Hi Everyone—Blessed Thanksgiving, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas
Many of us are feeling the effects of the mostly politically motivated bad news hoisted upon us by a media that is doing its best to create fear and convince us that the sky is falling. I know personally that my attitude makes a big difference in what I feel and how I react. I keep reflecting on a phrase that well known speaker John Maxwell uses which says “Your altitude is determined by your attitude.” In this stressful time it’s difficult to keep a positive attitude and it’s easy to get trapped by our circumstances which can cloud our thinking. Animal examples of this phenomenon are the buzzard and bumblebee.
Put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet with an entirely open top, and in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.
A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.
In many ways, we are like the buzzard and the bumblebee. We get so consumed with our problems, challenges, and situations that we fail to realize to look up! One of the important aspects of Thanksgiving, Christmas and this holiday season is that it reminds us to have an attitude of thankfulness and to look up in faith. When we do, our situation takes on a totally different perspective. Our vision becomes clearer and our hopes and fears are put in proper context driving positive attitudes that allow us to soar the way we were meant to soar. We begin to realize that we are not victims but agents of love, caring, and purpose—sometimes beaten but never defeated—all inspired by that first Christmas day and the ultimate gift and sacrifice. Indeed, with thankful attitudes looking-up, our altitude will reach new heights.
Have a great and rejuvenating Thanksgiving, Christmas and Holiday Season. Remember “altitude is determined by attitude.”
Insurance deductibles and maximums:
2008 is quickly drawing to a close. Many with insurance have finally met all their deductibles and still have not met their insurance plan maximums which are “use it or lose it” benefits. In addition you may also have a flexible spending account (FSA) whose balance must be used before the end of the year. Therefore, if you have dental care that needs to be completed, it would be wise to have it done before you lose your benefits. Our team is currently going through insurance pre-authorizations and analyzing them to help you optimize your care. Many will or have received these analyses and we will do everything we can to accommodate you before year end. If you are concerned about care that doesn’t require pre-authorization, call us and we can help you analyze your insurance and FSA options to best utilize your 2008 benefits.
If you need 2008 services provided statements for your 2008 tax and final FSA submittals please let us know.
Holiday Shopping 2008:
We realize that GFD won’t be your first choice when buying Christmas gifts but you may find that it is your smartest choice for holiday presents. Please look at our Christmas flyer accompanying this newsletter. Our selections are unique, quick and easy, include gift wrapping, works really well for those hard to buy for people and keeps giving long after the season is over! Just think, one call will save you from the mall (or one click if you are on our website). 262-797-8303 or www.gfdonline.com
Beware of untrained whitening procedures:
During this summer many of you may have noticed cheap, 20-30 minute teeth whitening being offered at events such as state fair, flea markets and even at your favorite mall. We have started to research these and would caution you to beware. Generally speaking, those that are selling these products are untrained, not aware of the types of product they are pushing, nor are they aware of the dangers. Most notably these individuals will prepare the mixture and then hand it to the person to insert into their own mouth. That way the pusher of the product can claim no liability because they didn’t put it on the user’s teeth. In many cases, unsuspecting people are leaving these ‘walk up’ booths with burned gum tissue, very sensitive teeth and unacceptable results. In addition, we have not been able to verify the type of activating lights being used in all the brands. However, commonly used UV light can severely burn the skin/gum and is often associated with skin cancer.
At Gentle Family Dentistry only trained doctors or hygienists will perform the proper procedures to ensure your teeth whitening is safe and successful. We use more effective solutions, we use a safe blue spectrum activating light to eliminate the risk of skin damage and/or burns, we make sure there are no drug or disease interaction that will put your gums and health at risk, we minimize tooth sensitivity, we provide camera before and after proof of your treatments to verify the shade changes and our follow-up options and treatment are unmatched by anyone. As you can see, the two types of whitening are not even in the same league in terms of value, safety, and effectiveness. However, we will continue to monitor these products and let you know when we think they could be a viable alternative.
New Technology:
You may have noticed we are now taking digital photographs of everyone. It provides us with a valuable record that can be integrated into our imaging technology so that incase of an accident we can reconstruct your mouth. However, one of the more exciting components of this technology is that it enables us to provide a “Free Smile Makeover” to you. This allows you to see what your teeth would look like whitened, brightened, made even and/or straightened before any work is done in a side-by-side comparison of your current and potential new smile. This is a whole new dimension that puts you in control of your look, treatment, and care.
On the softer side of technology, we have put new executive chairs in our reception area. We want all our patients to be relaxed and comfortable the minute they walk in the door. We also want everyone to know that they are VIPs.
We have added another new portable diode soft tissue laser that enables us to provide even more patient convenience, advanced industry leading care, and patient flexibility.
We never stop learning:
Over the course of 2008 my staff and I have attended many hours of continuing education to be able to further our knowledge of new and existing techniques, products, and patient services. We are always striving to make our patient’s experience in our office the best it can be. Here are just a few of the things we’ve learned this year:
Our doctors attended a wide variety of continuing education Including the newest treatment for TMJ disorders and sleep apnea, Mayo Clinics’ medical/dental updates and drug/treatment interactions, and laser training updates;
Chicago and Wisconsin Dental Meetings gave us not only the benefit of exhibit halls jam packed with the latest technology and products, but our whole team was able to learn about such topics as: OSHA compliance, special care for patients with diabetes and cardio-vascular disease, dealing with stress and fatigue, and oral trauma.
We’ve learned about new products like fluoride varnishes that replace old fluoride treatments, MI paste to aid our more cavity prone patients, Mona-Vie – a nutritional drink made from a combination of 19 fruits including the Acai berry, a wide variety of new impression and restorative products and we tested a myriad of other new products.
Experience, training, and knowledge set this team apart and why you receive some of the best dental care in the World.
Family News in 2008:
You are more than just a patient. You’re family. So, here’s a summary of some of our family events for 2008:
Early in January, Vica joined us as a new assistant. She moved here from Romania 3 years ago and does a great job.
Also in January, Sheri, one of our hygienists, got married to her best friend, Matt, on a beautiful beach in Florida .
Later that month Dr. Stubbs and her husband, John, welcomed their second child, Zachary. Together with big sister, Leila, there’s never a dull moment at the Stubbs’ house.
Valentina was born in February to assistant Julie and husband Tommy. She joins sister, Sophia keeping things lively.
Dr. Maria Ramos and her assistant, Carrie joined us in June—a great addition. Dr. Ramos is our Invisalign specialist.
In September, our hygienist Michele married Brandon . Our team was thrilled to share the day with them.
Our lead assistant, Eva was recently engaged to Todd.
And finally, we are awaiting the birth of Sheri and Matt’s new baby boy due mid-November.
In closing:
It has truly been an honor to treat each and every one of you this year. My staff and I look forward to seeing you in the New Year and providing some of the best care in the World. And as we travel through the New Year, may you have the satisfaction of facing and defeating the challenges that might confront you, may you give and receive the love and happy times that family and friends afford us all; and may the true meaning of Christmas provide the inspiration to look-up in faith & thankfulness, to look-out with confidence, to look-around in love, to look-forward with courage, and to look-back in appreciation. See you soon!
Dr. Lanae Fox