Dentists Journal

Top Ten Stories of the Week
8/1/2020

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Dentist Shannon Barker is on a quest to reach the highest summit on every continent.

Doctor Barker recently completed his second climb, Mount Aconcagua in Argentina.

Shannon Barker started climbing 2 years ago and he's already climbed 2 peaks

When people go on vacation because they need a break, they tend to go somewhere relaxing. When dentist Shannon Barker takes a break, he climbs a mountain.

Not just any mountain, either. Barker specifically seeks out the highest summit on each continent. First, Mount Elbrus in Russia, and most recently Mount Aconcagua in Argentina.

"You've spent so much time being goal-oriented toward this one goal and when you get to the top, there's a huge emotional release," Barker said.

"Most people that summit these mountains tend to cry at the very top."

Barker was born in St. John's Canada but grew up in Labrador City, and he's been seeing dental patients out of a practice in Mount Pearl for almost 20 years.

With two of the world's highest peaks under his belt already, it's hard to believe that he's only been climbing for two years. Barker's passion for climbing took hold quickly after being inspired by friends.

"I met a friend who had done Kilimanjaro and she showed me pictures and looked fantastic and I was very intrigued," Barker said.

"Fast forward two months later, another friend of mine who had also climbed Kilimanjaro said, 'I'd like to climb Mount Elbrus.

'"Barker decided he would too, and he signed himself up for the journey and began training, travelling up and down Signal Hill in St. John's three times a day to begin his physical conditioning. As the peak is covered in snow and ice, climbing it required Barker to familiarize himself with the tools and techniques, such as crampons — spikes you affix to your mountaineering boots — and ice axes.After the success of his first summit, Barker planned and prepared for his trip to Argentina, a trip he returned from only weeks ago. Barker said he found it to be a far more difficult climb.

"Taking on Aconcagua, initially I was excited. Until I got there and learned the gravity of what I'd signed up for," Barker said.

"I felt that a few points in time I've bitten off more than I can chew."

A big struggle was Barker's body trying to acclimate to higher elevations than ever before.

The higher the altitude, the less oxygen in the blood. Bodily functions and physical movement are increasingly impaired based on elevation, with some altitude uninhabitable to humans.

On Barker's first day in South America, the group's guide drove them to the border of Chile and Argentina. That was an altitude of more than 4,000 metres, then they hiked past 4,500 metres over the course of two hours, and had lunch there to help acclimate them to that elevation."That hike was more strenuous and technically challenging than all of Elbrus," Barker said.But Barker rose to the challenge and crossed the second summit off his list. He credits his success and his survival on the instincts and expertise of his guides and climbing partners.

Barker is heading to Alaska next, where he will attempt to summit Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America. 

He hopes the winter conditions and the need to pull your own sled on Denali will prepare him for the ultimate challenge of conquering Mount Everest. 

"That feeling of achieving that goal and the camaraderie with your teammates, you do this together, you each help each other up that mountain," Barker said.

"That feeling I'm chasing … it's a nice feeling."

(07/25/2020)
by Stephen Miller

More Information: https://www.mybestdentists.com/mbd-newest-approved-dentists/FirstStreetDental


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Dr Bill Dorfman is one of the most famous cosmetic dentist in the world

Affectionately known as “America’s Dentist,” Dr. Bill Dorfman is widely recognized world-wide as a leading dentist who is responsible for creating smiles for many of Hollywood’s brightest stars. In fact, Dr. Dorfman has become a star in his own right as the featured dentist on the hit ABC series, “Extreme Makeover,” where he performed amazing dental transformations on the show’s participants as well as a recurring guest co-host on the new Emmy Winning daytime CBS talk show, “The Doctors.” In addition, Dr. Dorfman is a world-renowned lecturer & author of the best-selling cosmetic dentistry book, The Smile Guide and the NY Times bestseller Billion Dollar Smile.

The innovative & accomplished doctor is also renowned in his field as an energy-brimming inventor & brilliant entrepreneur who has brought award-winning innovations to the world of dentistry.

Dr. Bill Dorfman has been interviewed extensively for numerous television shows & magazines including ABC’s Good Morning America, The View, Oprah, CNN’s Larry King Live, NBC’s The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Dr. Phil, The Rachael Ray Show, Steve Harvey Show, FABLife, The Doctors, The Tyra Banks Show, Ricki Lake Show, Entertainment Tonight, MTV’s The Osbournes & Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica, The Wayne Brady Show, The Sharon Osbourne Show, Living It Up! With Ali & Jack, EXTRA, Soap Talk, Access Hollywood & E! Entertainment Television.

As a 1980 graduate from UCLA Dr. Bill was honored with the prestigious “UCLA Outstanding Senior Award.” He then received his dental degree in 1983 from the University of the Pacific in San Francisco, where he was one of the youngest graduates ever to receive his doctorate degree. Upon graduation, he completed a two-year residency at a dental hospital in Lausanne, Switzerland. In 1985, Dr. Dorfman returned to the United States & established his private practice in aesthetic & general dentistry.

In 1989, at the age of 30, Dr. Bill formed the hugely successful company, Discus Dental, Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer & distributor of tooth-whitening, oral hygiene & aesthetic dental products. Here he helped develop such ground-breaking professional take-home teeth whitening products as Nite White, Day White, Breath Rx, Zoom! , and Brite Smile.

Dr. Bill is a member of the American Dental Association & he is one of only 100 Fellows in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

His humanitarian & philanthropic involvement has led to his being honored with 14 Life Time Achievement Awards in addition to 2 Guinness World Book records and in 2018 he was Knighted by the Royal Order of Constantine!

His personal fitness regime includes a strict, healthy diet and outdoor activities that include water & snow skiing, biking, climbing, swimming & scuba diving.

When Dr. Bill Dorfman is away from his busy dental office, he enjoys spending time with his three daughters, family and friends.

 

(07/24/2020)
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Did you know that Edgar Buchanan was a dentist before becoming an actor?

A Western star of a different sort, Edgar Buchanan appeared in dozens of Wild West movies throughout the 1940s and ‘50s. However, the actor was probably best known for his work in “Green Acres,” “Petticoat Junction,” and “The Beverly Hillbillies.” The work he rarely gets credit for? His time as a dentist.

Before becoming an actor, Buchanan earned his DDS degree from North Pacific College and had a dental practice with his wife Mildred, who was his classmate in dental school. The couple moved to California in 1939, where Buchanan caught the acting bug.

He was born March 20, 1903 and died April 4, 1979.  He is most familiar today as Uncle Joe Carson from the Petticoat Junction, Green Acres, and The Beverly Hillbillies television sitcoms of the 1960s.

 

(07/27/2020)
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California dentist is riding his bike 3,400 miles to raise money for Smile for a Lifetime Foundation

Donald Montano, DDS, is riding his bike across the U.S. to raise money for Smile for a Lifetime, a nonprofit organization that helps increase dental care access among children and young adults, according to local ABC affiliate KERO-TV.

Dr. Montano, who runs a dental practice in Bakersfield, Calif., hopes to raise $50,000 for the organization during his 3,400 mile ride.

He is slated to begin his journey on Sept. 12, and should complete the trip in five to six weeks if he is able to cover 100 miles a day.

At the Smile for a Lifetime Foundation, it is our mission to create self-confidence, inspire hope, and change the lives of children in our communities in a dramatic way. The gift of a smile can do all this for a deserving, underserved individual who, in turn, can use this gift to better themselves and their community.

More about Smile For A Lifetime

Smile for a Lifetime is an international program that provides orthodontic care to children and young adults who normally would not be able to afford treatment. Smile for a Lifetime does not charge for the orthodontic treatment – participating orthodontists and orthodontic manufacturing companies provide FREE services, including the cost of one set of retainers. The only cost a family will incur is an initial $500 investment/application fee to help cover the cost of the program. 

Launched in 2008, Smile for a Lifetime Foundation aims to reach individuals with financial challenges, special situations and orthodontic needs. The Foundation sponsors the orthodontic care of hundreds of patients each year through our local chapters.

More about the 2020 Bike Ride

We are extremely excited to announce our very unique fundraising event, “Creating Smiles One Mile at a Time.” This year, Smile for a Lifetime’s Board President, Dr. Don Montano and colleague Dr. Rob Relle, will be launching a historic cycling trip across the US to raise funds and awareness for Smile For a Lifetime. Both residents of southern California, Dr. Montano and Dr. Relle will kick off their fundraising ride at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California on September 12, 2020. Their goal is to average 100 miles a day for approximately 5 weeks, riding along historic US Route 66 to the finish line in Virginia Beach, VA. They will be accompanied by two additional cyclists, Brian Dooley and Abel Rivera, and a support vehicle.

For orthodontist Dr. Don Montano, and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Robert Relle, creating smiles is more than a career, it is their passion. They know first-hand that crooked teeth are the number one target for bullies and can scar a child for life. They also know there are thousands of families who cannot afford orthodontic treatment and an equal number of dental and medical professionals who want to help.

(07/26/2020)

More Information: https://www.mybestdentists.com/DonaldRMontano


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Heading back to the dentist for your cleaning or filling will look a lot different in this COVID-19 era.

"We're at high risk, dental hygienists, the dentists," said dentist Stephen M. Miller of Pittsburgh PA.  "We were put out of business for eight weeks, maybe nine. COVID is a relatively simple virus to kill, if you can find it—it's invisible." 

Dentists and hygienists wear PPE and take extra precautions. According to data from the Department of Labor, compiled by the group "Visual Capitalist," their profession is at high risk for COVID-19 exposure. The virus is spread by respiratory droplets from the mouth or nose.

"There is tremendous research that oral health affects your systemic health," said Dr. Miller. 

With that in mind, Dr. Miller turned to the newest technology available to him to keep his patients and staff safe: a UVC unit. 

What is that, you may ask? Well, it’s a bright light. Actually, it’s ultraviolet light that kills pathogens on surfaces, like E. coli, salmonella, listeria and even COVID-19 in just a matter of minutes.

What is that, you may ask? Well, it’s a bright light. Actually, it’s ultraviolet light that kills pathogens on surfaces, like E. coli, salmonella, listeria and even COVID-19 in just a matter of minutes.

UVC Cleaning Systems Dental Sales Director Jim Gaitan said, "It's just it's impossible to spray everything. So if you want surfaces clean, and you want to make sure that the practice in the air is also clean, this light will broadcast in the room. So whatever remnants of COVID may be passing through the air, this can zap it and help make the environment cleaner."

He says hospitals have been using this type of technology for years and recently, more and more industries from dentists and hotels to day cares are demanding it. 

It takes ten minutes to clean this 10-foot by 10-foot exam room with the device being moved to two different spots. The makers say you can tell it worked by the smell in the air, similar to what you'd smell after using a tanning bed. Or you can look at these UVC dosimeters, which change color from the light. 

The device slowed down the number of patients that can be seen in a day, according to dental hygienist Kathleen Stec. "We have to have 20 minutes in between patients to be able to get this room back to a point where I feel comfortable letting the next person sit down."

But waiting for the room to be thoroughly cleaned helps patients feel at ease.

"I think it's a sensible, safe and scientific way to go about it," said a patient. 

But like most technology, it comes with a price. The UVC unit cost Dr. Miller more than $10,000. But for Dr. Miller, it's worth it. 

“It was a very large investment to do this, but I wanted to know that I could make my operatory rooms in my office as safe as I could make it for my patients, for my staff to come back and feel comfortable and for anyone that comes through,” said Dr. Miller. “Because you know what? COVID is one disease that you don’t want to get.”

(07/30/2020)
by Ashley Bishop

More Information: https://www.mybestdentists.com/area51/preview.php?idx=75138


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The Lean Dentist: Establishing One-Piece Flow in a Patient Environment

In the second edition of his book, The Lean Dentist: Establishing One-Piece Flow in a Patient Environment, Dr. Sami Bahri describes how he and the staff in his dental practice transformed their work and their thinking from a traditional batch-and-queue approach to one focused directly on the needs of the patient.

Dr. Bahri has created an honest and straightforward look at personal and organizational transformation based on the ideas of lean problem solving and one-patient flow. He describes the experiments that led to rapid improvement and dramatic change. He has created a model of continuous improvement that lean thinkers everywhere can understand and relate to.

"The best thing about this book is that it is practical, simple, and makes me think "let's just go try some of these ideas in our practice." If you work in an outpatient clinic of any sort, read this!"

       —John Toussaint, Founder and President          ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value

Dr. Sami Bahri DDS runs a private dental practice in Jacksonville, Florida that he started in 1990 after years working in the teaching, administrative, and private practice fields. Eager to learn from other industries how to manage resources to satisfy customers, he started searching outside dentistry, and ended up studying and trying Total Quality Management and Six Sigma, among other systems.

In 1996, Dr. Bahri read Lean Thinking by James Womack and Daniel Jones, and started implementing lean management principles in his dental office. He successfully reorganized his work and practice around the goal of "one-patient flow."  

Dr. Bahri is the first dentist known to utilize lean techniques to continuously improve the delivery of quality dental care. He has been called “The Leanest Dentist on the Planet.”

He has been a keynote speaker at the Shingo Prize Conference, where he was recognized as the “World's First Lean Dentist”. He lectures nationally and internationally, to healthcare and manufacturing groups, to share his experience on implementing lean management in the dental practice.

(07/30/2020)

More Information: https://www.mybestdentists.com/mbd-newest-approved-dentists/SamiABahri


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How to prevent dry socket after a tooth extraction

Dry socket is the common name for alveolar osteitis, which is inflammation within an empty tooth socket. This dental complication can occur following a tooth extraction.

In this article, we explain what causes dry socket and how a person can prevent it. We also cover how to care for the mouth after a tooth extraction and when to see a dentist.

After a tooth extraction, a blood clot usually forms over the tooth socket. This blood clot protects the nerve endings in the bone and is a normal part of the healing process.

However, in some cases, the blood clot either fails to form or becomes dislodged. As a result, the bone and nerves in the socket become exposed. Dry socket is delayed healing, and it can be very painful.

Prevention

A person should avoid doing anything that might disturb the blood clot after the tooth extraction.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), a person should avoid the following:

1. Creating suction: Smoking and drinking through a straw can create suction. These activities could loosen the clot and delay healing.

2. Smoking: Smoking delays healing and also increases blood pressure, which can lead to more bleeding.

3. Vigorous mouth rinsing: People should take care not to rinse their mouth too vigorously. Rinsing the mouth is possible after a tooth extraction, but it is important to do it gently to avoid disturbing the blood clot.

4. Alcohol: A person should avoid alcoholic beverages or mouthwash containing alcohol for at least 24 hours to reduce the likelihood of the clot becoming dislodged. Alcohol can encourage extra bleeding and delay healing.

5. Physical activity: People should limit strenuous activity for the first 24 hours after the extraction to reduce bleeding and help the blood clot form.

It is also important for a person to let the dentist know about any medications that they are currently taking, as research has identified a link between certain birth control pills and occurrences of dry socket.

Tooth extraction aftercare

It is important to follow the dentist’s aftercare instructions regarding how to take care of the extraction site, as this will lead to a better outcome.

If a person has any questions that the instructions do not cover, they should ask the dentist. The specific instructions may vary among dentists, but they are likely to include the following:

1. Do not spit or use a straw for 24 hours following a tooth extraction.

2. Avoid chewing on the side of the mouth where the extraction took place to minimize the chance of dislodging the blood clot.

3. Do not smoke for at least 24 hours, ideally 48 hours, after an extraction.

4. Choose soft foods rather than hard or crunchy foods, as this can reduce the risk of damaging the socket and getting food stuck in it.

5. Refrain from drinking carbonated or hot drinks, as both of these could cause displacement of the blood clot from the socket.

How to clean the mouth

According to the ADA, a person should avoid cleaning the teeth that surround the extraction site for the day. However, they should brush and floss the other teeth.

The day after, a person can begin to clean the teeth next to the extraction site. They should also gently rinse the mouth with warm salt water after eating. People can make salt water by stirring half a teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water.

The ADA recommend talking to the dentist about using saltwater rinses if a person has high blood pressure. People with hypertension may need to use warm water instead.

Symptoms 

A person who has had a tooth extraction will feel discomfort, such as swelling and soreness. However, if the pain worsens or improves but then returns a few days later, it may be due to dry socket.

Other possible symptoms include:

1. blood clot missing from the socket

2. an aching or throbbing pain in a person’s gum or jaw, which can be intense and resemble that of severe toothache

3. an unpleasant smell from the empty socket

4. a bad taste coming from the socket

5. pain that radiates to the rest of a person’s face

Additionally, there could be exposed bone at the site of the extraction.

Potential treatment options may include:

1. irrigating the extraction site to remove food and debris

2. placing a medicated dressing over the socket to protect it until it heals

3. packing the extraction site with zinc oxide-eugenol paste to help reduce pain

4. taking other medication to help with the pain, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include ibuprofen.

(07/30/2020)
by ADA
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Invisalign is the Invisible Way to Straighten Teeth

For many years, orthodontic treatment required wearing bulky, uncomfortable metal braces and wires. The shame and embarrassment of sporting these bulky metal braces prevented many people from seeking the beautifully straight smile they desired.

Invisalign was created for the patient that wants straighter teeth without wearing visible, uncomfortable metal braces. Invisalign patients wear a series of clear, plastic aligners that gradually shift teeth into the desired position and alignment. Because of the nature of the aligners, patients can maintain a normal looking smile while simultaneously straightening their teeth.

What Invisalign Can Correct

Invisalign corrects cases of minor tooth misalignment or poor spacing, where the problem is mostly cosmetic. This includes small spaces between the teeth, crowding of the teeth, an overbite (i.e., the upper teeth bite over the lower teeth), and a crossbite (i.e., the upper and lower jaws are misaligned).

Patients that have substantial structural issues with the teeth or problems with the bite are typically better suited for traditional braces or another orthodontic alternative.

Advantages of the Invisalign System

There are many reasons why patients prefer Invisalign to traditional braces, including the following:

Aligners fit comfortably and don’t irritate the inside of the mouth

Aligners don’t disrupt speech

Aligners can be removed to eat so patients can enjoy all of their favorite foods

Aligners are inconspicuous and virtually undetectable in the mouth

Total treatment time is usually shorter than other orthodontic treatments

Treatment Details

Invisalign aligners are custom-fabricated to the exact specifications of the patient. No two treatment plans are precisely alike.

The first step to of Invisalign treatment is to capture information about the teeth’s current position. The dentist takes photographs and digital impressions that are used to create a three-dimensional “map” of the teeth’s planned movement. The map charts the teeth’s original position through Invisalign treatment to their final position. This information is then sent to the dental laboratory that constructs the series of customized aligners.

The patient receives their first set of upper and lower aligners and should wear them for 20 to 22 hours per day (removing them to eat and clean). The aligners put gentle pressure on the teeth to move them into the correct alignment and position. Patients may have a slight adjustment period, getting used to the way the aligners feel, but they usually don’t experience discomfort. They can eat, speak and smile normally while wearing the aligners.

After two to four weeks, that set of aligners is swapped out for the next set in the series. This repeats until the teeth have shifted into the desired position and alignment.

Invisalign patients are supervised by a dentist throughout treatment. The dentist periodically checks the progress of treatment and examines the teeth and bite for any potential problems.

Total treatment time varies by patient, but many Invisalign patients are able to complete treatment in less than a year.

At Dental Health Associates in Sylvania Ohio, our dentists are thoroughly trained and extensively experienced with Invisalign treatment. We enjoy helping our patients transform their smiles easily and comfortably!

(07/28/2020)
by Andrew Marshall Huntzinger

More Information: https://www.mybestdentists.com/AndrewMarshallHuntzinger


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What are the symptoms of a tooth infection?

If a cavity is left untreated for too long, the tooth can become infected or abscessed. This is one of the reasons why visiting a dentist is imperative to your oral health. Although many infected teeth do show symptoms, there may be some cases when you may not feel anything at all. It is recommended that you visit a dentist every 6 months or more often if medically necessary. Your dentist will let you know how often you should visit.

Infected teeth will often show the following symptoms:

1. Throbbing & persistent toothache

2. Sensitivity to hot & cold foods

3. Fever

4. Swelling of the face and/or gums

5. Pain or pressure when chewing

If you have any of the symptoms above, it is recommended that you see a dentist as soon as possible. This will increase your chances of being able to save the tooth and eliminate the need for extraction. However, if you have fever or swelling that does not go down or if you have any type of trouble breathing or swallowing, we recommend that you visit the emergency room immediately. This could mean that the infection has spread to other areas of your head or neck.

Depending on the severity of the infection, our dentist may prescribe you antibiotics or decide to have the tooth extracted. If the tooth can be saved it might require a root canal (endodontics) or gum treatment (periodontics). If you have any questions regarding tooth infections or show any symptoms, please contact us today for an appointment!

(07/29/2020)
by Kawata Dental

More Information: https://www.mybestdentists.com/mbd-newest-approved-dentists/BenRKawata


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There are 15 dentists in the Skelley family and many are Dugoni School of Dentistry alumni

The Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry is a family. The community on campus and beyond is tight-knit and cooperative. But did you know that every graduating class is filled with family members of previous graduates? Recently, 10 to 20 students in each class at the dental school have Dugoni School of Dentistry graduates and practicing dentists in their families.

“We have several families at the Dugoni School of Dentistry who can boast three generations of graduates—the Dugoni and Hovden families to name a few,” shared Dr. William van Dyk ’73, past president of the Alumni Association, at the 2016 Annual Alumni Recognition Luncheon. Another such three-generation legacy family is the Skelley family of San Francisco.

The Skelley family has a long history in dentistry and in San Francisco. Their dental dynasty started with Dr. Fred Skelley, P&S Class of 1915. He grew up in San Francisco and met his wife of Finnish decent, Ingrid Arvonen, while attending Glen Park Grammar School. He and his family were long-time inhabitants of San Francisco and all survived the 1906 Earthquake.

Fred began his practice in San Francisco when he opened his dental office on Mission Street near 29th Street shortly after graduating from the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Now, 100 years later, the family includes 15 dentists, many of whom are Dugoni School of Dentistry alumni.

Photo: Drs. Lila Marie Skelley ’74, Eugene Skelley ’54 and Jocelyn Yvonne Skelley ’90 at the 117th Annual Alumni Meeting

(07/29/2020)

More Information: https://www.mybestdentists.com/area51/preview.php?idx=75831


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