Dr. Derek Fleitz, DDS

Dr. Derek Fleitz, DDS is a Preventive Dentistry specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Dental care. He practices at his clinic in Panama City, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). General Preventive Dentistry serves as your primary partner in lifelong oral health, creating personalized plans to prevent cavities and gum disease, coordinating necessary screenings, and managing your overall wellness to ensure optimal oral and systemic health. He is committed to providing the highest level of Quality Dental Care and Personalized Attention to each and every patient, and welcomes all ages to begin their proactive health journey. Call (850) 763-5770 to schedule.

With over 25 years of dedicated experience in Preventive Dental care, Dr. Derek DDS brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from Indiana University, School Of Dentistry in 1995 and, following his graduation, served five years in the United States Navy Dental Corps. His practice, rooted in a deep understanding of preventative strategies, focuses on building lasting relationships with patients, helping them to maintain optimal oral and systemic health. Dr. Derek DDS provides consultations primarily in English. He is currently welcoming new patients.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Derek DDS is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Derek DDS can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Derek DDS provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Cavity: Catching cavities early through regular checkups and cleanings helps prevent larger, more painful problems down the line and keeps your teeth healthy longer.
• Gaps Between Teeth: Addressing gaps between your teeth can prevent complications like tooth decay, gum inflammation, and even bone loss, protecting your overall oral health.
• Receding Gums: Receding gums indicate a need for professional dental care to help prevent serious gum disease and the potential for costly treatments.
• Tooth Discoloration: Tooth discoloration can be an early warning sign of underlying oral health issues, so addressing it promptly helps prevent more serious problems.
• Tooth Abrasion: Early detection of tooth abrasion allows for timely intervention, such as adjusting brushing techniques or using fluoride treatments, minimizing further enamel loss and preventing future problems.
• Tooth Decay: Preventing tooth decay is crucial for maintaining a healthy smile and overall well-being, as untreated decay can lead to infections and other health problems.
• Tooth Demineralization: Protecting your teeth from cavities begins with recognizing tooth demineralization—a weakening of tooth enamel—which early detection through dental checkups and good oral care can help address before it progresses to decay.
• Dental Disorders: Many dental disorders are preventable through proactive measures like brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits, safeguarding your oral health for years to come.
• Bleeding Gums: Preventing gum disease starts with noticing bleeding gums; addressing this issue early can help maintain healthy teeth and gums for life.
• Dental Crowding: Addressing dental crowding proactively helps prevent issues such as misaligned bites, jaw pain, and even gum recession, promoting long-term oral health.
• Tooth Attrition: Managing tooth attrition involves proactive measures like adjusting your brushing technique and using fluoride toothpaste to minimize further enamel loss and protect against sensitivity.
• Stained Teeth: Addressing tooth stains early can prevent further discoloration and improve your overall oral health, minimizing the need for more extensive treatments later.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Derek DDS offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Restoration of Dental Implants: Proactive restoration of dental implants maintains their structural integrity and prevents potential infection or bone loss, supporting a healthy mouth.
• Root Planing: Root planing is a deep cleaning procedure that helps remove harmful bacteria and plaque buildup beneath the gum line, preventing gum disease and improving your overall oral health.
• Ultrasonic Dental Cleaning: Ultrasonic dental cleaning helps remove plaque and tartar buildup, preventing cavities and gum disease before they start.
• Implant-Supported Dentures: Protect your jawbone and maintain a natural-looking smile with implant-supported dentures; this approach offers superior stability and comfort compared to traditional dentures.
• Oral Conscious Sedation: Take charge of your oral health by choosing conscious sedation; it ensures you can undergo needed procedures for cavity prevention and gum disease treatment without anxiety, leading to better long-term outcomes.
• Porcelain Veneers: Enhance your smile and protect your teeth from future decay with porcelain veneers, a proactive step in maintaining your overall oral health and preventing further damage.
• Nitrous Oxide Sedation: Nitrous oxide sedation helps make dental visits more comfortable, allowing for thorough checkups and early detection of potential problems like cavities or gum disease.
• Dental Procedure: Dental procedures are essential for maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing infections that can affect your overall health.
• Implant-Supported Crown: To maintain your oral health, an implant-supported crown provides a reliable solution for replacing a missing tooth, reducing the risk of jawbone deterioration and improving your bite.
• Teeth Scaling: Take proactive steps towards better oral health with teeth scaling; it removes harmful bacteria, preventing gum inflammation and potential infections.
• Root Canal: As a proactive measure to save your natural tooth, root canal therapy eliminates infection, halting the progression of severe tooth damage and preserving your smile's structure.
• Dental Hygiene Services: Ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy with regular dental hygiene appointments, allowing for early detection of oral health problems that could impact your overall health.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Preventive Dentistry Services in Florida.

Dr. Derek DDS is dedicated to partnering with Dental Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• Regular checkups and cleanings allowed a family to catch a cavity early, preventing further damage and ensuring their smiles stayed healthy and bright for years to come. This proactive approach brought peace of mind, knowing their oral health was well-managed.
• By addressing potential gaps between their teeth early, a patient proactively reduced the risk of future oral health issues, ensuring a confident and healthy smile for years to come.
• By attending regular checkups and following a personalized preventative plan, a patient successfully maintained healthy gums, avoiding the need for costly future treatments. This proactive approach ensured a long-term smile with confidence.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Preventive Dental care with Dr. Derek DDS:

How often should I visit the dentist for a check-up and cleaning?

For most people, visiting Dr. Derek DDS and our dental hygienists every six months is recommended. This schedule allows us to remove tartar buildup that brushing can't, detect cavities early, and screen for gum disease and oral cancer.

Why are routine dental cleanings so important for prevention?

Even with excellent brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar that only a professional cleaning can remove. This is crucial for preventing cavities and, more importantly, gum disease, which is linked to other health problems like heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Oral health is deeply connected to overall health. Chronic gum inflammation, or periodontitis, is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care, including regular checkups and cleanings, is essential for maintaining optimal oral and overall body health.

Are dental X-rays safe, and why do I need them?

Yes, modern digital dental X-rays use extremely low levels of radiation and are very safe. They allow Dr. Derek DDS to see issues like cavities between teeth, bone loss, and impacted teeth that aren't visible, enabling early intervention and better oral health.

What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?

Gingivitis is an early, reversible stage of gum disease characterized by red, swollen gums that may bleed easily. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more serious stage where the bone supporting the teeth is damaged, potentially leading to tooth loss.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity can be caused by worn enamel, receding gums exposing the tooth root, or tiny cracks in the tooth. A proper diagnosis by Dr. Derek DDS is needed to determine the exact cause and recommend effective treatments, such as desensitizing toothpaste or in-office procedures.

What is a root canal and why is it needed?

A root canal is a procedure to save a badly infected or damaged tooth. It involves removing the inflamed pulp, cleaning the inside of the tooth, and sealing it. This treatment relieves pain and prevents tooth extraction. It's not a painful procedure, but a way to keep your smile healthy.

Can you help with snoring or sleep apnea?

Dr. Derek DDS can help with some cases of snoring or sleep apnea. For some patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, we can create a custom-fitted oral appliance to keep the airway open while you sleep, offering a comfortable alternative to CPAP.

2407 W 11th St
Panama City FL 32401
Phone: (850) 763-5770

Dr. Derek Fleitz, DDS is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1174558647

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Preventive Dentistry Services like Dr. Derek DDS are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your preventive dentistry about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.