From Paint Brushes to Tooth Brushes
— Patient at Arc Dental Group for 10 years.
From Paint Brushes to Tooth Brushes
Driven by her aptitude for painting, Dr. Megan Baharloo, chose dentistry over family medicine (the career paths approved by her strict albeit loving mother) for its artistic elements. Dentistry was creative and would require a lot of work with her hands, she thought, just as Leonardo da Vinci used his fingers, it’s believed, to smear layers of thin glaze to achieve his trademark smoky effect, the secret behind Mona Lisa’s smile. On some level, Megan strives for the same priceless result; after all, ARC Dental Group is in the business of creating beautiful enduring smiles.
“I have always believed that dentistry is both art and science; I enjoy them equally,” admits Megan. “When I create a new smile and see patients smiling, feeling happy, for me, it’s like creating a painting.”
Some watercolour, some oil, Megan painted mostly landscape and flowers, although for the interim, she’s set aside her brushes for dental instruments. Painting will resume when she has more time, “maybe closer to retirement,” she jests.
When I create a new smile and see patients smiling, feeling happy, for me, it’s like creating a painting – Dr. Megan Baharloo, D.M.D., Owner.
Goodbye Fear and Loathing
Call it odontophobia or dentophobia; either way it’s the fear of receiving dental care. And if you suffer from it, chances are you’re in good company; 40 percent of Canadians have a strong fear of the dentist. People’s sense of dread and general apprehension (and not just about the cost, jokes Megan) is understandable. In other words, the mere mention of drilling, filling and billing triggers anxiety. “Whether a generalized fear or extreme anxiety, it often stems from the bad reputation dentists have overall or a terrible childhood experience,” she says.
But Megan is hopeful the stigma changes for a new generation and she’s ever optimistic parents will get more involved to help propel a positive experience for children.
“I always tell parents, ‘please bring your child in before they have a dental emergency or a toothache; let them play, let them get used to the environment, book a cleaning,’ so this way, they won’t associate me with just the pain,” says Megan. “If I help one person conquer fear and anxiety, it will help others.”