Paisley Dental is one of our amazing Guelph Triathlon Club sponsors. They offer a 10% discount to all GTC members (and 5% for their immediate family members). They also sponsored the Molar Rollers GTC Edition cycling team and the 110k route for the Tour de Guelph on the weekend. Read about this incredible locally-owned business here!

Sponsor Profile: Paisley Dental

By Candace Johnson, President, Guelph Triathlon Club

The norm in health care seems to be that we can have either cutting edge technological advancements or compassionate approaches to care: The state-of-the-art research hospital or the “alternative” provider. The approach to health and wellness at Paisley Dental combines both, which makes it a unique dental (and health care) practice. Paisley Dental, which has two locations, one in Guelph and one in Brantford, describes itself as “a family-oriented dental office where compassionate dental care meets cutting-edge technology in an eco-friendly environment.” I had the privilege of visiting the Guelph location, a modern and inviting space, and speaking with Dr. Thamara Marchiani, dentist and co-owner of the business (with GTC member Francesco Marascia), who explains that she is committed to education, evidence, and understanding her patients. This commitment to lifelong growth means she continually evaluates and incorporates the latest evidence-based advancements in dentistry, combining modern techniques with education, empathy, and a patient-first approach to care. “Compassion has to be part of dentistry,” she tells me. You know that model where the hygienist spends time communicating with the patients and then the dentist pops-in at the end and looks at the computer screen, says a word or two – maybe just to the hygienist – and then leaves? Not at Paisley Dental. Dr. Marchiani and her team get to know their patients and sit with them before starting procedures to help reduce anxieties. She likes to teach her patients. In fact, she tells each one that she is “going to teach them how to become a dentist in five minutes.” And then she shows them how to assess and understand their own teeth, gums, mouth, overall health. It is second nature to her; she grew up in her mother’s dental office, where the patients were part of the community, not anonymous figures in dark glasses and paper bibs reclined in chairs. It is also part of a fully integrated model of dentistry, in which technology can help to demonstrate to patients what is happening with their oral health.

Dr. Marchiani explains to me that at every full check-up she takes a 3D scan of her patients’ teeth. She uses this to show them what’s happening with their mouth and teeth, and tracks progress from one assessment to the next. What’s more, patients can take these digital scans and measurements home with them, which empowers them with information. The use of advanced technology, including AI, helps with diagnosing dental problems, increases patient awareness, and also leads to minimally invasive approaches, which is a main goal of treatment. The minimally invasive approach indicates (the dreaded) drilling and filling a cavity only when no other intervention is possible. Dr. Marchiani explains that 10 years ago we understood that “cavities were caused by bacteria… now we know that the problem could be caused by so many other things, [like diet and gut health, or Ph levels of saliva], not just insufficient brushing and flossing. I have so many patients who brush once a day and never floss and they don’t have cavities because they eat healthy.” Cavities are linked to overall health, which is something that we understand much better now.

In addition to their commitments to advanced research, treatment methods, and patient care, Paisley Dental is dedicated to the community. They sponsor and are involved with a large number of clubs and events, all related to health and wellbeing, including our very own Guelph Triathlon Club (GTC members get 10% off all services at Paisley Dental), Royal City Multisport, the Tour de Guelph, Run for the Light, and Taste of Guelph.

At the end of our meeting, I asked Dr. Marchiani the Fantastic Five questions. Here are her (fantastic) answers:

What is the best advice you have ever heard or received (concerning dental or physical health, or health in general)?

You need to take care of yourself beginning with your mouth – it is 3 inches from your brain and 6 inches from your heart.

What is the worst health advice you have ever heard or received?
If you don’t feel any pain, then there is no reason to investigate. Lots of problems can be silent (and serious). Get regular check-ups.

What do you believe now about health and wellness that you didn’t believe before/ what did you used to think was important but no longer believe to be true/ important?

Treat each case as unique and try to take a minimally invasive approach (do not drill out surface level cavities if more conservative treatment is an option).

What do you learn from your patients?

Everyone is different – some people have had lifelong dental treatment and some have never seen a dentist before. There are vast cultural and socio-economic differences that can be barriers to dental and oral health.

What is one thing that everyone should start doing differently, ASAP?

Stop waiting for the perfect time to take care of your health. And start taking Xylitol – a new antibacterial sugar product, available in the form of gummies and chewing gum.