Down-and-out patients get healthy dose of compassion, aid from holistic teeth expert

BY SHAWN AIKEN
DAILY RECORD
Sunday, February 4, 2007

People who find themselves in a bad situation often find Dr. Alan Steiner.

A dentist for 36 years, Steiner runs Aesthetic Family Dentistry in Denville where he has given free dental work to men and women with marital, financial or health-related problems.

Christi Sauter, a registered dental hygienist who has worked with Steiner for more than six years, said she has seen Steiner’s compassion first hand.

“He’s a brilliant person, very insightful and dedicated,”Sauter said, “He’s a real people person and he ultimately enjoys seeing people happy with themselves.”

One of Steiner’s patients, a woman named Krystal who asked her last name not be used because of her situation, was introduced to him by a mutual friend four years ago. She was coming out of an abusive marriage and was trying to put the experience behind her.

Flew in from Fla.

Steiner flew her in from Florida and put her up in a hotel for 10 days so he could provide the dental work she needed. She credits him with giving her a new smile and a new outlook on life.

“He’s been very supportive, always willing to help me with a problem,” said Krystal. “He is very compassionate. He and his colleagues deserve credit for recognizing the special needs of people.”

Since 1998, Steiner has been a holistic dentist; he doesn’t always use the standard medicine or equipment. For example, he stopped using mercury many years ago, before it was well known that it made patients sick because of its high toxicity, he said.

Spiritual work

Steiner describes himself as “very spiritual” and said he does what he can for people. Before he agrees to help a person, he checks with all of the employees at the clinic to be certain they agree it is the right thing to do. He does work for people that costs tens of thousands of dollars for little or nothing, and he encourages his office to consider a persons circumstances.

Steiner does not seek out people in need, he said, they just seem to turn up.

“People find me,” said Steiner. “I’ve chosen to go beyond my practical duty because people need to be taken care of in this world.”

Lynn Knapp was another patient. More than four years ago, the Mayo Clinic performed a bone-core biopsy on her and found that she was suffering from heavy-metal poisoning.

She was also suffering from unexplained severely depressed immunoglobins.

Journey to health

Steiner guided her through mercury-toxic metal bridge work and sent instructions to the director of the dental clinic that was treating her to remove all toxic materials from her mouth. This started her journey into health and wellness, she said.

He continued to help her afterward, placing crowns on teeth that needed them and guiding her through bridgework. His crowning achievement came when he placed veneers on 10 of her top teeth, all in one extended visit.

“It was like being part of a symphony and Dr. Steiner was the grand Maestro,” she said, adding she remains deeply grateful to Steiner and moved by the man who does such angelic work.

“It has been a very long journey piecing my mouth together,” she said, “I could not have done it without Dr. Steiner’s constant vigilance, special talent and brilliant dentistry.”