The Start of My Dental Career Working With People and Improving Their Health June 2019
In a galaxy far, far away — but maybe not that long ago — I found myself graduating from dental school. I was thrust into the world with plenty of knowledge about the mouth and oral health, but very little about staring up my own practice. Even so, I knew where I wanted to go and what I wanted to accomplish. Before I decided I wanted to become a dentist, my first career choice was chemistry. For a long time, I worked as a med tech in a research lab. It was my time working there that made me realize I wanted to be a dentist. I enjoyed the medical practice, but I didn’t like what the doctors and surgeons did. I realized that what I liked most about my time there was working with the patients who came in, but my current career was significantly lacking in human connections. I saw dentistry as a way to improve people’s health and also make more personal connections. I constantly work with families, and I’ve even had the opportunity to watch some of my patients grow up. When they walk into my office, it’s a lot more than them coming in for regular cleaning. I can treat great- grandmothers, grandmothers, mothers, and daughters
all in one day, and I’m always excited to see them on their next visit. But it’s not a one-way street; if I ask them about how their kids are doing, they’ll ask me about my son and want to learn what he’s been up to as well. We’re creating relationships every day, and that’s incredible! When I first opened my practice, I started from absolute zero. I didn’t have any patients to talk to or to work on and found myself sitting in a dental chair throughout the day waiting for people to ring or to come through the doors. At that time, I didn’t know how to schedule future appointments, how to incorporate insurance for my patients, or anything else besides what I had learned in dental school. The first patient I ever treated was a man who had come walking into my office before I had even officially opened it. I was in casual cleaning clothes, doing some last minute touch-ups for my opening day. He walked straight in, saw me, and told me he had a toothache. I told him “Well, I’m a dentist. Just let me wash my hands, and I can take a look.” I’d barely been out of school for three months, with no idea how to run my practice, and I was looking into his mouth and cleaning his teeth for him. It was an interesting start to what would eventually be a gratifying career. Starting my practice might have been difficult, but even through the rough times, I knew what I wanted to accomplish. I wanted my practice to be a combination of the two most important aspects of my life: people and health care. At SouthWindsor Smiles, our entire basis is whole body health, not just a focus on oral health. Dentistry will always be the career path for me. In the 40 years that I’ve been a dentist, I have never had a more satisfying experience; I love working with my patients and staff and helping our patients achieve a healthy lifestyle.
–Dr. Kevin Norige
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Shame-Free Dentistry WHY THE BEST DENTAL PROFESSIONALS WILL NEVER MAKE YOU FEEL INADEQUATE
It’s normal to feel the jitters before you head to the dentist.This nervousness is nearly universal, especially for new patients. But if there’s one feeling we don’t want you to ever worry about before making your way into our office, it’s shame. All too often, patients put off going to the dentist because they feel guilty about the condition of their teeth. Maybe they’re worried about being subjected to another lecture on proper flossing or have forgotten to brush for so many days that they feel embarrassed having somebody examine their gums. For someone who is so self-conscious about their smile that they hide it day in and day out, it can be terrifying to imagine a trained professional taking a long, hard look at their teeth. But make no mistake: Dentists are there to help, not humiliate. Any dental professional worth their salt will never, ever make you feel ashamed about your smile. After all, it’s in the best interest of doctor and patient to keep you as comfortable and happy as possible during your visit. Dentists know that the
surest way to keep patients from coming through their doors is to make them feel guilty and inadequate.That’s why those long-winded lectures from down high are largely a thing of the past in the dental field and have been replaced by cooperation and compassion. And if you think your teeth are somehow the worst the dentist will have ever seen, think again. Dentists see hundreds of patients, each with their own struggles and concerns, and many of their conditions are more serious than you can imagine. They’re not about to wag their fingers and judge you. Instead, they’ll do everything they can to restore your confidence and guide you down a proper treatment path to long-term dental health.
Shame is far too common among dental patients, but it doesn’t have to be. Come visit our office and experience what positive, guilt-free dentistry can do for you! Patients Pa ts “As a first-time visitor, I was very impressed by the friendliness of the staff and the atmosphere there. Everyone I interacted with was knowledgeable and professional. I consider myself lucky to be able to come to this friendly place.” –Ingrid F.
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“I have always been very fussy when it comes to my teeth; I think long and hard about who I will let touch them. I’m so happy a friend recommended South Windsor Smiles. Not only is Dr. Norige a great dentist, but the office crew is very knowledgeable and friendly as well.They make a great team!”
Dr. Norige was a delight; he is a very friendly and obviously talented dentist. He made the visit very enjoyable! I highly recommend the Smiles team.They will change your outlook on dentist visits!”
“My husband and I have always received great care and premium service from Dr. Norige and his staff. We highly recommend him. He has gone above and beyond on numerous occasions. He and his staff are always kind, cheerful, and professional in every way.”
–Barb K.
–Jeff M.
“Thanks once again for the great visit. In addition to their expertise, everyone has a great attitude!”
“Per usual, the entire staff was helpful and accommodated my changing insurance status with no problem. The care was excellent and complete.
–Anonymous
–Joseph G.
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Serving People Throughout Connecticut Mission of Mercy People with poor oral health don’t just suffer from problems with their mouth and teeth. Oral health is part of a person’s general health; it can have a severe impact on their mental and emotional well-being.The volunteers who participate in CTMOM aim to give these people a pain- free life and a confident, beautiful smile. Dr. Norige has been part of the Mission of Mercy campaign since 2008. Today, Dr. Norige readily volunteers his time to help people in need. “Our two-day clinic in April had over 800 volunteers, and we were able to see and treat over 600 patients,” he says. “We want to see as many people as we can, but there are so many people who need dental work, we reach max capacity pretty quickly.” People from all across Connecticut in need of oral care will travel miles and stand overnight for a chance to see one of the doctors and be treated. Already the CTMOM is planning their next clinic for March of next year. “There are some folks who come year after year to the program,” Dr. Norige says. “This has become their permanent dental home, and we’re all happy to give them treatment they otherwise wouldn’t be receiving.”
IN April, SouthWindsor Smiles’ very own Dr. Kevin Norige participated in a project known as Connecticut Mission of Mercy (CTMOM).The CTMOM is one of many programs that offer people who can’t afford dental care a chance to receive that care for free. Many low-income Americans cannot afford to see a dentist regularly or are unable to afford dental insurance.
To learn more about the CTMOM, you can visit their website at CTMOM.org.
Hash Browns NO. 1 DAD
Puzzle Your Brain
i ngred i ents
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1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, or 6 tbsp ghee
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Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
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Pinch of cayenne pepper, plus more to taste
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3 russet potatoes (about 1/2 lb.), peeled
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1 tsp Kosher salt, plus more to taste
d i rect i ons
1. In a small saucepan, heat butter over medium heat until foamy. Reduce heat if needed to avoid browning. Skim off white milk solids to make clarified butter (ghee).Transfer to a bowl and reserve. (This step won’t be needed if using ghee.) 2. Using the large holes on a box grater, grate potatoes.Transfer to a large bowl of cold water and stir until water becomes cloudy. Rinse potatoes under cold water, then squeeze out liquid using cheesecloth or a kitchen towel, removing as much moisture as possible. Season potatoes. 3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat ghee to medium-high. Add potatoes and cook until a crust forms underneath, about 5 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, break up potatoes and continue to cook, adding more ghee if potatoes begin to stick.
4. Cook until golden brown and crisp, about 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels; season with salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste. Serve.
P ublished by T he newsletter P ro | www .T he N ewsletter P ro . com
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It All Started With a Toothache
Guilt, Shame, and Embarrassment at the Dentist Testimonials CTMOM Program Hash Browns for the Best Dad
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Wizards, Superheroes, and Detectives
Roll the Dice on Fun
Turn Family Game Night Into a Real Adventure
Has Monopoly caused one too many fights? Are you tired of stockpiling resources in Settlers of Catan? Maybe it’s time to introduce your family to a new kind of game, one where you control the story and a single roll of the dice can change everything.This is the world of tabletop role-playing games (RPGs), where players embark on epic adventures under the supervision of a central Game Master.There are a lot of RPGs out there to choose from; here are a few your whole family can get into. Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) has been around since 1974, though shows like “Community” and “Stranger Things” have only recently helped the fantasy game gain mainstream acclaim.There are a lot of rules involved in the gameplay, so D&D can seem overwhelming to new players. But once you become familiar with the game, there are limitless options for characters and quests. How will a human fighter, an elf wizard, and a dwarf cleric save the world? Roll the dice and find out. Go On a Quest: Dungeons and Dragons The first.The biggest.The king of tabletop RPGs.
Become Super: Masks If your family has ever had a long conversation about who would win in a fight between the Hulk and Superman, then Masks is the RPG for you. Fly into Halcyon City where your family can take on the role of a team of young superheroes. Create your own hero and work together to make the world a better place. Fight supervillains, rescue citizens, and ultimately determine who has the best superpower. Solve a Mystery: Bubblegumshoe Did you grow up reading “Nancy Drew”? Are your kids all about BBC’s “Sherlock”?Then Bubblegumshoe is the game for you.This teen sleuth adventure is geared toward younger players, so it’s easier to start than other games on this list. Don’t worry if you’re not a mystery writer; the game comes with prewritten stories for your brilliant characters to solve.The villain might have gotten away with it if it weren’t for your meddling kids!
What are you waiting for? Grab some dice and get the party started!
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