Check out our first newsletter of the new year!
The MONTHLY Smile
706-453-1333 www.LakeOconeeDental.com
JANUARY 2018
LEAVING A LASTING IMPACT Lake Oconee Dentistry’s Vision Goes Way Beyond Dentistry
I was looking through some files the other day and came across a picture of our old Harbor Club office. We’ve been in our new office for nearly five years now, and, looking at the old office, it seems like a lifetime ago.
Patti and I fix teeth. It’s what we’ve chosen as a profession. It’s how we make a living. After 25 years of practicing dentistry, we’ve mastered the “fixing teeth” part. Although we still enjoy the clinical side, Patti and I realized a few years ago that we needed a bigger vision than simply restoring smiles. Like our practice, our vision needed to grow in order for it to be meaningfully significant for the next 25 years. Patti and I weren’t born in the lake area. We chose to live in this area, like many of our patients. Being here for 20 years, we’ve seen the area grow, and it’s been fun being a part of it. We’ve always made it a point to volunteer in the community, giving our time and resources to support various organizations and causes. A few years ago, Patti and I asked ourselves, “What would happen if we could teach everyone who works for us to do the same — give of their time and resources to make a difference in the community?” If we could instill a love for serving others into the hearts of our rapidly growing team, perhaps we could help affect change on a larger scale. So, we broadened our vision. We began actively teaching and training our team members — something we continue to do to this day. Some of those trainings are clinical in nature, but many others are on delivering great customer service, improving leadership skills, and teaching financial stewardship. We teach team members how to give by modeling it and then give them the tools to do the same. For the last several years, our practice has hosted Dentistry From The Heart, a free day of dentistry for those in need. This past November, we hosted Stars, Stripes & Smiles, an event that provided free dentistry for veterans and active military personnel. These events are great examples of our team coming together to serve. The events are completely voluntary. Team members choose to donate their own time and skills to be a part
“And it’s true, Lake Oconee Dentistry looks a lot different in 2018 than it did in 1998. Back then, Patti and I started with just one team member. Today, we have a team of 24.”
A Bigger Vision
Occasionally, patients who have been with us from the beginning will comment, “Wow, you’re really growing,” or “The practice has become so high-profile.” And it’s true, Lake Oconee Dentistry looks a lot different in 2018 than it did in 1998. Back then, Patti and I started with just one team member. Today, we have a team of 24.
That kind of growth sometimes begs the question, “Why are you choosing to get so big?”
Well, here’s the short answer: We have something great to offer and can make a difference in peoples’ lives. We want to help as many people as possible.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 ...
The longer answer comes down to the vision Patti and I have for the practice.
Lake Oconee Dentistry | Personalized & Comfortable | 1
Want to See BETTER REPORT CARDS IN 2018?
Make Reading a Family Resolution
The cruel winds of winter swirl just outside your window, leaving traces of frost on each pane. You stoke the fire and curl up in the velvet armchair nearby, eager to finally start that Agatha Christie novel. But as you stir your tea and pull on a pair of wool socks, you feel a slight tickle in the back of your throat. Frantic, you reach for your trusty onion necklace and blare Pandora’s jazz station. Yes, it’s as strange as it sounds. Among the countless cold remedies in the world, there are some that involve an extra-large helping of lizard soup and others that require a supply of powdered frog skin. But most of the time, these superstitions do little or nothing to combat your infections. Take these two sock remedies, for instance. A Dirty Lard Scarf Some home-remedy enthusiasts encourage their infected friends to grease their necks with chicken fat or lard. After their skin is sufficiently coated, the afflicted then wrap their necks with dirty socks. Warm and a little sticky, the sick were supposed to sweat out their germs. But Does It Work? Probably not. This remedy supposedly surfaced in England before drugs and vaccines helped eliminate contagious illnesses like strep throat and diphtheria. While sweating does help rid the body of unwanted bacteria and germs, the dirty sock adornment served more Every parent wants to see their child do well in school, and there’s one fun activity that benefits students of all ages: reading. In a world with so much stimulation, however, it can be difficult to motivate kids to put down a screen and pick up a book. New Year’s resolutions are the perfect opportunity to make reading a priority. Here are a few tips to make 2018 the year your kids become bookworms. Make It a Family Resolution There’s no better motivator than solidarity! Plus, we’re guessing everyone in your household could stand to read a little more. You don’t have to read the same books or set identical goals, but it’s a lot more fun when everyone participates. Schedule weekly reading discussions so everyone can share the cool stories they’ve read. Stack your completed books in your house somewhere as a monument to all the knowledge your family has gained. Set Reward Milestones Positive reinforcement will propel your kids to keep reading long after the calendars have turned. For a certain number of books completed or hours spent reading, offer them a prize. You can even create a big end goal to really cement those reading habits. Better
as a reminder for the healthy to steer clear of their feverish neighbors. But hey, at least the scarf will keep you warm during a bout of the shivers! You’re Hot Then You’re Cold This holistic approach supposedly clears nasal congestion for a restful night’s sleep. Simply soak your feet in warm water until they’re hot and pink. While you’re sitting, let a pair of socks rest in a bowl of ice water. Wring them out, then pull them over your warm feet. Immediately add another layer of dry socks and hop into bed! But Does It Work? Maybe! This approach is a standard practice in hydrotherapy. Your body is surprised by the sudden change in temperature and increases its circulation rate. This could help clear your nasal passages and jump-start your immune system. Licensed acupuncturist Anne Carruth described her experience with this method on PortlandNaturalHealth. net. For her, the treatment “nips a sore throat in the bud” and has helped her “get over lingering cold and flu symptoms.” In the end, whether you’re experimenting with socks or just taking another dose of Nyquil, it’s important to fight your cold when it arrives. Get adequate sleep, drink plenty of fluids, and warm up a bowl of chicken noodle soup. Your body will thank you! yet, set a combined goal that the entire family can work toward. Don’t be afraid to pull out all the stops. If your kids know that reading one book per week through June means an extra-special summer vacation, their enthusiasm won’t wane come spring. Use Reading Apps Goodreads is a social network for bibliophiles. You can find recommendations, share ratings, and create lists of both completed and to-be-read books. Users also create reading lists based on topic, genre, decade, and more. With over 2 billion books added, you’ll never run out of inspiration. Biblionasium offers the same services, but it’s designed specifically for children. Talk to other parents and create a network of friends and classmates. After all, nothing is cooler to a kid than what their friends are doing. Avid readers tend to do better academically from kindergarten through college. In fact, a study from the Journal of Education and Practice found that reading comprehension predicted success in other subjects more than any other factor. If you want to see improved report cards, make a reading resolution for your entire household.
HAVE A TICKLE IN YOUR THROAT? Strange Cold Remedies for the Winter Season 2
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WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT SLEEP AND ORAL HEALTH
Is Lack of Rest Hurting Your Mouth?
grow, because ultimately, these factors might impact a patient's overall health." This connection is especially strong with periodontal disease. Heart surgeons have found the very same bacteria in clogged arteries as those in gums. Why does sleep matter so much? Well, it’s the time when your body restores itself. Your body needs to recover after strenuous exercise in order to get the most out of a workout, and the same is true for your mouth. At night, you’re more likely to breathe through your nose, which allows your mouth to produce more regenerative saliva. A good night’s sleep also lowers stress levels and regulates blood sugar. To make sure you're getting the highest quality sleep, it’s important to establish a routine. The more your body clock can acclimate to a pattern of expected sleep, the less likely you will be to wake up in the middle of the night. Avoid eating right before bed, especially after you’ve brushed and flossed. Also, limit your screen time before bed to ensure a good night’s rest.
We all know brushing before bed is the key to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. You may be surprised to learn, though, that what happens after you brush can make a huge difference as well. Sleep quality has a massive impact on oral health, in regards to both periodontal disease and bad breath. A study commissioned by the Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, led by Dr. Muneo Tanaka, sought to examine the influence of lifestyle factors on gum disease. They observed 219 patients over the course of four years, monitoring hours of sleep, hours of work, exercise, alcohol use, smoking, eating breakfast, overall diet, and physical and mental stress. When the results came back, only smoking was a bigger risk factor than lack of sleep. Those patients who had seven to eight hours of sleep fared much better than those with six or fewer. "This study points out to patients that there are lifestyle factors other than brushing and flossing that may affect their oral health," says Preston D. Miller Jr., DDS, president of the American Academy of Periodontology. "It is also important to keep these in mind as the body of evidence linking oral disease with systemic diseases continues to We have an extremely talented team at Lake Oconee Dentistry. Every one of our team members possess abilities that would allow them to work anywhere, doing anything they choose, and yet they stick with us. It’s a great honor and responsibility to lead this team. We don’t want our team members to waste their abilities toiling away at something that doesn’t truly matter. We want them to grow professionally and personally because of the resources we provide, the opportunities we offer, and the wisdom we pass on. Legacy isn’t about leaving something for people, it’s about leaving something in people. If Patti and I can teach and inspire the 24 people who currently work for us to make a difference, the long-term impact will go way beyond restoring smiles. It will positively impact hundreds of people in our community, because those team members will go back and teach their spouses, their family members, and their friends. The effects ripple out from there. The growth of our practice allows us to not only help more patients, we also can inspire and teach the next generation (our team members) how to make a difference in the world around them. And that is a vision worth getting excited about as we move into a brand- new year. COVER CONTINUED of these events. We even have former team members who come back each year on these days to donate their time. As a result, we’ve been able to provide much-needed dental care and make a difference in the lives of hundreds of people.
Oral health is only one of the many benefits of getting more (and better) sleep. Rest up for increased focus, better memory, and brighter moods.
Slow Cooker RASPBERRY WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE
Ingredients • 1 cup white chocolate chips • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk • 2 cups heavy cream, divided • 3 cups milk (any variety)
• 2 tablespoons
powdered sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla • 4 tablespoons raspberry liqueur or syrup
Instructions 1. In a slow cooker, combine white chocolate chips, condensed milk, 1 cup cream, and milk. Cover and heat on low about 2 hours. 2. In a large bowl, mix remaining 1 cup cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla. 3. Using a hand or stand mixer, whip until stiff peaks form. 4. Serve mugs of hot chocolate with about 1 tablespoon of raspberry liqueur or syrup to taste and a dollop of whipped cream.
–Dr. David
(Recipe inspired by SlowCookerGourmet.net.)
Happy New Year!
Lake Oconee Dentistry | Personalized & Comfortable | 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1011 Parkside Main | Greensboro, GA 30642 If you have any questions, call us at 706-453-1333 www.LakeOconeeDental.com
We’re located at 1011 Parkside Main between the Publix parking lot and movie theater.
The Easiest Way to Improve Oral Health page 3 Slow Cooker Raspberry White Hot Chocolate page 3 Books to Inspire You in the New Year page 4 Inside
Our Mission to Leave a Lasting Impact page 1 The Resolution That Leads to Better Grades page 2 Can Chicken Fat Cure Your Cold? page 2
YOUR READING LIST
FOR 2018
Can you believe 2017 is behind us? Elections, weather, and just about everything on the news left us feeling uncertain. We could all use a dose of optimism in the new year. Here are some books that celebrate the triumph of the human spirit, even in the most challenging situations. Finding Forrest When an actor tries their hand at other creative mediums, the results are varied, but the buzz about Tom Hanks’ new book, “Uncommon Type,” has been largely positive. His literary debut is a collection of 17 short stories, all featuring, in some way, a typewriter. At their heart, though, the stories are about human relationships, and Hanks manages to inject his most memorable character’s charm into his writing. As NPR reviewer Heller McAlpin puts it, “In a world where the news is unrelentingly bleak and much fiction tends toward the dystopian, postapocalyptic, dark, or edgy, this is a gentler, sweeter kind of storytelling than we've come to expect.” Overcome a Harrowing Year Few have done more to earn the title of modern-day hero than Scott Kelly, who has served as a military fighter pilot, an engineer, an astronaut, and now, an author. “Endurance” is Kelly’s memoir, and it recounts the year he spent on the International Space Station. From sharing everyday space adventures to letting us in on the physical toll space takes on the body, Kelly helps us understand what it’s really like to be in the great unknown. If you’re looking for inspiration in
the new year, reading about Kelly’s harrowing year of challenges will surely give you the courage to overcome your own. If You Loved the ‘Divergent’ Series Veronica Roth brings us a new sci-fi/fantasy series with “Carve the Mark.” Roth whisks
us to a planet where each person has a “currentgift,” a special power they develop. But for heroes Cyra and Akos,
currentgifts are more of a curse. The two must work to overcome their distinctly different pasts and unite to save their world — or die trying. When You Need a Hero School is tough, and no one knows it better than George Heffley. In installment 12 of the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series, titled “The Getaway,” Jeff Kinney takes us on a tropical vacation with the Heffleys as they attempt to escape the cold weather and frenzy of the holidays. But the island isn’t the relaxing sanctuary it’s supposed to be. The suggested reading age is 8–12 years old, but this book would make an excellent listen for the whole family during a road trip of your own.
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