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5,395 Lives Changed Through Sedation 1,966 5-Star Reviews and Counting 90 Years of Combined Experience
The Home of Anxiety-Free Dentistry
Inside Signature Smiles’ Training Day Dentistry With a Dash of Fun
SEPT/OCT 2023
Providing anxiety-free dentistry requires a personal touch and a high level of care. So, Signature Smiles works hard to keep our minds sharp. We shut down the offices every other month and engage in a full day of continuing education with all 40 employees. Our latest training session took place in August. We gathered at a park in Brunswick to discuss one of our practice’s three main pillars, patient obsession. But we don’t believe in all work and no play. After our patient obsession training, we also spent quality time together as a team. Everyone enjoyed competing in games and doing team-building exercises. As the team played, Dr. Issa, Dr. Yacoub, and I managed the grill and
cooked a fantastic meal. Everyone loved the quality time together. A particularly memorable moment occurred when Maddie paid us a visit with her new baby while she was out on maternity leave. We want to give our patients an experience unlike one they’ve had at any other dentist, so we can’t work, learn, and play like every other dental practice. Our bond and ability to have fun as a team are some of the things that set us apart and allow us to provide exceptional care. We aim to go the extra mile in everything we do, whether answering a phone call, performing a dental procedure, or spending a day together at the park.
–Dr. Omar Salameh
See more photos from our training day inside!
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THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF LUCCA, THE EXPLOSIVE-DETECTING DOG WHO SAVED LIVES
Sometimes, dogs are more than just a man’s best friend — they are heroes. When the Israel Defense Forces brought Chris Willingham, a Marine specializing in training military dogs, a small German shepherd and Belgian Malinois mix puppy in 2006, he knew she was special. Willingham named her Lucca, and in 2008, the pair deployed for their first tour in Iraq, where they spent countless hours together searching for improvised explosive devices or IEDs. When Lucca smelled a bomb, she’d lie down and wait for Willingham, an action they repeated so many times that the pair seemed to read each other’s minds. In fact, the duo became so successful that when platoons suspected they were heading into especially dangerous territory, they requested the team by name.
were restationing him at the Marine Security Guard School. But before he had to leave, he was allowed to choose a new handler for Lucca. Willingham chose Corporal Juan Rodriguez, whom he sensed was the perfect match for Lucca. And he was right. Lucca and Rodriguez picked up where she and Willingham left off until one day in 2012. The pair were four hours into their patrol in southern Afghanistan when Lucca located her second IED of the day. However, when she moved closer to the device to lie down — it exploded . Rodriguez quickly ran to Lucca, where he discovered she had lost one of her front paws in the explosion. He applied first aid, a tourniquet, and called for a medevac, never leaving her side. She had suffered burns to her neck and torso, and doctors had to amputate her front left leg.
However, in less than a month, Lucca was back to running around with the same spirit as before her injury but was now retired from her day job. She was reunited with Willingham and lived the rest of her days with him and his family peacefully until her passing in 2018. Lucca led more than 400 patrols during three combat tours in her career. She found 40 confirmed insurgents and countless explosives, and she never had a single human casualty during her six years of service.
After returning from their second tour in Iraq, Willingham received orders that the Marines
How Laser Dentistry Is Different THE FUTURE OF GUM DISEASE TREATMENT
When most people think about oral health, they focus on their teeth. But there’s so much more to our mouths, and our gums are crucial to our overall wellness. Traditional treatments for gum disease are generally uncomfortable, but laser gum treatment has changed how dentists approach the condition. Gum or periodontal disease occurs when an advanced infection occurs in the gum tissue. The condition starts with gingivitis, or gum inflammation, which can be treated effectively with at-home oral care. But if the disease advances, the gum recedes from the tooth and allows bacteria to enter. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Historically, dentists have treated gum disease with a procedure called scaling and root planing. This treatment is an extensive deep cleaning of the gum tissue. In more advanced cases, dentists may perform surgery to repair the problem. Laser dentistry is a more modern and comfortable solution. Unlike other options, it is minimally invasive and does not require scalpels or drills. Laser treatment is also less painful, causes less bleeding and swelling, and produces faster results. Patients also experience shorter appointments with less anesthesia.
While lasers still seem like science fiction to some people, they are an established and effective medical tool for appropriately trained doctors. The dentist uses a handheld laser to precisely remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the gums. The laser will only target the problem areas while leaving healthy surrounding tissue intact. Laser dentistry produces more consistent and predictable results, and patients who undergo it will be free of infection immediately. Notably, not all practitioners offer laser dentistry. However, our doctors believe in providing the most comfortable, state-of-the-art care, and we are proud to offer laser gum treatments to our patients when appropriate. Patients with more advanced gum disease may require supplementary procedures beyond laser treatment. Your dentist will discuss your treatment plan in detail during your consultation. Remember that additional procedures don’t mean additional pain at Signature Smiles — we’re 100% committed to pain-free and anxiety- free care that will meet the unique needs of every patient, no matter their circumstances.
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... continued from Cover More Memories
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
OUR PATIENTS SAY IT BEST
Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com
Save money this October with this delicious homemade pumpkin spice latte that will taste better than any store-bought coffee.
INGREDIENTS • 2 shots espresso (or 1/2 cup freshly brewed coffee) • 1 cup milk of choice • 3 tbsp pumpkin purée DIRECTIONS 1. In a small pot on medium heat, heat milk until simmering but not boiling. 2. Make your espresso (or coffee) and pour into a large mug or Mason jar. Add pumpkin purée, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla and stir until well combined.
• 1–2 tbsp maple syrup • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice • 1 tsp vanilla extract • Whipped cream for topping (optional)
3. With a milk frother, froth the heated milk until
foamy. Then, pour into your pumpkin espresso mixture and top with whipped cream. For decoration, you can sprinkle more cinnamon or pumpkin spice on top!
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
9519 State Route 14 Streetsboro, OH 44241 330-423-6779
Also Serving Elyria and Brunswick! Elyria, OH 44035 440-281-8031
The Home of Anxiety-Free Dentistry
Brunswick, OH 44212 330-460-6540
Inside
SignatureSmilesOH.com
Training and Team-Bonding Leads to Happy Patients
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Lucca, the Explosive-Sniffing Dog
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The Modern Approach to Treating Gum Disease
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Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
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Brush Up on Natural Oral Health Remedies
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Humans didn’t always have access to fluoride and mouthwash, so how did they keep their teeth clean and healthy? They relied partially on natural remedies, including medicinal herbs and spices. While today’s treatments generally work better than old-fashioned methods, several plants can provide supplemental benefits to modern patients. CLOVE This at-home remedy from your grandparents’ kitchen has science behind it. If you feel tooth pain and can’t see your dentist right away, try chewing on a clove or swishing with clove oil to relieve your pain naturally. Clove is an antiseptic and contains a compound that numbs pain. It’s also antimicrobial, killing bacteria in your mouth while giving you a break from your toothache. NEEM People have chewed on neem twigs for many years to protect their oral health. The herb’s antibacterial qualities help prevent tooth decay, and its anti- inflammatory properties can improve gum health. Plus, chewing on neem leaves can freshen your breath!
been used in herbal medicine and can be a lifesaver for people suffering from painful gingivitis. In addition to pain relief, turmeric helps prevent oral infection by killing bacteria.
HOLY BASIL Holy basil, or tulsi, differs from the basil most
Americans buy at the supermarket. It is more closely related to mint and has a more intense peppery flavor than the type popular in Italian cooking. When chewed, holy basil kills bacteria that can lead to plaque. It is also known as a remedy for bad breath.
GARLIC This favorite food will definitely not give you fresh breath, but chewing on garlic can effectively relieve tooth pain if you don’t have any cloves in the house. The critical ingredient is allicin, which is also antibacterial. Even better, garlic is yet another anti‑inflammatory!
None of these herbs will replace regularly brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist. But if you want to give an extra boost to your oral health, these natural remedies could do the trick.
TURMERIC Another anti-inflammatory is a staple in many kitchens. Turmeric has long
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