Celebrating Our Star Hygienists This National Dental Hygiene Month MEET THE DREAM TEAM! For those who didn’t know, October is National Dental Hygiene Month, and there’s no better time to spotlight our incredible team of hygienists who make our office a welcoming and caring place for every patient. We’re lucky to have Lydia, Katelyn, and Whitney as part of our dental family, and if you’ve met them, you know just how special they are! Lydia has been with us for an incredible seven years, Whitney for six, and Katelyn for four. Over the years, they’ve become more than just our hygienists — they’ve become friends and confidants to many of our patients. They have a unique ability to remember the little details about each patient’s life, from family updates to favorite hobbies, and they always make time to chat and share a laugh during appointments. It’s this personal connection that makes visiting the dentist a positive experience for so many. Yet, these three are not just friendly faces; they are highly qualified professionals who are passionate about delivering the best care possible. Their dedication to their work is a huge part of why our practice has been so successful. We owe much of our practice’s success to these amazing hygienists. Since nearly all their patients return at least every six months and refer their friends, our practice stays extremely busy with almost no marketing. It’s a true testament to their skill and their patient relationships.
Unlock the Secrets of Animal Footprints BECOME A NATURE DETECTIVE Have you ever discovered a mysterious set of animal tracks? Reading those footprints can be your ticket to uncovering the hidden world of wildlife right under your nose. Whether you’re on a camping trip hoping to spot one of your favorite critters or simply curious about the pawprints you stumbled on at home, we’re here to show you how to become a nature detective. PREPARE AND OBSERVE You’ll have the best luck spotting tracks or other signs of animal life in places where wildlife is known to frequent. Find watering holes or other areas where animals may feed or gather. Tracks need a suitable medium, like snow, mud, sand, or soft dirt, for them to show. Regardless of where you’re heading, bring a field guide, a map of the area, hiking supplies, and tools for tracking, like a ruler, magnifying glass, and a camera. COUNT THE TOES Your main clues to the owner of these natural calling cards are the number of toe and claw marks on the print. Canines, like wolves, and felines, like cougars, all have four toes, but you can see a significant difference between their claws. Cats have retractable claws, so their pawprints won’t always have claws. In contrast, birds have distinctive tracks with three long, skinny, forward-facing toes. IDENTIFY YOUR PREY When you have identified what animal family left the print behind, you can begin to home in on its exact species. Use a small ruler to measure the size of the track to give you clues. A wolf, for example, has similar prints to a dog, but they are about 2 inches wider. Context is also a crucial factor when you’re tracking. Think about the animals that live in the area. Would there be any domesticated dogs in the woods where you are hiking? Document your tracks with photos and notes in a nature journal. If you’re still unsure, go online and look at various animal tracks. You may find what you’re looking for!
We asked our trio what messages they’d like to share during National Dental Hygiene Month, and they had three reminders:
1. X-rays are vital: They understand that some patients might feel hesitant about them. X-rays are crucial for spotting issues that aren’t visible to the naked eye, ensuring that they can provide the most accurate and effective care. 2. Fluoride: Fluoride treatments are an important part of a good oral health plan, and we strongly encourage them to fight cavities. However, we’ll always respect individual patients’ choices regarding the use of fluoride. 3. Smile more: Smiling promotes blood flow to your gums and can help reduce plaque and
tartar buildup over time. It not only brightens your day, but it also helps keep your teeth healthy.
A big thank you to Lydia, Katelyn, and Whitney for all they do. Your hard work and dedication are the foundation
So, next time you stumble upon animal tracks, get out your ruler and camera! Those prints could lead you on a great adventure!
of our practice, and we’re so grateful to have you on our team!
2 • WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM
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