Dr. Cameron Lewis
(Photo : Dr. Cameron Lewis)

During most of the 19th century, medical practice was carried out in private homes or occasionally in a personal doctor's office. Back then, it wasn't uncommon for most healthcare workers to travel by foot or horseback to patients' homes. 

But then came the industrial revolution and urbanization. More and more people started to live in the cities, and growing infrastructure meant more hospitals. There was less and less need for "traveling practices," and they slowly vanished over time.

But what was once old and outdated can become a revolutionary idea again, and Dr. Cameron Lewis is living proof. This traveling oral maxillofacial surgeon decided to be the catalyst that would upgrade the current healthcare system by simply going a step back.

Most dental practices have a general dentist who can care for dental issues such as plaque cleaning, cavity removal, dental crowns, and root canals. 

"But the problem is that most communities can't afford to have specialized dental care there," he adds. "Keeping an oral surgeon in a dental practice at all times is expensive, and patients often have to travel thousands of miles to get the care they need."

With that in mind, Dr. Cameron Lewis decided against opening a permanent office and put his knowledge and skills on wheels. 

"I travel around the States, visiting various communities and bringing my services to different general dentists' offices. I go in, do my job, and make sure my patients are feeling comfortable " he says.

By practicing dentistry this way, if only one patient in the area requires a highly specialized procedure Dr. Lewis offers, they will be taken care of. The general dentist's office can give him a quick call, and the patient will be treated in no time.

Even though Dr. Lewis loves what he does, he feels great when patients follow up with a smile expressing how appreciative they were with their treatment. The specialized procedures he does - dental implant surgery, dental extractions, bone graft, and IV sedation. As he explains, most people avoid going to the dentist until there is a huge problem.

"The sad truth is that many people won't come for a dental checkup until the pain becomes unbearable," says Dr. Lewis. "But they don't realize that they can die from a cavity they chose to ignore."

Cavities tend to spread and get worse; they can become so bad that the whole tooth can become unrestorable with an infection spreading into the soft tissue. Meaning An infection that extends around the mouth and face. And then, Dr. Lewis has to cut intraoral or extraoral to drained the infection and to make sure the airway is patent. 

"Be assured that a cavity can kill you. So find time for cleanings, checkups, and simple cavity removal," he adds. "It will make both of our lives easier and happier."

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