Dr. Molly Stanford, DDS

Dr. Molly Stanford, DDS is a Preventive Dentistry practitioner dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive preventative dental care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she practices at her clinic in Ocala, 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. She is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health, and she serves all ages.

Dr. Molly Stanford, DDS is a dentistry practitioner in Ocala, FL, focused on the fundamental importance of preventive care. Her practice prioritizes the development of personalized strategies to maintain optimal oral health, encompassing everything from routine checkups to advanced treatments. She understands that a healthy mouth contributes to a healthy body, and her approach integrates preventative measures into a comprehensive wellness plan. Patients should call (352) 229-8583 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Molly DDS provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Molly 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. Molly 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. Molly 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:

• Dislocated Jaw: A dislocated jaw, often caused by trauma, highlights the importance of protecting your jaw through preventative measures like wearing a mouthguard during sports to avoid serious complications and long-term jaw problems.
• Tongue-Tie: Recognizing and managing tongue-tie in children can safeguard their future oral health by enabling effective cleaning and healthy jaw development, thus lowering the risks of various oral diseases.
• Craniosynostosis - Arthrogryposis - Cleft Palate: Early identification of craniosynostosis, arthrogryposis, and cleft palate allows for timely interventions that can improve feeding, speech development, and prevent dental problems later in life.
• Cherubism: Cherubism is a rare genetic condition that causes swelling of the jawbones, and early diagnosis helps manage potential complications like difficulty chewing, speaking, or breathing.
• Cavity: Maintaining good oral hygiene significantly reduces your risk of developing cavities, protecting your smile and contributing to your overall well-being.
• Mouth Conditions: Early detection of mouth conditions through regular dental checkups is crucial for preventing complications and preserving your overall health.
• Receding Gums: Manage receding gums proactively to avoid further gum disease progression, preserving your natural teeth and reducing the risk of complications.

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. Molly DDS offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• 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.
• Edgewise Dental Braces: Edgewise braces straighten teeth to improve your bite and prevent future dental problems like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
• Pocket Depth Measurement: To proactively safeguard your gum health, a pocket depth measurement is a quick and painless procedure that identifies potential gum issues before they become major concerns.
• STA Single Tooth Anesthesia System™: The STA Single Tooth Anesthesia System™ enables more comfortable and precise dental procedures, helping you maintain good oral health and prevent larger, more complex issues from developing.
• Preseason Dental Exam: Protect your smile this season with a checkup; a preseason dental exam helps identify and address any oral health concerns, promoting a healthy mouth and overall well-being.
• Retainers: Protecting your smile's alignment with a retainer helps prevent jaw pain, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues, and ensures proper chewing function.
• Opalescence® Tooth Whitening System: Invest in your smile and well-being with the Opalescence® tooth whitening system – a simple way to improve your oral health and boost your self-esteem.

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. Molly 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:

• A young athlete, following preventative dentistry guidance, learned the importance of wearing a mouthguard during sports. This proactive measure significantly reduced the risk of a dislocated jaw, allowing them to safely enjoy their favorite activities.
• Recognizing tongue-tie early, a family proactively sought guidance, significantly reducing potential oral health issues and ensuring their child's optimal jaw development. This proactive approach fostered peace of mind and empowered them to address any future concerns with confidence.
• A family was relieved to learn that early detection of potential issues like craniosynostosis, arthrogryposis, and cleft palate, facilitated by proactive dental care, allowed for timely interventions, improving feeding and speech development, and preventing future dental problems.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She 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. Molly DDS:

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

At Dr. Molly DDS, we recommend seeing your dentist and dental hygienist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. This preventative care helps remove tartar buildup that brushing can't, catch 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 gum disease, which has been linked to other health problems like heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Oral health is intrinsically linked to overall health. Chronic gum inflammation, or periodontitis, is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care is therefore crucial for maintaining good overall health.

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 the need for tooth extraction. Dr. Molly DDS is skilled at performing root canals painlessly.

What is TMJ disorder?

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder is a condition affecting the jaw joint and muscles that control jaw movement. Common symptoms include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, and headaches. Dr. Molly DDS can help diagnose the issue and recommend treatments, such as a custom nightguard to prevent damage from grinding.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are the modern gold standard for replacing missing teeth. They are titanium posts that act like artificial tooth roots, which are then topped with a natural-looking crown. This helps prevent bone loss and preserves the health of adjacent teeth.

What are dental sealants, and who should get them?

Dental sealants are a thin, protective plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth. They are a powerful preventive tool, primarily for children and teenagers, that seals out food and plaque, preventing cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

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. Molly DDS to see issues like cavities, bone loss, and impacted teeth that aren't visible, enabling early intervention and better oral health.

4910 E Silver Springs Blvd
Ocala FL 34470
Phone: (352) 229-8583

Dr. Molly Stanford, 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): 1659787752

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. Molly 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.