Check out our January/February newsletter!
Jan/Feb 2020
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
What’s Your Favorite Piece of Trivia?
“Who was the lead singer of The Go-Go’s?”
I’ve always loved to learn new things, whether it’s facts about rock bands or new breakthroughs in dentistry. This year alone, I’ve probably accumulated over 100 hours of continuing education. I’ve also been a part of The Great Black Swamp Dental Study Club of Northwest Ohio for the last 17 years. This is a study club run by a local oral surgeon, and we’ve built up quite a reputation. The club brings in world-renowned speakers, the kind of experts who make other people want to come to Toledo, Ohio, too. Being part of the study club has introduced me to a vast amount of knowledge and information about dentistry. A lot of it is stuff I wouldn’t need to know in my own practice, but I still like learning about it. One area I have become really focused on and bring into my practice is dental sleep medicine. A lot of my continuing education courses are in sleep medicine, and I’m currently about two- thirds of the way through a mastery program on the subject. I’ve always embraced a holistic approach to dentistry. Oral health contributes to the overall health of the rest of the body, and dental sleep medicine builds on that. It’s so important that a person get quality sleep. I’ve been able to save a lot of teeth in my career, but being able to check airways and help diagnose sleep apnea means adding to the quality of life and even extending a patient’s life! That’s such a huge thing, and I’m proud to have the knowledge to help in that area.
This was the question that stumped me years ago when I called in to a radio station to compete in their trivia challenge. Melody had called me from the car and told me to call the radio station right away because they were giving away a watch for Father’s Day; I just needed to show off my music trivia. Fortunately, even though I got tripped up by The Go-Go’s, the guy I was competing against only got one question right while I got the other five. I won a really nice watch I still wear to this day. I’m not a huge trivia buff, but I do like learning new things and picking up tidbits of knowledge. Our local newspaper, the Toledo Blade, has an entertainment section that usually features a bit of trivia. At dinner, I like to ask a few of those trivia questions to everyone at the table. People groan at first, but they get into it pretty quickly. It’s become a dinnertime tradition at the Stuckey household. “Dental sleep medicine is a passion, and I have a lot of knowledge about it.”
Dental sleep medicine is a passion, and I have a lot of knowledge about it. This really paid off when the American Dental Association began mandating that dentists start screening their patients’ airways for breathing problems. Music trivia isn’t the only kind of knowledge that’s come in handy in my life. And by knowing so much about dental sleep medicine, I’m able to do more than win a nice watch — I’m able to save my patients’ lives.
P.S. The lead singer of The Go-Go’s is Belinda Carlisle, just in case it comes up at your next trivia night.
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By Opening Your Home to an Exchange Student Expand Your Family’s Horizons
Develop Understanding
Hosting an exchange student in your home may not be something you’ve considered before, but there are many reasons why adding an international member to your family is great for everyone involved.
uncommon for host families and students to keep in touch for years after they’ve parted ways. Having friends in different parts of the world is also convenient when it comes to travel — you might get lucky enough to have a nice place to stay when you’re in their neck of the woods! It’s not just your family that will reap the benefits of opening your home to an exchange student; the student has much to gain as well. They’ll immerse themselves in your culture and get to see how your community lives harmoniously together. You’ll play an important role in showing them what life is like in your backyard while gleaning important perspectives on what life is like in theirs. Broaden Horizons
One of the most valuable traits we can learn is to be understanding of others. Learning about other countries and cultures offers an opportunity to be more receptive to the idea that, no matter how far apart people live or how much the languages we speak differ, at our core, we have a lot in common. Navigating life with this open mindset has far-reaching value that your entire family will benefit from.
Cultivate Friendship
Welcoming a new member into your home paves the way for new friendships to blossom. Even though the duration may often feel short, the friendships developed during an exchange are strong, and it’s not
MADE EASY
Your Health
Refer a Friend and Win a FitBit Versa!
The holidays are over, and it’s time to put away the sweets, get back to the gym, and make our health a priority again. But the question is this: What’s the best way to do that? A brief online search reveals a lot of articles with people boasting about what worked for them. This year, don’t take one-size-fits-all health advice. Learn what works best for you! To help our patients take control of their health, we’re giving away a brand new FitBit Versa. Celebrated for its innovative, easy-to-use software, the FitBit Versa can help build healthy eating habits, create exercise accountability, and teach you how to make the best health choices for your body. Make
2020 the year you really keep those New Year’s resolutions!
How can I win?
Enter to win your new FitBit by helping your friends and family improve their oral health! Any time a new patient gives your name at their first appointment, you’ll be entered to win the grand prize. The more people you refer, the more entries you’ll get, and the better your chances are of winning!
Make your health a priority and help your friends and family do the same!
Winner will be drawn on Thursday, April 30.
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The Legend of the Tooth Worm
One of Dentistry’s Strangest Myths
Turning to Magic and Ritual
Toothaches are uncomfortable enough without getting slimy critters involved. However, for the majority of human history, “tooth worms” were believed to be the actual source of toothaches and other oral health issues. Where did this belief come from, why was it so pervasive across cultures, and how did the precursors to modern dentists treat the problem? The answers might surprise you.
declares, “The blood of the tooth I will suck, and of the gum I will gnaw its roots!” While it is unclear if this inscription was the genesis of the myth, Babylon certainly wasn’t the only place it appeared.
Before modern medical science, people turned to the supernatural to cure their dental issues. After all, the tooth worm was thought to be a semimagical being, so why not fight magic with magic? Some of the less graphic premodern treatments included trying to smoke the worm out by using honey to lure the worm out of the tooth or banishing the evil creature through ceremonial chants. Today, we know tooth worms don’t exist, and our dentists won’t cast any magic spells on you (we promise). However, every story has a nugget of truth: While much smaller than worms, bacteria do feed on our tooth enamel. That’s why regular cleanings twice a year are important to keep your smile happy and healthy!
Worming Through History
This hungry little worm appears again in Mayan legends, Sinhalese folk charms, and even 18th-century books on dentistry. How did so many cultures from around the world believe in the same pernicious little creature? One theory suggests premodern dentists removing dental crowns mistook the underlying nerve for the worm. However, more recent research from the University of Maryland Dental School has revealed “wormlike” structures inside molars that could have inspired the myth.
Unearthing the Worm
The first mention of a worm that fed on human teeth can be found in an ancient Babylonian cuneiform inscription. The tale depicts a conversation between a worm and Mesopotamian gods, in which the worm
Dr. Stuckey’s Playlist
Have you heard about Kids’ Day? Once a month, Briarfield Dental Care throws a special celebration focused exclusively on our youngest patients. The office is transformed with fun decorations, the whole team gets dressed up, and there are lots of prizes for kids who come in to join the fun. Plus, we have special spin brushes and offers on sealants and mouthguards only available during our Kids’ Days. Don’t Miss Kids’ Day
Great Beats to Achieve Your New Year’s Resolutions
Did you know that 80% of New Year’s resolutions are doomed to fail? This number comes from a U.S. News report, and it’s pretty discouraging. Why make a New Year’s resolution if there’s only a 20% chance of success? Personally, I think the difference between success and
Kevin, to see RHCP live in Detroit when he was in high school. It was a great concert, and they’re still my son’s favorite band. Kevin has seen them perform many times and even got backstage passes to meet them once.
failure in New Year’s resolutions is motivation. Since most New
I put on RHCP when I work out because most of their songs
Year’s resolutions involve health and exercise, I got to thinking about the bands that motivate me when I’m working out. This month, the Red Hot Chili Peppers (RHCP) are at the top of my playlist.
have a fast beat that gets you moving. My favorite song of
theirs to work out to is “By the Way.” It’s a funky song that has two different types of beats, alternating between a smooth rock and faster hip-
Jan. 20 - Disney Day Feb. 18 - Circus Day
March 19 - Dinosaur Day April 23 - Superhero Day May 21 - Shark Day
hop verses. It’s exactly what you need when doing cardio.
Have a Laugh!
RHCP is probably one of the more well-known groups I’ve talked about in a while. They’re an alternative
If your New Year’s resolutions don’t involve hitting the gym more but you want to check out the Red Hot Chili Peppers, I recommend putting on one of their albums, either “Stadium Arcadium” or “Californication.” Both have some really good songs that are fun to listen to.
rock group, and their sound is a mix of rock, funk, and hip hop. Since they started playing in 1983, many of their songs have become popular in the mainstream. The band has a good variety of music.
While I don’t like all of their songs, the ones I do like make for good listening. I took my son,
Good luck with your New Year’s resolutions!
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Test Your Music Trivia
The Benefits of Hosting an Exchange Student Win a Brand New FitBit! The Mythical Tooth-Eating Worm Dr. Stuckey’s Playlist
Real Winter Wonderlands
Now in Network for Paramount Dental, an Affiliate of ProMedica ESCAPE TO A WINTER WONDERLAND Chill Out in These Frosty Destinations
The Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy
Snow is magical and gorgeous — unless you have to commute in it. If you want to enjoy all the wonder that winter has to offer without the
If you want the feel of a ski trip to the Alps without the packed slopes and ritzy resorts, the Dolomites are just for you. Located in northeastern Italy, this stunning mountain range is home to some of the best skiing in Europe, as well as many historical sites. The secluded villages that dot the mountain valleys are an attraction in their own right, especially for the rustic cuisine you’ll find there. Don’t expect pasta though. This region is a melting pot of flavors from Austria, northern Italy, and the local Ladin people. Ricotta and sauerkraut pancakes, anyone? This is the one entry on this list that is best enjoyed during the summer months, which is December–February in the Southern Hemisphere, because that’s when the freezing temperatures of the southernmost continent are at their most hospitable. The Antarctic has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, with cruises taking adventure seekers through the vast, untouched beauty of this far-flung destination. Some tourists even enjoy kayaking or cross-country skiing through this icy paradise. The Antarctic
hassle, why not turn it into a vacation? Here are a few breathtaking, snow- covered destinations that any winter lover can enjoy.
Bulguksa Temple, South Korea
Above the city of Gyeongju, this ancient Buddhist temple has stood on the slopes of Tohamsan Mountain since the eighth century. Bulguksa, or “Temple of the Buddha Land,” is South Korea’s No. 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it a popular attraction for domestic and international tourism. The crowds and school tours die down during the
winter, however, which also happens to be when Bulguksa is at its most pristine. The iced-over lotus ponds and snow-dusted pagodas add to the sense of tranquility this site naturally exudes.
4 · www.briarfielddentalcare.com · 419-866-6985
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