Eagle Dental December 2018

BIRDSEYE VIEW

DEC 2018

eagleidahodental.com 151 N. StiermanWay, Eagle, ID (208) 939-4111

MY BIG PRESENT THIS YEAR

A Chance to Unwind

Everyone says that renovation projects always take longer than you expect. It turns out they aren’t kidding. Our office renovation has been quite the process, full of delays and hiccups. Finally, though, the upgrades and spruces are complete, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. In a sense, the renovations are a gift to our patients and a way to say thanks for all they’ve contributed to the practice over the years. We’re not raising prices in order to pay for the project, because we believe our patients deserve the best. It’s our responsibility to provide the best care and comfort without putting undue financial burden on the people who walk through our doors. We’re fortunate to be in the position to do just that, which makes all the effort more than worth it. That being said, I’m certainly excited to get back to being a dentist for the entirety of the work day. Over the past fewmonths, I’ve had to wear the hats of handyman, interior designer, and foreman. At first, these added roles were exciting and fun, but I was more than ready to retire from them once the renovations were complete. After all, the chance to do cabinetry work was not one of the reasons I pursued dentistry.

fabric options. The removal of that stress is also a gift for my wife, Meredith, who won’t have to hear about me fretting about dental chairs during Christmas dinner. In the Thomason family, the holidays this year will be all about spending our first Christmas in our new home. That’s a major milestone, one which we hope to commemorate with plenty of hot cocoa, Christmas movies, and quality time together. Now that it’s December, I’m 100 percent in the spirit, but I was a little worried when the kids wanted to put up Christmas decorations as soon as the Halloween ones went down. A person can only watch “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” so many times, and I didn’t want to be burned out on cheer before the big day itself. As I look back on the year, I realize howmonumental it’s been. Frommoving into a new house to putting a personal stamp on the practice, I’ve never felt more at home in Eagle. A lot of the credit for that goes to the team and patients at Eagle Dental Care, the people who’ve become my friends and neighbors. I am so grateful for all you do and want to send my warmest holiday wishes to all of you. I hope you enjoy the photos of our newand improved office that accompany this article. It may look great now, but it took a lot of work to get here. Thanks for hanging in therewith us during the process. –Dr. Chris Thomason P.S. If you or someone you know is without dental insurance or are fed up dealing with dental care insurance, call our office starting January 2019 to learn more about our savings/discount programs!

While the renovations themselves are a gift for patients and teammembers, seeing them completed is probably the biggest present I’ll receive this year. I can’t tell you how elated I was to see everything come together, especially because there were days when I thought it would never be done. Finishing up before the holidays was wonderful, as it gave me the chance to relax and unwind without worrying about deliveries, loose screws, and

1

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com

(208) 939-4111

3 WAYS TO USE LEFTOVER CANDY DURING THE OH-SO-SWEET HOLIDAY SEASON

BAKEWITH IT. Whether you have an excess of candy corn or candy bars, you can bake with your sweet leftovers. The next time you make chocolate chip cookies, swap out the chocolate chips for candy corn. Or the next time you make brownies, chop up leftover candy bars and add them to the batter. From peanut butter cups to mint patties, there are so many different types of candies that can take traditional baked goods to the next level. STORE IT. Although not great for you, candy is fine to eat in moderation. A good way to moderate your holiday treat intake is to store your leftover sweets in the freezer. That way, you can pull a little from your supply each month to make sure you aren’t overdoing it. That said, be sure to check the expiration dates on all candy you save.

Sometimes we get a little too much of the sweet stuff. Between Halloween and New Year’s Day, candy is everywhere. It’s at home, at work, and on store shelves. Then, as the year comes to an end, many people start thinking about eating right and losing weight. When those are your New Year’s resolutions, you have to do something about all the leftover candy so it’s not around come Jan. 1.

Here are a few ways to get rid of your leftover candy ASAP.

DONATE IT. While you may have an abundance of sweets, not everyone does. Consider donating wrapped and packaged candy to your local food bank or other nonprofits, including local homeless or women’s shelters. You can also look into donating candy to nearby schools. Many teachers will gladly take candy off your hands to reward students (or themselves) with treats throughout the rest of the school year.

Say Hello to Our NewHygienist

INTRODUCING ASCHLI When I was hired at Eagle Dental Care, nobody told me that one of the perks would be a chance to share my thoughts with our patients each month in a newsletter article. Once I heard about it, though, I was pretty excited. I don’t think I’ve ever been featured in any type of publication before, so I’m thrilled to have a place to talk about my career, good oral- care habits, and whatever else is on my mind.

Since this is my shot at an article, I figured it would be best to tell you a little about myself. I started here in November, bringing with me more than a decade of experience in the dental profession. I began when I was 19 and worked for 10 years as an assistant. Eventually, I decided to go back to school and become a hygienist. I got my certificate from Carrington College in 2014, followed by a bachelor’s fromDeVry in 2016. All the while, I’ve enjoyed learning more about dentistry and sharing what I learn with my patients. Because building real relationships with patients is one of my favorite things about my job, I knew Eagle Dental Care would be a great fit for me. Dr. Thomas and his team adopt a patient-focused approach when it comes to every aspect of the practice. It’s amazing to be a part of, and I can’t wait to meet all the wonderful people who will come into the office over the coming months.

Outside of work, I’m an avid outdoors lover and fitness buff. When I’m not running the trails, you can probably find me at the gym. I have two wonderful boys, Cooper and Bowen, who are developing into quite the little football players. I love to watch them play and have fun with them. It will be a busy holiday season for us, with a lot of traveling from place to place, but we’re really looking forward to it. Speaking of things I’m looking forward to, I’m so happy to be part of the team here at Eagle Dental Care. Thank you to all the staff and patients for making me feel so welcome.

2

2

eagleidahodental.com

Don’t Leave Your Benefits on the Naughty List!

Don’t wait until the new year! Your dental benefits expire at the end of the year! Now is the time to schedule an appointment, because once your benefits are gone, they’re gone for good. Remember all the money you paid to your insurance premiums this year? Failing to use your dental benefits means all that money goes to waste. You paid for it, now use it! Call us to schedule your appointment today! This time of year, appointments fill up fast. Reserve your spot before it’s too late. The longer you wait, the more you’ll risk having to spend time away from the things you love most this holiday season. You can even call us after hours. Leave a message, and we’ll take care of you. Take advantage of your dental benefits today. If you don’t use ‘em, you lose ‘em!

151 N Stierman Way Eagle, ID 83616 (208) 939-4111

B y scheduling today, you will be ready for holiday parties and the photo opportunities that come with them. If that’s not enough incentive, here are a few of our top reasons to smile: • Peppermint-flavored everything • Dec. 26th Holiday Sales • Nostalgia! Where did this wonderful year go? • Winter activities for every skill level, from snowman building to extreme skiing • Cozying up with your favorite hot beverage • The three holiday F’s: family, friends, and food • It gets above freezing most days • Generosity! Did you know charitable giving increases by 150 percent during December? • Your dental benefits haven’t expired yet, but they will soon! Don’t forget your benefits expire on Dec. 31st. It will be here before you know it! There are 100 reasons to smile this holiday season.

Call our office as soon as possible, so you don’t miss out on your ideal appointment time and run the risk of wasting all your hard-earned dental benefits.

HOWTOMAKE YOUR BENEFITS COUNT

EFFECTIVE DENTAL INSURANCE STRATEGIES

SCHEDULE FOLLOW-UPS There’s never a better time to schedule your next appointment than when you’re still in the chair. Talk to your doctor about your dental needs, and work with them to determine when your next appointment should be. Doing this can ensure you stay on track with your care and make the most of your dental plan. LOOK TO THE FUTURE While the window to use your 2018 benefits may be closing, you may soon have an opportunity to change or alter your existing plan. During open enrollment period, you might be able to switch to a different level of coverage within your employer’s plan or shop around for individual coverage. Talking to your dentist or orthodontist about your specific needs and risk factors can give you a better idea of the type of plan that will work best for you in the future. You work hard for your insurance and should take advantage of your benefits. Being proactive about your dental health and determining the best plan for your future needs can help you save money and get the most out of your coverage. Above all, remember that the only thing worse than being overinsured is being underinsured.

The end of the year often coincides with dental insurance benefit deadlines. If you get your insurance through your employer, it may be a good idea to review your plan and ensure you’re getting the most out of your benefits. Even if you can’t get penciled in for an appointment this late in the year, you can make a plan for next year that puts your premiums to good use. Here are some tips for making the most of your dental insurance. BE PROACTIVE Many dental plans offer full coverage for preventive care such as cleanings. Not only does this minimize your out-of-pocket contributions, but it keeps more severe (and expensive) health issues from arising. Annual cleanings are a great way to put your benefits to use while staying two steps ahead of cavities and gum disease.

HOLIDAY ROAST PRIME RIB

LAUGHING GAS

INGREDIENTS

Inspired by Food Network

•

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

•

1 bone-in prime rib (6–7 pounds)

•

8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

•

•

2 cups red wine

•

4 cups beef stock

INSTRUCTIONS

1. 30 minutes before cooking, remove roast from fridge and let sit until it reaches room temperature. 2. Heat oven to 350 F. 3. Make small slits in prime rib and stuff with slices of garlic. Liberally season with salt and pepper. 4. Place a rack inside a roasting pan and roast prime rib for 2 hours, until medium-rare. 5. To make au jus, place roasting pan with drippings from roast over 2 burners on high. Add wine and scrape pan as liquid reduces. Add beef stock and cook until reduced by half. Finally, sprinkle in thyme. 6. Slice roast and serve topped with au jus.

3

(208) 939-4111

eagleidahodental.com (208) 939-4111

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

151 N. StiermanWay Eagle, ID 83616

Our Renovations Are Finally Done page 1 page 2 page 2 page 3 page 3 page 4 INSIDE The Best Ways to Use Leftover Candy Meet Our NewHygienist Effective Dental Insurance Strategies Holiday Roast Prime Rib Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

From the Thomason Family to yours

4

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com

eagleidahodental.com