that people who enjoy good health are more apt to be physically active and exercise, make healthier food choices and take better care of themselves overall – factors that also contribute to an increased sense of well-being and a positive state of mind, there’s just too much ample medical research that confirms the helpful health benefits associated with having a positive outlook on life.
Your Dakota Dental Center works hard to BOTH support your good health and provide a positive, upbeat experience through personalized dental services. We know it’s true that good dental procedures protect our patients from endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, premature births, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s Disease and more (see the Mayo Clinic findings within our Dakota Dental Clinic blog posted May 27, 2011.)
We’re also very attentive at our Dakota Dental Clinic to providing a positive, encouraging and supportive dental experience for all of our patients. We provide low anxiety dentistry (anxiolysis dentistry) for patients who’ve had negative dental services in the past, may be afraid of needles, have a sensitive gag reflex, etc. The warmth and caring service you’ll receive at Dakota Dental Family Dentistry are felt when you walk in the front door and are greeted by our welcoming fireplace, comfortable, overstuffed furniture, tea and healthy snacks – even an aviary home for songbirds – and of course, our caring Dakota Dental Clinic staff.
Professional, quality dental care + a positive, upbeat environment = patients who enjoy overall good health and a positive sense of well-being.