Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
SEPT/OCT 2025
Pro-Craft.com || 877-484-3522
School’s out for Summer Senior Pranks, Lifeguard Towers, and Helicopters
I grew up in Covina, California, during a time quite different than today’s world. Remember the TV show “The Wonder Years”? That was my neighborhood and school experience. If you’ve never heard of it, check it out. It’s a great TV series. Anyway, sometimes I feel like I grew up in a different country from today’s, but that’s another story. I graduated from high school in 1975, and it was a tradition that upon graduation, the seniors would pull off a senior prank in the senior quad in covert and unusual ways. Different groups would do their own thing, so these pranks could happen 2–3 times during the last week of school, and of course, everyone was trying to outdo the guys before them. I graduated from Northview High School, and during my four years there, I saw several big giant full-size fiberglass cows “borrowed” from the local dairy, and, somehow, they made their way up to the roof of the school that surrounded the quad. One time, I saw an old broken down VW Bug (that’s a small Volkswagen car) with war protest graffiti somehow make it through the fence and gates around the school and down all the narrow hallways and was abandoned right in the middle of the senior quad. One year, the larger-than-life fiberglass figure of Bob’s Big Boy featured in front of the local Bob’s Big Boy restaurant in town greeted the whole school when we arrived in the morning. Of course, nobody had any idea how those things appeared in our school, and who knows whose job it was to return them.
Now, if you are younger than I am and have no idea what the senior quad was (do they still have them?), it was an area in the center of the school with a small concrete stage, tables and benches to sit at, and shade trees and flower planters. It was a nice place for the seniors to eat lunch outdoors, and they had pep rallies (do they still have those?) for sports and other events on the small stage. Well, when it was our turn to graduate, some friends and I thought it would be a cool idea to put a lifeguard tower from Newport Beach (about an hour away), right in the middle of the quad. We went to the beach and measured the single- person lifeguard tower we wanted, and it would fit perfectly in the back of a rented U-Haul truck. It could be carried by about 10 of us and easily fit down the halls and through the gates around the school. Then we went to a graduation party, passed around a hat to raise money for the truck, and found the other guys we needed to pull off the prank. Sounds like a great idea, right? With all that planning, what could possibly go wrong? Everyone drove to the beach, and my friend Rod and I rented the truck and met them there. The mistake we made was that it was only about 11 p.m., and the houses along that beach were still awake, and the lights of their houses were still on. We had all four legs, and the ladder and telephone wire cut, and the tower was just sitting on the stumps ready for us to carry it to the awaiting truck parked between some of the houses when about eight police cars blocked off Pacific Coast Hwy in both directions right
in front of where we were all parked. Then a helicopter showed up, and it became every man for himself. We scattered, and if you went to your car, you were a goner. Rod and I headed to a bridge that was part of Pacific Coast Highway and hid under it and watched the carnage as the helicopter picked off everyone else one by one. They all went to jail, and their parents had to come pick them up. We stayed under that bridge until all the police left, then quietly got in the U-Haul truck and limped our way back home. You know, all and all, my high school experience was great even with all the normal stuff like awkwardness talking to girls, making the walk all the way across the school gym to the girls’ side to ask a girl to dance, my first date, the dumb things you say to your friends you don’t even understand, going to school dances with a live local band, walking home from football practice and stopping at the A&W Root beer for a gallon of root beer to drink on the long hot walk home, the perils of the boys’ locker room and shower, and, of course, the paddle that hung on the wall in the office of our gym coach.
Hey, that’s America, and I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything.
1
877-484-3522
How Bountiful Beards Became Victorian Air Purifiers SMOG, SOOT, AND STUBBLE
Step aside, antibiotics! In the smog-choked streets of 1850s London, where chimney smoke clung to every surface and a “fog” could linger for months, doctors championed a fuzzy solution. The prescription? Grow a beard. Not just any beard, but big, bushy, chest-brushing beards that could rival a lion’s mane. Their advice made it seem like thick, woolly beards were a frontline defense against disease. As London’s population surged past the one million mark in the mid-1800s, so did its coal consumption. Residents warmed their homes and powered the city with coal, releasing dense plumes of smoke that clung to the damp air. These weren’t your average winter mists. In 1873, one thick smog event blanketed the city, contributing to hundreds of bronchitis-related deaths. Another hung around for four months in 1879, plunging London into darkness.
Victorian physicians, caught between outdated theories and the dawn of germ science, believed thick beards could filter the noxious air swirling through the city. With coal smoke saturating
the sky and mysterious illnesses lurking in every cough, they saw the beard as a barrier and a natural air purifier, trapping invisible enemies before they reached the throat or lungs. Public speakers were even told their beards would soothe strained vocal cords! Men were reassured that their whiskers could keep sore throats at bay. But here’s the ironic twist in this follicular fairy tale. Modern research paints a less noble picture of the beard. According to dermatologists and ecologists, those bodacious beards trap bacteria, food particles, and even play host to tiny squatters (aka ectoparasites). What the Victorians hailed as a filter functioned more like a germ motel! So, while the beard boom of the 1800s was well-intentioned, it might be best remembered as a moment when style, “ science ,” and smog collided and the beard won (if only temporarily).
How to Get Patients to Commit From Ghosting to Confirmed
Nobody likes empty dental chair time. Missed appointments cost revenue, jam the schedule, and mess with the office flow. But patients can feel pestered if every reminder feels like a telemarketer’s call. The sweet spot is a system that keeps your books full and shows patients you respect their time. Here’s how. ASK, DON’T ASSUME During new patient intake or the next visit, simply ask: “How do you prefer appointment reminders?” Some love texts, others cling to email, and a few still want a phone call. Record their preference in your practice management software and honor it. When messages arrive on a channel that patients actually monitor, one reminder often does the job. NAIL THE TIMING Industry data says the magic window is 48 hours before the visit, with a same-day “see-you-soon”
ping for hygiene or quick exams. If it’s too early, patients forget, and if it’s too late, they can’t rearrange work or child care. Automate both nudges, but space them out so patients don’t feel hounded. MAKE IT EASY TO CONFIRM OR RESCHEDULE Every reminder should include a single-tap link:
“Hi Jordan! Just a heads-up that we’ll see you Tuesday at 3 p.m. Need to change it? Tap R and grab a time that works.”
Keeping it concise and friendly builds a stronger relationship and gets more responses.
REWARD RELIABILITY Consider a simple loyalty perk: After four on- time visits, patients get a $10 credit toward whitening gel or treatment. Reinforcing positive behavior beats scolding latecomers and turns punctuality into a win-win. EXPLAIN THE ‘WHY’ Many no-shows may be due to patient anxiety. Use short educational videos or FAQ links in your reminders to explain what to expect in a crown prep, how long numbness lasts, and payment options. Patients who know what’s coming are less likely to back out.
• • •
“Y” to confirm.
“R” to reschedule.
If they choose R, let them pick a new slot online without calling the front desk. When rescheduling is painless, people do it instead of ghosting you.
ONLY USE HUMAN-FRIENDLY LANGUAGE Skip the legalese (“This appointment is binding”). A warm tone performs better:
2
PRO-CRAFT.COM
How Variety Can Save Your Gut, Mood, and Meals The Same Plate Debate
NUTRIENTS NEED NEWNESS Your body needs a variety of nutrients and foods to stay healthy and balanced. If you are eating the same meals, you might miss out on the ingredients your gut microbiome and immune system crave.
If you are stuck on your go-to kale smoothie or healthy quinoa salad for lunch, it may be time to shake up your plate and add a little variety to the menu. Eating the same thing every day might seem like a safe bet and an easy way to meal prep in your busy routine. But your body and taste buds deserve new flavors to keep things fresh and boost your immune system. Even the most nutritious diets can easily turn into a food rut. Grab a plate as we explore why you shouldn’t eat the same food daily.
Repeating recipes too often could lead to nutrient deficiencies and starve your body of proteins and essential vitamins. While consuming some of the same foods every week is generally fine, change it up enough to get a good mix of antioxidant-rich foods.
FIXATION OR FOOD FRUSTRATION? Turning to the same recipes daily could signal
SAME BITES, SNEAKY SIGNS By avoiding new cuisine, you could miss essential food allergy or intolerance signs. If you have the same breakfast every morning but don’t feel well afterward, trying an alternative
something about your mental or emotional health. Variety isn’t just crucial for our physical well-being; it keeps our minds
engaged and helps prevent us from feeling blue. People who limit what and how much they eat may have an eating disorder called avoidant/ restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). ARFID can lead to health problems, as it causes people to avoid certain nutritious foods or not eat at all.
could show you that your preferred plateful is actually hurting more than helping. By restricting items in your diet, you could even develop new food sensitivities over time. Listen to your body and be willing to make adjustments if that routine treat is causing discomfort.
Creamy Cauliflower Soup
Take a Break
INGREDIENTS • 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-size florets • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt, plus more • 1 medium red onion, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth • 2 tbsp unsalted butter • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg • 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley, chives, or green onions for garnish
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. On a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper, toss cauliflower with 2 tbsp olive oil. 3. Arrange cauliflower in a single layer, sprinkle with a little salt, and bake 25–35 minutes until tender. 4. In a soup pot, heat remaining olive oil and cook onion and 1/4 tsp salt until soft. 5. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant, then add broth. 6. Add all but 4 cauliflower florets to the pot and simmer for 20 minutes. 7. Transfer mixture to a blender, add butter, and blend until smooth. Then blend in lemon juice and nutmeg. 8. Garnish with cauliflower florets and serve. Add parsley, onion, and chives as desired.
Inspired by CookieAndKate.com
3
951-304-2866 877-484-3522
25791 Jefferson Ave. Murrieta, CA 92562 Pro-Craft.com 877-484-3522
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
WHAT’S INSIDE? 1 My Wild Ride Through 1970s High School 2 Beards Were a Victorian Health Hack
How to Cut Dental No-Shows Without Driving Patients Crazy
3
Mix It Up for Maximum Nutrition
Take a Break
Creamy Cauliflower Soup
4
In the Spotlight
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Nick Ortiz and the Team-First Culture at Pro Craft
At Pro Craft Dental Laboratory, our team members are behind all that we do. We believe a strong team isn’t just built on skills and experience; it also takes character, passion,
his talent, but for his thoughtful, solution-oriented mindset. He approaches complex cases with the kind of curiosity and care that ensures details are never overlooked. He’s
and individuality. Every team member brings something special to the table, and nowhere is that more evident than in our Ceramics Team Leader, Nick Ortiz. Nick has been part of the Pro Craft family since 2005. He started out as a young technician with a deep appreciation for the artistic side of dental restorations. Over the years, that appreciation has blossomed into a true calling. What sets Nick apart is his ability to marry technical precision with artistry. He crafts restorations that not only function beautifully but also look and feel natural for the patient.
passionate about understanding the challenges customers face and believes staying engaged in customer service is one of the best ways to keep improving the work we do.
Nick’s leadership style encourages collaboration, problem-solving, and a
relentless drive for quality while fostering a supportive, team-first environment. Outside of work, he’s a devoted family man who lights up when he talks about his daughter. He finds joy in playing guitar and staying connected to his creative roots.
Nick, we are so grateful to have you as part of our team. People like you remind us that excellence doesn’t happen by
As he’s grown in his career, Nick has stepped into a leadership role where he continues to shine. He’s known not just for
chance; it happens when passion, people, and purpose align.
4
PRO-CRAFT.COM
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator