Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is considered a reactive, preventable, and chronic condition in which a person develops significant increased sensitivities to chemicals and other irritants. MCS reactions can be triggered by very low levels of common chemicals in the environment. Symptoms for the chemically sensitive can include nausea, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, mental disorientation, inflammation, skin rashes, joint pain, gastrointestinal problems and respiratory problems. Avoidance of chemicals is the recommended course of action to help keep a person’s toxic load as low as possible.

Dentists can help diagnosed MCS patients by removing materials in the mouth that can contain some very toxic elements, such as heavy metals and formaldehyde. This is accomplished through dental revisions including mercury amalgam removal, root canal removal, and cavitation surgery. The dentist will work closely with your physician who may also recommend testing to assess and detect heavy metal burden, nutritional deficiencies, gastrointestinal function, hepatic detoxification, metabolic abnormalities, and diseases of environmental origin. In addition, dental material compatibility testing is recommended for all MCS patients. There are different grades of tests available, all with the common goal of determining what dental materials your body will react negatively to, thereby, avoiding an overload in an already taxed body.

Dentists who treat MCS patients understand the importance of listening to their patients and recognize that sensitivities vary from person to person. They also take these sensitivities into consideration when determining treatment as well as designing a treatment environment to support the needs of the chemically sensitive. This type of office is created using non-polluting building supplies including paint and flooring. Staff members are free of perfumes and other odorous body care products. Signs are posted asking patients to also refrain from such products when visiting. Strong cleaners and disinfectants are kept to a minimum and used only to maintain OSHA-compliance. Ventilation within the office recycles fresh air on a continual basis keeping the air clean.

Claire Stagg, DDS, MS, FAACP, at Health Connections Dentistry works with MCS patients to provide them safe dental care. Her practice was built as a green building specifically geared for MCS and is located at 2120 Highway A1A in Indian Harbour Beach. For more construction specifics visit SmileProfessionals.com or call 321-777-2797.