Dentistry North Texas
VOLUME 2
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ISSUE 3
a business and lifestyle magazine for north texas dentists
Practice Marketing Seven Easy Changes to Your Website
Mission Dentistry
Teethsavers International
New Product Update
Guard Teeth Around the Clock
Endodontic & Periodontic Specialists
Dr. Yaritza Vazquez and Dr. Javier Ortiz
WWW.AFTCO.NET
Helping dentists buy & sell practices for over 40 years. AFTCO is the oldest and largest dental practice transition consulting firm in the United States. AFTCO assists dentists with associateships, purchasing and selling of practices, and retirement plans. We are there to serve you through all stages of your career.
Masoud Attar, D.D.S. has joined the practice of (University of Minnesota 1991)
Henry A. Sprinkle, Jr., D.D.S. - Arlington, Texas (Baylor College of Dentistry 1971)
Toni P. Hamilton, D.D.S. has acquired the practice of (University of TX Health Science Center - Houston 2007)
Robert L. Allen, D.D.S. - Arlington, Texas (Baylor College of Dentistry 1970)
AFTCO is pleased to have represented all parties in these transactions.
Call 1-800-232-3826 today for a free practice appraisal, a $2,500 value!
Dentistry North Texas
ON THE COVER
Endodontic & Periodontic Specialists COVER Photos: Ray Bryant, Bryant Studios
Dr. Yaritza Vazquez and Dr. Javier Ortiz
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COVER FEATURE: Dr. Yaritza Vazquez, a periodontist, and Dr. Javier Ortiz, an endodontist, are both committed to helping their patients save their teeth in their unique specialty practice.
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BAYLOR COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY Holyfield 2012 ADA Fellowship
SPECIAL ISSUE Q&A
Creating the Ultimate Dental Practice A guide for dentists
PRACTICE MARKETING
Seven Easy Changes to Your Dental Website Boost patient conversion with a few quick fixes
MISSION DENTISTRY
Teethsavers International Teaching and providing simple dental care for kids around the world
COMMUNITY EVENTS
2012 SMILE Walk Have fun and raise money for Community Dental Care
WINE CELLAR
First Class Wines from Second Labels Great values for the wine aficionado
NEW PRODUCT UPDATE
Guard Teeth Around the Clock New high-tech sealant protects teeth between visits
www.northtexasdentistry.com
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from the publisher
Dentistry North Texas
Publisher | LuLu Stavinoha Photographer | Ray Bryant, Bryant Studios Contributing Writers | Tina Cauller, Kim Clarke, Tracy Ebarb, Marc Fowler, Jennifer Fuentes
The traditional practice of dentistry is forever changing. Customarily, professionals of the same specialty join together and form a group practice. In this issue, North Texas Dentistry features the endodontic practice of Dr. Javier Ortiz and the periodontal practice of Dr. Yaritza Vazquez, Endodontic & Periodontic Specialists. The doctors came to Texas to be closer to family and have benefitted by setting up a unique joint specialty practice. They communicate well both “in” and “out” of the office as they are members of the same close-knit family. Dr. Vazquez is married to Dr. Ortiz’s brother who is also a dentist, Dr. Jan Ortiz. The office, created by MedTech Construction, has a fresh, contemporary interior that reflects the youthful personality of the practice.
During the Southwest Dental Conference, I met Tracy Ebarb, Executive Director of Teethsavers International. I found the mission of their program – “teaching and providing simple and inexpensive dental care for children in need around the world” – very fascinating and wanted to share it with our readers. The Zambia SixYear Molar Focus School was founded in 2003 by Dr. Jack Rudd in Central Africa. The school program which trains local men and women in the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) was the first of its kind in oral health care. See if this
might be a program you would like to contribute to, either by participating or making a donation.
The Practice Marketing article this month offers tips to improve your website and increase patient conversion.
UPDATE: The deadline for the Special Issue, The Ultimate Dental Practice has been extended to July 1st. Contact North Texas Dentistry for more information on being part of this issue.
Thanks to all who support and contribute to North Texas Dentistry and make its publication possible!
Keep smiling and have a great day!
LuLu Stavinoha, RDH
Publisher
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Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of editorial material published in North Texas Dentistry, articles may contain statements, opinions, and other information subject to interpretation. Accordingly, the publisher, editors and authors and their respective employees are not responsible or liable for inaccurate or misleading data, opinion or other information in material supplied by contributing authors. Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or in whole without written permission is prohibited.
Advertise in North Texas Dentistry For more information on advertising in North Texas Dentistry, call LuLu Stavinoha at (214) 629-7110 or email lulu@northtexasdentistry.com. Send written correspondence to: North Texas Dentistry P.O. Box 12623 Dallas, TX 75225
Holyfield’s 2012 ADEA fellowship opportunity
Dr. Lavern Holyfield By Jennifer E. Fuentes
Dr. Lavern Holyfield was formally presented with the 2012 ADEA/William J. Gies Foundation Education Fellowship on March 18, and she is already focused on the benefits of the opportunity — not just for dental education in a broad sense, but also for faculty development right here at her home base of Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry.
translates to big benefits for TAMHSC-BCD faculty development “The number of current dental school faculty who, within the next 10 years, are approaching the age of retirement is substantial,” Holyfield says. “Efforts to address the anticipated shortages are critical. Thus, a significant outcome of this fellowship
would be the advancement of innovative strategies to effectively impact the recruitment of new faculty and to prepare them for success as dental academicians.” (CONTINUED ON PAGE 19) u
“I am grateful to have been chosen as the 2012 ADEA/William J. Gies Foundation Education Fellow,” says Holyfield, associate professor in public health sciences and director of faculty development in the Office of Academic Affairs. She was recognized during the ADEA Annual Session and Exhibition in Orlando, Fla.
“I look forward to working with the staff in the ADEA Center for Educational Policy and Research and engaging in measures that will positively impact the proficiency of dental education, while simultaneously enhancing my capabilities as an academician and administrator,” Holyfield adds.
In addition to working with ADEA staff on key issues in dental education, Holyfield plans to integrate her experiences with her work at Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry, in order to facilitate discussions regarding retention of faculty, quality of teaching and learning needs of new instructors. www.northtexasdentistry.com
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Endodontic & Periodontic Specialists by Tina Cauller
S
Dr. Yaritza Vazquez, a periodontist and Dr. Javier Ortiz, an endodontist are both committed to helping their patients save their teeth in their unique specialty practice. ome things go together so well that they are each made better by the combination. When Dr. Yaritza Vazquez and Dr. Javier Ortiz came to Texas and set up their specialty practice, partnership made perfect sense. As a periodontist, Dr. Vazquez was committed to helping patients save their teeth. As an endodontist, Dr. Ortiz was committed to the same goal. Combining their practices at one location afforded patients the unique opportunity to have periodontic and endodontic treatment conveniently in one place, while benefitting from the close collaboration between the two doctors. Not only do the two communicate in the office on a daily basis and often consult about a case, but they also talk frequently outside the office, since they are actually part of a vibrant, close-knit family ― Dr. Vazquez is married to Dr. Jan Ortiz, the brother of her practice partner, Dr. Javier Ortiz. That the two young doctors are joined by a family connection is just one of the pleasant surprises this practice holds.
For patients, the biggest surprise may be that treatment here is a far more pleasant experience than they imagined. “I understand and relate to the fearful patient,” Dr. Ortiz notes. “As specialists, we usually don’t have the long-term contact with patients that is 6 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com
needed to build a relationship over time, but we make sure we do everything possible to establish an instant rapport and put our patients at ease. We start by having each patient sit down with our practice manager to look at x-rays and discuss the treatment that is planned in thorough detail so they fully understand what to expect so there are no surprises. We present the information visually using digital animations that help make the procedure clear and easy to understand. Our number one goal is to provide accurate information and break down any misconceptions about treatment that lead the patient to expect discomfort. We know that each patient is a unique individual and we make sure to focus on one case at a time and give them our full, individual attention during their appointment with us.”
As natives of Puerto Rico, both doctors are fluently bilingual in English and Spanish, which is a great advantage for patients who are more comfortable communicating in the language they speak at home. The staff is an integral part of creating a positive patient experience from start to finish. From the first phone call to the last fol-
Photos by Ray Bryant, Bryant Studios
cover feature
low-up contact, the staff gives the practice a friendly, courteous face. They help patients to fully utilize their insurance coverage and if needed, offer financial options that fit their budget.
Drs. Ortiz and Vazquez have worked to create an office environment that is serene, reassuring and comfortable. The facility is conveniently located just off Central Expressway, in a retail center near casual restaurants and a coffee shop, so there is ample parking and family members can relax with a snack while treatment is completed. Water, coffee, and snacks are also available in the office waiting area.
Med-Tech Construction created a fresh, contemporary office interior that reflects the youthful personality of the practice, which utilizes the very latest advances in technology. Because a tooth includes complex, uniquely individual anatomic structures that can only be viewed with a powerful microscope and crisp, clear imaging, this practice has acquired the best equipment available to support endodontic excellence. Like the microscope, the introduction of nickel-titanium rotary instruments has elevated the standard of care for endodontic therapy and made it possible to shape complicated root canal systems with greater precision, less force and fewer errors. Clear diagnostic imaging allows better analysis of root canal anatomy and lets Dr. Ortiz visualize the dimensions of the canal and detect any anatomical abnormalities. Finally, the use of biocompatible materials helps to speed healing and make treatment more efficient.
From the first phone call to the last follow-up contact, the team at Endodontic & Periodontic Specialists strive to create a positive patient experience.
Med-Tech Construction created a fresh, contemporary office interior that reflects the youthful personality of the practice. www.northtexasdentistry.com
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Photos by Ray Bryant, Bryant Studios
Dr. Vazquez sits down with each patient to discuss the treatment with the aid of x-ray images and digital animation, and answers questions so they fully understand what to expect. Patients who come to the office for periodontic treatment can watch movies on the chair-mounted television screen or listen to music for optimal relaxation, or can take advantage of nitrous oxide or oral sedation if additional help is necessary for comfort.
Tissue engineering technology has also impacted the field of periodontics, and Dr. Vasquez uses the latest technology to restore tissue health, or regenerate tissue and treat localized bone defects around teeth resulting from periodontal disease. In cases where patients have already lost a single tooth or multiple teeth, correcting bony deficiencies may help prepare the site for a successful dental implant to replace what has been lost. Dr. Vazquez also uses a high-tech growth factor known as Bone Morphogenic Protein (BMP), a special type of bone graft that creates new bone without surgery to harvest bone. The protein is placed on a bit of absorbable collagen sponge and placed into the area of the bone deficiency. The BMP causes mesenchymal stem cells in the site to form new osteoblasts, creating new bone that is identical in quality to bone that is produced using autogenous grafting.
Dr. Vazquez also uses guided tissue bone regeneration techniques that utilize membranes inserted over the bone defects. Some of these membranes are bio-absorbable and some require removal. Other regenerative procedures involve the use of bioactive gels. Referring dentists also find refreshing surprises in this unique practice. Drs. Vazquez and Ortiz are known for their easy, approachable style and commitment to accommodating the needs of referring dentists. Their state-of-the-art office is situated within a 6-mile radius of 148 general dentists and the two doctors work closely with their referring dentists to enhance patient care. The all-digital, paperless office enables them to communicate
Photo by Ray Bryant, Bryant Studios
Dr. Vazquez and Dr. Ortiz place a high priority on using safe, convenient, and cost-effective treatment protocols to help patients salvage their natural teeth whenever possible, turning to extrac-
tion and implant-supported replacements only as a last resort.
Dr. Vazquez uses the latest technology to restore tissue health,or regenerate tissue and treat bone defects around teeth resulting from periodontal disease.
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Photos by Ray Bryant, Bryant Studios
cover feature
The tooth includes complex, uniquely individual anatomic structures that can only be viewed with a powerful microscope and Dr. Ortiz has acquired the best equipment available to support endodontic excellence.
Dr. Vazquez and Dr. Ortiz have built a dynamic team that gives the practice a friendly, courteous face. www.northtexasdentistry.com
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Photos by Ray Bryant, Bryant Studios
Dr. Javier Ortiz
Dr. Ortiz pursued his D.M.D. degree with honors at the University of Puerto Rico. During his dental training he participated in different research projects at the dental school in conjunction with Boston University in 2003. He was a member of several Dental School associations as well as the president of the student council for the UPR School of Dental Medicine prior to obtaining his dental degree.
After obtaining his dental degree, Dr. Ortiz moved to Boston, Massachusetts to continue his residency training at Tufts University where he completed his General Practice Residency in 2007. The main focus of his training was with patients with special needs and patients that were medically compromised. After finishing his General Practice Residency, Dr. Ortiz completed his Endodontic specialty training at Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine with a Master of Science in Dentistry. During his endodontic specialty residency program, Dr. Ortiz acquired knowledge in complex root canal treatments, root canal re-treatments, trauma treatment and endodontic surgery using the latest technology including a surgical microscope.
Prior to treatment, Dr. Ortiz provides accurate information and breaks down any misconceptions that might lead the patient to expect discomfort. instantly and share diagnostic opinions after reviewing x-rays and meeting with the patient. As Dr. Ortiz explains, “When a discerning diagnosis is crucial, we are frank and up-front about the prognosis for salvaging the tooth. We send a thorough report to the dentist following treatment for maximum clarity and continuity.” Dr. Vazquez adds, “We are firm believers in keeping the lines of communication open. Dentists are invited to call or email us anytime.”
Dr. Ortiz is an active member of American Academy of Endodontic, American Dental Association and Massachusetts Dental Association. Currently, Dr. Ortiz is board eligible for Endodontics.
Dr. Yaritza Vazquez-Ortiz
Dr. Vazquez obtained a certificate in advanced graduate studies in General Practice Residency at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 2006 where she concentrated her training in special needs and medically compromised patients. In June 2009 she completed her residency in Periodontics at Boston University and her Masters degree in Oral Biology, which was focused in inflammatory processes. During her Periodontology residency she refined her skills in periodontal procedures including Cosmetic surgeries and implant placements.
Dr. Vazquez is an active member of The American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, and Texas Dental Association, among others. In 2010, the American Board of Periodontology bestowed on Dr. Vazquez the title of Diplomate of this prestigious organization. On a personal note, Dr. Vazquez enjoys spending time with her daughter Zoe and her husband, Dr. Jan Ortiz, traveling and learning about different cultures.
The facility is conveniently located just off Central Expressway at Campbell, in a retail center near casual restaurants and shopping.
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“There is rarely a single way to reach the desired outcome,” notes Dr. Ortiz, “and we take pride in being adaptable and flexible when it supports the best results. Sometimes a referring dentist prefers that we complete some of the initial steps of implant treatment, and we are quite comfortable with a collaborative approach. We are committed to doing whatever we can to support patient care.”
Endodontic and Periodontic Specialists is located at 700 East Campbell Rd., Suite 230 in Richardson, Texas. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (972) 479-1200 or visit www.endoandperiospecialists.com. n
Dentistry North Texas
special issue
A: Businesses that sell products and provide services to the dental profession will be featured in the issue.
a business and lifestyle magazine for north texas dentists
&
Q: How will the guide be formatted?
Creating the Ultimate Dental Practice
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Q
LINE DEAD DED N EXTE LY 1 U J TO
Q: Who should be part of this guide?
Putting it all together
Q: What is the purpose of this issue?
A: North Texas Dentistry wants to develop a handbook for the dental community to use as a guide to the many facets of the successful practice. Creating the Ultimate Dental Practice will present leading companies and individuals in the community and will be a reference doctors refer back to.
A: The issue will be divided into sections to showcase the specific industries that impact dentistry. The categories are: The Building (real estate, architecture, construction and design), The Finances (banks, accounting, wealth management, insurance), The Equipment (dental supplies, specialty equipment), The Practice (personnel, marketing, management, sales and transitions), The Technology (computers, software, networking, audiovisual) and The Laboratory (full service, CAD/CAM, implants).
Q: What marketing options do I have?
A: Print advertising and Custom Profiles will spotlight Individuals, Companies or Products. You may supply your own content and photography or let the team of North Texas Dentistry assist you for an additional charge.
Q: What other editorial will be part of the guide?
A: The editorial team of North Texas Dentistry will contribute a feature for each section which will include input from those individuals participating in the issue.
Q: What is the deadline for this Special Issue?
A: The last day to reserve space in this special issue is July 1, 2012. Contact info@northtexasdentistry.com or call LuLu Stavinoha at (214) 629-7110.
Creating the Ultimate Dental Practice North Texas Dentistry Special Issue www.northtexasdentistry.com
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7 Easy Changes to Your
DENTAL WEBSITE
1. Go wider
While looking at your website, if you see a large margin on either side of the main content area, consider expanding it by 200 pixels or so. Today’s high resolution monitors can easily handle wider layouts.
Let’s face it, changing a website is much easier than building a new site. If your website already has good “bones,” it may just need a few tweaks to perform better, improve “user experience” and convert more visitors into callers. Here are 7 easy tips to improve the look and performance of your dental website.
TIP: Don’t let set sizes limit your site. Have a web designer change your website into a “responsive” layout, which displays nicely on any computer or mobile device.
2. Go bigger
Now, with the layout stretched a few hundred pixels, there is plenty of room to “go bigger.” Increase the impact of your Welcome message (section header) with a large, bold font (a). This is the first text in the “body” of your site that the visitor will read, so make it count. As an <h1> tag, this is also one of the most important elements on the page to Google.
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Now, increase the font size of your copy to at least 14pt (b). That way, all of your potential patients can easily read every word on your home page.
Finally, with all that extra real estate, make those pictures bigger. Notice how the faces in the staff photo are hardly even recognizable?
3. Accentuate your assets
Be sure to draw attention to the most important assets at your practice: your doctors, staff and facilities. Research has shown that dental website visitors are most interested in meeting the dentist and the dental team. Plus, if you have a beautiful practice, why not show it off? This will certainly influence phone calls.
4. Make contact details pop!
Your name, address and phone number are very important. As they look for information and contact details, a future patient may visit your site 3-4 times before arriving at your office. Your contact details should be easily found. Your phone number should be highly visible at the top of every page. To aid in finding your practice, add a dynamic map. Both Google and MapQuest offer free maps to embed on your website.
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practice marketing
That Will Bring Patient
CONVERSION 2 1 4 -5
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5. Simplify navigation
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With two sets of navigation (one set above and one below the main picture), one navigation bar is likely to be ignored or go unnoticed. Instead, consolidate the two sets into one concise navigation bar. (Your navigation bar should have no more than seven links, as any more than seven can be frustrating to visitors. ) Make your navigation bar stand out from your site by giving it a contrasting color and placing it prominently on the page.
6. Use a “hero” image
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by Marc Fowler
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In the graphic design world, the main image that is placed on CD, DVD or magazine covers is called the “hero” image. This image draws the attention of the visitor and gives them a visual indication of the content inside. Be sure that your hero image gives the visitor a clear indication that your site is a dental website. Photographs of people are especially effective in conversion if they represent a cross-section of your patient demographic. With today’s javascript technology, it is also easy to add multiple images to form a slide show where visitors can see several images related to your practice.
7. Use a call to action
Contrary to popular belief, website visitors do what they are told. If you want potential patients to call your office to make an appointment, you must tell them to “Call Today for An Appointment.” Links that read, “More Information,” “Our Office,” “Appointments,” are not near as effective as links that read “Read More,” “Contact Us” or “Call for an Appointment.” Make room on your site for a clear call to action that appears on the screen before the visitor has to scroll down.
With these simple changes, your website will look fresh and functional. More importantly, it will have a more positive user experience which will mean more phone calls. www.northtexasdentistry.com
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The Malawian Teethsavers team sets up their treatment area in a rural school classroom.
mission dentistry
teethsavers
international
by Tracy Ebarb
teaching and providing simple and inexpensive dental care for children in need around the world How would you like to have a client list of just over 2 million boys and girls under the age of 12? Welcome to Sierra Leone in West Africa!
Maybe you’d like a shorter commute, the Central American nation of Nicaragua is relatively close by with only about 1.8 million children in need of dental care.
Not enough of a challenge, you say? How about 4 million plus in the central African country of Malawi?
For over 10 years, the patient list of Teethsavers International has consisted of the children of the world that are unseen and most often forgotten. Teethsavers is a faith-based organization with a simple mission: “…to introduce and facilitate the teaching and provision of simple and inexpensive dental care for children in
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need around the world. Giving thanks always to God Almighty for His direction and provision for this work.”
Teethsavers began with a simple vision born in the heart of Founder Dr. Jack Rudd. In 2003, Dr. Rudd established the Zambia Six-Year Molar Focus School in the Chipata District of Zambia in Central Africa. The School was the first of its kind in all of the world to initiate a new category in oral health care, training local men and women the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) procedure. ART, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), is a revolutionary technique of filling teeth without electricity or anesthetics. ART uses seven small hand instruments to remove tooth decay and apply a filling material that is almost as hard as silver that chemically bonds to the tooth
without pain. The powder, when mixed as a filling, is 28% fluoride and the fluoride continues to release for up to eight years, substantially decreasing decay on the filling side of the mouth. The training program created by Dr. Rudd is now a recognized “cadre” of Oral Health Treatment in several countries around the world.
Teethsavers’ Teams deliver care and education focusing on the six-year molars of children. Since six-year molars are the cornerstone of the bite and bear 6070% of adult chewing, the loss of one or more of these molars can cause declining health and shorten lifespan. Along with administering ART treatments, the teams primarily teach two things: 1) Where to find the Six-Year Molars – behind the baby molars 2) How to clean the Six-Year Molars – brush 8 times back and forth, straight and flat, before bed
Malawian Teethsaver Edward Phiri teaching the basics of oral health as children wait for their initial screening.
This simple method of teaching easy-to-remember steps in line with normal activities greatly enhances sustainability.
Recently, Tracy Ebarb, Executive Director for Teethsavers International spent time in Sierra Leone, site of Teethsavers newest team. “Several years ago, Dr. Rudd came to Sierra Leone to explore the possibility of beginning work here, but Sierra
Leone’s brutal civil war made that dream impossible, but Jack vowed to return. Then in August 2011, Dr. Rudd returned and began a Six-Year Molar Focus Training. He recruited the aid of Dr. Patric Don-Davis, one of only two dentists in this country of 7 million people. The Teethsavers International training takes six months – three months of classroom study and three months of practical training and field work. In late September, Dr. Rudd
Protection is our Business Disability Life Health Long Term Care Malpractice
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www.tdamemberinsure.com 1-800-677-8644
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ABOVE: Proud graduates of the Teethsavers training program in Sierra Leone, flanked by Dr. Patric Don-Davis (far left) and Teethsavers Executive Director, Tracy Ebarb (far right).
RIGHT: Nicaraguan Teethsaver Luis Hernandez, performing ART filling in San Ramon, Nicaragua.
became very ill with typhoid and malaria and had to return to the States, but Dr. Don-Davis was able to complete the training in Jack’s absence and so this past April 14th, Teethsavers graduated seven new trained operators!”
To say that this was a big event in Sierra Leone is an understatement. The Graduation Ceremony took place in the auditorium at the Sierra Leone Medical School in Kossoh Town, just outside of Freetown. The event was extremely well attended and the list of guest speakers was impressive: Dr. Duramani Conteh, Assistant Minister of Health; Dr. Patric Don-Davis, Chief Dental Officer; Dr. Kisito Doah, Chief Medical Officer; Dr. Joan Shepherd, Guest Speaker, and Inspector General of the Sierra Leonean Police, Mr. Frances Munu awarded the diplomas.
The graduation was front page news in Sierra Leone’s daily newspaper The Torchlight the following Monday. With only two dentists to serve the entire nation, Teethsavers International Team will treat a seemingly unending supply of children beginning in the capital city of Freetown, then moving out into the rural districts.
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Malawian child – the reason why we serve!
Teethsavers currently has teams operating in Malawi and Nicaragua along with Sierra Leone, with over 40 trained operators, and an ever-growing list of countries pleading for their presence. “Ultimately, we want to serve every child in need, wherever they are, but we are committed to controlled and sustainable growth,” according to Ebarb. “The men and women we train become employees of Teethsavers and we are totally dependent on the donations of compassionate and generous people to pay those salaries. We have been very blessed over the last two years, our gifts have almost doubled, and we are expecting this rate of growth to continue. There are precious little boys and girls in countries all over the world who need the level of care that only Teethsavers is offering, and we can provide this to them at such an incredibly low cost. We do ART fillings at approximately $1.50 a child, and that dollar and a half can literally change a child’s life!” n There are several ways you can be involved with Teethsavers International:
n TRAVEL. Teethsavers puts together one or more trips every year to Africa and Central America. You can go along to view and learn, or if you’re a dentist, hygienist, or dental tech, you can help treat patients alongside the team.
n DONATE. To help support the mission of Teethsavers, visit www.teethsavers.org and sign up to make a monthly gift.
n BE A PARTNER PRACTICE. Dental offices can get involved through the Teethsavers Partner Practice Plan. Your office will receive genuine Teethsavers International Scrubs, information to share with your patients, and other Teethsavers perks. Contact: Tracy S. Ebarb, Executive Director tsebarb@verizon.net
325-320-1377
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G
ather with friends, family, co-workers, sponsors and vendors for fun, snacks, music, entertainment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; try out the latest trendy toys, a bounce slide for the children, clown entertainment, face painting, balloons, free parking, event t-shirt, win great door prizes and more! Come together to support dental care in your community and accomplish a 5K course around McInnish Park in Carrollton. Cash Award $100 will be given to the overall male and female 5K winners! Everyone who finishes will be entered into a drawing for prizes! Collect donations that surpass your entry fee and race for FREE! Trophies will be awarded for the largest team and best t-shirt design.
2012 SMILE Walk & Run 5K October 6, 2012
Registration 7:30 a.m. Start 8:30 a.m. Visit http://www.smilewalkandrun.org for easy online donation. To sponsor and/or sign up to be a vendor, contact: Rachel Sandoval, 2012 SMILE Walk & Run Coordinator at (214) 630-7080 ext. 100 or email: rsandoval@communitydentalcare.org
All SMILE Walk & Run proceeds go to Community Dental Care to benefit lowincome, uninsured children, seniors, HIV patients, and the homeless who have no other dental resources.
Community Dental Care was established as a nonprofit organization in 1982 and has been a United Way agency since 1992. CDC is the largest nonprofit provider of routine and preventive dental care and dental health education in North Texas.
The organization operates twelve CDC centers in Dallas, Carrollton/Farmers Branch, Garland, Irving, McKinney, Plano and will be coming to Grand Prairie in 2013. Through the generous support of Parkland Health & Hospital Systems and Crystal Charity Ball, CDC has opened its 12th location in Pleasant Grove on June 2, 2011. Also in collaboration with Parkland Health & Hospital Systems, CDC started its first mobile dental unit that visits homeless shelters, daycares for homeless children and shelters for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.
Last year, CDC provided more than 46,000 visits to 15,500 patients, including children, adults, seniors, patients with HIV/AIDS and the homeless. The CDC dental center at The Stewpot, an agency serving the homeless in Dallas, provided 2,700 visits last year to homeless children and adults at no charge. The majority of patients (70%) who receive treatment at the dental centers are children. Patients from families with incomes at or below 200-300% of the national poverty level (which is defined as approximately $30,000 for a family of four) receive services for a reduced fee. Dental students, residents, and hygienists from Baylor College of Dentistry and the Collin County Hygiene Program receive hands on experience by performing their clinical rotations throughout the CDC Dental Centers.
Visit our website to find a location near you, www.communitydentalcare.org n
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First Class Wine FROM SECOND LABELS
Consumers like choices. From cars and televisions to cookware and clothing, companies attempt to offer something for everyone. You can buy a 325, a 530 or a 750 – BMWs all of them and each capable of taking you from Point A to Point B in style. They appeal to different segments of the driving population, but they all possess the quality one expects from a fine automobile producer. The same goes for great wineries with second labels.
Second labels exist for a couple of reasons. A top winery may want to expand its product offering (and make more money) but doesn’t want to dilute its best label by drastically increasing its production. In this case, they use their considerable expertise to source more grapes and make more wine, bottling it under a new label and spending the marketing dollars to promote it. Other second labels exist because some wineries are extremely picky about what goes into their top wine and will take otherwise great wine that doesn’t meet their top specs and bottle it under a different label. While it may be the “rejects”, it usually ends up being a really good bottle of wine. In either case, the knowledgeable wine drinker benefits.
While second labels are less expensive than the winery’s top offering, most are not inexpensive. They are, rather, a way to experience what some of the world’s great wineries have to offer at a more “affordable” price. All of the 1st Growth and many of the other big name Chateaus in Bordeaux have second labels. For example, Chateau Margaux has a second label called Pavillon Rouge. The 2005 vintage of Chateau Margaux, a 98 point wine from Robert Parker and a perfect 100 point wine from Wine Spectator, sells for more than $1,000
by Kim Clarke
a bottle. The same vintage of Pavillon Rouge, a 92-94 point wine, can be had for a mere $250. The same price/quality relationship also exists for Les Forts de Latour, the second label from Chateau Latour. While these second labels are rarely in the budget for even the serious wine drinker, there are some second labels from California wineries that are worth seeking out.
One of my favorite second label cabernets is called Caravan, the second label from stellar Napa Valley cabernet and merlot producer Darioush. Drinking well early, Caravan shows lots of chocolate, espresso and smooth tannins and costs around $35, less than half of the $90 price tag of Darioush cabernet. Plumpjack is another high-end Napa producer with a second label called Cade. I recently tasted the 2008 Cade Cabernet ($60) – it’s a big wine that needs some time in the bottle to settle down.
A favorite in the value category is the second label cabernet from Signorello called Edge. Not as luxurious as Caravan, but a bargain at $20 versus the $55 price tag for Signorello. Duckhorn, recognized for its Napa Valley Cabernet, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc, offers versions of those wines as well as a Zinfandel and Pinot Noir under its second label called Decoy ($20). Pine Ridge is another well-respected winery with a second label called Forefront. The Forefront Cabernet retails for around $20.
Second labels don’t always mean second place. Check out some of these and you’ll find that many score higher in the Quality Price Ratio by getting a really good wine at a lower price than you might expect. n
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5)
As part of the fellowship, geared to familiarize dental educators with a wide range of dental education issues, Holyfield will spend a cumulative three months at the American Dental Education Association offices throughout 2012.
During her time at the Washington, D.C.-based ADEA Center for Educational Policy and Research, Holyfield will work with staff on issues such as faculty recruitment; development; retention; leadership development; teaching strategies; competencies and assessment; accreditation; and licensure. n
Jennifer Eure Fuentes is a communications specialist at Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry. A 2006 graduate of Texas Christian University, she has worked in the communications and editorial field for five years.
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new product update
A High-Tech SuperHero is Helping Dentists
D
GUARD TEETH AROUND THE CLOCK
entists all know the frustration of discovering the damage done by less-than-ideal dental hygiene. And, while everyone likes a challenge, it isn’t always easy to motivate someone to replace bad habits with helpful ones. If only an invisible, around-the-clock guardian could protect a patient’s teeth and oral health between visits. There may be a new, high-tech dental superhero on the scene, answering the call of dentists everywhere. The FDA recently approved a new product called SeLECT Defense™ (Element 34 Technology, Lubbock, TX), a filled sealant that combines selenium with a bonding resin. SeLECT Defense creates a powerful antioxidant and forms superoxide radicals that provide a toxic environment for bacteria. This gives dentists and their patients a powerful and durable remedy for the harmful effects of dental plaque.
Dentists find it appealing that SeLECT Defense does not require them to change their routine bonding protocol. Instead of using unfilled sealants or those without antimicrobial effects, they can simply incorporate this new sealant with their usual bonding techniques and have confidence that it will minimize the gingival inflammation and demineralization caused by plaque.
Dr. Mary Robb has a general dental practice in North Richland Hills, Texas and has a passion for helping her patients establish good oral hygiene, particularly when it’s a difficult challenge.
“I like working with patients to help them develop their dental I.Q.s. I find great satisfaction in treating patients with neglected mouths and cultivating them into appreciative patients with a lot of dental knowledge and good oral hygiene.”
She adds, “A dentist friend gave me some good advice years ago: ‘When you are giving someone a drink from the fountain of knowledge, don’t turn on a fire hose.’ I try to educate patients thoroughly, but at an effective pace. That same dentist taught me that
20 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com
by Tina Cauller
there is rarely a single path to your desired destination – you can achieve most goals with a variety of different methods. I try to find the best approach for each individual patient.”
A lifelong learner and passionate observer, Dr. Robb took to heart another bit of wisdom: ‘You don’t see what you aren’t looking for.’ Always on the lookout for new advances in dentistry, she and her staff recently came across an ad that caught their eye. “My hygienist noticed an advertisement for SeLECT Defense with some microscope slide photos of teeth treated with the sealant compared to others that were not treated. I tend to be skeptical of advertisements and the slides contrasted so dramatically that I thought the photos must have been retouched. Shortly after I saw the ad, one of the company’s sales reps hosted a lunch-and-learn seminar and presented our team with more evidence of its effectiveness, and I decided to try out the product and see for myself.”
Dr. Robb immediately found some perfect candidates for the new sealant. “I had two young teenage patients who were undergoing orthodontic treatment. These kids did not have good oral hygiene habits and their hygiene had deteriorated even further during their orthodontic treatment. They returned to my office at mid-treatment to have some restorations done along with prophylaxis. I thought, these patients desperately needed some hygiene support and would be a real challenge for the new sealant. When they returned for their next check up, I could hardly believe what I saw. Around the first and second molars, where I had not applied SeLECT Defense, the plaque was thick. But on the surfaces I had coated with the sealant, the teeth were pretty much plaque-free, and the gums looked healthy.”
The test was an eye opener for Dr. Robb, who started using SeLECT Defense with other patients, particularly older patients who had infirmities that prevented them from exercising good oral hygiene. She found the same response – less plaque accumulation
own practice. “While our trial is not a controlled experiment, we are noting on patient charts when we apply it so we can monitor its ability to withstand oral stress.”
and healthier gingiva.
Since then, Dr. Robb has identified other important opportunities for using SeLECT Defense. “Many of my older patients suffer from xerostomia, which makes them susceptible to all kinds of dental disease since they no longer have the natural cleansing that saliva provides. They develop caries easily and their gingiva stays chronically inflamed. I have used this sealant on some of these patients and seen remarkable results.”
Dr. Robb has shared her experiences with this product with the specialists she works with. “The periodontist I refer patients to has expressed interest, and we plan to help him implement it with his patients. Periodontal disease is an infectious disease, and I believe the antimicrobial feature of the sealant could offer a lot of protection to those patients.”
A comparative cost analysis of SeLECT Defense underscores the impressive potential of this product to provide dentists with an effective new tool to protect their patients’ teeth. Dr. Robb explains, “We don’t waste the material and, in fact, use it sparingly. Each small bottle contains enough liquid to treat 400 teeth. However, rather than concentrating on the cost of SeLECT Defense, I urge other dentists to consider the cost of not using it. What are the costs for stroke patients who can no longer care for their oral hygiene? What are the costs for orthodontic patients who, despite encouragement, instruction and cajoling, still neglect brushing and end up with decalcified teeth and swollen gums? What costs do periodontal patients have when they have a reinfection? What are the costs for xerostomia patients who, through no fault of their own, have a new susceptibility to dental problems? For me, it is a no brainer. When I find a way to protect my patients from oral disease, I want to take advantage of it.”
With no sealant. 13-year old female patient, did not brush for 90 days while under orthodontic treatment. Note multiple caries and gingival inflammation.
SeLECT DEFENSE surface sealant. Same patient 90 days after restorations and addition of SeLECT DEFENSE. Note the absence of inflammation.
Dentistry has established a reputation for placing the public good above its own economic interests. Dentists supported the fluoridation of water supplies, toothpastes, and vitamins, a solution that has proven to be the most effective preventive remedy ever given to the American public.
Like a guardian on constant duty, SeLECT Defense stands between teeth and their bacterial enemies, even when oral hygiene isn’t at its best. As Dr. Robb points out, “The applications for SeLECT Defense are wide. It is so effective that I believe it could signal a new era of improved dental health for patients.” n
Dr. Mary Robb is a native of Houston, TX and graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, TX in 1988.
During in vitro laboratory tests, SeLECT Defense has shown to retain its anti-bacterial properties over time. Dr. Robb is informally evaluating the product’s longterm performance and durability in her
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ADVERTISERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INDEX
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