The experience of an intensive hands-on healing course in 1995 inspired Owen Allison, DMD, to stop placing mercury dental fillings in his patients' teeth. Allison's special interest in holistic health care developed into a family dental practice, Susquehanna Dental Arts, where he offers genuine concern for the health of his patients, plus 35 years of experience in dentistry.

Allison prioritizes the well-being and safety of his patients, staff and the environment. This consideration prompted him to consider why dentists should continue working with the toxic heavy metal, mercury. He explains that affordable, effective and cosmetically superior filling materials are available to dentists today. "If the belief exists that there’s no safe level of mercury exposure, the continued use of mercury-amalgam doesn’t make sense."

His office follows procedures that keep not only the patient, but also the staff and dentist, safe when mercury fillings are removed, based upon guidelines provided by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, the leading coalition of mercury-free dentists worldwide, which has accredited Allison’s office.

Since the practice specializes in the removal and replacement of mercury dental fillings, patients travel from all over Lancaster and York counties and as far as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. If a patient wants to have several mercury fillings removed, the fillings do not have to be removed all at once. Information is provided and the patient makes decisions about scheduling the removal process. The number of referrals made by existing patients suggests that patient satisfaction is high.

Susquehanna Dental Arts is a certified member of The Centers for Dental Medicine, an organization that offers a comprehensive program to help dental professionals implement the newest and most advanced aspects of the oral and systemic health connection, which holds that dentistry is a whole body discipline. "Healthy gums lead to a healthy heart. The association between good health and good dental health go hand-in-hand," advises Allison.

One example, he points out, relates to the good nutritional health of patients—properly fitting dentures. Allison replaces damaged or missing teeth with mini-dental implants. The lower dentures snap into place over the implants, stay secure in the patient's mouth and fit well. The result is an efficient bite that allows the person to eat healthy foods, chew well and thus obtain proper nutrition.

Allison is accessible to his patients not only for dental appointments, but also to discuss comprehensive services and options that are available. His core motivation is to keep up with innovations that help patients maintain their best health and to care about and help them to get well. "The best thing about coming to work,” he shares, “is that I know I am going to help others."

Location: 100 S. 18th St., Columbia. For more information, call 717-684-3943 or 717-285-7033 or visit SusquehannaDentalArts.com.