• If you are currently enrolled in SmileCare or Western Dental, GET THE HELL OUT. lol! But really, I'm being quite serious. There's a reason why their fees are cheap. Lemme just say this: patients come to our office because SmileCare and Western Dental have jacked up their teeth.
  
• In the dental industry, having a PPO insurance is better than an HMO. Main reason being, PPOs allow YOU the power to pick whatever dentist you wanna see. For HMOs, they provide a dentist for you. If your HMO dental provider sucks, you're outta luck.
  
• In my opinion, if I could choose any PPO insurance, I would go with Delta Dental. If not, second choice would be Aetna. I think Metlife and Guardian are my last choices. But if you have either of these, it's still not bad.
  
• If you are the few lucky ones with primary and secondary insurances, take advantage of it!
  
• The average PPO insurance covers the following:
• Preventitive and Diagnostic (check-ups, cleanings, x-rays): 100%
  
• Restorative and Basic (fillings, perio, endo, oral surgery): 80%
• Major (crowns, bridges, implants): 50%
• If your insurance covers anything more than these percentages (say, 100%, 90%, 60%) you have great coverage! If it's anything less, you might wanna talk to your HR Dept. The figures I gave are the general % that employees' insurances cover.
  
• The down-low of 1-800-Dentist: Basically, any dentist can participate in this if they're willing to pay. Dental offices that accept these referrals are charged a fee. Because it's a referral program for dentists, many new dental offices use this. So a new dentist graduate could open a office and use 1-800-Dentist to start off his business. But would you wanna be referred to a rookie dentist? I've never called 1-800, but I am familiar with they're referrals. 1-800-Dentist isn't bad. I'm just saying, there are also good dentists out there who don't use this referral program.
  
• So how do you find a good dentist? Well, my recommendation is by word-of-mouth. Ask your co-workers and friends.
  

• Dental work is not cheap.
• We throw this term around sometimes "P.I.T.A." When a patient is a PITA, it means they're a "Pain In The A**"
  
• It sounds cheesy, but keep on top of your regular check-ups and cleanings. At least twice a year if you have good oral health.
  
• If your dentist tells you you have periodontal disease, don't freak out. But DO follow-through with Scaling and Root Planing. Periodontal disease is gum disease, it's a silent killer that when severe enough, will impact the rest of your health.
  
• The only, ONLY electric toothbrush I recommend is called the "Rotadent" which can only be sold and distributed by dental offices. They run around $100. I use one, and it's magical!
  
• If you have a toothache. That is bad news. lol. It probably will need a root canal. And afterwards, a build-up and crown. But call your dentist ASAP and get in.
  
• I can't stress enough the importance of follow-through. Follow through with your treatment plans! Ex: if you wait too long to have your fillings done, you'll end up with a root canal. Teeth that are broken may be saved with a crown, or they may need an extraction. It is especially important to follow-through when you have periodontal disease. You should visit your dentist every 3 months. If your visits, aren't consistent, you may end up having Root Planing again! $$$!!!
  
• Don't wait until you have a toothache to see the dentist. If you haven't been to one in 1-2 or more years with no pain, it's still a good idea to get a check-up.
  

Hello! So, a lot that’s gone on. Let’s show the past month in some pictures!

COMMENCEMENT – CLASS OF 2007