December 2004 | Whole Health: Practitioner Profile
Uncommon Healer
Who: Dr. Marianne Schaefer, integrative dentist, former associate professor of operative dentistry at Loyola University. Schaefer is a member of the American Association of Forensic Dentists.
Quick Take: Schaefer considers herself “a partner in the journey to health” through holistic or integrative dentistry. She employs the use of nutrition and vitamins to improve tissue strength in gums and herbal remedies including the use of garlic. Schaefer employs alternative therapies to reduce pain and discomfort. Patients also have access to stress reduction through guided meditation and massage. Schaefer also emphasizes proper nutrition. “People are really surprised to hear a dentist go on and on about their diet,” she said. Schaefer said most of her patients are exceptionally well informed when it comes to modern medicine. As a result they are eager to work with Schaefer to design an individual health plan.
Old vs. New: Schaefer typically asks her patients a more wide ranging set of questions than most traditional dentists. Dentistry is in a period of renaissance, according to Schaefer. Patients owe it to themselves to be well informed about the materials that are available for restoration: “It is so important for patients to be conscious of their choices and take an active role in health systems.”
Knowing the difference: Many of the patients who seek out Schaefer do so because they consider her a holistic practitioner. “But,” she said, “I prefer to describe the practice as integrative.” The term ‘holistic’ indicates to many people that the practice specializes exclusively in the removal of mercury fillings. Indeed many new patients come to Schaefer to have their mercury fillings removed. “There is a lot of hype about mercury so it is on the tip top of people’s minds,” Schaefer said. “Naturally, it is a toxic substance so they want to have it removed from their mouths.”
Biggest Myth: Our pearly whites might get more attention these days but that doesn’t necessarily mean our mouths are healthier than people who lived 50 to 100 years ago. Many people in the early part of the 20th century rarely went to the dentist but they consumed more nutritious foods. “They also used ‘folk treatments’ because that all that was available. Still, their bodies were healthier because they were more centered, less stressed and ate better ... I see so many young people that have the wear and tear on their teeth of someone 60 years old. That is stress,” Schaefer said. Because of this, many people use oral guards to protect them from grinding their teeth. “Meditation can work great as an alternative to sedatives for people who grind their teeth,” said Schaefer.
Case Study: Schaefer said it’s important to keep her mind open to new ideas as well so that she can learn from her patients also. “For one of my patients it was essential to begin each session with a prayer. I agreed and was shocked by how grounding the experience was.” Now Schaefer said she starts every day with a prayer.
Personal File: Schaefer, is married and has been a practicing dentist for more than 25 years. She comes from a long line of chemists and health care workers reaching back to her relatives in Sweden and the Ukraine. Her interests range from jewelry making to forensic dentistry. She has offices in two locations: 4801 West Peterson, Chicago and 9761 Southwest Hwy., Oak Lawn, IL 60453. Visit her Web site: www.the-toothfairy.com, or phone 773-777-8300.
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