Hi Everyone,

Happy Easter and Spring!!! Hopefully you're enjoying this time of new beginnings and that you are encountering new hope, enthusiasm and a zest for life. This note has some dental news covering a new in office whitening offer and asking your help in investigating the possibility of moving into a new facility. And then there is a final comment on positive attitudes.

New Things:

We are truly appreciative to all those who have honored and trusted us with their care. A majority of our new patients come as referrals from our current patients. We would like to show appreciation for that confidence. Please have the people that you refer to us drop your name. Then be ready to receive a nice surprise.

We had a great response to our Christmas, new in-office teeth whitening program. So, realizing sun tans can cause others to notice our smiles more, we are going to do a "get ready for summer in-office tooth whitening" program. If you make and pay for an in-office whitening appointment before July 4th we will do it for the Christmas price of $299. However, if you and one or more friend(s)/relative(s) schedule and pay for appointments together on the same day (although your actual appointment may be on different days and/or times), you'll all receive a referral discount of $30 dollars off, lowering that whitening price to $269.

Just a reminder that we continue to offer free oral laser treatment to those with cancer that have developed mouth sores from their chemo or radiation treatments.

Don't forget about school dental exams. Call now so we can make sure that we can get a convenient time set up for you before school next fall.

This could be a big new thing!!!

Gentle Family Dentistry has quietly become one of the state's most advanced dental practices. In the 22 years at our current location we have made some dramatic improvements to be and remain a leader in advanced dental care. However, we have maxed-out our space; there is no place for us to expand; and for us to continue to offer only the most advanced dental care, comfort, and safety--we need to investigate the possibility of growing into a new facility. The facility is not about us, but about you. So would you please help us identify what is important to you by filling out the attached questionnaire and mailing it back or bringing it into the office? We will provide you with a gift for your help.

Don't let fear and worry steal your joy, purpose and happiness

It is sometimes difficult to be positive as we deal with all that is happening in our world and country. We are so busy and often times its trying to meet the hypocritical expectations of others. It is fatiguing the number of people and/or media types that are trying to scare us into action, hiding behind a secret agenda, attempting to make us feel guilty/depressed and/or helpless. This causes us to lose focus of our purpose, leading us away from what is important, and turning us away from the things that make us passionate, joyful and happy. Indeed fear and worry are real passion and attitude killers, making life a dreaded burden instead of a joyful purpose.

There is a definition of fear that says "FEAR" is an acronym that stands for (F)alse (E)vidence (A)ppearing (R)eal. The results of "FEAR" are inaction or being paralyzed because of being afraid of the false evidence that failure is bad, change is inappropriate, improvement is unnecessary and growth is not important.

My husband once worked for a CEO who said "Those that do something make mistakes; but they don't make the biggest mistake of all which is to do nothing." I really like this insight because it points out that mistakes and failure are not bad but part of a moving forward process, and those that understand this will grow, improve, have a better attitude, and passionately engage life.

Passionately engaging life with purpose has to come from the heart. The motivation needs to be about others--not about ourselves. There are different concepts that teach service to others and those relating to Easter have a structure that eliminates fear and worry, models unselfish service, and provides purpose. As a result we are free to enjoy life no matter how troubling it might be and still face it with a positive and caring attitude because we are passionately serving others.

So don't let the nay-sayers take your joy of living by using fear tactics, complaining about trivial things that don't make a differnece, or imposing their negative attitudes on you. Keep focused on others because this keeps us from falling into self-pity and gives what we do meaning and value. So, whether we are encouraging a child or friend, a soldier or someone that serves and protects us, and/or just being there for someone who has lost a loved one or experienced a Virginia Tech like event, our positive, caring actions make a difference impacting the world, community and the lives around us and returning us to the purpose, joy and happiness we so desire.

So remember, your Altitude for life is determined by your Attitude for living which is motivated by your Gratitude for being freed from fear and worry. Here's to joyful living with purpose.

On behalf of Dr. Stubbs and our great staff, we wish you a fantastic and relaxing summer and look forward to seeing everyone soon.

Sincerely,

Dr. Lanae D. Fox