Robinson Dental - March 2021

Robinson Dental - March 2021

Hi everyone! I’m super thrilled and honored to be speaking with you all this month. I’m Lori, the lead scheduling coordinator at Robinson Dental — also known as that friendly lady who calls you twice a year to confirm or schedule your dental appointments! Although my parents always took me to the dentist twice a year, as a kid, I never imagined my career would be in the dental field. After graduating high school, I earned a scholarship to a cosmetology school, but in the end, I decided not to go for it. I took a year off from school instead. As a shy person (believe it or not), I was still in my shell a bit and needed to discover what I really wanted to do in life. That’s when I fell into dentistry and went to school to become a dental assistant. As soon as I started working as a dental assistant, though, I didn’t really stay at it long — I grew a profound interest in the business aspect of the office. Then, I started working at Robinson Dental in March 2013. (I’ll celebrate my 8-year workiversary this month!) I’ve worn a lot of hats, but I definitely settled in as the primary phone gal for many years. Dr. Scott and Dr. Beth talked about setting up a call center prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic unfolded, it became clear that a call center would be more and more necessary, and I’m very happy to have been able to help with the project right away. I have so much appreciation for Robinson Dental and how I’ve grown here as a professional and as a person. During this journey to becoming the main scheduling coordinator, I’ve definitely come out of my shell. I’ve always been very shy, so I never would’ve imagined myself leading a call center for a dental office! But I quickly realized that it was incredibly rewarding to interact with patients. I know how scary it can be for most people to visit the dentist, so I want to be as welcoming as I can for them. It’s amazing that since I’ve been calling patients for as long as I have, I recognize the names and the stories behind them. I’ve established a certain connection with patients. Even when I’m calling a new patient, I never think of them as just a number. I put a personal touch on our call however I can. It feels good to know that if they’re having a toothache or another dental issue, I can HOW I GREW OUT OF MY SHELL AT ROBINSON DENTAL Dental Digest Lori’s Story WAYLAND •899 Reno Drive •Wayland, MI •49348 •269-509-4155

COOPERSVILLE •502 W. Randall St. •Coopersville, MI •49404•616-384-4129

MAR 2021

help them get the care they need. I’ve found that I love putting in the effort for patients in any way I can. Sometimes, especially in these isolating times, that’s all you need to do for others to make a difference. What I love most about Robinson Dental, though, isn’t just my job. The office gives back so much to the community in nearly every way it can. As a mother of two boys, I love seeing what Robinson Dental does for Coopersville schools. They support sports teams and provide scholarships for high school seniors. Also, our late-cancellation fees never go toward the office. If you miss your appointment, we match the full amount of your late fee and donate it to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. And that’s just one way that we contribute to Helen DeVos. As you may know, we do many other seasonal events for the hospital as well! It just blows my mind how much our leadership thinks about our community. When I’m not at work, I love boating, fishing, and camping with my family and friends. I love warm weather and sunshine. With my youngest having graduated high school last year, I’ve started to experiment more with cooking and baking, especially in these cooler months. I love sharing my baked goodies at the office too — I always make way too much!

Thanks so much for reading. I’m sure we’ll chat soon!

–Lori Sova

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Dehydration is a big problem. Many people don’t drink enough water each day — some reports show that 75% of adults in the United States don’t drink enough water, and over a quarter are dehydrated. Though those statistics aren’t widely agreed upon, it’s obvious that most people need more fluids. Even if it feels like you’re drinking a lot of water, remember that water leaves your body every time you sweat, go to the bathroom, and even breathe. Not keeping up with proper water intake can lead to dehydration. Even mild dehydration can cause health problems and impact your brain, heart, skin, and other organs, which can lead to headaches, confusion, fatigue, and gastrointestinal distress. We all know the solution to dehydration is to drink more water, but exactly how much water do we need each day? The amount will differ depending on the person, but one simple way to approximate your necessary daily intake is by dividing your body weight in half and drinking that much water (in fluid ounces) each day. For example, if you weigh 175 pounds, you’d need to drink 87.5 fluid ounces — over half a gallon — of water per day. An Easy Way to Drink More Water AND AVOID DEHYDRATION

you frequent during the day. Keep a bottle in your car, at your desk, by your favorite chair, near your workout equipment, etc. Having water easily available in the places you spend the most time each day helps increase your chances of actually drinking it. An alternative approach is to purchase a giant jug that can hold all the water you need to drink in a day. Seeing it all in one place might be intimidating at first, but this method makes things very simple. Keep the jug close, and your water intake will likely increase without too much additional effort. And if you’re just not motivated to drink plain water, you can always add sugar-free flavoring or lemon to make it more enticing.

That might seem like a lot of liquid, but you can easily drink it without trying too hard. All you have to do is be proactive: Start keeping water any place

3 BENEFITS TO ZOOM! TEETH WHITENING Give Yourself a Confident, Youthful Smile!

These days, everyone knows the Zoom videoconferencing app, but do you know about ZOOM! teeth whitening? It’s a professional procedure that whitens your teeth in record time! Here are three benefits that you can start experiencing today. No. 1: Fast Results Unlike over-the-counter teeth whitening, our dentists will be able to give you a noticeably whiter smile in under an hour. As the name suggests, ZOOM! teeth whitening is a quick procedure that’s easy to slip into a busy schedule. If you have severe tooth discoloration, our dentists will break up your appointment into three sessions, each lasting 15 minutes. To help you pass the time during your appointment, we recommend bringing your phone or another device that allows you to listen to music. Once the procedure is over, we’ll give you a special care package so you can relieve sensitivity and maintain your white smile from home. No. 2: Whiten at Home Many people want whiter teeth, but not everyone has the time for multiple whitening appointments in the dentist’s chair. Depending on the extent of your

tooth discoloration, our dentists may be able to give you supplies so you can try teeth whitening at home.

If this is the case, we will take impressions of your teeth to create a custom whitening tray that perfectly fits your mouth. Having a professional at-home whitening kit means you’ll be able to whiten your teeth when it’s most convenient for you, and it’ll be much more effective and safe than other over-the-counter products. No. 3: Perfect for Sensitive Teeth Just because you have sensitive teeth doesn’t mean you can’t try teeth whitening. The whitening gel and varnish we use are specially formulated to avoid irritating teeth and gums. While some of our patients experience “zingers” or brief flashes of pain during treatment, many are willing to experience temporary discomfort if it means having whiter teeth. If you wish to stop treatment at any time, let our team know. If you have sensitive teeth, we are willing to work at a pace that’s comfortable for you, so you can feel in control of your treatment. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions! We’d love to help give you a more confident smile — just give us a call so we can take care of you.

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If you’re wondering why we’re using the word quip so much (or whether quip is a real word anymore), you may not be familiar with the latest trend in dental products — the Quip toothbrush. Its minimalist design won’t take up much room on your counter, and its convenient cover can double as a wall holster or travel cover. For the past few years, the Quip toothbrush has appeared all over Facebook and YouTube ads and has become a sensation among the younger generation for its sleek, modern design. Our Take on Quip Toothbrushes Pretty Quipping Good but Not Perfect

WORD SEARCH

AQUAMARINE BASKETBALL BUTTERFLY CLOVER

DAFFODIL GREEN IDES LEPRECHAUN

MADNESS SPRING TANGERINE WOMEN

But how good does the Quip toothbrush perform? And how does it compare to popular high-powered sonic toothbrushes on the market?

As a low-powered sonic toothbrush, Quip isn’t necessarily trying to compete with its high-powered counterparts. Quip is a good option for travelers and people who dislike the powerful vibrations of high-powered sonic toothbrushes. Because it’s so compact, it’s fantastic for travel or keeping your counters clutter-free. Users also rave about the quality of the toothbrush’s build. Many who have used their Quip brush for a couple of years report that they haven’t lost their sonic power. However, it is an expensive toothbrush. Quip toothbrushes cost between $40–$60, so it’s not cheap to buy them for a whole family. The replacement brush head plan, on the other hand, is competitively priced at only $5 every few months. The bottom line is that if you’re looking for a high-powered toothbrush to use daily that can clean your teeth efficiently and maximize your time and money spent, you’ll want to look elsewhere. There are plenty of more affordable, high-power toothbrushes that’ll get the job done and won’t cost your family nearly as much. But if you want a minimalist toothbrush that’ll save you money in replacements and is a convenient on-the-go product for traveling, then Quip might be your match made in heaven.

Tasty Thai Fried Rice We’re smack in the middle of broccoli season, and fried rice is the perfect dish to celebrate it. This savory, plant-based recipe is packed with nutritious vegetables and delicious Thai flavors.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 onion, chopped • 8 oz baby bella mushrooms, sliced • 4 cups broccoli, chopped to bite-size pieces • 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 5 cups jasmine rice, cooked and cooled • 1/2 cup peanuts, chopped • 2 tbsp soy sauce • Toppings of choice for serving

(sliced green onions, sliced cucumber, chopped peanuts, lime wedges, Sriracha, etc.)

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 2–3 minutes, until softened. 2. Add the mushrooms and broccoli. Cook for 5–7 minutes, until the broccoli is tender. 3. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. 4. Finally, add the rice and cook, stirring constantly, for 3–4 minutes. 5. Remove skillet from the heat and stir in the peanuts and soy sauce. 6. Serve garnished with your toppings.

Inspired by OhMyVeggies.com

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502 W. Randall St. Coopersville, MI 49404 RobinsonDental.org

Inside THIS ISSUE Meet Lori, Our Main Scheduling Coordinator! 1 How to Easily Increase Your Water Intake 3 Benefits to ZOOM! Teeth Whitening

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Our Quip on the Quip Tasty Thai Fried Rice

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A Match Made in Cornmeal Batter Heaven

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AN AMERICAN TRADI T ION Corn Dogs and Basketball

It’s no coincidence that National Corn Dog Day is March 20 — the third Saturday of the month. This day is traditionally the first Saturday of March Madness, otherwise known as the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship. But wait. What do corn dogs and a basketball tournament have to do with one another? Turns out, National Corn Dog Day has everything to do with March Madness. The “holiday” began in March 1992 when two Corvallis, Oregon, high school students needed a snack while watching a basketball game. They got some corn dogs and called it good. But somehow, this simple snack and sport pairing turned into something huge. In fact, eating corn dogs while watching March Madness caught on like wildfire — and the teens didn’t even have Instagram to promote it! Though it’s not clear how, it spread across Oregon and eventually the rest of the country. It’s likely that people just heard about it from friends and family and thought it was a great idea.

The corn dog, like basketball, is an American creation. In the 1920s, the creators toyed around with the idea of fried foods on a stick. They battered and fried everything from cheese to bananas, but it was the battered sausages that really stood out, and the corn dog was born. By the 1940s, the convenient creation had popped up at state fairs and drive-in restaurants all over the country. In 2012, in honor of the original Corn Dog Day, the then-governor of Oregon issued an official proclamation naming March 17 National Corn Dog Day in the state. Several companies jumped on the bandwagon as well, including Foster Farms (a maker of frozen corn dogs, among many other meat products) and the Pabst Brewing Company. While it’s not an “official” national day recognized by the U.S. Congress, it’s celebrated with thousands of events every March. And it’s grown beyond its U.S. roots. An article printed in The Oregonian in 2009 revealed that National Corn Dog Day parties have been celebrated on nearly every continent — including Antarctica!

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