Beaumont Family Dentistry - February 2020

BEAUMONT’S Beautiful Smiles

FEB 2020

BEAUMONT 3141 Beaumont Centre Circle, Suite 300 Lexington, KY 40513 (859) 554-1772 LEESTOWN 100 Trade Street, Suite 175 Lexington, KY 40511 (859) 554-1772 HAMBURG 2408 Sir Barton Way, Suite 225 Lexington, KY 40509 (859) 554-1612

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A LOVE OF LEARNING AND PEOPLE LED TO A LIFETIME CAREER

with the team and learning from Dr. Takacs. She has always enjoyed pushing me out of my comfort zone, and I am a better dentist today because of it. She continues to challenge me, along with the entire team, to keep learning. I really enjoy being able to work with my hands and the artistry that is involved in everything we do, but my passion lies with my patients. I would say that my favorite thing about this career is my patients. I love getting to know them, and over time, they become family to me. I find myself looking forward to their six-month appointments so we can discuss what magic Christmas had for them, if the new baby is a girl or a boy, or how the wedding was. I feel like we all get to grow together and tighten our bonds over the years. I love celebrating milestones with them, and I enjoy laughing with them. I see my patients as people first, patients second. However, I would not be able to take care of these wonderful people if it wasn’t for the amazing support of the team I have behind me. I have the pleasure of working with some of the most skilled, talented, and amazing people you could ever meet. We all share a common goal: to provide the best care possible to all of our patients. We push ourselves to always do better, to learn more, and to make the impossible happen. There is no way any one of us could do this alone.

When patients ask how I decided to become a dentist, I actually have to admit that dentistry found me. It was not a field that I knew much about other than all the time I spent at the dentist’s as a child. Lucky for me, my dentist was Dr. Takacs, and she saw something in me and encouraged me to look into the field. When I was just 16 years old, she offered me a summer job working in her office. I was able to experience all the aspects of the dental world that summer, from greeting patients to working with the doctor. While sitting with the patients, I discovered my love for dentistry. Having the chance to work alongside Dr. Takacs and her wonderful team was a blessing, and I was quickly enamored with the world of dentistry. She made sure to always challenge me and encourage me through the tough times. I will always remember her telling me that learning was my first job. It was up to me to see how much I could gain from that. It did not take long for me to decide that this was the career path I wanted. And the rest really is history. After completing my studies at the University of Kentucky, I was able to work with some remarkable people, but I was thirsty for more knowledge. When the opportunity arose to rejoin Beaumont Family Dentistry, I jumped at the chance. I equate it with coming home again after 10 years. It was wonderful reconnecting

If I had to choose what I love the most about dentistry, I’d have an easy answer. It is giving someone their smile back. A smile is such a powerful thing. This seems so simple for many of us, but if you hide your smile due to pain, embarrassment, or fear, just imagine what it can feel like to finally smile with confidence again. The moment when a person sees that beautiful smile looking back at them in the mirror is so powerful. And chances are, I’m going to cry tears of joy with them.

–Dr. Jill Miller

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OUR LEESTOWN TEAM THE CARE WE GIVE ALL OUR PATIENTS AND TEAM MEMBERS

In a 2008 survey conducted by the National Trust in Britain, children were more likely to correctly identify a Dalek from “Doctor Who” than a barn owl. Likewise, a 2010 Kaiser Family Foundation study of 8–18-year-olds in the U.S. found that the average youth spends more than 53 hours a week engaged with entertainment media. These statistics, coupled with growing concerns that children are spending less time outdoors, are leading to terms like “nature deficit disorder” and global initiatives to get kids outside. Why is contact with the outdoors so important? Researchers are answering this question by studying the benefits of time spent in nature. One benefit is that outdoor time helps kids understand boundaries and learn how to assess risk. As naturalist, author, and broadcaster Stephen Moss puts it, “Falling out of a tree is a very good lesson in risk-reward.” Not to mention, time in nature may help improve focus for hyperactive kids. In one national study of youths by the University of Illinois, participants’ attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms were reduced after spending time in a green setting versus a more urban one. This may be due to the fact that natural environments call upon our “soft fascination,” a less exhausting type of focus than what is required by urban environments. Emotional benefits were discovered too, including reduced aggression, increased happiness, and improved self-esteem. Beyond just getting outside, the type of contact we have with nature also matters. Visits to nature centers and watching “Planet Earth” are two ways to experience the outdoors. But research points specifically to the importance of free play in the natural world: unstructured outdoor time when children can explore and engage with their natural surroundings with no curriculum, lesson, or activity to complete. Ever notice how kids are fascinated by the simplest things? A child visits a rose garden, but before they even get to the flowers, they become captivated by a leaf on the ground or an ant crawling on their shoe. Children are born naturalists. These are the moments we need to recapture. Take a page out of that kid’s book, and as the saying goes, stop and smell the roses — or leaves or ants — with no checklist and no plan, just time spent playing outside. SCIENCE WANTS YOU TO STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES THE BENEFITS OF SPENDING TIME OUTSIDE

Building trusting and lasting relationships with our patients is a big part of what we do here at Beaumont

Family Dentistry. Emily, one of our Leestown office administrators, loves the opportunity to meet and talk with everyone who comes through our doors. “We have a variety of patients at our office, and getting to know them is something we thoroughly enjoy. We have several long-term patients that have become like family to us. It’s really incredible.” The Leestown office has three individuals working at the front desk to ensure our patients feel welcome and that their billing and insurance needs are met. The five hygienists and three assistants who work side by side with our dentists, Dr. Erica Higginbotham and Dr. Jill Miller, ensure that our patients receive the best care while they support one another, as well. “From the beginning,” Emily says, “Beaumont Family Dentistry always felt like home. Everybody was just genuinely kind. This is the first team I’ve been a part of where everyone works so well together. We are a family. The support and respect that is shown by each of our team members is immeasurable. Everyone jumps in to help when and where it is needed, without being asked.” That same support and care are what we incorporate in every aspect of our practice. This type of atmosphere helps our patients relax and feel reassured. At each of our offices, our teams care deeply for one another and our patients. It’s our goal to take care of every person who walks through our doors and ensure they leave with a smile.

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NATIONAL CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH

THE IMPORTANCE OF CELEBRATING

In addition to these resources, there are many other ways parents and guardians can participate. Before heading out for the day or crawling into bed, make a fun activity out of brushing and flossing your teeth with the kids. By engaging in the same habit at the same time, you’re giving them a chance to learn firsthand and see that adults care about their teeth, too. Another great way to promote dental health for NCDHM is to schedule a dentist appointment for your child. Making sure your child has regular visits to the dentist ensures optimum oral health and teaches them how vital these visits are. To schedule an appointment for your child, visit us at BeaumontFamilyDentistry.com.

Dental hygiene is essential for overall health, especially for children. Kids have an easier time developing healthy habits that will benefit them for the rest of their lives, so it is important to teach kids how to maintain proper dental health, like brushing and flossing twice a day. However, ensuring kids take care of their teeth can be quite a challenge for parents. Luckily, February is National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM)! This month spreads awareness about oral health and is the perfect time to encourage children to be more aware of what goes on in their mouths. The American Dental Association first celebrated dental health for kids on Feb. 8, 1949. It has since swept through the nation and taken over the entire month of February. The ADA created NCDHM to give parents, caregivers, and teachers the resources they need to teach and encourage oral care in younger generations. These resources include flyers, posters, activity sheets for kids, and useful planning timetable tips, all of which can be found on the 2020 NCDHM Program Planning Guide at ADA.org/NCDHM.

INSPIRATION

VEGAN BANANA PANCAKES

INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS

1. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. 2. In a separate bowl, whisk bananas, soy milk, maple syrup, oil, and vanilla together. 3. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir. Don’t overmix. Lumps are okay. 4. Spray a heated pancake griddle with cooking spray, and scoop 1/4 cup of the mixture onto the griddle. Repeat until the griddle is filled. 5. After 3 minutes or when bubbles appear, flip each pancake. 6. After each pancake has risen to double its initial height, remove from griddle. Repeat as necessary until batter is gone. 7. Serve with your favorite toppings!

• • • • • • • • •

1 1/2 cups flour

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 extra ripe bananas, mashed

1 cup soy milk

2 tbsp maple syrup

2 tbsp coconut oil, melted

1 tsp vanilla extract

Cooking spray

Inspired by My Darling Vegan

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

3141 BEAUMONT CENTRE CIRCLE STE. 300 LEXINGTON, KY 40513

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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1 Finding My Calling in Dentistry 2 Stop and Smell the Roses A True Family Workplace 3 Promoting Our Children’s Oral Health

Vegan Banana Pancakes

4 Give the Gift of Life

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE

FEB. 14 IS NATIONAL DONOR DAY

together and keep hope alive for those who are currently waiting for a donation. To learn more, or to register for an event, check out DonorAlliance.org. PARTICIPATE IN #STARTTHECONVERSATION. Donor Alliance, a nonprofit that works to promote organ donation, began the #StartTheConversation campaign as a way to help spread awareness about organ and tissue donation. Starting the conversation can be as simple as sharing that you registered with your friends and family or as personal as sharing a story about how organ donation has touched your life or the lives of your loved ones. Don’t let another Valentine’s Day come and go in a tide of cellophane, candy hearts, and cheesy cards. This year, get involved in National Donor Day. After all, what better way is there to express the value of love than to give the gift of life?

donation offers a pathway to help prevent that loss and keep more love in the world.

In the spirit of that love, here are a few ways you can get involved with National Donor Day this Feb. 14. REGISTER AS AN ORGAN DONOR. Signing yourself up is easy and can be done either online or in person at your local Department of Motor Vehicles. You’ll need official identification to register. Registration is not permanent and you will always have the option to change your mind. Once registered, you will not need to carry your donor card with you, as your status exists in the registry. JOIN A DONOR DASH. Donor Dash fundraising events pop up all over the country on National Donor Day. These noncompetitive 5K running and walking events are designed to bring donors and recipients

With all the cards, chocolates, and expensive dinners, it’s easy to get cynical about Valentine’s Day. However, National Donor Day also falls on Feb. 14, and it can refocus our attention back on the real meaning of the day: love. In the U.S., 20 people die each day while waiting for an organ transplant. Losing loved ones is one of the most painful aspects of the human experience, and while it is unavoidable, organ

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