Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles, Westchase Edition

Vol. 10, Issue 8, August 2021

®

Your community. Your magazine. ™

The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To Over 15,000 Homes In Citrus Park, Westchase & Surrounding Areas This Independent Community News, Business & Dining Guide Is Directly Mailed Once Each Month To:

Arlington Park • Aston Villas • Bay Arbor • Berkeley Square • Calf Path Estates • Enclave At Citrus Park • Fawn Ridge Fawn Lake • Forest Lakes • Hampton Lakes • Highland Park • Lake Chase • Mandolin • The Eagles • Tree Tops Twin Branch Acres • Waterchase • West Hampton • Westchase • Westchester • Westwood Lakes • Windsor Place

Same Day Teeth®: The New Way to Bring Back Your Beautiful Natural Smile “Thanks to Dr. Pikos and Dr. Hedger I now have a beautiful smile,” recalls Gail Portervint.

Gail suffered from periodontitis which caused tooth and bone loss. She came to Coastal Jaw Surgery looking for help with her failing teeth and to restore her self-confidence.

The doctors at Coastal Jaw

Surgery have been caring for patients in the Greater Tampa Bay Area for over 38 years.

Dr. Michael A. Pikos opened the Palm Harbor office with the goal to treat patients like family while ensuring their oral surgical needs are cared for.

See “Coastal Jaw” on page 12

Tidewater Foot and Ankle Associates Welcomes Dr. Kyle Johnson to the Practice

By Deborah Bostock-Kelley

Did you know the human foot contains 28 bones, approximately 30 joints, and over 100 different muscles, tendons, and ligaments?

“The foot has many moving parts and is a complex structure. There’s a lot of things that can go wrong,” said Dr. Kyle Johnson.

And he should know.

Dr. Johnson is board certified in foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery.

He has seen it all as a specialist in a mixture of podiatric medicine and reconstructive surgery now at Tidewater Foot and Ankle Associates.

See “Tidewater” on page 10

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Editor.....................5

Tech Talk With Bob...............8

Dr. Kyle Johnson

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Visiting Our Florida Beaches? Please Read!

In preparation for Labor Day weekend in early September, I wanted to give you a quick update on the conditions of our beautiful beaches with the current red tide situation.

Red tide it’s not a new occurrence in Florida, but water pollution, climate change, and the recent Tropical Storm Elsa may have worsened the proliferation of this naturally occurring phenomenon.

During red tide, a collection of harmful algae and other microscopic marine organisms called “Karenia Brevis” grows and accumulates in toxic and harmful “blooms,” which are highly deadly to fish and unpleasant for humans.

High concentrations of red tide “blooms” have been reported throughout several counties, including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee, and Sarasota.

Tons of dead fish carcasses have been washed ashore in Florida’s Gulf Coast beaches and waterfront parks due to the harmful effects of red tide on marine life.

The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce (TBBCoC) released an update stating that on Wednesday, July 21, “the water along the beaches from St. Pete Beach to Belleair Shores is very discolored, and the aerosols were extremely strong. The beaches from Madeira north to Indian Rocks are heavily impacted. Each municipality has been actively working to remove the dead fish, and contractor resources were deployed as needed to assist.”

That characteristic “gross dead fish smell” is definitely more overpowering in certain areas, and respiratory irritation has been reported by several residents of Pinellas County and Hillsborough county. If you or any family member experience respiratory discomfort and irritation, please wear a mask. Make sure to cover your nose and mouth to filter

out marine aerosol particles containing red tide toxins. If you’re asthmatic or have chronic lung disease, be vigilant about taking your prescribed meds daily. The state health department recommends that people with such diseases try their best to avoid beaches currently affected by the red tide. Always seek medical care if your symptoms worsen.

Bathing and swimming are okay for most people. However, red tide can cause skin irritation and burning eyes. Use common sense— if you are particularly susceptible to irritation from plant products, avoid red tidewater. If you experience irritation, get out and thoroughly wash off. Avoid swimming among dead fish because they are associated with harmful bacteria.

Ongoing cleanup efforts are slowly but effectively improving the beaches’ condition, but you must proceed cautiously. I would personally like to take this opportunity to thank our Governor, city officials, city workers, shrimping boat captains, local fishermen, and every member and volunteer involved in the cleaning efforts of our beaches.

For the latest Red Tide status report (available by phone), call 866-300-9399 at any time.

I encourage anyone planning a fun beach weekend to check out https// visitbeaches.org for the most updated information on beach conditions.

P.S. Happy National Dog Month to all Dog Owners!!! Just make sure your pup stays away from the dead fish if you’re strolling down our beaches! August celebrates our lovable canine pals, so make sure you do something special for your four-legged best friend during these dog days of summer.

Until next time,

Carla M. Dubis Tedeschi.

6 AUGUST 2021

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AUGUST 2021 7

Tech Talk with Bob: Did you keep the box?

Do you act like a kid when you get a new tech toy? I know I do. It’s fine to be excited when you open the box. I would suggest however, you open it in a manner that does not destroy the integrity of the box and not damage or obscure any labels attached to its exterior. Be gentle because even after the device is removed, the box can still offer valuable protection.

Most stores offer return policies if your new device doesn’t work. Become familiar with the return policy of any store before you spend your money. Some stores give cash refunds. Others only offer exchanges. Rarely you may find a store that has no return policy, and you must deal directly with the device’s manufacturer warranty. Know your options should your new device come out of the box defective.

Keep the box in nice condition until you know your new device is functioning properly. Most stores will not

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accept returns without the device’s original packaging. If you purchased online, you need the box to safely ship it back to the seller.

How long should you keep the box? At minimum, at least as long as the store’s return policy.

Unfortunately, I have seen people get stuck with a lemon because they threw the box away too soon. Hey if you bought a new laptop computer and it works, that’s wonderful! That’s what you expect. However, if you throw the box away the day after you buy the laptop, and then it fails a week later, you may have a difficult time convincing the store to take it back. Then your only recourse will be dealing with the manufacturer. And that could take weeks or even months. Whereas if you had the packaging, you could take it right back to the store for an immediate refund or exchange.

When the time finally comes to discard the box be sure to do

this first. Either scan or take a picture of the labels on the box exterior that give the details of your device. I have included an example. This is a great way to identify and document your laptop’s particulars, especially if it is lost or stolen. The brand, model, series, part number, serial number and other details are on these labels. Did you write down the serial number of your laptop? Taking a couple of pictures can avoid not having this information and avoids mistakes or illegible handwriting. In the world of computers, there is a big difference between the number zero and the letter O; the number one or the letter I. What’s the saying? A picture is worth a thousand words. Just remember to save the picture somewhere other than on the laptop itself and always print a hard copy for your paper file.

Never forget, cyber criminals will exploit the easy victims and unprotected systems. Whether

you are a business or nonprofit who keeps records about clients, customers, prospects, employees, vendors, sales, budgets, inventories… you get the idea. It is your responsibility to protect your personal network, your computer’s operation, and your data. Even a home user who may keep records about club members, kids sports leagues, volunteer work, or just filing your income taxes on your home computer, is a target.

How safe is your computer?

My staff and I are here to keep your computer safer and stay running. You don’t have to go it alone my Friend. We have the best solutions already in place and we’re here to help. If you question your computer’s safety or performance, call us now at 727-534-4000. We’ve been helping folks restore their peace of mind, and sanity, with their technology for decades.

We Keep You Safer In Your Digital World!

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AUGUST 2021 9

“Tidewater”

continued from page 1 You may recognize the last name from Dr. Megan Johnson, practice founder, and you’d be correct in assuming the two are related. After seven years in private practice in the Largo/Clearwater area, in 2021, Dr. Johnson joined his wife at Tidewater Foot and Ankle Associates.

“I love being able to collaborate with my wife and work side-by-side with her.”

A local Palm Harbor native and East Lake High School graduate, while earning his bachelor’s degree at USF, he worked in the orthotics and prosthetics department at Shriner’s Hospital where he crafted limbs and braces for children with various deformities and limb correction.

“I saw a wide array of pathology involving the lower extremities - the legs, ankles, and feet. I wanted to get more

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into the medical and surgical side of patient care that way.”

After medical school, he completed a 3-year surgical residency at the Yale Foot and Ankle Surgical Residency affiliated with Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, CT. At Tidewater Foot and Ankle Associates, Dr. Johnson specializes in flatfoot management and surgical correction, Achilles repair, Haglunds deformity correction, arthritis management of the foot and ankle, cartilage

preservation, sports medicine, tendon and ligament repair, traumatic injury correction and fracture care, bunion correction, diabetic limb salvage, and lower extremity biomechanics.

In layman’s terms, he does extensive evaluation of watching patients walk and how their foot and ankle moves, and how that relates to the rest of the lower extremity – including problems associated with the knee, hip and back.

“This is very important to be able to understand function and educate patients why they

have certain symptoms and conditions. Patient counseling and education is very important to us.”

When treating diabetic patients, many times, because they don’t have much feeling in their feet due to diabetic neuropathy, patients don’t realize they have a wound, infection or injury. This puts them at risk for having dangerous problems. Some symptoms include skin color change, swelling, loss of hair growth, numbness, pain, cramping, and burning with walking.

“Pressure areas with calluses or blistering are high risk for problems. If we can catch that early and treat it, we can prevent many longterm issues including ulcers, infection and limb loss. We are very proactive with patient education, especially with diabetic patients, so that they understand their condition, and risk factors related to their foot type, sensation and circulation.

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to identify that early on and have it evaluated and treated. We encourage parents to bring their children for an evaluation,” he stressed. “Whenever your child says they’re experiencing pain or fatigue, that’s never normal. It should be checked out.”

We’re very aggressive in identifying problems early on”, he said. “With diabetic limb salvage work, many times we can save someone from losing their toe(s), foot or leg, and that is always very gratifying.”

BACK-TO-SCHOOL FOOT PAIN With kids going back to school, the practice sees many kids complaining of pain in their feet that was once dismissed as ‘growing pains’.

“We see a lot of issues with kids and heel pain. Heel pain and arch pain rank among the most common complaints among students who wear flipflops. Flip-flops do not cushion or support the foot, so repetitive stress from walking can inflame that heel bone growth area and cause pain and tenderness.”

Obesity and overuse injuries such as playing multiple sports (often times requiring cleats), can also play a role. Dr. Johnson stresses that all complaints of foot or ankle pain should be

Dr. Megan Johnson addressed.

“Heel pain in children is different than adults. Typically the heel bone in kids doesn’t fully develop until age 14 or 15. In kids ages 8 to 14, pain and inflammation occurs along the growth plate and Achilles tendon area. A low or high-arch foot can put the child at risk for acute and chronic problems.

Pain is not always from natural growing pains, and it is essential

REGENERATIVE MEDICINE For adult patients who have tried steroid injections, overthe-counter or custom orthotics, physical therapy, and shockwave therapy (ESWT), the practice now offers state-of-the-art FDAcleared regenerative medicine treatment indicated for acute and chronic conditions such as: plantar fasciitis/fasciosis, Achilles tendonitis/tendinosis, posterior tibial tendoninitis, peroneal tendinitis, painful scar tissue, and ligament damage in severe sprains.

“Regenerative therapy utilizes fetal umbilical cord and amniotic tissue particulate. It’s a safe and effective treatment to combat inflammatory and degenerative disease

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and serves as a great nonsurgical treatment option. The procedure is performed in-office under local anesthesia and ultrasound-guidance.”

Dr. Johnson notes that his favorite part about being in this field is his specialization.

“It’s understanding and being an expert in everything involved with the lower leg, ankle, and foot, and being equipped to treat every condition and problem that occurs in that area of the body.”

Tidewater Foot and Ankle Associates is currently accepting new patients.

The practice is located in Westchase Commons at 13019 W. Linebaugh Avenue, Suite 101, Tampa, FL 33626.

Hours of Operation are Monday through Wednesday 9 am – 5 pm, Thursday 9 am – 5pm, Friday 9 am – 3 pm, closed weekends. For more information on Dr. Johnson and Tidewater Foot and Ankle Associates, visit https://www. tidewaterfoot.com.

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“Coastal Jaw”

- continued from page 1 As the practice grew, he expanded to five locations in Palm Harbor, Spring Hill, New Port Richey, Trinity, and Tampa.

Our dynamic, surgical based multi-specialty team consists of Dr. Michael A, Pikos, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Kenneth L. Anderson III, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Jason B. Blundell, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Nicole Hernandez, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Lindsey Pikos Rosati, Periodontist, Dr. Anthony M. Pikos, Periodontist, and Dr. Philip J. Hedger, Prosthodontist, who are committed to the practice’s mission to provide exceptional dental care under one roof while creating a safe, welcoming environment to make all patients feel like

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family. The practice specializes in dental implants with an emphasis on the Same Day Teeth® procedure created by Dr. Michael A. Pikos.

Same Day Teeth® is an innovative surgical procedure that bypasses the traditional dental implant’s time-consuming process and allows for the placement of implants and new teeth to occur on the very same day.

Same Day Teeth® protocol begins with a 3D cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan, which will provide us with 3D images of your bone, nerve pathways, soft tissues, and teeth, which allows us to determine the optimal placement of your implants using the best digital assessment software and related state-of-the-art technology to ensure that your

treatment is truly customized.

Most service providers, especially corporate-based, treat everyone the same way with the one-size-fits-all mentality. You are as unique as your fingerprint and as a result, we draw from a variety of digital-based, precision solutions to give you a customized beautiful natural smile and restore your ability to eat and chew foods that you love. Our unique approach not only includes a comprehensive treatment plan for each of our patients, but also a thorough explanation.

“The best around not only in Florida but I am convinced the best in the nation”, states Nicholas Louis. Nicholas received traditional dental implants for his Same Day Teeth® procedure. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots surgically placed in your jaw to support replacement teeth. These replacement

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From left to right Dr. Philip J. Hedger, Dr. Jason B. Blundell, Dr. Nicole Hernandez, Dr. Michael A. Pikos, Dr. Lindsey Pikos Rosati, Dr. Kenneth L. Anderson III, and Dr. Anthony M. Pikos teeth are designed to look and feel like your natural teeth, restore the aesthetic appearance of your smile, provide optimal functionality, and reduce your risk of developing other oral health issues. Coastal Jaw Surgery offers several dental implant options to ensure your smile is natural and custom to you.

Same Day Teeth® offers patients a beautiful, natural smile completed on the same day with the use of dental implants, zygomatic implants, or subperiosteal implants. Patients who are missing all of the teeth in their upper jaw or whose teeth have broken down due to advanced periodontal disease

may be good candidates for zygomatic dental implants.

These implants are longer and anchored in the upper jawbone near the zygoma bone. Patients who are experiencing significant bone loss in the lower jaw may be good candidates for subperiosteal implants.

This type of implant must be custom-made to fit the contours of a patient’s bone.

Whether it is traditional dental implants, zygomatic implants, or subperiosteal implants, we have a solution to your missing teeth or loose dentures.

If you have been told you can’t have dental implants due to bone loss, Coastal Jaw Surgery is the answer for you. Our doctors have the opportunity to help you with missing teeth or ill-fitted dentures now with Same Day Teeth®’s solutions to traditional dental implants. We encourage second opinions.

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We want to make sure that the best treatment possible is presented to you so the end result gives you back your smile and self-confidence.

Our Coastal Jaw Surgery team of oral and maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists, and prosthodontist have nearly 80 combined years of experience within the realm of implant dentistry, oral surgery, periodontics, and prosthodontics. There is no better place to go for your comprehensive implant care.

If you are missing teeth or wear dentures that aren’t fitting right - call Coastal Jaw Surgery to make a Same Day Teeth® appointment today.

Transform your smile.

Change your life with Same Day Teeth® at Coastal Jaw Surgery!

Call 800-NEW-LOOK or visit www.CoastalJaw.com to book your appointment today!

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