December 2018
1109 S. Park Drive, Reidsville, NC 27320
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(336) 342-0889
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Bridget on the Most Wonderful Time of the Year OUR OFFICE’S CHRISTMAS FANATIC
treats his patients and team members like family showing up to his house for a holiday get-together. He is warm, friendly, knowledgeable, and always giving of his time and expertise. Dr. Adams also understands the value of letting his team have a little fun. Just recently, for example, he organized a
Dr. Adams swears that having me featured in the December issue is just a lucky coincidence, but I’m not sure I believe him. Everyone at the practice knows me as our resident holiday fanatic — the person who brings in decorations and organizes festive events. So if my turn to take a crack at the newsletter cover this month was just dumb luck, it couldn’t have worked out any better. I think my love of the holiday season and Christmas in particular is the result of growing up with eight siblings. As we’ve grown older, it’s become harder to get everyone together, but you can bet we make every effort during this time of year. We get together, cook massive meals — like I said, there are a lot of us — and visit the festival of lights. When we’re not out taking in the holiday sights, we’re bingeing classic Christmas movies. Though I know I’m not winning any prizes for originality, “It’s a Wonderful Life” has always been my favorite. It may be a standard pick, but it’s hard to argue with. Just don’t ask me to pick a favorite Christmas song. It would be impossible for me to limit my playlist to just one tune. I may be the one blasting holiday music at the office, but I believe that Dr. Adams demonstrates the generosity of the holiday spirit every day, whether it’s December or July. He
one which I’m consistently grateful to play a small role in.
paint-and-sip evening for us. The entire team went out to make art like amateurs and sip wine like professionals. We spend a lot of time together, but most of it is at the office. Dr. Adams makes sure that we have opportunities to bond and have discussions outside of work. It really brings the team together and shows us how much he cares. In my role as treatment coordinator, I get to share some of that caring with our wonderful patients. It is so rewarding to help patients understand their options and provide them with a treatment plan that gets them the smile they want without undue financial stress. When a patient makes a decision to improve their smile, you see their confidence grow in real time. It’s a moving, powerful experience —
Back at home, which will shortly turn into its own winter wonderland, you can find me spending time with my boyfriend, Phillip; and my two dogs, Zoey and Maverick. They are the cutest and sweetest little folks in the whole world, and I cherish every moment we have together. In closing, I want to wish everyone a magical, unforgettable holiday season. If you’re the type of person who hates Christmas music, you can blame me for the tunes at the office this month. Sorry, but I’m not sorry.
Happy Holidays!
-Bridget
Providing quality dental care for you and your family
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HURRICANE HERO TONY ALSUP
How One Man Saved Hundreds of Animals
Gulf Coast. When he finished there, his mission shifted to helping animals in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria ravaged the island. It’s said that character is defined by the way someone acts when no one is watching. Many people heard of Alsup’s bravery after the devastation of Florence, but as news stories turned to sports, politics, and business, America slowly moved on. Victims of the hurricane who lacked supplies received less national attention, but more than a month later, Alsup’s commitment to the cause was as strong as ever. Living out of the back of the bus for weeks, he drove pets out of the persistent flooding and convoyed shipments of desperately needed supplies to the coastal Carolina towns. You can follow Tony’s commitment on Facebook. He’s not asking for money or fame; he’s just a person with heart to serve, using social media to promote awareness about those who desperately need our help. If you’re wondering what drives such a person, you can find it written at the bottom of every update he posts: “Love y’all, mean it.” determine when your next appointment should be. Doing this can ensure you stay on track with your care and make the most of your dental plan. LOOK TO THE FUTURE While the window to use your 2018 benefits is closing, you may soon have an opportunity to change or alter your existing plan. During open enrollment period, you might be able to switch to a different level of coverage within your employer’s plan or shop around for individual coverage. Talking to your dentist or orthodontist about your specific needs and risk factors can give you a better idea of the type of plan that will work best for you in the future. You work hard for your insurance and should take advantage of your benefits. Being proactive about your dental health and determining the best plan for your future needs can help you save money and get the most out of your coverage. Above all, remember that the only thing worse than being overinsured is being underinsured.
In the wake of destruction, it’s easy to focus on self- preservation. After all, fight-or-flight instincts are hard-wired into our brains so that we can survive dangerous situations. But while fear drives the actions of many in times of chaos, there are a few who find greater strength in compassion. Tony Alsup considered the potential devastation of Hurricane Florence as he sat comfortably in his home in Greeneville, Tennessee. Rather than sit back and watch, the truck driver by trade packed up an out-of-commission school bus he’d bought and set off to South Carolina with one goal in mind: to save as many animals as possible. Stopping by every shelter he found along the coast, Alsup rescued over 60 cats and dogs in both North and South Carolina and took them to Foley, Alabama. The heroic efforts of Alsup saved the lives of many animals, but it wasn’t the first time he’d rushed into danger for a good cause. He’d originally purchased the school bus, which he turned into Noah’s Ark last year, to save animals in Texas and Florida as Hurricane Harvey pounded the The end of the year often coincides with dental insurance benefit deadlines. If you get your insurance through your employer, it may be a good idea to review your plan and ensure you’re getting the most out of your benefits. Even if you can’t get penciled in for an appointment this late in the year, you can make a plan for next year that puts your premiums to good use. Here are some tips for making the most of your dental insurance. BE PROACTIVE Many dental plans offer full coverage for preventive care such as cleanings. Not only does this minimize your out- of-pocket contributions, but it keeps more severe (and expensive) health issues from arising. Annual cleanings are a great way to put your benefits to use while staying two steps ahead of cavities and gum disease.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR BENEFITS COUNT
Effective Dental Insurance Strategies
SCHEDULE FOLLOW-UPS There’s never a better time to schedule your next
appointment than when you’re still in the chair. Talk to your doctor about your dental needs, and work with them to
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Don’t Leave Your Benefits on the Naughty List!
Don’t wait until the new year! Your dental benefits expire at the end of the year! Now is the time to schedule an appointment, because once your benefits are gone, they’re gone for good. Remember all the money you paid to your insurance premiums this year? Failing to use your dental benefits means all that money goes to waste. You paid for it, now use it! Call us to schedule your appointment today! This time of year, appointments fill up fast. Reserve your spot before it’s too late. The longer you wait, the more you’ll risk having to spend time away from the things you love most this holiday season. You can even call us after hours. Leave a message, and we’ll take care of you. Take advantage of your dental benefits today. If you don’t use ‘em, you lose ‘em!
1109 S. Park Drive Reidsville, NC 27320
www.drjoeadams.com (336) 342-0889
B y scheduling today, you will be ready for holiday parties and the photo opportunities that come with them. If that’s not enough incentive, here are a few of our top reasons to smile: • Peppermint-flavored everything • Dec. 26th Holiday Sales • Nostalgia! Where did this wonderful year go? • Winter activities for every skill level, from snowman building to extreme skiing • Cozying up with your favorite hot beverage • The three holiday F’s: family, friends, and food • It gets above freezing most days • Generosity! Did you know charitable giving increases by 150 percent during December? • Your dental benefits haven’t expired yet, but they will soon! Don’t forget your benefits expire on Dec. 31st. It will be here before you know it! There are 100 reasons to smile this holiday season.
Call our office as soon as possible, so you don’t miss out on your ideal appointment time and run the risk of wasting all your hard-earned dental benefits.
THE TOOTH FAIRY GOES INTERNATIONAL
Toothy Traditions Around the World
EL RATÓN DE LOS DIENTES One of the most beloved myths in many Spanish- speaking countries involves a magical mouse. This mouse goes by Ratón Perez or El Ratón de Los Dientes, and he is exactly what his name suggests: a mouse who collects teeth. Like the tooth fairy, Perez gets the teeth only after they’ve been lost and put under
Every night, children in houses all over the U.S. crawl into their beds with anticipation, their recently lost baby teeth stashed carefully under their pillows. Why? They await the arrival of the tooth fairy, of course! Nearly everyone has at least one memory of falling asleep with a tooth under their pillow and waking up a dollar or two richer. While the tooth fairy we know and love didn’t flutter her way into the American social consciousness until the 1920s, other countries around the world have their own tooth-centric traditions dating back several centuries.
children’s pillows. In Argentina, a lost tooth is placed in a glass of water before bed. When Perez shows up, he’ll drink up the water, grab the tooth, and leave his gift in the empty glass.
MY DOG ATE MY … TOOTH? Rather than sliding the tooth under your pillow, throughout Central Asia, it’s
TOSS THOSE TEETH In countries like China, India, and Japan, kids will toss their teeth rather than hide them under their pillows. Teeth lost from the lower jaw are usually thrown up onto a roof, while teeth from the upper jaw are tossed onto the floor or ground. The logic behind this practice is that the strategic placement of the old tooth will help the new tooth grow in strong.
traditional to put the tooth into a delicious fatty snack and feed it to a dog. Children take part in this tradition to ensure that their adult teeth grow in to be as strong as the dog’s teeth. No dog? No problem! The next best practice is to bury the tooth by a tree so that the new tooth has strong roots.
Have a Laugh!
Holiday Roast Prime Rib
Inspired by Food Network
Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 1 bone-in prime rib (6–7 pounds) • 8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 2 cups red wine • 4 cups beef stock
Directions
5. To make au jus, place roasting pan with drippings from roast over 2 burners on high. Add wine and scrape pan as liquid reduces. Add beef stock and cook until reduced by half. Finally, sprinkle in thyme. 6. Slice roast and serve topped with au jus.
1. 30 minutes before cooking, remove roast from fridge and let sit until it reaches room temperature.
2. Heat oven to 350 F.
3. Make small slits in prime rib and stuff with slices of garlic. Liberally season with salt and pepper. 4. Place a rack inside a roasting pan and roast prime rib for 2 hours, until medium-rare.
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Providing quality dental care for you and your family
1109 S. Park Drive Reidsville, NC 27320
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
www.drjoeadams.com
(336) 342-0889
This Issue
1. 2.
The Holiday Spirit at the Office
Hurricane Pet Hero
Effective Dental Insurance Strategies
3.
The Tooth Fairy Goes International
Holiday Roast Prime Rib
4.
Everything You’ll Need for an Ugly Sweater Christmas
Ugly Sweater Parties
A Fun TrendYou Can Easily Follow!
WHAT EXACTLY IS AN UGLY SWEATER PARTY? It’s rather simple — slip on your favorite Christmas sweater, gather all your friends and family members, make sure there are plenty of refreshments and games, and you’re guaranteed to have a top-tier party. A few ugly-sweater- themed games that should be on the agenda include an ugly gift exchange, which is similar to the white elephant exchange, except with the gaudiest gifts you can find; an ugly photo booth, complete with terrible, tacky props; and, of course, an ugly sweater contest. This is the only time of year when slipping into a lurid red sweater with a stuffed Santa sewn on the front is considered trendy. So adorn yourself in the frumpiest, tackiest sweater you can find, and have some fun this December!
popular holiday party themes. Come Thanksgiving, you’ll start to see racks in all types of clothing stores lined with hideous sweaters. If you’re ready to jump on the ugly-sweater-party bandwagon this Christmas season, here a few things to keep in mind. YOUR VERY OWN UGLY SWEATER Ugly sweaters come in all shapes, sizes, and prices. You can head to H&M or a local thrift store to pick one up. However, if you have a sweater that’s been cozied up for years in the back of your closet or a drawer, now’s your chance to give it new life. Arm yourself with a hot glue gun, thread, and needle, and patch Santa, Rudolph, or Frosty on it. And let it be known that an ugly sweater isn’t complete without sparkles, beads, and sequins galore.
It’s speculated that the first ugly sweater party took place in Vancouver, Canada, back in 2001. Since then, the trend has become one of the most
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