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The Monthly Newsletter from Nagy Family Dental Group
March 2019
The Call of the Water My Peaceful Place
When I’m chatting with patients, I often like to ask if they are mountain and snow people or palm tree and beach people. People tend to be drawn more to one of these environments, and I happily fall into the second. I’ve been a water bug since I was a kid. I love to be in, on, and around water. It’s my peaceful place, my favorite way to reconnect with nature, and where I’ve spent a lot of my life. The lake draws me back to where I grew up, and it’s a big part of my family life today. licensed professional captain. Don’t worry — I’m not giving up my day job! Years ago, when we took the kids to Disneyland, we rode the ferry between our hotel and Magic Kingdom. I’d joke with my kids about captaining the ferry. “That’s what I’m going to do when I grow up,” I’d say. I don’t know if I’m growing up or just responding to the call of the water. I’ve been lucky to share my love of boating and scuba diving with my kids. When my son, Gregory, was 12, he went through his scuba diver training, and though I was certified, I did it again with him so we could spend time together. It’s become a family affair — my daughter, Danielle, got her certification a few years later. A goal I’m trying to accomplish this spring is attending captain’s school to become a
Caribbean, and I was leading. As is often the case on dives, we started in shallow water and came to an overhang that drops off, ending in much deeper water. I was going first, moving backward so I could watch Greg. I realized I’d reached the drop off, and as I descended into the other side, about a dozen large tarpon came into my view, hanging out in the overhang. They’re not aggressive fish, though they can look like it with silvery bodies and big teeth. I played out the scenario in my head: I was in 60 feet of water with a brand-new 12-year-old diver, and anything could happen. Worried that the sudden sight of the fish might freak Greg out, I slowly motioned up to him and pointed to the tarpon to give him some idea of what to expect. I got ready for however it would play out. As I’d expected, Greg freaked out. But he wasn’t scared — he was excited. When we got up to the surface, Greg was ecstatic that he got to see something so cool on his first dive. “Dad, those fish were awesome!” he exclaimed. It was an amazing experience to share with him. A few years later, I joined Danielle for her first dive following certification. We decided we’d do a fun dive that partly takes place in a shipwreck. It’s intentionally set up for divers, and there’s a point when you swim through a small window in the ship. It’s pitch black when you get inside. Knowing about this section, I was sure there was no way Danielle would want to go in considering it was her first dive. We were following a group, and when it was her turn to swim through the portal, she paddled her way in and zigzagged through the ship without hesitation. We returned to the surface, and very much like Greg, there was pure joy on her face. “That was so cool, Dad!” she said. I was happy to see her so comfortable in her skills.
It’s been a blast sharing these adventures with my kids. On each one, they surprise me with their courage and confidence. I can’t wait to see what our next adventure will be.
-Dr. Nagy
P.S. Water brings me so much joy, and I want to pass that on to one lucky patient with a trip to Kalahari Water Park. Find more information about our quarterly referral contest inside the newsletter!
I remember one of our first dives after Greg got certified. We were diving in the
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While we don’t know exactly why humans keep pets, one fact is certain: Millions of people love them. In fact, nearly 70 percent of households in the U.S. have a pet. But no matter what you see on your favorite dog Instagram accounts, keeping a pet isn’t endless playtime. Ask yourself the following questions before buying or adopting a furry companion. DO YOU KNOWWHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO? Owning a pet can change your lifestyle. To start, you will have to consider the animal’s well-being when hosting events or taking vacations. You will also have to make room in your budget for pet-related expenses. Additionally, some animals can live for upward of two decades. Discuss how responsibilities will change as a pet ages and what your future will look like before making the commitment. animal experts and other pet owners. Calculate the cost of owning a pet, and evaluate how that animal will fit into your lifestyle. For example, dogs are one of the most high-maintenance and expensive animals to own, but they tend to be more involved in family life than a cat or a hamster. That said, your home’s size and location may make it better suited for a smaller pet, as many larger animals require more square footage and plenty of outdoor space. IS YOUR FAMILY READY? Every family is different, and it’s important to have an honest discussion about the implications of owning a pet. If you have kids, consider how much they will be able to contribute to such a responsibility. Another factor to consider is how much free time you have to spend with your pet; some animals require more attention than others. To avoid major conflict down the road, discuss care and responsibility plans as a family before welcoming an animal into your home. Keeping a pet can be a source of joy for your family, but it can also be a source of stress. Before making any major choice, talk to your family members and consider what owning a pet would mean for all of you. DOES AN ANIMAL FIT YOUR LIFESTYLE? When choosing a pet for your family, gather research from Are You Ready for Fido? How to Decide if Your Family Can Care for a Pet
A Sleep Apnea Solution Without the Mask When you think of sleep apnea, one thing probably comes to mind: the cumbersome CPAP masks that have long been the go-to treatment for sleep apnea sufferers and snorers. But one company is changing that. Using an innovative oral appliance based on a person’s DNA, Vivos is eliminating obstructive sleep apnea in patients across the U.S. without the need for a lifetime of night guard or CPAP wearing. Based on dental research, Vivos has created an oral appliance, worn at specific times, that targets the jaw and tooth misalignments that are at the root of many cases of obstructive sleep apnea. The Vivos mRNA appliance gently adjusts the structure of the mouth to enhance breathing and open the airway. Once patients have completed treatment, many are free of the night guards and CPAP machines that have been a constant in their lives. Many patients report feeling a noticeable difference in their breathing ability and sleep quality in as little as a few weeks. This innovative approach treats patients who have obstructive sleep apnea, bruxism, and other issues that involve both dental issues and sleep disorders. Focusing on airway and breathing, Vivos addresses the causes of sleep apnea without the need for surgery, invasive treatment, or night guards. We think this treatment is going to be a game-changer for many people because it treats the root causes of sleep apnea rather than just trying to treat the symptoms. Because of its benefits for patients with sleep disorders and the connections to dental care, Nagy Family Dental Group has become a Vivos integrated practice. Starting this spring, Nagy Family Dental Group will begin accepting applicants for Vivos treatment and will screen applicants accordingly. As an accepted provider of the treatment, we look forward to bringing patients relief from the daily, life-impacting effects of sleep apnea. Give our office a call to learn more. We love our patients and appreciate your referrals! We are proud to offer a top-of-the-line referral program! For each family member, friend, or coworker you refer to our office, you will receive an entry into our $500-value quarterly raffle! Past prizes have included grills, flat-screen TVs, Yeti coolers, Cavs tickets, Indians tickets, Cedar Point passes, and a weekend at Kalahari! This quarter (January–March 2019) the grand prize raffle is a Kalahari Water Park gift basket and $400 gift certificate. Ask a staff member what this quarter’s raffle is to receive a FREE entry! Care Enough to Share
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thousand times, but I stuck with it,” Patricia says. In those times, she returned to her initial motivation. “I thought about how far I’ve come and where I want to be,” Patricia says. “I really want to do more and get better.” At Nagy Family Dental Group, interacting with patients is Patricia’s favorite part of her job. “I like making their experience better by helping them out and boosting how they feel about themselves,” Patricia says. She’s also passionate about Nagy Family Dental Group’s role in serving the community, from helping with events like Dentistry From The Heart to providing dental services to veterans.
Patricia Chases Down Her Dreams
We’re excited to highlight our amazing team member Patricia this month. Patricia is one of the all-star dental assistants on our team. She’s also the recipient of our most recent Baby Rhino Award, which is given to a team member who’s shown courage and tenacity in chasing down their dreams. Last year, Patricia pursued her dream of becoming qualified at a higher level when she embarked on a rigorous training program. When Patricia completes training in April, she’ll be licensed as an Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA). The Baby Rhino award honors the barriers that Patricia broke through to achieve this dream. Patricia says wanting to contribute more to Nagy Family Dental Group prompted her to go after EFDA certification, and when her team recognized her hard work with the Baby Rhino Award, “I wanted to cry,” Patricia says. “It meant so much to me. Having someone recognize my hard work makes me want to do better and push for my goals, not only for myself but also for the practice. I don’t want to let anyone down. I want to do the best I can.”
Outside of work, Patricia loves spending time with her son, Joshua. “I like going to park with him, taking him on different adventures, and having him experience new things,” Patricia says. “He’ll be four in May,” she shares. “It’s gone by so fast!” We’re so happy to share a bit more about Patricia this month. We love working with her, and we know our patients do, too!
As she nears the end of the EFDA program, Patricia reflects on the journey. She admits it hasn’t always been easy. “I‘ve wanted to quit a
Salt & Light Initiative
To contact Salt & Light for more information, submit inquiries to saltandlight@nagyfamilydental.com or call the Lorain County Free Clinic at 440-277-6641 and ask about starting the application process for the Free Clinic. More information will be available in the future as we construct the website and finalize our direct phone contact information. This project has been in development for a long time, and we are very excited to see how the initiative can be the “Salt of the Earth” and “Light of the World” for our community, both short- and long-term.
Our Salt & Light Free Dental Care Initiative is a program created, sponsored, and funded by The Nagy Family Foundation. Dr. Nagy, his wife, Kathy, and their two children, Gregory and Danielle, founded the organization a few years ago to support our community, as well as other domestic and international projects helping people in need. The Nagy Family Foundation’s primary focus is on oral and systemic health. The Salt & Light Initiative will be a dental treatment program that is completely free of cost for patients who qualify. Qualification will be in accordance with the current financial vetting standards of the Lorain County Free Clinic. The Initiative is focused on helping people who are uninsured and do not qualify for Medicaid. Our treatment focus will include preventive and restorative care including crowns, bridges, and full or partial dentures. Of course, The Salt & Light Free Dental Care Initiative will provide extractions, but we want to be able to give patients treatment choices if their condition allows for something other than tooth removal. The Salt & Light program will allow volunteer dental care providers the opportunity to give their time, skill, and expertise to the program after they are accepted through an application and verification process to ensure quality care for patients.
The location for The Salt & Light Free Dental Care Initiative will be at 406 Ohio Street, Elyria, OH 44035.
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5201 N. Abbe Rd. Sheffield Village, OH 44035 440-937-8878 www.NagyFamilyDental.com
What’s Inside?
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Life on the Water
Should You Get a Pet? A Better Sleep Apnea Treatment Team Member Moment With Patricia
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Salt & Light Initiative
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Family Activities for St. Patrick’s Day
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t have to mean heading to the local Irish bar and drinking a large green beverage. If you’re not interested in going out this year and would prefer to do something at home with the family, here are a few ways everyone can celebrate. IRISH-THEMED FOOD What better way to get festive than by making some St. Patrick’s Day-themed dishes? You can make rainbow cupcakes, green cookies, St. Patrick’s Day popcorn, or — for a more traditional dish — Irish soda bread. You can also cook up an array of greens for dinner on March 17, which could include Brussels sprouts, spinach, cucumbers, green beans, peas, or asparagus. A MISCHIEVOUS LEPRECHAUN To treat your kids to a fun game, leave green footprints around the house and participate in impish tricks! Empty a tissue box, hide the remote, swap out regular light bulbs with green ones, or draw rainbows on the windows. You’re only limited by your imagination. EXPLORING IRISH CULTURE Another way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your family is to sit down and read about Irish culture with your kids. Learn where the legend of the leprechaun came from or read other stories from Irish folklore. You can also watch videos of Irish dance performances and encourage the kids to make their own. There’s also fascinating history on St. Patrick and why he became the patron of the holiday that your
family members can research together. If you have Irish roots, tell your kids about your heritage. WATCH IRISH MOVIES For a relaxing activity, settle down in front of the TV for a movie night filled with films related to Irish culture. Try “The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns,” “Song of the Sea,” “The Luck of the Irish,” or “The Secret of Kells.” MAKE AN IMPACT Teach your kids how to be “greener” this month by doing more for the environment. Discuss ways to save energy and water in the home, and talk about the importance of taking a break from electronics and enjoying the outdoors. This list is not exhaustive by any means, but it’s a good start to get your family to create new ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. You might even create family traditions that will last for years to come.
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