Dr. Michelle Joseph-Garcia, DDS is a General Dentist dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive dental care for older adults. She is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), ensuring a high standard of care. As a partner in senior health, Dr. Joseph-Garcia practices at Dental Designs at Lakeside Village in Windermere, FL, and is committed to helping her patients maintain optimal oral and overall well-being. General dentists play a vital role in the overall health of older adults, providing comprehensive oral care, managing age-related dental issues like dry mouth and gum disease, and collaborating with other healthcare providers to ensure optimal oral and overall well-being. She serves patients 65 years and older and is currently welcoming new patients. Please call (407) 604-8289 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Joseph-Garcia's commitment extends beyond technical expertise. Recognizing that oral health is intrinsically linked to overall well-being, she strives to build strong relationships with her patients. Her approach emphasizes patient education and preventative care, ensuring that her patients understand the importance of lifetime oral health. With advanced training in implants and memberships in the American Dental Association and the Florida Dental Association, she is dedicated to staying current in the field. Dr. Joseph-Garcia's goal is to make a positive difference in her patients' lives, improving their smiles and oral health while promoting preventative care. She believes in continuous learning and seeks opportunities to expand her knowledge to provide the best possible care. Dr. Joseph-Garcia provides consultations primarily in English. She resides in Windermere, Florida with her husband and children, and enjoys dancing, concerts, and the beach in her free time.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Michelle Joseph-Garcia is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Michelle Joseph-Garcia is a dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, providing compassionate and comprehensive dental care. Recognizing the vital connection between oral health and overall well-being, she expertly manages age-related dental issues while collaborating with other healthcare providers to create a personalized plan for optimal oral and systemic health. Her approach prioritizes understanding each patient's unique needs and goals, ensuring a supportive and reassuring experience.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Michelle Joseph-Garcia can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Dental
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Advantage Plus PPO
- Aetna
- Ameritas
- Ameritas PPO
- Delta Dental
- Delta Dental PPO
- Delta Dental Premier
- Delta Dental of Washington
- Dental DPPO
- Dental Network of America
- Dental Network of America DPPO
- Dental PPO
- DentalGuard Preferred
- DenteMax
- Guardian
- Humana
- Humana PPO
- Principal Financial Group
- Total Dental Administrators PPO
- Total Dental Administrators PPO PPO
- United Concordia
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Michelle Joseph-Garcia provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Bad Taste in Mouth: Don't let a persistent bad taste diminish your enjoyment of meals. Your dentist can diagnose the causefrom dry mouth to gum diseaseand create a plan to improve your oral health and your overall sense of well-being.
- Tooth Damage: Addressing tooth damage promptly helps maintain your overall oral health, reducing the risk of infections and improving your confidence in smiling and speaking.
- Sensitive Teeth: If you have sensitive teeth, even everyday activities like brushing and flossing can be painful. Fortunately, your dentist can offer a variety of simple solutions to alleviate this discomfort and get you back to enjoying life.
- Tender Gums: Experiencing sensitive or sore gums? It's important to see your dentist promptly to determine the cause and get appropriate treatment, preserving your ability to comfortably eat and smile.
- Tooth Decay: Maintaining good oral hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing, along with regular visits to your dentist for checkups and cleanings, are essential steps to prevent tooth decay and ensure a healthy smile throughout your golden years.
- Swollen Gums: Notice your gums looking puffy? This could signal gum disease, but with prompt attention from your dentist, treatment like cleaning and medication can prevent more serious problems and maintain your ability to eat comfortably.
- Receding Gums: While receding gums might seem like a small issue, addressing it promptly can help prevent more serious problems later on and maintain your overall oral health and comfort.
- Gum Disease: As we age, gum disease becomes more common, but it's important to remember that early detection and treatment can prevent serious problems like tooth loss and keep you enjoying your favorite foods.
- Chipped Tooth: Don't let a chipped tooth cause you pain or affect your ability to eat; a simple dental visit can often fix it with a filling, veneer, or crown, improving your quality of life.
- Canker Sore: Canker sores, those annoying little mouth ulcers, can be treated with over-the-counter remedies to soothe the pain and promote faster healing, and your dentist can provide guidance on appropriate treatment.
- Dental Injury: Dental injuries, ranging from cracked teeth to jaw fractures, can be managed with various treatments by your dentist, such as crowns, fillings, or surgery, greatly improving your comfort and preventing complications.
- Loose Teeth: Having loose teeth can be unsettling, but your dentist can diagnose the underlying issue and offer various treatments, such as splinting or replacement, to improve your oral health and well-being.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Michelle Joseph-Garcia offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Amalgam Dental Fillings: Amalgam fillings, a type of tooth-colored filling, are a long-lasting solution to repair cavities and protect your teeth, helping maintain your overall oral health as you age.
- Dental Cleaning: A professional dental cleaning helps keep your teeth and gums healthy, reducing your risk of infections that can impact your overall well-being.
- Dental Crown: A dental crown is a cap placed over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance, helping maintain your smile and ability to eat comfortably.
- Dental Hygiene Services: Dental hygiene services are essential for preventing gum disease and tooth decay, helping seniors maintain healthy smiles and overall well-being.
- Dental Implant: To address missing teeth and enhance your quality of life, dental implants provide a secure, natural-looking replacement that improves your ability to eat and smile with confidence.
- Root Canal: A root canal helps save a severely infected tooth by removing the damaged pulp and sealing the root to prevent further infection and pain.
- Teeth Extraction: Extraction may be necessary to manage severe gum disease or a tooth that's causing chronic pain or discomfort, improving a senior's quality of life.
- Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening can brighten your smile and boost your confidence, enhancing your overall well-being as part of a comprehensive dental care plan.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for General Dentists in Florida.
Dr. Michelle Joseph-Garcia is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- After experiencing a persistent bad taste, a senior felt a renewed appreciation for meals, regaining the joy of eating and socializing with family. A dedicated treatment plan, guided by a compassionate dentist, brought about a significant improvement in their oral health and overall well-being.
- With improved oral health, a senior woman rediscovered the joy of laughing and singing with her grandchildren, a cherished family activity.
- With improved oral hygiene techniques and a custom mouthguard, a senior was able to resume enjoying her favorite evening activity of singing with her choir without the agonizing pain of sensitive teeth.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
Here are answers to some common questions about Dental care with Dr. Michelle Joseph-Garcia:
- How is dental health connected to my overall health, like my heart?
- Good oral hygiene is vital for overall health. Bacteria from gum disease can enter the bloodstream and have been linked to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Regular dental checkups and cleanings are an important part of maintaining your overall health and wellness.
- My medications make my mouth constantly dry. Is this a dental problem?
- Yes, dry mouth (xerostomia) is a very common side effect of many medications, and it's a dental problem. Saliva is the body's natural defense against cavities, so dry mouth significantly increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Dr. Joseph-Garcia can recommend special rinses, gels, and other strategies to manage dry mouth and protect your teeth.
- What is the difference between a crown and a filling?
- A filling is like a patch to repair a small area of damage, while a crown is a cap or helmet that covers the entire tooth, providing strength and protection for a more significantly damaged tooth, like one that has had a root canal or is cracked.
- How should I be cleaning my dentures properly?
- To keep your dentures clean and healthy, remove and rinse them after eating. Use a soft denture brush and non-abrasive cleaner on all surfaces daily. Don't forget to gently brush your gums, tongue, and roof of your mouth, and soak your dentures overnight in a denture solution or water.
- What is involved in an oral cancer screening?
- An oral cancer screening is a quick, painless, but vital part of every routine dental exam. Dr. Joseph-Garcia will visually inspect your mouth and throat for any unusual sores or discolorations and gently feel your jaw and neck for lumps. Early detection is key to successful treatment.
- What is the difference between a bridge and a partial denture?
- A dental bridge is a fixed, permanent replacement for missing teeth, while a partial denture is a removable appliance that clips onto existing teeth. A bridge is cemented to the teeth on either side of the gap, filling the space with a false tooth. A partial denture is a removable appliance that fills in the gaps of one or more missing teeth.
- Is it normal for my gums to bleed when I brush or floss?
- Healthy gums do not bleed. Bleeding gums are usually the first sign of gum inflammation, which can progress to more serious problems if not treated. This is often reversible with a professional cleaning and improved daily oral hygiene, and Dr. Joseph-Garcia can help create an effective and gentle home care routine.
- Why are my teeth becoming more sensitive as I get older?
- Tooth sensitivity in older adults is often due to receding gums, exposing the tooth root. Years of brushing can also wear down enamel. Dr. Joseph-Garcia can recommend desensitizing toothpastes, fluoride treatments, or check for other issues like cavities or cracked teeth.
Dental Designs at Lakeside Village
7828 Winter Garden Vineland Rd Ste 100
Windermere FL 34786
Phone: (407) 604-8289
Dr. Michelle Joseph-Garcia, 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): 1265585590
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. General Dentists like Dr. Michelle Joseph-Garcia are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.