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San Diego Location: 3780 El Cajon Blvd., Unit 1
Poway Location: 12915 Pomerado Road Poway, CA 92064 Phone: 858-748-5100
San Diego, CA 92105 Phone: 619-265-2467
The Happy Tooth
MENTORS AND TEACHERS Where Do We Look for Advice?
When I first came to America from Vietnam at 16 years old, there were a lot of big culture shocks. One thing that really caught me off guard was how differently teachers were treated. In Vietnam, teachers are given a great deal of respect. There’s a big national holiday in Vietnam to celebrate teachers, and all
“Throughout my life, from high school through dental school and even today, I’ve experienced how important it is to have a mentor.”
the students come to school that day with presents for their teacher. Meanwhile, in my first class at an American high school, I was shocked that the students kept talking to each other even after the teacher walked in to start the lesson. I think we can all agree that teachers deserve way more credit than they get. They spend so much time educating our children and helping us learn and develop as we grow up. When school was particularly hard for me, a great teacher could make all the difference. I had many good teachers in Vietnam, but the first teacher to really stand out as a favorite in my mind was Mr. Baker, my junior year math teacher in America. Being in school was challenging because I didn’t know English that well, and Mr. Baker took the time to help me overcome that language barrier. He even went beyond his job as a math teacher, encouraging me to join the AP team for math to start getting college credit, and later helping me apply for colleges. Mr. Baker was my first favorite teacher in America, and he showed me the value of having a good teacher and mentor who supports you. Throughout my life, from high school through dental school and even today, I’ve experienced how important it is to have a mentor. If you want to learn or improve yourself, the best way to do that is by finding someone who is already really good at something you’re interested in. Today, with social media and the internet, it’s easy to locate experts in any subject. As a kid in school, your mentors often end up being whatever teachers or coaches you happen to have. As an adult, I have the ability to find the people who are the best at what they do, and who I most connect with.
Being able to choose my own mentors also means I’ve been able to evaluate where the advice I get is coming from. People love giving their opinions, but we’re not always the most qualified in a specific subject. For example, I love my parents to death and they’ve given me some really good advice
over the years, but despite never running their own business, when I started my practice, they decided to give me business advice. Let’s just say, their advice didn’t work out so well! I seek out mentors who can help me better run my business or improve in the field of cosmetic dentistry, because those are the areas I’m passionate about. Wherever your interests lie, be it your career path or your hobbies, I encourage you to seek out support from those
who can help you improve. You’ll be amazed by what you can achieve with some good advice.
–Dr. Justene Doan
September 2018 Edition
A+ Family Dentistry | 619-265-2467 | P1
Involved but Not Overbearing
written by 12-year-olds, the last thing they need is the added pressure of concerned parents bearing down on them. If you can approach a teacher from a position of understanding and be willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, you’ll be off to a good start. 2. Show up and keep an open mind. Ask any teacher in the country, and they’ll undoubtedly tell you that one of the best predictors of a child’s success is whether or not their parents make an appearance at parent-teacher conferences. Your engagement should go beyond that. Use the teacher’s preferred method of communication to stay in semi-regular contact with them — always ensuring that you keep an open mind about any praise, suggestions, or concerns they have about your child. 3. Teach your child to take responsibility. Aside from leaving your kid completely to their own devices, one of the worst things you can do is swoop in to solve their problems for them at the slightest hint of adversity. Maybe that D your kid got on their algebra test really was their fault. It’s important to acknowledge your child’s missteps, but you should also try to equip them with the tools necessary to advocate for themselves. Learning to articulate what’s going wrong or what they need from their teacher will help them to develop positive and effective communication skills.
Parent-Teacher Etiquette to Support Your Child’s Development
Helicopter parents are the bane of every teacher’s existence. With the return of back-to-school season, it’s vital to find a happy medium between the tiger mom who bares her teeth at the smallest setback in her child’s schooling and the laissez-faire parent who is totally disengaged from their kid’s education. Here are a few tips to keep you involved in your child’s educational development while fostering relationships with their teachers in a way that won’t drive all of you up the wall. 1. Be a little empathetic. Teachers are some of the hardest-working people in the world, wrangling the disparate needs of around 25 children day in and day out while attempting to get them to actually learn something. It’s a high-stress, low-paying job. In the midst of grading 300 research papers
The key is to work together with your child’s teacher without being overbearing. Don’t come in with guns blazing at the first sign of an educational slip. Think of your kid’s schooling as a collaborative effort — maybe one in which you’re a little less involved than the teacher — and you’ll be giving your child the best chance of success.
We want to thank all of our patients who put so much faith in us by recommending our services to their friends and family members. Last month, our referrals came from these amazing patients: A+ Referrals
“A+ Family Dentistry is the best! They care about their patients and make sure you get the best quality dental care available.” -Patrice S. “I’ve always been scared of going to the dentist. When I was a kid, the office I went to was very rough on me and made me terrified of needles. The doctors here will do anything to help you feel more comfortable, from watching Netflix to massage dental chairs. Dr. Janice even held my hand once when I was getting injections!! I TESTIMONIALS See What Others Are Saying
MATT A. ANDREA B. ANGELA C.
MITCHELL G. BRIANNA G. ROBERT H.
WYNN K. ANASTACIA M. PEYTON S.
CHRIS S. KELLY T. JOY T.
And the winner of August’s referral prize of a $50 restaurant gift card: Brianna G. Thank you to all of our patients who continue to support us. Check back next month when we will announce the winner of our next referral prize.
can say now I’m no longer afraid of the dentist or of getting the injections! And it’s all thanks to A+ Family Dentistry!” -Dalissa B.
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IT’S NOT JUST TEETH Genetics, Environment, and Protecting Your Teeth
Your teeth are unique. Though they may look similar to everyone else’s, minus a few stains or chips, it’s impossible to really understand the state of a person’s oral health just by looking at their teeth. Sure, an exam may be able to identify cavities or evidence of grinding, but a dentist can only understand the cause of these conditions — and how to prevent them in the future — by getting to know their patients. It’s not unusual for two patients to experience similar symptoms, receive the same treatment from the same doctor, and have different outcomes. Dentistry isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s important that each patient is treated like the unique person they are, and that their situation is viewed from all angles. This includes family history as well as environmental factors.
Smoking and not flossing regularly can certainly lead to plaque buildup and gum disease, but the American Dental Association reports that genetics are also a risk factor for developing gum disease. This doesn’t mean that if your parents had bad teeth, there’s nothing you can do to protect your smile. Being genetically predisposed to gum disease isn’t the same as automatically having gum disease. Making healthy choices will still help prevent the disease. Additionally, knowing your family has a history of oral health struggles helps your dentist identify your greatest risk factors and come up with a plan to keep your smile healthy and beautiful for years to come. Your lifestyle and genetics are the foundation of dental health. This is why the team at A+ Family Dentistry makes a point of getting to know our
patients. We strive to provide the best possible advice on oral health. The better we know our patients, the better that advice can be. Have a question about how your family history may impact your dental health? Feel free to ask! We love to answer questions, educate our patients about their teeth, and get to know all the wonderful people who support us every day.
Beans and Greens R I G ATO N I This hearty pasta is perfect for the start of fall. With protein from cannellini beans and a heaping portion of kale, it’s the rare pasta you can enjoy without guilt. Ingredients
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12 ounces rigatoni pasta 1 bunch Tuscan kale, rinsed 1 15-ounce can cannellini (white kidney) beans 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
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1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
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Juice of 1 lemon
Salt, for pasta water and to taste 2 ounces fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (optional)
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Directions
1. In a large stock pot, boil 6 quarts of liberally salted water. On another burner, heat a large skillet to medium-low. 2. Add pasta to boiling water and cook for 3 minutes less than the package recommends. 3. While pasta is cooking, add beans, red pepper, and 1 tablespoon of oil
to skillet. Cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. 4. Add cooked pasta, kale, and 1 cup pasta water to skillet. Toss vigorously as kale cooks, about 4 minutes. 5. Transfer to bowls, top with a squeeze of lemon, sprinkle with cheese or salt, and serve. Inspired by Bon Appétit Magazine
FOOTBALL TOUCHDOWN QUARTERBACK AUTUMN
EQUINOX LABORDAY BARBECUE SEPTEMBER
HARVEST APPLE STUDENTS HOMECOMING
A+ Family Dentistry | 619-265-2467 | P3
Office Hours: Mondays: Closed
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Tuesdays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Wednesdays: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thursdays: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fridays: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Who’s Your Favorite Teacher? Page 1 The 3 Keys to Parent-Teacher Etiquette Page 2 What Some of Our Patients Are Saying Page 2 Does Family History Impact Oral Health? Page 3 Beans and Greens Rigatoni Page 3 Local Events Page 4 Inside This Issue Aplusfamilydentistry.com 619-265-2467 3780 El Cajon Blvd., Unit 1 San Diego, CA 92105
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What Are You Doing This Weekend?
Geeks of San Diego, rejoice! The first ever Fangaea is coming to town. This brand-new convention celebrates all things fandom, from comics and video games to cosplay and anime. For two days, you can attend amazing panels, meet your favorite creators, hang out with other nerds, and revel in the fandom experience — without having to wait in line for Hall H. Claim your tickets now and don’t miss out on this awesome event! 24th Annual San Diego Festival of Beer
Old Town San Diego Fiestas Patrias Where: Old Town State Historic Park, San Diego When: Saturday, Sept. 15, 12-4 p.m. Admission: Free
Website: Sandiego. org/explore/events/ festivals-and-street- fairs/old-town-fiestas- patrias.aspx
Where: Broadway Pier, San Diego When: Saturday, Sept. 22, 12-4 p.m. Admission: $30–$75 Website: SDbeerfest.org
Fiestas Patrias celebrates both the history of Mexico and California, commemorating when Mexico won its independence from Spain at a time when Alta California was still part of Mexico. Bring the family out for an exciting parade and festival in a historic state park, complete with traditional foods, games, music, and all kinds of fun! Fangaea 2018 Where: Town & Country Resort, San Diego When: Saturday, Sept. 22, and Sunday, Sept. 23
Do you have a favorite brewery? Well, they might be making an appearance at the 24th Annual San Diego Festival of Beer! Grab a bite to eat, enjoy musical performances from local and touring musicians, and try some of the 120-plus craft beers that will take over the pier for one day only. Organized by the San Diego Professionals Against Cancer, 100 percent of proceeds from this event will be donated to cancer-fighting charities. Please enjoy the festival responsibly.
Admission: $10–$75 Website: Fangaea.us
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