ReklamaGO

Alex Portnoy: I love to restore patients' confidence in their smiles

Alex Portnoy, a doctor who recently joined NextGen Dental & Orthodontics’ team, talks about his professional path, as well as the opportunities that NextGen Dental & Orthodontics provides to patients.

w hen D i D you re A lize th At you

w A nte D to become A D entist?

Most children will say they want to be firefighters and astronauts when they grow up. I knew I wanted to be a dentist since I was seven years old.

As a young kid, I was very active and dedicated a lot of time to kick boxing which taught me discipline of the mind and the body. It made me strong and forced me to push myself even if it hurt to do so. It was around this time that I started learning about my grandmother’s role in dentistry. She graduated from Odessa’s Dental Technical

College in 1937. She made crowns for teeth out of old gold coins that were minted when Russia was ruled by czars. I had found the art of dentistry fascinating from that point on.

w here D i D you receive your e D uc Ation?

Post high school, I found my way into an elite Pre-Dental program at Nova Southeastern University in Miami, Florida. I met a lot of likeminded, aspiring and ambitious people there that I am proud to call my friends today. Anything is possible in life but having a great

network of people by your side makes it much better!

Through perseverance and the discipline of the mind, which I learned in my childhood kickboxing class, I was accepted into a number of dental schools. Ultimately, I decided Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine – Downer’s Grove, IL was the best fit for me. The grind of dental school with a pandemic right in the middle of it taught me to be fierce in cultivating the life I want yet remaining graceful when finessing my way around challenges. Everything I hoped to accomplish was solely in my hands.

y ou A re currently workin G for n extGen Dent A l & o rtho D ontics. w hy D i D you choose this clinic?

As a dental intern under the mentorship of the exceptional Dentist, Dr. Gary Beyer and his wonderful team, I knew NextGen Dental & Orthodontics was my dream job post-graduation. Being with this practice for three years has given me a boost into a highperformance, driven work flow.

NextGen Dental & Orthodontics has state of the art 3D imaging

I love that I can help both kids and adults of all ages save their teeth, get out of pain, improve their health and restore confidence in their smile. One of the best feelings is seeing in real time hopeless rotten teeth replaced with beautiful new implants. There is nothing more heartwarming and rewarding for me than to hear my patients compliment me on my work as their dentist.

t ell us A bout your P rofession A l P l A ns

In the coming months, I hope to continue the digital evolution at our practice by bringing 3D printed appliances. From cosmetic cases designed on the computer, to nightguards, sleep appliances and even (implant fixed) dentures. Nearly everything we need will soon be made in house so that the turnaround time, from start to finish, can be reduced from weeks down to as little as hours.

f or A n APP ointment P le A se feel free to c A ll our office loc Ate D At 201 e s tron G s t. s uite 4 w heelin G , il At 847-947-2651 or check out our website www. next G en D ent A lonline.com !

and scanning, a microscope, and a wonderful team. Working with specialists, Dr. Beyer and I were able to redevelop our implantology department and improve our endodontics department.

w here D o you G et your ins P ir Ation?

Being trilingual, I have already helped hundreds of Russian, English and Spanish speaking patients understand the causes of their infections and delivered treatment to help improve their oral health. I have seen patients with many failing root canals, broken down third molars and numerous cavities and missing teeth. As a general family dentist,

North Suburban Family Psychologists

now forming!

SUPPORT GROUP FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND MOTHERS OF BABIES UP TO AGE 1

Led by clinical psychologist Olga Kilstein, PsyD.

Connect with other moms, share experiences and ideas, learn about helpful tools and resources. Babies are welcome to attend group with their mothers.

Weekly Support via Zoom

Mondays Via Zoom 9am - 10:30am*

Cost: $20 per group

BCBS PPO insurance accepted, other insurances may be billed out of network

Facilitated by Dr. Olga Kilstein

*If interested but unavailable for this date/time, please let Dr. Kilstein know.

Olga Kilstein, PsyD.

Dr. Kilstein has experience and expertise in infant and child development, parenting support, couples therapy, mood disorders and reproductive health issues.

For more information or to register, please email: olga.kilstein@gmail.com or call 847-568-9642 ext. 10.

JCC Chicago is bringing 70 violins, played by Jewish musicians in the Holocaust, to Illinois.

Having been lovingly restored, they’ve traveled the world to give voice to the victims and reinforce messages of hope, harmony and humanity.

From April—September, 2023, these instruments will be featured in cultural exhibitions, performances and community educational programs.

This Opening Night program is being presented with generous support from the Zollie and Elaine Frank Music Fund at North Shore Congregation Israel.

EXHIBITED IN ROME • TEL AVIV • LONDON • LOS ANGELES WASHINGTON D.C. • SAN FRANCISCO • AND MORE

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Pr A irie Gr A ss C A fe revisited

b y Alan b resloff

Now that things are “almost” back to normalcy, trying to decide where to celebrate is not so easy. We live in Northbrook, so why not dine local and since I am scheduled to speak with Prairie Grass about their Valentines Day Dinner Packages, it seemed the perfect spot.

A Saturday night with Jane alone in a cozy and friendly restaurant turned out perfect. They have added many items to their menu and some special cocktails as well. Jane enjoyed the PCG Mule ( a vodka and ginger beer drink that used to be called the Russian Mule, but of late, no-one wants to add the “r” word to anything. I had the Oldhattan ( a sort of made up drink that is somewhere between the Old Fashion and the Manhattan). It was wonderful!

For our appetizers, Jane enjoyed the Caesar Salad while I was thrilled with something that I seldom find in restaurants, The

Beet Salad( Citrus marinated beets ( not just red) toasted walnuts, citrus and goat cheese). I was in heaven!

For our entree’s we selected one of their specials, the braised boneless short ribs served with mashed potatoes and roasted carrots. The meat was tender and

juicy and the potatoes just right. The carrots were also tasty and made for a great combination.

The second entre’ that we shared was the Grilled Ora King Salmon with apple cider glaze, mixed greens toasted pumpkin seeds and a half roasted squash. ( Jane had never had roasted squash before and once she tried, I was

Again, another perfect dinner! The salmon was grilled to perfection and the salad that came with it ( the greens) were delicious.

The menu has grown and has many great items on it. Under normal circumstances we do not try the specials as it is more of our way to offer the basic menu items. The Short Ribs is however, a different story, as they offer this on a fairly regular basis.

Being a special night out, Sarah had them bring us a slice of their Double Chocolate Cake and a dish of ice cream ( vanilla with toffee and chocolate almonds)– what a wonderful dinner!

Prairie Grass is open every day luncheon 11 a.m.– 2 p.m. m onday- f riday Dinner: 5p.m.– everyday Pickup orders from 4 p.m. m onday– s unday Prairie Grass c afe is located at 601 s kokie b lvd. in n orthbrook telephone 847-205-4433 for reservations for info visit www.prairiegrasscafe.com