We just finished the APDA fifth annual Pumpkin decorating contest. Patients voted these two pumpkins the winners:


























By the way, "Buy back Halloween Candy" programs from dentists IMOP are basically a well intentioned gimmick. Let the kids have their candy!-just brush afterwards and avoid the really hard candies.

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In a recent article from Dr. Rhonda R. Savage, DDS (at DentistryIQ), we learn that dental assistant careers include a role in developing trust.  Does the typical dental assistant salary correlate with this important  responsibility?  Dental assistant training and schools have lead to an increase in available manpower.  It is important that we make the correct decisions when hiring an assistant or hygienist, and, that we find a candidate who has been though a reputable dental assistant program.  Read more, on the ever evolving status of dental assistant duties.

New patients come to you with varying degrees of trust. A patient referred by another patient will come with a much higher level of trust. A patient generated by way of outside marketing will be a bit more skeptical and hesitant. Regardless of how you obtain a new patient, you’ll need to “hit it out of the park” with her new-patient experience to get her to come back. You not only want her to come back, you want her to refer friends, family, and co-workers.

Why the female reference? Worldwide, women tend to make the health-care decisions for the family. According to the Boston Consulting Group, women control $12 trillion of the world’s $18.4 trillion in annual consumer spending, and they tend to spend more on things linked to a person’s well being, such as health and education.

Whether male or female, new patients come to your office expecting that you have the skills and training to take care of their dental needs. For new patients to believe and trust in your office, skill development for every team member is crucial, especially for the dental assistant.

Dental assistants are highly capable and quite talented at engendering trust with new patients. Research has shown that case acceptance is higher when the new patient is scheduled first in the doctor’s chair, with the dental assistant, rather than in the hygiene chair. This is due to five reasons:

• First, the doctor tends to spend more time with new patients if they are scheduled in the doctor’s chair prior to hygiene.
• Second, the dental assistant can spend quality time with the patient, freeing up the hygienist to use his or her talents in providing hygiene care and education about periodontal disease.
• Third, the appropriate amount of hygiene time can be determined in advance; fee estimates can be given accurately and the proper treatment can be scheduled.
• Fourth, if a new patient were to fail the initial appointment, the impact on the valuable hygiene time is minimized.
• Fifth, it makes sense financially to use the talents of an assistant with regard to data gathering, taking initial X-rays, and utilizing the intraoral camera.

A question for your dental office: “Legally, what can a dental assistant do in your state?” One thing is true: regardless of state law, dental assistants can talk and write. With proper training, dental assistants are true assets to the team and patient care. The more the dental assistant can speak for the doctor, the more time the doctor can have a drill in his or her hands.

Let’s begin by connecting with the patient. A connection is more than “Hi, how are you? I’m Amy, Dr. King’s assistant.” A connection is common ground. It could be about school, children, family, sports, art, or music … anything that helps you connect. New patients need three connections prior to you tipping them back for X-rays. As an aside, the returning recall patient needs two connections by the hygienist. The patient who comes in frequently needs one connection. Here’s another secret: the dentist also needs to take the time to make a connection.

The great thing is that the dental assistant can begin the process and make the dentist’s job easier. Let’s review the ways the dental assistant can help with the new-patient exam.

He or she can …

• Connect with the patient
• Review the health history
• Ask about the patient’s chief concern
• Take the necessary X-rays
• Chart existing restorations
• Note missing, crowded, rotated, or yellow teeth
• Take an initial blood pressure screening
• Set the stage for case acceptance by asking questions like:

1. “It looks like you’re packing food between these two old fillings. Has that been a problem for you?”
2. “Have you ever considered whitening your teeth?”
3. “If there was one thing you’d change about your smile, what would it be?”
4. “Has anyone talked with you about the importance of replacing this missing tooth?”
5. “Your gums look puffy and irritated. Do they bleed when you brush?”

In addition to this, the assistant can do an intraoral camera tour of the mouth. Have four to five pictures up prior to the doctor stepping into the operatory.

Do you have intraoral cameras in your office? On a scale of 1 to10, what is the use? Most offices rank their use as 2 to 3. On a scale of 1 to 10, you should be using the intraoral camera on a level of 7 to 9. The intraoral camera is one of the best educational tools available to the dental team.

How does the dental assistant receive training in these areas? First, consider the assistant’s speaking ability. Is he or she shy or quiet? Is speaking to the patient difficult? The assistant might consider some speaking classes. Truly, the ability of the assistant to speak well and write legibly will determine his or her income level. Those who can write better and speak well will earn more money.

I found a solution to shyness. I grew up quite shy. I started in dentistry as an assistant, and trained “on the job” as an assistant in the little town of Ketchikan, Alaska. I know personally that through hard work and dedication, one can make dentistry a career! I joined Toastmasters, an internationally known organization that helped me become a better speaker. I don’t necessarily mean that everyone has to give speeches. Toastmasters simply helped me become a better speaker one-on-one with my patients. It’s a very affordable organization. You can Google Toastmasters International to find clubs in your area. It’s important to visit several clubs before deciding on one. I also took English classes at my community college. I pushed myself outside my comfort zone.

If you’re learning and growing, you should feel somewhat uncomfortable. If you’re comfortable with what you’re doing, you’re not challenging yourself. The beauty of dentistry is that there’s always more to learn and do, and you should never feel comfortable! Dentistry is truly a career, and you can make of it what you put into it.

Another way for you to learn these skills is verbal cue cards. These are where you write down every question patients ask you for one week. At the end of the week, summarize the list. Then ask your dentist to write down his or her answers in only two to three sentences. Put the questions on one side of a 5×7 card and the answers on the other. Then — practice! Ask a friend to help by quizzing you. Soon you’ll be saying what the doctor wants you to say. Don’t memorize the cards; internalize them in your own words.

Do this same exercise for the most common procedures in your practice. Ask your doctor to write down the two benefits for every procedure and two consequences if the work isn’t done.

Practice writing up charts. Ask your doctor to review the chart entries every night and give you feedback on what needs to be changed. The secret is that you must make the chart changes. If the doctor makes the changes, you won’t learn what he or she wants you to write.

You’ll need training by your doctor to be able to accurately write down the existing restoration. You’ll also need training to use the intraoral camera. I would recommend you ask your doctor to set aside time each month for training and also to use down time for training.

As a dental assistant, you are an amazing person with tremendous potential. Don’t ever sell yourself short on the incredible difference you can make every day in your patient’s life! Stretch to the point of discomfort; continually learn and challenge yourself. Dental assisting is not “just a job” … it is truly a career!

According to a story released at Bignews.biz, Burnsville Invisalign Orthodontist Office will be celebrating orthodontic Health Month for the remainder of October.  Orthodontic Health Month is aimed towards adults, hoping to highlight the benefits of braces, retainers, and a healthier smile.  With the cost of braces on the rise (especially invisalign braces), orthodontists are doing everything that they can to spread the word about affordable cosmetic dental procedures and invisible braces.

ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – October is National Orthodontic Health Month and Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth’s Burnsville, MN orthodontics practice is using the month to encourage more adults who want a perfect smile to consider orthodontic treatment.

There is a variety of aesthetic options that are popular among adults who want straight teeth, but don’t want others to see their appliances.

One option is Invisalign, said Eisenhuth, a Burnsville, MN Invisalign provider. This system uses a series of clear, plastic aligners to gradually straighten teeth over time. They are appealing to adults, because they can be removed for photos, special occasions, when eating, for oral hygiene and when involved in public speaking engagements, to name a few examples.

“When Invisalign aligners are worn, it’s difficult for others to tell that you’re wearing an orthodontic appliance,” Eisenhuth said.

For some orthodontic cases, lingual braces are available. Lingual braces are worn on the backs of the teeth and cannot be seen when the patient talks or smiles.

There also are clear or tooth-colored brackets available for use. These more closely resemble the traditional braces most adults think of when they think of orthodontic treatment. However, they are less noticeable because their coloring more closely resembles natural tooth color.

Having straight teeth can do more than simply make a person feel more confident about their smile or improve a their self-esteem, Eisenhuth said. It’s healthier for people to have straight teeth.

Crooked, crowded teeth are more difficult to keep clean and free of tartar and plaque build-up because they provide more tight areas and crevices for food to settle in. When areas are difficult to reach with a toothbrush, that can be a recipe for tooth decay, she said.

When teeth are straight, it helps lessen the potential for bone loss, gum disease and tooth decay.

“These are things that we want to prevent in patients regardless of their age, and you’re never too old to take corrective action,” Eisenhuth said. “For those adults who feel as though braces are just for kids and the opportunity for straight teeth has passed them by, we want them to know that is not the case- we have lots of options for them.”

About National Orthodontic Health Month

The U.S. House of Representatives first declared October as National Orthodontic Health Month in 2007 at the request of the American Association of Orthodontists. The AAO represents approximately 95 percent of orthodontists in the U.S and it focuses on public policy, education and increasing awareness of orthodontic care.

ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – The practice of West St. Paul Orthodontist Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth is ringing a sweet time of year with its fifth annual candy buy back program.
Eisenhuth hosts this program during the Halloween season each year to donate candy to U.S. soldiers stationed in Iraq and to help her young patients remove the temptation to eat candies they receive that may harm their braces.

Candy such as taffy, caramel and other chewy sweets can cause a lot of harm to orthodontic appliances, said Eisenhuth, who also is a West St. Paul invisible braces provider.
To make it fun for her staff, Eisenhuth is hosting an in-office contest for them to guess how much candy will be collected. Last year’s contest resulted in 823 pounds of candy being collected and donated to the troops.

“What was interesting is that we had children donating candy that was OK for them to eat,” Eisenhuth said. “Once many of our patients learned where the candy was going, they got even more generous with their donations.”

Patients who donate candy have their good deeds rewarded through the buy-back program. For every pound of candy a patient donates, he/she gets tokens that can be traded in for items including toys and gift cards.

Patients who wish to participate in this year’s program can donate their candy at Eisenhuth’s Eagan office location on Nov. 2, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Then it will be shipped- along with toothbrushes- to soldiers in Iraq.

“We can’t give them candy and not take the opportunity to promote good oral health,” said
West St. Paul orthodontcs expert Dr. Eisenhuth . “It’s perfectly fine to enjoy some candy once in a while, but it’s important to brush your teeth after eating sugary sweets, especially if they are chewy, because those tend to stick to your teeth longer.”

Learn More
If you would like to donate Halloween candy or you want more information, please call: (651) 406-8100 or visit Dr. Eisenhuth’s Web site: http://doctorjennifer.com/. Her office is located at 3340 Sherman Ct. in Eagan.

About Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth
Dr. Eisenhuth attended the University of Minnesota Dental School and graduated in the top of her class. She earned the Minnesota Association of Orthodontic Achievement Award and several academic achievement awards. She entered her orthodontic residency at the University of Minnesota and earned a certificate in orthodontics and a Master of Science degree. Dr. Eisenhuth is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.

She takes pride in caring for the orthodontic needs of residents in the Twin Cities- St. Paul and Minneapolis, and their surrounding regions, including Mendota Heights, Inver Grove Heights, Burnsville, Apple Valley and Eagan, Minnesota. Her office is located at 3340 Sherman Court, Eagan, Minn., 55121.

© 2009 Sinai SEO Marketing and Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

-end-

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Take a moment to count how many teeth you have.  Did you know that people with less teeth run a higher risk of putting on weight, and even becoming obese?  Someone with 21 teeth left out of their original 32 has a risk that is approximately 3 times higher, in fact.

The size of our waist, and our dental health, hold a closer relationship than we ever thought possible.  The more teeth you are missing, the worse it could potentially become.  Missing a number of teeth typically means poor distribution of masticatory forces, and if something isn’t done to remedy this problem, people with missing teeth will continue to gain weight.  The reason for this is chewing, as missing teeth causes one to chew improperly and eat softer foods such as fats and starches (many times for comfort reasons).  These foods are more likely to be eaten than healthier choices, such as apples, which are much harder in texture and more difficult to chew (when compared to something high in fat like potato chips).

Many studies have also shown that not just missing teeth, but tooth decay, might also be a major problem.  These studies have demonstrated a correlation between the presence of tooth decay and adult obesity (not to mention that it causes tooth pain).  People with dental decay, it seems, tend to eat more sweets and snack foods.  Both of these “junk food” types are known to put on the pounds, and, cause tooth decay.

Taking it a step further, Dr Isabelle Bailleul-Forestier, a hospital physician in Paris, says that obesity can in fact cause inflammatory phenomena in the gums.  This will eventually lead to gum disease and affect your teeth, causing them to become more and more lose over time.  So, be alert – if your dentist asks for your body mass index or measures your waist, there is a valid reason for it.

What can you do to prevent this from happening to you?  First, it is important to eat healthier foods such as fruits and vegetables (hey, the apple is “nature’s toothbrush,” after all).  Another step to take would be to check your teeth and gums on a regular basis.  Are their signs of tooth decay or gum disease?  If so, get to your dentist right away and get treated!  Failing to act on these conditions can cause major mouth issues, and can ultimately leads to missing teeth and worse.  Another, more reactive strategy, might include tooth implants or teeth replacement procedures; consult your local dentist to learn more.  Missing teeth, as stated before, correlate with obesity and an overweight America.  Keeping your teeth in check might do more for your waste than you ever thought possible.

In yet another article on Halloween candy and its effects on different types of braces, United Press International reports that emergency orthodontist visits will be on the rise.  While the prices of braces may vary, all orthodontic braces are created equal when it comes to defending against sticky holiday treats.

A root canal.  Sounds awful doesn’t it?  Most dental patients don’t care to hear about this procedure.  But, it certainly can be advantageous and beneficial to anybody in need of one.  A root canal can easily be sold to a patient by demonstrating the features and benefits that it will bring.  Sure it’s time consuming and a little painful, but as this article from GoArticles.com indicates, a root canal or dental extraction can be a very positive thing for your patients:

The term “root canal” strikes fear into the hearts of most people. The preconceived notion of a root canal involves severe pain, multiple dental visits, and eventual loss of the tooth in spite of everything.

However, this isn’t representative of root canal procedures at all. Advances in technology and general dentistry have made the root canal a much simpler procedure that most people describe as not being much more uncomfortable than a simple filling.

Conditions for a Root Canal

A root canal can become necessary when the interior nerve tissue and pulp of the tooth become severely damaged and/or infected. In these cases, this tissue must be removed. Some conditions that can cause a need for a root canal include:

* Severe tooth decay
* Severe infection inside the tooth
* Trauma to the tooth

Root Canal Procedure

A tooth that requires a root canal can become extremely painful. The root canal procedure removes the nerve tissue from the tooth, thus eliminating the pain. It also removes any infected tissue, which will keep the infection from spreading to other teeth, gums, or facial bones. Left unchecked, this kind of infection can become very serious, and sometimes even fatal.

Once the nerve, pulp, and infection are removed, the empty space inside the tooth is filled with a sealing agent. Often the dentist will place a permanent metal or porcelain crown over the tooth.

In many cases, a root canal procedure can maintain a natural tooth relatively intact, saving the tooth from extraction. With the natural tooth and its root preserved, your jawbone has a better chance of maintaining long-term health. While a root canal might seem intimidating, it’s also often the best choice.

Having a root canal doesn’t mean the tooth will eventually have to be pulled, either. Often, teeth that have undergone this procedure will remain otherwise healthy for many years, even permanently. With one procedure, you can eliminate your pain and also save your tooth.

Whitening your teeth can be a long and arduous process.  Should you cut down on some of the things that you are currently doing?  Maybe stop smoking, or drinking coffees and teas?  Of is a more direct approach necessary – such as bleaching your teeth, or utilizing porcelain coatings?  Teeth whitening kits can definitely work, but are they necessary?  Teeth whitening products are great if used in conjunction with normal oral hygiene and care.

Once you’ve taken the time and effort to brighten your teeth, are you done? No, you certainly are not. Unfortunately, there’s no teeth whitening procedure known to man that is permanent. So, once you’ve taken the time to get them white, you need to take the time to keep them that way.

First, take a look at your normal oral hygiene habits. Have you been disciplined enough to brush twice a day, maybe ever three times? If the answer is yes, then you’re in pretty good shape, as keeping your teeth free of plaque is a good thing – it turns into staining tartar.  Brushing is one good way to keep your teeth whiter.

Be sure to invest in a good whitening toothpaste. This will help keep the external stains on the enamel of your teeth under control. And make sure you use a toothbrush that isn’t too hard on your teeth, as it will wear down your gums and enamel in the long; Which not only only make staining easier, but also makes your teeth more sensitive overall.  Also, make sure your brush isn’t too soft or “loose” either, as you will have trouble cleaning deep down in the grooves.

Eliminate or cut down on the dark liquids that you drink. Yes, that means coffees and teas, especially the dark roast coffees that are so addicting. While these are a huge part of many of our lives, they are teeth strainers and the less you consume, the longer your teeth will stay nice and bright.

Finally, it might be time to invest in a whitening touch-up kit of some kind. These are the little brush-on applications that paint a whitening gel directly onto your teeth. They’re extremely easy to use and can really keep the surface stains under control.  Whitening kits that include trays and strips can also be very useful.

Take care of your teeth and attack the stains with these techniques; you should be able to maintain a beautiful smile for many months. There are several good teeth whitening methods.  Whether you use more proactive methods or you utilize teeth bleaching products, a lot of work and upkeep goes along with achieving and keeping white teeth.  If nothing else, just remember that a bright smile makes a great first impression.  It’s always worth it to keep your teeth nice.

In this article taken from the Alternative Health Journal, we learn more about dental hygiene in today’s world.  Natural dental care is becoming more and more important in dentistry, and these tips could help you avoid the dentist’s drill.  Remember, this is about natural dental care – not emergency dental care and tooth bleaching.  More..

You know that dental care is imperative to a beautiful smile – and that a beautiful smile makes an excellent first impression. Well-cared-for teeth tend to indicate a well-cared-for body. But now it is becoming much more common knowledge that there are many more benefits to good oral hygiene than just avoiding the dentist’s drill.

According to Ellen Kamhi, Ph.D., R.N., author of The Natural Medicine Chest, and who is also the herbalist/nutritionist for naturesanswer.com, drew attention to the Surgeon General’s report that indicated that poor periodontal health affects 75 percent of Americans. She also pointed out that these facts seem to coincide with many major illnesses because the microorganisms that cause periodontal disease quite easily make their way into the heart muscle and other body tissues.

Saliva’s ability to provide markers for a variety of health problems may be the link between oral health and systematic disease.

People Seeking Non-Fluoride Toothpaste

Grace Lo, DDS and co-founder of My Dentist’s Choice, noted that many people have turned from drinking tap water that is treated with fluoride for bottled water. Fluoride when mixed with saliva helps prevent acid formation by bacteria and encourages re-mineralization of teeth. But because of the dangers of swallowing this fluoride, Dr. Lo’s Tooth Tissues uses xylitol, which is a non-fermentable sugar alcohol that helps reduce plaque and starve bacteria, in lieu of fluoride.

Dakshina Vanzetti is the president of Auromere Ayurveda Imports, a company that deals with conscious living products. Vanzetti indicates that there has been an increasing demand for non-fluorinated products as more people have become aware of the dangers of overexposure to fluoride, including fluorosis.

Dr. Ken’s line of oral care products features green tea and leaves out the fluoride. Ken Nussen, DDS and president of Floss & Go Inc also pointed out that at least half of the people prefer fluoride-free choices. This makes use of the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of the green tea, as well as the fact that green tea has been shown to improve oral health.

Probiotics in Dental Care

Jeffrey Hillman, DMD, Ph.D., attests that consumers’ awareness of the positive effects of good bacteria on health has carried over to dental care. Hillman says, “Probiotics for oral care is a brand new category and requires unique bacteria that are natural residents in healthy mouths.”

Hillman informs, “ProBiora3 uses only the strains that are natural residents of the mouth to support the health of the oral cavity. Twenty-five years of data shown in studies prove that the specific organisms patented as ProBiora3 have exerted a beneficial activity in the mouth.”

A product named OrFlora, manufactured by Swiss Labs Inc., also uses probiotics in its formula. Aside from the health benefits of this particular product, OrFlora suggests that the probiotics play a role in reducing bad breath by eliminating its cause: bad bacteria.

Decay-fighting and disease-battling effectiveness of toothpastes, rinses, flosses, and other dental products is being enhanced by vitamins, botanicals, minerals, and cofactors. These natural products stay away from some of those harsh chemicals that many consumers are now looking to avoid. As consumer education has increased the awareness of both positive and negative effects of various ingredients in dental care products, gravitation toward the natural products can be seen.

Las Vegas! The Blogworld annual convention brought together bloggers from around the world to the sun drenched desert city. Blogworld for the first time had a medblogger tract of lectures and panels discussing medical professionals and blogging. I met the famous Dr. Anonymous, a podcaster who moderated the panels and Nurse Kim of Emergiblog, The life and times of an ER Nurse.

In addition to inspirational keynotes and technical tips, we also had a little fun too. Imagine if you will "The Bank" nightclub at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas full of bloggers. Most people were staring down at their phones texting and twittering away as the music played-no one dancing. The DJ actually said: "please put down your iphones and dance!" Yes, they/we eventually did dance and have a great time while twittering it all to the outside world. Bloggers are a pretty good group of people eager to share their love of blogging. I did get to meet a few famous folks including "Dr. Greene" of ER and Goose from Revenge of the Nerds (aka Anthony Edwards), and the infamous "Chad Vader" (Darth Vader's brother who is a day shift manager at a small town grocery store).

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