Dental insurance plays a crucial role in helping you care for your teeth and gums. However, if you aren’t familiar with the fine print on your plan, then you may not be utilizing your coverage to the fullest! Unfortunately, this can lead to wasted dollars that could’ve benefited your oral health. To prevent this from happening to you, read on to learn three ways to maximize your dental insurance benefits.
(more…)Lake Oconee Dentistry will be hosting Stars, Stripes and Smiles, a free day of dentistry for active and retired military, as well as law enforcement, firefighters, DNR and EMS personnel on Friday, October 30th.
Drs. David and Patti Bradley, Dr. Shelly Pound, Dr. Andrea Feldman and Dr. Don Hudson, as well as Lake Oconee Dentistry hygienists, dental assistants and other team members, will provide event attendees with their choice of a free extraction, filling or cleaning that day. Dr. David Miller, an oral surgeon and owner of Lake Oconee Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center, will also be donating his time, along with his team, in order to help as many people as possible.
Of the 21 million veterans in the United States, fewer than 10 million are enrolled for US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health benefits, and more than 1.2 million lack health insurance altogether. This gap is even more pronounced when it comes to dental care because the VA only provides dental benefits to veterans classified as disabled or as a prisoner of war — or as veterans who have a service-connected dental condition.
This year, the practice is once again expanding the event to include the hometown heroes – law enforcement, firefighters, DNR and EMS personnel — who work daily to keep our local communities safe.
“Oftentimes those who serve our country and communities are, unfortunately, among the most under-served when it comes to healthcare,” says Dr. David Bradley. “Stars, Stripes and Smiles is our way of honoring those who have given – and continue to give — so much to ensure our safety and make this country what it is today.”
Lake Oconee Dentistry has implemented several additional precautions to help ensure the health and safety of patients and team members during the current pandemic, including:
There are also several steps the practice has taken “behind the scenes,” including:
If you are a veteran or hometown hero and are interested in receiving free dental treatment on October 30th, please call the office at 706-453-1333 for an appointment time.
Whether you’re spending the day visiting some of the city’s beautiful historic buildings, boating on Lake Oconee, or playing a round of golf, a dental injury can occur at any time. When it happens, you may be tempted to enter into panic mode, but you will find it’s best to stay calm and attempt to survey the situation. Is it an emergency? Can it be remedied with an over-the-counter pain reliever or dental wax, or does your injury call for the help of a professional? If you’re unsure when it’s time to seek immediate care for your dental emergency, read on to hear from an expert who can explain.
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We recently added a new team member to the practice – Dr. Don Hudson! In case you haven’t had the chance to meet him – or haven’t noticed him under all that personal protection equipment – we wanted to take a moment to make a formal introduction.
Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Dr. Don moved around quite a bit as a child. His early travels landed him in Louisville, Kentucky. In a strangely coincidental turn of events, Dr. Don attended Liberty Elementary School at the same time Dr. David was there. Dr. Don is a year older, so the two never crossed paths, despite living in neighborhoods located across the street from each other!
From Louisville, Dr. Don’s family moved to Birmingham, Alabama and then finally settled in LaGrange, Georgia. After graduating from LaGrange High School, Dr. Don went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Georgia. But a few years after graduation, he began to re-evaluate his career path. A talented artist and musician, he wanted to pursue a career that combined his passion for both science and art.
One particular experience turned Dr. Don’s eye toward dentistry: He had inadvertently missed a few dental cleanings in the years following college graduation. When he finally had his teeth cleaned, he was amazed at the difference a bright smile made in his life. He was more confident and relaxed. He smiled more. For Dr. Don, having a beautiful smile was literally a transformative experience – and he wanted to be able to give that gift of transformation to others.
Dr. Don attended dental school at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta (now known as Augusta University) on an Air Force ROTC Scholarship. Following graduation, he served as a dentist for U.S. airmen at RAF Lakenheath in England.
After returning to the states, he purchased a dental practice in the small town of Keene, New Hampshire. He served on the Board of Trustees for the New Hampshire Dental Society, as well as the board’s Council of Ethics. His practice was named the Best Dental Practice in Keene three years in a row — 2015, 2016 and 2017. In 2018, after 13 years of private practice, Dr. Don sold his practice and moved back to Georgia to be closer to family.
When he’s not working, you can often find Dr. Don pursuing his artistic passions, be it charcoal sketching or playing the guitar. He is an avid guitarist – having taught himself how to play at the age of 14. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he enjoys spending time outdoors – golfing, boating and fishing – and is looking forward to spending time on the lake.
Says Dr. Don: “It’s great to be back with a group of dental professionals focused on delivering quality care. Everyone at Lake Oconee Dentistry is really good at what they do, and I share a similar philosophy when it comes to always putting the patient first.”
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Don to our team. Be sure to say hello and introduce yourself the next time you’re in the office.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, your dentist and their team would clean their tools, wash their hands, put on a clean pair of gloves, and be ready for your appointment. However, much more goes into preparing for your dental visit today. A wide variety of additional infection controls and safety protocols have been established to keep patients and staff alike safe from the coronavirus. Here are six ways your Greensboro dentist ensures they can provide excellent dental care as safely as possible during COVID-19.
Are you feeling anxious or stress because of the current COVID-19 pandemic? This completely natural reaction can help us stay alert and cautious during uncertain times. However, unmanaged stress can negatively influence several aspects of your life, including your oral health! Your Greensboro dentist reveals five stress-related bad habits to look out for and what you can do to keep your smile safe.
Ever think it’s strange when your dentist asks you to stick your tongue out during your dental exam? While it might sound like an odd request, this is one technique dentists use to screen for oral cancer. April is Oral Cancer Awareness month, and there is no better time to discuss the significance of this disease and learn how you can minimize your risk.
It is estimated that 53,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year, and 450,000 new cases are diagnosed each year worldwide. Once diagnosed, the five-year survival rate is 57%, which means 43% of those diagnosed will not survive beyond five years. Survivors typically undergo extensive surgery and reconstruction.
Oral cancer can affect the tissues inside the mouth including the tongue, floor of mouth beneath the tongue, lips, inner lining of the lips, the lining of the cheeks, and roof of the mouth. Oropharyngeal cancer typically occurs in the tissues of the throat just behind the mouth, including the tonsils, the base of the tongue, and the soft palate. The most common locations for oral cancer to develop are on the sides of the tongue and the floor of the mouth.
When it comes to risk factors, tobacco and alcohol use top the list. No amount of tobacco or vaping is safe — that includes smokeless (chewing) tobacco, pipe smoking, cigars, cigarettes, and vaping products. The use of chewing tobacco, in particular, can modify the cells lining your mouth into cancerous cells. In fact, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, smokeless tobacco users are 400% more likely to develop oral cancer. When you add alcohol to this equation, the risk only rises. Eighty percent of throat and mouth cancer in men and 65% of throat and mouth cancer in women are linked to the combination of smoking and drinking.
In recent years, there has been an increase in oral cancer rates caused by HPV16, a sexually transmitted disease that also causes cervical cancer in women. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, HPV16 causes 70% of oropharyngeal cancers. Other oral cancer risk factors are gender and age. Men over the age of 40 are twice as likely as women to be affected with oral cancer. It is worth noting, however, that we are seeing a rise in the number of people under 40 years old now being affected.
The symptoms of oral cancer can vary, but anyone experiencing any of the following for more than two weeks should see a dentist:
While you cannot prevent all oral and oropharyngeal cancers, there are things you can do to decrease your risk. Above all else, quit smoking, vaping and dipping. Limit alcohol intake (or avoid it altogether). Avoid infection with HPV16. When you are out in the sun or on the lake, wear lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your lips. Complete a self-exam and note any changes to your soft tissues or new growths.
Oral cancer can be treated if detected early. For this reason, be sure you receive an oral cancer screening at your regular six-month dental appointments, even if you wear complete dentures or partial dentures.
By Dr. Shelly Pound, Lake Oconee Dentistry
When it comes to dental health, it pays to build good habits early. In honor of Children’s Dental Health Month, here are five simple things you can do now to help ensure your child has a healthy smile for years to come.
Brush Up on Hygiene
Children should brush and floss twice a day with a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste and a soft bristle toothbrush. Supervise brushing until your child can be counted on to spit, and not swallow, toothpaste—usually not before he or she is 6 or 7.
When teaching a child to brush, place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, start along the gumline, and brush in a gentle circular motion. Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth, upper and lower. Repeat on all inside surfaces and chewing surfaces. Finish by brushing the tongue to help freshen breath and remove bacteria. And don’t forget to floss — especially in areas where teeth are touching.
Reach for the Right Snacks
Candy, fruit snacks, soda and cookies won’t do your child any favors when it comes to preventing cavities. But there are also plenty of “healthy” snacks that can be just as problematic. Dried fruit (like raisins), chips, crackers (like Goldfish), pretzels and dried cereals are all high in starches and sugars, which stick to teeth and can cause decay. Opt for cheese, fruits and vegetables instead.
Skip the Sugary Drinks
Sugars in drinks such as juice, sports drinks and milk, mix with bacteria in dental plaque, forming acids that attack tooth enamel for up to 20 minutes after the drink is consumed. Unlike aluminum cans, re-sealable bottles allow your child to sip on these drinks throughout the day, resulting in a high acid level in the mouth and a steady stream of sugar for bacteria to feast on. It’s a recipe for long-term decay along the gum line and between teeth – areas frequently missed when brushing.
Limit these drinks to mealtimes, rather than allowing your child to sip on them for hours. When finished, have your child chew sugarless gum with xylitol, or rinse with plain water, to help neutralize acid levels and keep bacteria in check.
Don’t Discount Baby Teeth
A child’s primary teeth (often called “baby teeth”) are vital to proper jaw development. If your child prematurely loses a baby tooth, it’s important to see a dentist right away. Your child may require a space maintainer to hold the natural tooth space open. Without a space maintainer, existing teeth can tilt toward the empty space, and permanent teeth can come in crooked or become impacted.
Few people think of visiting their cosmetic dentist when it comes to anti-aging solutions. However, many now have the training and authorization to enhance your facial appearance alongside your smile by offering BOTOX injections. This safe and effective treatment can reduce the signs of wrinkles and lines that make you appear older than you actually are. In as little as 20 minutes, you can enjoy a boost of confidence with this minimally invasive procedure. Read on for five additional reasons to choose your cosmetic dentist for BOTOX treatments.
Lake Oconee Dentistry will be hosting Stars, Stripes and Smiles, a free day of dentistry for active and retired military, as well as law enforcement, firefighters, DNR and EMS personnel on Saturday, November 9th.
Drs. David and Patti Bradley, Dr. Shelly Pound, Dr. Andrea Feldman and Dr. Jamie Austin, as well as Lake Oconee Dentistry hygienists, dental assistants and other team members, will provide event attendees with their choice of a free extraction, filling or cleaning that day. Dr. David Miller, an oral surgeon and owner of Lake Oconee Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center, will also be donating his time in order to help as many people as possible.
Lake Oconee Dentistry has hosted a free day of dentistry for veterans and active military for the last two years. This year, the practice is expanding the event to also include the hometown heroes – law enforcement, firefighters, DNR and EMS personnel — who work daily to keep our local communities safe.
Of the 21 million veterans in the United States, fewer than 10 million are enrolled for US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health benefits, and more than 1.2 million lack health insurance altogether. This gap is even more pronounced when it comes to dental care because the VA only provides dental benefits to veterans classified as disabled or as a prisoner of war — or as veterans who have a service-connected dental condition.
Stars, Stripes & Smiles also seeks to connect veterans and law enforcement personnel with helpful community resources. This year, the Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam County will be on hand with information on its Pets Love Vets program. The program seeks to heal the emotional wounds of military veterans by pairing them with a rescue dog from the Oconee Regional Humane Society specifically selected to match the veteran’s personality. The Pets Love Vets program covers the cost of the dog’s adoption, initial veterinarian visit and training. Any veteran in the area who could benefit from having a companion animal and is able to care for an animal is eligible.
Additionally, Lake Oconee Dentistry will have signed copies of Surviving the Shadows: A Journey of Hope into Post Traumatic Stress available that day. The book is written by lake area resident Bob Delaney, owner of Delaney Consultants, a former state trooper and undercover operative who experienced PTSD himself. The book seeks to help people understand and identify the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the impact it has on the individual and the ripple effect to family and friends.
“This event is really a great example of a business going above and beyond to support our nation’s heroes,” says Delaney. “We live in the land of the free because of the brave. Hats off to Lake Oconee Dentistry for reaching out to these brave men and women, while also seeking to connect them with other helpful community resources.”
“Oftentimes those who serve our country and communities are, unfortunately, among the most under-served when it comes to healthcare,” says Dr. David Bradley. “Stars, Stripes and Smiles is our way of honoring those who have given – and continue to give — so much to ensure our safety and make this country what it is today.”
