A+ Family Dentistry's online newsletter for September 2017
Poway Location: 12915 Pomerado Rd. Poway, CA 92064 Phone: 858-748-5100
San Diego Location: 3780 El Cajon Blvd., Unit 1
San Diego, CA 92105 Phone: 619-265-2467
The Happy Tooth
ADVICE FROMA TEACHER
WHY I’LL RETIRE (SOMEDAY) IN SAN DIEGO
How much do we owe to our teachers?
if Miami is always in the back of your mind? Dr. Levine encouraged me to find the place where I truly wanted to be and dedicate my life to improving that community.
A good teacher can impact our life in profound ways. Such an impact isn’t limited to teachers in the classroom, either. Coaches on the field, religious leaders at church, and other mentors can guide our lives in entirely new directions. In fact, it was the guidance of a teacher that brought me to San Diego.
“Find the place where you want to retire and open your practice there. Spend your career serving that community.”
I attended dental school at the University of Southern California. Throughout my education, I got to know many wonderful teachers, but my favorite was Dr. Levine, a professor who specialized in prostheses and replacing broken teeth. After a long career running his own practice, Dr. Levine taught dental students well into his 90s. He was the sweetest professor I’ve ever known and much loved by all his students. Most of what I learned from Dr. Levine was about dentistry, usually about how to fix a broken tooth or replace missing teeth. A missing tooth can cause the surrounding bone to atrophy and permanently alter the appearance of a patient’s face, so I’m glad I learned from such an experienced teacher. However, just before I graduated, Dr. Levine gave me a piece of advice that had nothing to do with fixing teeth: “Find the place where you want to retire and open your practice there. Spend your career serving that community.” Dr. Levine built his dental career on the values of a previous generation, when dentists began a practice with the goal of building long-term relationships with every patient. A dentist should look at their career with the end in mind and then start from the beginning. If you want to retire in Miami, Florida, but open your practice Aberdeen, South Dakota, how dedicated can you be to Aberdeen
Taking his advice to heart, I looked around for a place to spend my life. It wasn’t long before I fell in love with San Diego. My parents live in LA, so it’s close enough to visit without having to fly. Plus, compared to the congested streets of LA, traffic in San Diego is nothing! What’s more, I’ve always loved the beach, and the beaches in San Diego are some of my favorite. Since opening my practice, I’ve always felt welcomed by this city and the fantastic people here. It was easy to see I’d made the right choice. I’ve been here for 15 years, and I intend to be here until I retire. San Diego’s been a wonderful city to me, and I’m happy to return the favor to all my patients. When the day comes for me to step away from the dentist’s chair, I
believe I’ll take a page from Dr. Levine and help educate the next generation of dentists. I don’t know what classes I’ll teach, but I do know I will give my future students the same advice Dr. Levine gave to me. I love San Diego and I can’t imagine myself anywhere else. - Dr. Justene Doan
September 2017 Edition
A+ Family Dentistry | 619-265-2467 | P1
Fresher, Cheaper, Tastier
The nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables hardly need explaining. These health staples, though, can put a dent in your wallet if you’re not making the right choices at the market. One way to feed your family healthy and delicious produce on the cheap is to eat seasonally. Not only will this save you money, but you will also vary your diet, support local farms, and put the freshest foods on your table. Ever wonder why tomatoes cost so much more in December than in July? The answer is simple: shipping distance. Transporting produce long distances is expensive because it needs to be protected and temperature- controlled. Eating seasonally means you’ll save a ton on fruits and veggies. Even better is to cut out the middleman entirely and buy directly from a supplier. In his exceptional cookbook “Six Seasons: A New Way With Vegetables,” Joshua McFadden writes, “The best way to eat with the seasons is to frequent and support local farms, markets, and grocery stores that are doing good things.” The USDA website (ams.usda.gov) has a directory of markets that you can search for by ZIP code. Learning what’s in season at a given time might seem like a daunting task, but there are plenty of tools to help you. You can ask what’s in peak season at the market and what to look forward to in the coming weeks. Apps like Farmstand will also let you know the freshest crops in your area and alert you to deals on produce. Getting the nutritional benefits and great taste of fresh produce doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg. Eat seasonally and locally, and the savings will pile up.
The Benefits of Seasonal Eating
Employee Spotlight: Elizabeth What She’s Seen in 40 Years of Dentistry
In the last 40 years, DNA sequencing, the internet, alternative energy, and cellular phones have made the world a different place. Likewise, since Elizabeth started in her first dental office four decades ago, a lot has changed about dentistry. But one thing hasn’t changed: her passion for patient care.
office, I’m grateful when I can get them in to see our dentists here, who are simply the best.”
Liz has worked in several offices over the years in a variety of roles, mostly pertaining to patient care and scheduling. When she first started as a dental assistant, they didn’t even wear gloves. “I’m surprised I’m still alive!” she says. After a decades-long journey, we’re grateful Liz found a home here. “Sometimes, when you walk into a dentist’s office, it can feel very clinical and cold,” she says. “Here, it feels more like a family. It’s a very comfortable feeling. When I feel good about bringing my grandchildren in, you know it’s a good place to be.” Elizabeth’s grandchildren take up most of her spare time. She lives with her oldest daughter, and when she isn’t at work, she dedicates herself to cheerleading her grandkids as they participate in karate, Girl Scouts, and other after-school programs. She also loves listening to music and reading while cuddling up with her treasured cat, Bella.
Elizabeth, or Liz, has been with A+ Family Dentistry for almost five years as our scheduler. When we ask her how it’s been, she flatters us. “It’s the greatest
job I’ve ever had,” she says. “The doctors we have are perfectionists who do everything they can to make our patients comfortable and treat them with compassion.” Since her first job, Elizabeth has always found satisfaction in helping patients. “I love getting to know people,” she says. “Oftentimes, the people who call us are in serious pain and desperate for relief. As someone in the front
If you call the office to make an appointment, chances are the person who answers on the other end is Elizabeth.
“Get me on the phone,” she says. “I’m here to help!”
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Dental Domino Effect The Problems You Face After Losing a Tooth as an Adult
Losing your teeth as a child is an exciting experience. You get to look forward to a visit from the Tooth Fairy and some sweet cash under your pillow the next morning. Losing your teeth as an adult, however, is a far less thrilling event. A missing tooth is a common reason adults are embarrassed by their smile. But if you’ve lost a tooth, you shouldn’t feel ashamed. The American College of Prosthodontists estimates that 178 million adult Americans are missing at least one tooth. While losing a tooth is common, it does have repercussions. Cosmetic concerns aside, there are numerous health risks associated with missing a tooth. The mouth and jaw work together as one unit
with many parts. Should one of these parts go wrong, the rest of the mouth
You can avoid this disastrous domino effect by addressing missing teeth as
can fall into disarray. When a tooth falls out, the surrounding teeth and gums become more vulnerable to cavities and gum disease. The rest of your teeth may start to crowd in order to fill the open space. It’s a domino effect, and it worsens the longer you wait. The bone around the missing tooth goes unused and can suffer from atrophy, similar to how your bone becomes weak from lack of use if you break your leg. When your jawbone atrophies, is can completely change your facial structure. The more teeth you’re missing, the more apparent this atrophy becomes.
soon as possible. Dental implants can replace lost teeth, fusing to your jawbone to create a stable, natural-looking tooth. Bone loss is prevented, and the rest of your teeth stay in line. That toothy gap in your fourth-grade photo is charming, but it’s far less endearing on your business portfolio or dating profile. Call 619-831-8832 (San Diego) or 858- 842-5850 (Poway) and learn how implants can replace your missing tooth today! One-Pan Harvest Pasta
Have a Laugh!
Ingredients
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2 tablespoons vegetable oil
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1 3/4 cups reduced- sodium chicken broth 1 cup dried whole grain elbow macaroni
1 small eggplant, cut into 1-inch pieces (4 cups) 1 medium zucchini, coarsely chopped (2 cups) 2 tomatoes or 4 Roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped (1 cup)
•
•
• • • • •
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
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Kosher salt
Ground black pepper (optional)
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1/3 cup chopped red onion
Snipped fresh basil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Grated Parmesan cheese
1 (19-ounce) can cannellini beans (white kidney beans), rinsed and drained
Directions
reduce heat. Cover and simmer 7–10 minutes more or until vegetables and pasta are tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper; top with basil and Parmesan cheese and serve.
1. In a very large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, red onion, and garlic. Cook, uncovered, 7–10 minutes or until vegetables are almost tender, stirring occasionally. 2. Add beans, broth, pasta, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil, then
Recipe courtesy of midwestliving.com.
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3780 El Cajon Blvd., Unit 1 San Diego, CA 92105
Aplusfamilydentistry.com 619-265-2467
Inside This Issue
Work Where You Want to Retire Page 1
Fresher, Cheaper, Tastier
Page 2
40 Years of Dentistry Page 2
Why One Problem Always Leads to Another
Page 3
One-Pan Harvest Pasta
Page 3
The Museum of What?
Page 4
The Museum of What? THE WORLD’S STRANGEST MUSEUMS
Museums are a staple of vacations no matter where you travel. Everyone has heard of the Louvre and the Smithsonian, but you might be surprised to learn about some of the stranger museums around the world. For nearly every passion, there is a building somewhere dedicated to it. Take a look at some of the weirdest.
to be ignored.” A trip to MOBA will leave you smiling, laughing, and feeling a little better about the fact that you’re not Picasso.
Momofuku Ando Instant RamenMuseum Osaka, Japan
It’s not just college students and video gamers who love ramen. Since the invention of the instant noodles by Momofuku Ando in 1958, ramen has evolved into a beloved dietary staple from Japan to Jamaica. The museum named after its creator offers you the chance to look at some of the strangest versions from around the world. As an added bonus, you can even design your own packaging. Bring along some chopsticks, as there are plenty of samples to slurp up.
Sulabh International Museum of Toilets Delhi, India
A functioning toilet is something everyone takes for granted until they don’t have access to one. In India’s capital, you can explore the fascinating history of commodes. From primitive examples you would never use today to gold- plated bathroom thrones from palaces across the world, the variety of toilets on display is staggering. Divided into three sections — ancient, medieval, and modern — you’ll be shocked at how much you can learn about history and culture through an examination of the ways a society flushes (or doesn’t).
The Kansas BarbedWire Museum Rush County, Kansas
Plenty of museums are hands-off, but that’s usually to protect the precious objects held within. At the Kansas Barbed Wire Museum, not touching the exhibits is just sound advice. The development of barbed wire was instrumental in settling the American West, and this museum pays tribute to the ingenuity of those farmers who wanted to make sure their cattle stayed on their property and thieves stayed out.
The Museum of Bad Art Dedham, Massachusetts
There are plenty of museums dedicated to exceptional artwork from history, but only one dedicated to less-than-successful artistic endeavors. The Museum of Bad Art, or MOBA, promotes itself as the home of “art too bad
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