Dental Stains

Extrinsic stain is a problem for many adults and even children in some cases. This stain build up can vary in color from yellow to shades of brown to black. Some of the big offenders for stain are coffee, tea, tobacco, and wines. Extrinsic stain can also be caused by the reed from wind instruments and chlorine from swimming with your mouth open.

The best way to prevent these stains is to decide what's causing them and avoid it. The next best thing is to brush your teeth after coming in contact with the staining agent. You should brush thoroughly while concentrating on the backs of the front teeth. If you are unable to brush afterwards, at least swish with water really well. Also, make sure you schedule your recommended recare appointments so that your hygienist can periodically help you remove these stains.



Nikea Bowar-RDH

Group Practice Meeting

Jill Nesbit, our office manager and I just returned from a 3 day national meeting for dental group practices. Although we were in sunny California (80 degrees every day and sunny), we worked too hard to really appreciate it.
We started every day in the vendor hall with breakfast at 7:30 am. The presentations started at 8:30 am and finished at 12:00 noon. Lunch was either a meeting or more time with vendors. 2:00-5:00 pm was more presentations. Then-- you guessed it--5:00 pm-7:00 pm was dinner with the vendors to learn more about their prducts/equipment/services.
Since Ohio is 3 hours later than California, 7:00 pm in California is 10:00 pm. So back to our rooms, clean up , go to bed and get ready for our next day.
The meeting was excellent. Jill was electedas the president-elect of the group manager's association and she ran their luncheon and 1/2 day of the education seminars. My name was placed in nomination to becomea member of the Academy's governing board. The number of dentists in group practice has almost doubled in less than 10 years.
The speakers focused on making a patient's visit smoother and more trouble free. Scheduling, financing, helping staff (And docs) listen better and make your visit as comfortable as possible. One lecture was on the future of technology in dentistry. We already apply about 80% of his significant ideas. More and more computers are the key to the future of dentistry. I was amazed that only 20% of dentists have digital x-rays, and 30% of the dental offices have computers in the operatories. This is the key to speedy, accurate treatment. Another presentationwas a company that surveys patients medicine and dentistry all over the U.S. He told us about the trendsin what patients want in dentistry and how we could help provide it.
While the lectures were helpful, there were 50-60 vendors selling the newest equipment, supplies, and services to us. This meeting is Jill and my most favorite of all the meetings we attend every year. There were only 200-250 dentists and office managers present, so we could have long, in depth discussions with the vendors. All the other conferences, there are so many attendees and vendors that you just walk by the vendor's booths. Five minutes is a long visit. At this meeting, Jill and I might have a meal with a vendor and talk with him in depth for a 1/2 hour. I'm always amazed at how much i can learn in this unhurried atmosphere.
As always, Jill and I will spend next month calling our contacts, placing orders, and implementing all the ideas we learned.
We'll make HealthPark a better place for you!

Jill Nesbitt, and Dr. Smith

When a nerve in a tooth is injured by a blow to the tooth or decay, bacteria can set up an infection in the space in the center of the tooth (the pulp). When this happens, you have 2 options: 1) a root canal, or 2) extract the tooth.

Sarah I--EFDA, Assistant Team Leader