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/