Premier Dental - December 2020

Premier Dental - December 2020

PREMIER DENTAL N EWS L E T T E R

EDITION 22

609.298.1124 WWW.BORDENTOWNDENTIST.COM

Don’t Delay Treatment — You Have Options

VISIT OUR OFFICE AT:

A Guide to Premier Dental’s Financing Payment Plans Often, patients defer treatment due to financial concerns. While this is understandable, it is not always the best course of action, financially or clinically. Postponing treatment typically worsens the complications of your dental issue and increases both the complexity of treatment and the cost.

You can apply for Care Credit in our office or from the privacy of your home. There is a simple one-page paper form to fill out. Applicants will need their name, residential address, details on whether they rent or own a home, their monthly income, and their Social Security number. We then send the application to Care Credit either online or via phone, and the company usually has a decision within minutes. If your credit score is low or unsatisfactory, you can have a co-signer on the application to boost your chance for approval. If your application is denied, we at the office will never be told why your application for Care Credit was denied, but the company will mail you a form letter explaining their reasons.

321 FARNSWORTH AVENUE, BORDENTOWN, NJ 08505

609.298.1124

If it is your budget that’s preventing you from seeking treatment, we want you to know that we can help. We have three financing options that can make dental care possible, and we’re always willing to work with you.

OFFICE STAFF: PATIENT COORDINATOR MICHELE DENTAL

(Note: We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover cards as well as personal checks.)

1. Pay-as-You-Go: Just as the name suggests, patients make payments as their treatment is completed in phases. For example, let’s say you need a crown. This requires two appointments three weeks apart. You would pay half of your payment during the first appointment and the balance during the second appointment. 2. In-Office Financing: This is an internal process that doesn’t require a credit check. Interested patients fill out a

If approved, you will then be given an account number with which you can make payments at the office immediately. Care Credit will also mail you a card within 2–3 weeks.

ASSISTANT CATHLEEN HYGIENISTS CHARLENE JULIA PRACTICE MANAGER PETER

The financing terms can be on a 6- or 12-month interest-free basis. There is zero interest if you make payments promptly. There is also no penalty for paying in full

earlier than the scheduled due date. Needless to say, this is one of the more popular payment options for our patients.

credit card authorization form to pay for treatment over three months, and we will charge on the 1st or the 15th of each month. For example, if a patient is billed $900 for treatment, they could pay this off — interest-free — over the next three months at $300 per month. 3. Care Credit : Our office has also offered Care Credit for the past 20 years. Care Credit is from Synchrony, one of the largest and most popular health care credit cards in the nation. It’s widely used at doctors’ offices as well as at veterinary clinics.

Those interested in Care Credit for larger amounts can also opt for 24- or 36-month financing terms. This could reduce the monthly payments to fit your budget, but it does involve interest. These plans are an unsecured loan without collateral, so the interest rate will be on the higher side. (It’s often similar to credit card company

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DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

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Meet Kismet, a Dentist’s Toothless Therapy Dog

Therapy pets can have a powerful impact on dental patients, especially if those patients have anxiety.

“The studies are very clear: People who sit and pet animals have lower blood pressure, and that’s what it’s all about,” Dr. Cameron Garrett told TODAY when the world found out about Kismet. Garret’s dental practice employs the adorable 13-year-old Chihuahua rescue as a therapy animal that patients can hold and pet while they get dental work done. Kismet’s life has not been easy. The Muttville Senior Dog Rescue has invested thousands of dollars into Kismet’s health — they diagnosed her with heart disease, removed a cancerous tumor, treated a hernia, and removed all of her teeth due to periodontal disease. Yet, Kismet remains a very sweet dog. She never barks and loves back scratches and being held. It’s especially amazing that the toothless Kismet found such a perfect new home with dental professionals! This past July, Cameron Garrett and his wife, Debra Garrett (a hygienist), adopted Kismet into their home as well as their dental practice. The serene dog has provided a special experience for patients who come for exams, cleanings, and even root canals. Of course, some patients are scared of dogs. In those cases, Kismet relaxes behind a closed gate. But over 98% of patients happily take Kismet on their laps while they undergo their dental procedure.

Cameron Garrett told CNN, “Quite honestly, as a dentist, I’m as much a psychiatrist or psychologist as anything else. Kismet has allowed us to have another tool in our toolbox.” They can even use the toothless pup’s story to teach patients about the effects of periodontal disease. Getting love from patients also helps Kismet. “She just wants to be with us,” Debra Garrett explained. The new owners suspect that she was abused in the past and is still recovering from that trauma. “When she is on a patient’s lap, she’s providing them comfort, but she’s also getting comfort. It’s hard for me to describe how nice it is for me to be looking at her while I’m working. It’s just a win-win all the way around.”

Our hearts are officially melted. It’s only fitting for a pet hero to have heroic owners, too!

Creating the Perfect Snowball Fight

4. Cut between the two knots to snip off a tied-off snowball. Repeat these steps until you have at least a few dozen, but if you’re patient enough to make 100 or more, you’ll have ample supply for a substantial encounter. How to Play There’s really no “right” way to have a snowball fight. It’s often just about who can hit whom the most, but if you want to turn it into a measurable competition, divide your group into two teams and WITH NO SNOW AT ALL

n old-fashioned snowball fight is the epitome of winter activities. But if snowfall is lacking or it’s just too cold to venture outside and hurl freezing balls of ice at each other, don’t let it dampen your spirits. You can create and orchestrate your own indoor, snow-free, and entirely safe snowball fight.

Make Your Snowballs While craft stores sell large white cotton puffs that look like snowballs, they’re too light to get any good velocity behind them. Instead, make your own “snowballs” with just a few materials in four easy steps:

distribute the snowballs evenly between them. Then create boundaries for each team by laying down masking tape across the room. Teams must stay on their side of the line at all times. Set a timer for however long you’d like the fight to go on, and at your signal, teams can start hurling snowballs across the room at one another. When time is up, gather and count the snowballs on each side, and the team with the fewest snowballs is the winner! A crafty indoor snowball fight can be a lot of fun for people of all ages, not just kids. Best of all, the crafting part is something you only have to do once, and then you have a stock of snowballs for every winter to come.

1. You’ll need a pair of scissors, several pairs of cheap white nylon stockings (one pair can make about 10 snowballs) and a bag of polyester fiberfill, like Poly-Fil, or use the stuffing from a few old stuffed animals you no longer want.

2. Stuff a handful of the filling down into the end of one stocking leg and tie a knot, creating a round “snowball.”

3. Make another knot after the one you just

made, leaving a little space between the two knots.

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609.298.1124

DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

609.298.1124 WWW.BORDENTOWNDENTIST.COM

321 FARNSWORTH AVENUE BORDENTOWN, NJ 08505

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! Don’t forget your benefits expire on Dec. 31. It will be here before you know it! Call our office as soon as possible at 609.298.1124 or visit our website at BordentownDentist.com, so you don’t miss out on your ideal appointment time and run the risk of wasting all your hard-earned dental benefits. Please note the office is closed from Dec. 24, 2020, to Jan. 3, 2021, for Christmas and New Year holidays. Office will reopen on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.

Thumbsucking And Your Child’s Oral Health

Inspired by BoulderLocavore.com Festive Apple Cider

If you’re cutting back on calories, skip the eggnog and buttered rum this year and fill up your mug with this delicious mulled cider!

Ingredients

When a child is upset, a common reflex is to start sucking their thumb or reach for a pacifier. While this may bring them (and you!) short-term comfort, thumbsucking can also damage their teeth.

• 2 tsp allspice berries • 1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp honey • 3 cinnamon sticks

• 1 lemon • 1 gallon pure apple cider • 1 large orange, thinly sliced crosswise • 2 tsp whole cloves

Understand the impact of sucking on a pacifier or thumb.

As infants, thumbsucking isn’t necessarily a problem. However, if a child develops a habit of sucking their thumb or a pacifier when their permanent teeth begin to come in, it can quickly cause issues. Constant sucking on a thumb or pacifier impacts the proper alignment of permanent teeth in the mouth. Additionally, it can impact how the mouth grows and even how the roof of the mouth forms. Other effects include the following:

Directions

1. Using a paring knife, shave the lemon peel off in curls. Reserve the curls and save the lemon for use in a different recipe. 2. In a large slow cooker, combine the lemon peel with all other ingredients. Cook on low for 3–4 hours. 3. If desired, use a sieve to strain the spices. Serve and enjoy!

• Poor speech development • Modified swallowing action of the tongue • Altered breathing • Calluses on the fingers or thumb

... continued from Cover

These problems can vary depending on how intense the habit is. According to the ADA, “If children rest their thumbs passively in their mouths, they are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs. Some aggressive thumbsuckers may develop problems with their baby (primary) teeth.” Put a stop to thumbsucking. Typically, a child stops sucking their thumb or pacifier when their primary teeth come in, usually around 2–4 years of age. If, however, they are an aggressive thumbsucker, it might be harder for them to break the habit. A few methods can help wean your child from their thumbsucking. • Praise and reward your child for not sucking their thumb. • Eliminate any triggers that lead your child to comfort themselves through thumbsucking. • Use mittens to prevent a child from sucking their thumb or fingers in their sleep. • If the child is older, work together to find a method for stopping the habit. • Encourage your dentist to educate your child about the importance of stopping thumbsucking.

rates.) We will always let you know what the prevailing interest rate is and get your approval before putting the transaction through.

We suggest you not put off treatment due to financial issues. Let’s have a straightforward conversation to see if we can mutually figure out a financial arrangement that works for you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

–Peter Gopal

Take a Break

Taking an active role to help your child drop these potentially harmful habits allows them to develop healthy oral care that will last a lifetime.

DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

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Inside

DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

This Issue

1

Understanding Your Payment Options at Premier Dental

2

Meet Kismet, a Dentist’s Toothless Therapy Dog Craft a Snow-Free Indoor Snowball Fight

3

Help Your Child Stop Sucking Their Thumb Festive Apple Cider

4

Don’t Hide Your Smile This Holiday Season

Whitening Your Teeth This Holiday Season Don’t Hide Your Smile This Year

use. Again, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions if you choose to use these products.

and decreases the chance of tooth decay. Fluoride alone, however, cannot remove stains from a tooth’s surface. That is why using a whitening toothpaste is so beneficial. These toothpastes include chemicals that gently remove surface stains from the teeth, which makes them perfect for daily coffee and tea drinkers! Take note that whitening toothpastes don’t contain bleach and can only whiten the teeth about one shade. Strips and Gels Both whitening strips and gels are great products to use to whiten teeth at home, and they are more powerful than whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes. The application methods and instructions for different brands of gels vary, and users should follow the instructions carefully. The strength of the peroxide used in the product will determine how long you should keep it on your teeth and how often you can apply it. Like gels, whitening strips also contain hydrogen peroxide. People often prefer transparent whitening strips to gels because they are easier to

December is a time for family and holiday cheer. It’s also the perfect time to curl up under a blanket with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. Unfortunately, consuming these tasty beverages can increase the risk of staining your teeth. If you’re worried about your smile this December, here are a few whitening options that can give you the smile you want! Rinses When paired with daily brushing and flossing, using mouthwash is an excellent way to freshen breath and improve dental hygiene. Recently, manufacturers have started to include hydrogen peroxide in some mouthwashes, which has some teeth-whitening benefits. While these rinses can help whiten teeth, they take longer to show results and are not as effective as other methods. Regardless, these rinses can improve your oral health and make your smile a little brighter.

Professional Whitening The most effective and long-lasting way to achieve a whiter smile is to go to the professionals. Although professional whitening is one of the more expensive methods, it’s also one of the safest. Most treatments take less than an hour, and the results are immediately visible. Additionally, your dentist will know which whitening product or service will be the most effective for you, and they’ll know exactly how to administer it. Over-the-counter products — like mouthwashes, toothpastes, gels, and strips — are great to use for quick fixes, and they can come in handy for family photo shoots this holiday season. However, for the best results, it’s always wise to enlist a professional. To set up an appointment and learn more about whitening products and services, call our office today!

Toothpastes Most toothpastes contain fluoride, a mineral that helps strengthen teeth

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DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

609.298.1124