Help Us Support Hurricane Victims

As you may know, our country suffered two major hurricanes within weeks of each other. The victims in both Texas & Florida need our help.  As a team, we have a strong commitment to generosity and we asked ourselves how we could help all those in need in the affected areas. We know that many of our patients also have this same commitment, so we wanted to find an easy way for you to help. Its pretty simple... help us raise DONATIONS.  We will be partnering with International Aid out of Spring Lake, who has been busy sending supplies to affected areas.  Donations can be delivered at 3250 Central Blvd, Hudsonville, MI 49426. We will be taking donations until September 22nd. Supplies to donate include: (All items must be new and unopened) Personal Care & Toiletry Items: toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, diapers, baby wipes, baby powder. Clean Up Supplies: work gloves, mops, buckets, heavy-duty trash bags, tarps, coolers. Bedding: blankets, sheets, pillows, and pillow cases (MUST BE ALL NEW and UNUSED). Animal Food: cat and dog food. Unfortunately we are unable to accept: Opened, Expired, or Refrigerated Food Produce Prescription Medicines Clothing Used or Opened Personal Care Items and Toiletries For more information please click the link below. Learn More Keep Smiling,  Your Hudsonville Dental Team

Children's Dental Health Month

                                                                  

Did you know that it is Children's Dental Health Month?

Would you like to win a $50 gift card to Craig's Cruisers?

To celebrate Children's Dental Health Month we are running a Facebook contest for the month of February! We want you to show us your kids being silly while brushing their teeth. The winner of the contest will receive $50 to Craig's Cruisers. 

Here's how it works:

1. Like our page! 

Click here to see our Facebook Page!

2. Post a picture of your kid(s)being silly while brushing their teeth on our Facebook page 

3. Tag us!                                                   

4. Hashtag

‪#‎hudsonvilledentalkids             

5. Share this post. 

Here is the post to share!                                                                                                                                                                  

                          

                                                                  
Once you have completed those steps you will be entered to win! Our awesome staff will vote on who is the silliest, so make sure to do something fun! The winner will be announced February 29th.                                            

     
                                             

Would you like to share a smile with a soldier this Christmas?

Did you know that there are many United States Marines that never receive a care package from their family? Being a Marine, and accepting the job of protecting our nation, takes courage and strength. Here at Hudsonville Dental, we want to make sure that all Marines have something to look forward to this Holiday season. For this reason, we are sending 15 care packages to our Marines overseas, who would normally be empty handed on Christmas day.

In order to do this, we need your help! Any care package donation is a great way to give back to a soldier in need this Holiday season.

Items that are needed include:

Food and Goodies:

Hard candy, instant coffee, sunflower seeds, beef jerky, dried fruit and nuts, gum, pop tarts, drink packets, and other non-perishable snacks.

Hygiene:

Baby wipes, body wash, durable razors, hand sanitizer, loofahs, lip balm, sun screen, and shaving cream.

Entertainment:

Magazines, books, playing cards, rolling dice, dominoes, travel board games, water balloons, and stationary.

We greatly appreciate any donations. Remember, these commonly used items are a luxury for Marines. Any donation helps make a difference in their lives.  

To donate, you may drop off any items at:

Hudsonville Dental

3250 Central Blvd.

Hudsonville, MI 49426

Mon/Wed 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., Tues/Thurs 8 a.m.- 7 p.m., Fri 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.

If you have any questions regarding donations feel free to call us at:

616-669-6600

HALLOWEEN CANDY BUYBACK

Each year at Hudsonville Dental and Contemporary Family Dental we host a Halloween Candy Buy Back for the community.

2015 marks our 7th annual event!

The event is scheduled for Monday, November 2 from 3:00-6:00 p.m.

How it works: Kids can bring in any extra, unwanted Halloween Candy and we will buy it back from them for $1.00 per lb of candy (up to 5 pounds).

We then ship all the candy to an organization called Operation Gratitude, who then ships it to our troops overseas.

Kids are always welcome to write notes or draw pictures for our troops, which we send along with the candy.

Locations: 

Hudsonville Dental Associates
3250 Central Blvd.
Hudsonville, MI 49426                                                         

www.hudsonvilledental.com
616-669-6600  

Contemporary Family Dental

2005 Breton Rd SE

Grand Rapids, MI 49546

www.contemporaryfamilydental.com 

616-726-1271

Giving Smiles, Creating Hope winner #2!

Giving Smiles Creating Hope:

Meet Sandie, the winner of the next Giving Smiles, Creating Hope nomination!

We received multiple nominations to help her smile.  Here’s an excerpt from one of them:

“I don’t know anyone more deserving to get their smile back than Sandie DeHamer.  I have known Sandie for over 40 years.  She is always the cheerleader for anyone needing encouragement, always the first to volunteer to help any way she can for someone in need.  Now it is her time of need.

I am not sure how it happened since Sandie rarely talks about herself and never complains.  But I notice she has been covering her mouth when she smiles and it looks like she has a broken tooth.  I imagine she meant to get it fixed before her world started to turn upside down.

Being a Realtor the last several years has been difficult.  I know.  But for Sandie, the last few years has been one heartbreaking event after another.  She lovingly cared for both her dad then her mom when they fell ill and one after another passed away within a few months.  Shortly after, her husband was hospitalized with pneumonia and is now facing some major life health challenges himself.  Sandie never complains.  She is like an angel.  The only way you knew what she was going thru was because she would ask for prayers for her loved ones facing the major life challenges.  She has a faith so strong and love for God so deep, it is truly an inspiration. 

Please help our angel get her smile back!  She will take that smile and share it with the world, bringing hope to so many with that gift.  It is just who she is.

All the best,

Jan Norton Fairchild”

Another nomination Sandie received:

“Dear Dr. Dykstra and Staff,

I am writing on behalf of the letter I received in the mail, 2013 Giving Smiles, Creating Hope.  What a wonderful idea!

I am writing on behalf o my precious wife Sandie.

I can not think of anyone who is more deserving and in need of getting her smile back.

She came to your office last year for a teeth cleaning.  It was the first time in over 2 years that she had been to the dentist.  I brought her in, along with her mom for “moral” support since she has a fear of dental offices.

Her last 12 months have been full of taking care of her dad and mom, myself, my brother and her mom’s brother, who she has Power of Attorney for.

She received a phone call last year from her dad stating he and mom were in St. Mary’s Hosplital.  Her mom had just had a massive stroke.  It was touch and go for awhile, but her mom was stabilized and transferred a week later to Mary Free Bed for a long course of rehabilitation.  She had lost the ability to walk and talk.  Sandie’s family has a very strong faith.  They were in this for the long haul.  Sandie was a nurse for 22 years, so we the family relied on her heavily to advocate for her mom’s medical care and needs.

A week later while Sandie, myself and her dad were visiting her mom at Mary Free Bed, her dad started coughing  and had a severe shortness of breath episode… he could hardly walk.  Sandie ran to get a wheel chair for him.  Being a former nurse, her first thought went to pneumonia since it was cold and flu season, and her dad had a history of getting pneumonia in the winter months.  Against her dad’s objections, Sandie wheeled him over to St. Mary’s Emergency room from Mary Free Bed leaving a very worried mom behind who could not voice her fear.  Long story short, he was admitted to the hospital that night with what they thought was a very bad case of pneumonia.  Sandie asked for a secondary specialist she knew to come in and take a look at her dad.  After reviewing the x-rays, a biopsy was suggested.  The biopsy came back as Stage IV lung cancer with maybe 3-6 months for her dad to live.  Devastating news!  Her mom in Mary Free Bed with at least a year of rehab and her dad with terminal lung cancer.

Two weeks after that diagnosis, I got very sick and ended up being admitted to St. Mary’s for pneumonia.  Now she had 3 loved ones in the hospital.  1 month after that my brother Pete was hospitalized for pneumonia… now she had 4 of us.

The rest of her year was equally as bad.  Her dad ended up going home to Heaven March 16^th.  His one year anniversary is this Saturday.  Her mom came to live with us for 8 weeks after being discharged from the hospital.  She had another massive stroke and God called her home May 18^th.  I have been in the hospital 3 more times since last year for pneumonia and the flu virus.

She gave up working as a full time Realtor last January when her dad and mom were admitted to the hospital.  We decided it was more important for her parents to have their daughter with them.  She was in the hospital a total of 112 days last year with all of her loved ones, staying the night, going home long enough to get a change of clothes and shower.  She was her mom’s BEST cheerleader at all of her therapy sessions, cheering her on for everyone else to hear.  She even became other patient’s cheerleaders when they had no one there to encourage them.  It was a blessed year for both her parents and her, since precious time was spent together before God took them Home.

The long and short of this letter is to nominate her for the Giving Smiles and Creating Hope.

Sandie has no health insurance or dental insurance being a Realtor.  We do not have the funds for her to have either.  She is a diabetic so I worry about that the most, but she takes good care of herself and checks her sugars daily.

She cracked her tooth last year and has not had the money to have it repaired.  She did have one tooth pulled about 3 months ago because the pain was so bad.  The office you referred us to was full of grace and mercy and charged her the minimum fee.

I want her to be able to smile again without being self conscious and covering her mouth.  She has such a beautiful smile with her dimples.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and consider my wife for this incredible gift that you are giving.

Warmest Regards,

Roy DeHamer”

Sandie will be receiving over $5000 in free dental work to give her back her smile!

Halloween Candy Buy Back 2013

The 5th Annual Halloween Candy Buy Back is almost here!

Halloween Candy Buy Back:

Each year at Hudsonville Dental we host a Halloween Candy Buy Back for the community.

2013 marks our 5th annual event!

The event is scheduled for Friday, November 1 from 3:00-6:00 p.m.

How it works: Kids can bring in any extra, unwanted Halloween Candy and we will buy it back from them for $1.00 per lb of candy.

We then ship all the candy to an organization called Operation Gratitude, who then ships it to our troops overseas.

Kids are always welcome to write notes or draw pictures for our troops, which we send along with the candy.

Location: 

Hudsonville Dental Associates

3250 Central Blvd.

Hudsonville, MI 49426

www.hudsonvilledental.com

616-669-6600

Giving Smiles, Creating Hope

Giving Smiles, Creating Hope Update

Meet Courtney!  

Courtney is the winning patient of our first round of Giving Smiles, Creating Hope!  Here’s the nomination we received from her aunt:

“My name is Susan and I am one of your current patients. I would like to nominate my niece Courtney for dental care who cannot afford it! Courtney is a young 26-year-old single widow whose husband passed away just over a year ago. Courtney is the mother of three children.  Courtney has no home and is currently living with her parents, working on getting disability to this point, but no income, lost her medical insurance coverage, and went over a year ago to see a dentist who told her she has several cavities, but she had no way to pay for the dental repair to her teeth. Courtney has shared with me her teeth hurt really badly at times, but without any money, she cannot afford to have any dental work performed. Life has been so hard on my niece, she really deserves a break! Please have mercy on my niece, and seriously consider her for helping her and take some pain away from her life. Thanks for taking the time to read this note; Courtney could really use your help.”

Courtney has been in our office a couple of times now and we’ve started on her treatment!  She will be receiving over $6000 in dental care to get her mouth back into fantastic shape.  We’ll keep you posted as her treatment continues!

Giving Smiles, Creating Hope

If you haven't heard about our Giving Smiles, Creating Hope program, we encourage you to read about it below!  You can also watch the YouTube video Dr. Dykstra made talking about it.

We have received tons of nominations already but are still accepting more!

Giving Smiles, Creating Hope

You HAVE to read this story!  (But get a tissue first, because you just might cry!)

A few weeks ago, in mid-December, one of our wheelchair-bound patients came in to make a payment on his long-overdue bill.  While he was about to pay, another patient of ours was waiting for her sons to finish their dental appointments.  From the conversation between him and the receptionist, it was evident that he had had a few rough months between his car breaking down and other things that came up.  She stepped up and paid his entire $151 bill!  They didn’t know each other, and he first refused her help, but she simply said “Merry Christmas, I’ve got this.”

He shared this with us on our Facebook page later that day: “First time I almost cried at the dentist ....in a long time...and you know me..."the mayor of jibber jabber" first time I was speechless... your office is not only staffed and run by the nicest / understanding people in Gods wonderful world... you also have the kindest clients ever...ever...ever... if you can find it in your heart to put up with me..you have a loyal client for life.”

Needless to say, all of us became a bit teary-eyed when we were told about this wonderfully generous event that took place right in our office.

2013 Giving Smiles, Creating Hope

This also gives us a great way to introduce to you our 2013 Giving Smiles, Creating Hope mission.  Starting in January, we are going to select a deserving patient to provide with free dental work!  The goal will be to get one patient back to a healthy condition and then select another so we always have one ongoing.

BUT - In order to do this, WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We are asking you to nominate someone in need of dental care who simply cannot afford it for one reason or another and really deserves a break.  This person could just need a cleaning, a filling, or a whole new smile!  We ask you to share their story either by email, Facebook, or written letter.  The best story will be selected and that patient will receive dental care by our office. 

Feel free to share this opportunity with your friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc.  All nominations will be accepted!  You do not need to be a current patient to send in a nomination, or be a patient to be nominated!

The first round of nominations is due January 31, so send in your nomination immediately!

Please call us with any questions! 616-669-6600

How to Nominate Someone:

·         Your nomination can be either written or on video.

·         Send an email to: patientrelations@hudsonvilledental.com

·         Share on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/HudsonvilleDentalAssociates

·         Send a letter to:         Hudsonville Dental Associates

Attn: Giving Smiles, Creating Hope

3250 Central Blvd. 

Hudsonville, MI 49426

Top 10 Teeth Tips for Back to School

It's August, and that means just a few weeks before school starts up again!  Here are a few tips for this school year!

Top Ten Teeth Tips for Back to School

Teaching your kids good dental hygiene habits early on will not only ensure their oral health, reducing dental bills, but also their overall health! Help them get an A+ on their next dental report card:

 

1.    Bring your child to the dentist at least twice per year.  Keeping the mouth healthy is very important.  Toothaches in kids can cause them to miss school, which is never a good thing!

2.    Let your child choose his or her own toothbrush as long as it’s the proper size and soft bristled, it makes for a more enthusiastic brusher! Replace a toothbrush when it’s worn, bristles splayed, or after an illness.  NEVER share a toothbrush.

3.    Kids are sensitive to strong flavors and usually dislike adult toothpaste. Finding a flavor of children’s toothpaste they like will be trial & error but worth it in the long run.

4.    Using a 2 minute tooth brushing timer will help to keep track of the time and make sure they’re brushing for the recommended two minutes three times each day.

5.    Pack a nutritious lunch & snack. Fresh fruit, vegetables, and cheese are great choices. Cheese, like aged Cheddar, Swiss, and Monterey Jack, is especially good for teeth because it neutralizes acids. Avoid fruit juices & sodas because they are very acidic and erode tooth enamel. Also avoid foods that are sticky or chewy because they will cling to the tooth surface, allowing the bacteria in plaque to produce more acid.

6.    It’s unlikely that kids can brush their teeth after lunch. But a quick trip to the water fountain to rinse their mouths is almost as good!

7.    Floss picks make flossing easier for kids and come in fun flavors. Find one they like and the battle is almost won!  If you can’t get your kids to floss twice a day, make sure they floss before going to bed.

8.    Have your child wear a mouthguard while playing sports.  Protecting teeth during contact sports is very important to avoid broken or loose teeth.

9.    If your child gets hurt on the playground or bumps or breaks his or her teeth, call your dentist right away!  Some dental emergencies should be treated immediately to avoid long-term consequences. 

10. If your kids do chew gum, choose gum with xylitol in it, which can actually help prevent cavities from forming!

For more information, visit us online at www.hudsonvilledental.com

Summertime...

So summer seems to be charging ahead with full force.  It's been a hot one, and we hope you've been able to get out and enjoy it!

We know you're busy with summer activities like camping, going to the beach, family vacations, etc. but we urge you to always remember your teeth too!

As we head into August, keep in mind that this is a great time for your dental exam and cleaning!  Call us before we head into fall where schedules get more hectic with school, sports, and other activities.

Here's a photo of our sign on one of the hottest days this summer!

And remember, you can always visit us online at www.hudsonvilledental.com!

Nervous about your next dental visit?

Nitrous Oxide - Laughing Gas

If you’re a little nervous or anxious about your dental appointment, you don’t have to be!  We offer nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, to any of our patients who want to try it.  There is no fee for this, we just want you to be as comfortable as possible!

What is it?  Nitrous oxide is a gas which you can breathe in and out. It is colorless, sweet smelling, and non-irritating.  The best part is that it means safer, quicker, and more comfortable dental care for you!

Nitrous oxide allows you to relax, which can greatly reduce the fear, nervousness, and tension associated with dental procedures. You do, however, remain in complete control.  You are fully conscious and can follow directions easily.  While you may not burst out laughing, you should feel very relaxed and comfortable.

It works very fast!  Nitrous oxide reaches the brain in about 20 seconds, and it only takes about 2-3 minutes to completely relax.

The amount of sedation can be changed very easily, by turning the amount of nitrous up or down.  The effects are almost instantaneous.  Other forms of sedation have more of a fixed duration of time because the effects of pills or IV sedation have a specific amount of time needed to run their course.  Nitrous can be administered only when needed and turned off as soon as the procedure is done.

When we do turn off the nitrous, we will then switch it to all oxygen.  The nitrous dissipates very quickly and you are able to go right back to your daily activities, such as work or school.  

We're giving away an Apple iPad!

Yes, you read correctly, we are giving away an iPad to ONE lucky patient.

We will be holding a drawing on October 1st for this fantastic prize to be won by one of our patients.

How do you enter?

Well, it's actually very easy!  All you have to do is tell a friend or family member about our office and have them schedule an appointment.  When they come in for their new patient appointment, you will be entered into the drawing!  Just make sure they give us your name so we know who to thank!

When you refer a second patient to our office, your name will be put in two additional times.  For the third patient, three additional times, etc.

And that's not all!  We appreciate your referrals so much that you will also receive a special thank you gift from our office as well!

Chewing Your Baby's Food?

Some of you may have seen the Today show feature on Alicia Silverstone chewing food and then transferring it to her child.  (Video below)


Other than just plain being gross, it's not good for the child's teeth!


Evidence has proven that the transmission of saliva from a parent to child, between spouses, etc. can be harmful to their teeth!  Parents with active tooth decay can pass the Streptococcus mutans bacteria through their saliva and give their children cavities!


Dentists and other healthcare professionals advise against sharing utensils, kissing your child on the lips, and even blowing on their food.


For more info on this, read this article on how Mom's kiss can spread cavities. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35989527/ns/health-oral_health/t/moms-kiss-can-spread-cavities-baby/#.T3MVCWFNATY

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Free Oral Cancer Screening Day!

We're doing it again!  Our third annual oral cancer screening day will be held on Friday, April 13 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Everyone is welcome, and you don't even need an appointment!

The office of Hudsonville Dental Associates has partnered with The Oral Cancer Foundation in honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month and will be offering free oral cancer screenings on April 13 to the public.  Oral cancer has existed outside the understanding of much of the public, yet 37,000 Americans will be newly diagnosed this year alone. We would like to invite everyone to our office to get a free oral cancer screening in an effort to raise awareness for this silent killer.

These screenings are more important now than ever because oral cancer is on the rise. There are two distinct pathways by which most people come to oral cancer. One is through the use of tobacco and alcohol, a long term historic problem and cause, and the other is through the exposure to the HPV-16 virus, which is now the leading cause of oral cancers in the US. Today, we are seeing young, non-smoking individuals as the fastest growing segment of the oral cancer population. When found early, oral cancers have an 80% survival rate. Unfortunately, the majorities are found as late stage cancers and this accounts for the very high death rate of about 45% at five years from diagnosis. Late stage diagnosis is not occurring because these cancers are hard to discover, it is because of a lack of public awareness and a lack of a national program for opportunistic screenings.

Oral cancer is not a rare disease. It kills one person every hour of every day in the US, and 100 new individuals will be diagnosed each day with oral cancer. These staggering statistics make these free events crucial, as awareness of the disease and its risk factors in the US population is so low. Please don’t miss out on this opportunity for a free oral cancer screening. 

For more information, visit our website at: http://www.hudsonvilledental.com/leftmenu/oral-cancer-screening-event/

Evidence Based Dentistry Seminar

Dr. Dykstra was recently part of a select group of 100 dentists and educators at a recent conference on Evidence Based Dentistry held at the American Dental Association Headquarters in Chicago. 

Evidence Based Dentistry in summary is choosing the best diagnostic methodologies, clinical treatment options, and dental materials based on the latest and highest level of scientific evidence, not tradition, manufacturers' recommendations, or the way things always have been done.

This latest relevant evidence is then combined with the dentist's clinical experience and expertise and the patient's preferences and needs to achieve the best treatment and outcome for the patient.

The two main objectives achieved were learning how to look at all the historical and present information analytically and disseminating this information to dental colleagues.

EBD is a method to stay up to date on the current science.

 The ADA definition:  Evidence-based dentistry (EBD) is an  approach to oral health care that requires the judicious integration of systematic assessments of clinically relevant scientific evidence, relating to the patient’s oral and medical condition and history, with the dentist’s clinical expertise and the patient’s treatment needs and preferences.

Stem Cells from Teeth?

Did you know that saving stem cells from teeth could possibly help to protect your family's health?

New methods are developing to preserve your teeth so the stem cells can be used later.

So far, dental stem cells have successfully been used to regrow jaw bone and to treat periodontal disease.
Researchers and doctors are working in the regenerative medicine arena with the goal of improving treatment or therapies for:
1. Tooth loss and periodontal disease
2. Skeletal bone loss/fractures
3. Muscular Dystrophy
4. Parkinson's Disease
5. Spinal Cord Injury
6. Type 1 Diabetes
7. Stroke
8. Alzheimers
9. Heart attacks
10. Diabetes

Want to learn more?  Visit us online at www.hudsonvilledental.com or www.store-a-tooth.com

Healthy Habits for Kids can Affect School Performance!

Healthy Teeth & Healthy Habits Can Improve School Performance

Quick Tips for Parents:

1. Limit your child’s access to sugary drinks.
2. Provide your child with healthy snacks and limit the number of snacks.
3. Ensure that your child brushes and flosses regularly and visits the dentist twice a year.
4. Ask your school what kind of snacks and drinks are provided and encourage them to offer healthy alternatives.
5. Make sure your child gets adequate physical activity.
6. Make sure your child has a healthy breakfast to start the day right.
7. Set a positive example yourself!

Tips for Parents: Keep Your Child's Smile Healthy

Quick Tips to Keep Your Child’s Smile Healthy!

• Avoid giving your child sweetened liquids.
• Brush your child’s teeth twice a day and floss once a day.
• Make sure your child gets enough fluoride.
• Start regular dental visits around 18-24 months of age.
• Ask your dentist for advice on sealants and mouthguards.
• Let your dentist know about your child’s health.
• Set a good example for your child! 

Visit us Online at www.hudsonvilledental.com!

Tips for Parents: Your Child's First Dental Visit

Your Child's First Dental Visit

Many parents ask us when they should start taking their child to the dentist.  We recommend doing a "tiny tots" visit anywhere from age 1-2.  At the visit, you and your child will meet with one of our hygienists and one of our doctors.  These early childhood dental visits will allow us to monitor the teeth for signs of decay and monitor the progress and potential problems with emerging teeth.  We will also discuss proper brushing techniques and give tips for home care, as well as making sure your child receives the proper amount of fluoride.  We try to make the first visit a fun experience for your child!

www.hudsonvilledental.com

Tips for Parents: Toothbrushing

Toothbrushing from Day One

Here at Hudsonville Dental, we encourage you to take care of your child’s teeth from day one.  Infant gums should be wiped with clean gauze after all feedings.  Once the first tooth has emerged, begin brushing your child’s teeth and gums with a soft bristled toothbrush and a little water.  Lots of new types of toothbrushes and safety brushes for infants and toddlers are available so experiment until you find the right one for you and your child.  When your child is able to hold the toothbrush and tries to brush themselves, supervise carefully and then brush again for them to make sure every surface has been brushed.  As they learn how to brush, begin using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and teach them to spit out the toothpaste and rinse well with water.  Toddlers, and even infants who are teething, may enjoy the soothing vibrations of an electric toothbrush.  Select one with a smaller head made for young children.  Many even include timers so the brush turns off automatically when brushing time is over.  Help your child

build healthy teeth and healthy habits!