Dr. Patricia Shipman, DMD

Dr. Patricia Shipman, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry practitioner dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive preventive dental care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she practices at her clinic in Gainesville, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Her commitment to 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 prioritizes a collaborative, evidence-based approach to care, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She serves all ages. Please call (352) 373-4924 to confirm if Dr. Patricia DMD is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Patricia Shipman, DMD is a dentistry practitioner in Gainesville, FL, committed to comprehensive preventive dental care. Her practice emphasizes the importance of proactive measures to maintain optimal oral and systemic health. This includes creating personalized prevention plans, conducting necessary screenings, and actively managing patient well-being. Dr. Patricia DMD is dedicated to providing a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to participate in their oral health journey. While her primary language of consultation is English, she strives to provide exceptional care to all patients.

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

• Sensitive Teeth: Sensitive teeth are a warning sign; acting promptly can reduce your risk of developing painful cavities or needing costly dental procedures.
• Salivary Gland Cyst: Preventative dental checkups are crucial for identifying salivary gland cysts early; prompt diagnosis ensures less invasive management and protects your overall oral health.
• Cranioacrofacial Syndrome: Because cranioacrofacial syndromes may affect jaw structure and tooth alignment, proactive dental care is critical for preventing dental problems and preserving overall oral health.
• Pericoronitis: Regular dental visits help your dentist identify and address pericoronitis early, avoiding more extensive treatments such as surgery or tooth extraction.
• Tooth Avulsion: Prompt treatment of an avulsed tooth minimizes the risk of complications such as infection, jaw bone damage, and the need for expensive dental implants or bridges later on.
• Malocclusion - Short Stature Syndrome: Early identification of malocclusion in individuals with short stature syndrome is crucial for preventing further oral health problems and ensuring proper jaw development.
• Gingival Fibromatosis - Facial Dysmorphism: Regular dental check-ups are vital for early detection of gingival fibromatosis, a condition marked by excessive gum growth and sometimes facial differences, enabling timely interventions that prevent further problems.

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

• Restoring Teeth: Protect your smile and improve your oral health by restoring damaged teeth, which helps maintain proper chewing function and prevents more significant issues.
• Lumibrite™ Professional Whitening System: Lumibrite™ Professional Whitening System brightens your smile while helping you maintain optimal oral health, preventing future staining and boosting your confidence.
• Dental Examination: Invest in your health with a dental examination – a simple procedure that can significantly reduce your risk of developing cavities, gum disease, and other oral health conditions.
• Tooth-Conserving Dentistry: This approach involves careful examinations and minimally invasive treatments to identify and address cavities, gum disease, and other issues before they worsen, saving your teeth.
• Palatal Expander: To prevent potential orthodontic issues later in life, a palatal expander addresses palatal issues early on, creating more space for teeth and improving your bite alignment.
• 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.
• Thornton Adjustable Positioner® (TAP®): The Thornton Adjustable Positioner helps your dentist precisely position your teeth for optimal bite and alignment, preventing future dental issues.

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. Patricia DMD 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:

• Recognizing early signs of sensitive teeth, a patient proactively addressed the issue with a personalized plan, significantly reducing the risk of future dental problems and enjoying a healthier, more comfortable smile.
• By attending regular preventive dental checkups, a patient detected a salivary gland cyst early, enabling less invasive treatment and preserving their oral health. This proactive approach provided peace of mind and reduced the risk of future complications.
• By implementing a proactive dental care plan, a family with a child diagnosed with craniofacial syndrome was able to maintain optimal oral health and prevent potential future complications, fostering peace of mind and a brighter outlook for the future.

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. Patricia DMD:

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

At Dr. Patricia DMD's office, we recommend seeing a dentist and dental hygienist every six months for a check-up and cleaning. This helps prevent tartar buildup, catches cavities early, and screens 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 has links to other health problems like heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Oral health is intricately linked to overall health. Chronic gum inflammation, or periodontitis, has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care is essential for maintaining optimal body health.

How can I whiten my teeth safely?

The safest and most effective way to whiten your teeth is under professional supervision. Dr. Patricia DMD can assess your oral health to ensure you're a good candidate and offer professional-grade treatments, like custom trays or in-office procedures, for better and safer results than over-the-counter products.

Can you help with snoring or sleep apnea?

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

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. Patricia DMD is skilled in performing root canals comfortably.

What are veneers and how are they different from crowns?

Veneers are thin porcelain shells bonded to the front of teeth to improve their appearance. Crowns, on the other hand, are caps that cover the entire tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength after significant damage or decay.

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, supporting a natural-looking crown. This approach helps prevent bone loss and preserves the health of surrounding teeth.

4436 NW 23rd Ave Ste B
Gainesville FL 32606
Phone: (352) 373-4924

Dr. Patricia Shipman, DMD 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): 1134142862

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. Patricia DMD 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.