Ustick Dental - February/March 2021

Ustick Dental - February/March 2021

WWW.USTICKDENTAL.COM • 208-286-4582

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021

THE WOMEN OF DENTISTRY —

and Beyond

There are a lot of things that come to mind during this time of year. Kids go on spring break — which, as with everything else this past year, looks a little different than it did in the past. The buds are starting to show real promise in our gardens and the parks, and we all remember that greening trees are in our future. And what’s spring without a little spring-cleaning? But for me, March is really associated with all the awesome, wonderful women in my life. March is International Women’s History Month, and that always strikes a chord with me. It’s no secret that women are integral to dentistry; in fact, you’d have to be blind to miss it! There are many fantastic women dentists out there, but the trend also carries all the way down to support staff. In our own office, we men are outnumbered at least 2 to 1, and probably more. That’s not a bad thing. I think that a lot of times, we put the men ahead of women in our society, which isn’t okay. One way to avoid doing that is to not minimize the contributions they make both at work or at home. For example, for a lot of women, the tasks of child care fall primarily on them, even if they work full time too. I have to remind myself that most workspaces aren’t as heavily comprised of women as the dental industry is. It’d be hard to minimize the contributions of women in our practice because the practice would literally grind to a halt without them! The women in our office make sure patients come first, and they do so with a blend of compassion, genuine interest in the lives of the people who come to us for care, and expertise in the work they do. These women keep us organized and running smoothly, and it’s just a highly professional environment in general. It’s hard to talk about women without mentioning my mother, who has been one of the most important women in my life, especially growing up. And March is a doubly-appropriate month to do that, because March is her birthday month! Mom has always wanted the best for me and my family and supported what I wanted to do. As

a homemaker, she kept things running on the domestic front, which isn’t the kind of job you can clock out of. With five kids in the family, she was busier than I think I’ve ever been - even during the busy times of year. And what about my wonderful wife and three grown daughters? There are a lot of amazing women in my life. And I’m not alone. We all know powerful women who have made big impacts in our own personal spheres — and of course, many readers are those women themselves! So, while there’s a lot going on this month, keep them in mind as you go through March. More importantly, let them know how much they mean to you — whether they’re your boss, coworker, mother, spouse, sister, or role model!

-Dr. Rigby

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GET YOUR SEASONAL ALLERGIES BEFORE THEY GET YOU!

Spring brings with it many wonderful things, like longer days, picturesque scenery, and spring break, but right alongside those good things is something most people suffer from: allergies. While beautiful, the blooming trees and flowers make you want to stay away from the great outdoors for fear of nonstop sneezing or puffy, watery eyes. If you suffer from allergies caused by pollen, grass, or other spring plants, take these steps to breathe a little easier. When outside, avoid walking through areas with weeds, shrubbery, or lots of trees as much as possible. Grass and weeds are notably problematic. The slightest breeze can send particles flying through the air in the blink of an eye. When you walk through grassy areas, pollen will get on you, your clothes, and your hair. It’s best to stick to trails, sidewalks, and other paved areas. If you do find yourself inundated with pollen or other allergens, your next best bet is to establish an at-home decontamination protocol. Take your shoes off at the door and make sure your clothes don’t come in contact with soft surfaces such as carpet, upholstery, or bedding. Take care to wash your “pollinated” clothes as soon as possible and wash your sheets and pillowcases weekly. Next, head for the shower. The sooner you can wash away the allergens, the better.

Finally, don’t forget to replace the air filter in your home’s air system in the spring. Consider using an air filter designed to capture allergens. If your allergies are particularly troublesome, invest in a dedicated air filtration system or unit. While you can opt for portable, stand-alone air purifiers, there are larger systems that can be incorporated into your heating and air system that keep your entire home’s air free from most, if not all, common allergens.

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The Seal of Acceptance

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ‘ADA ACCEPTED’?

The American Dental Association (ADA) stamps its seal on all kinds of dental products, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, denture cream, gum, and more. But what does the ADA Seal of Acceptance mean? The ADA Seal of Acceptance was first used in 1931 as an act of regulation. At the time, numerous dental products were flooding the market. Sellers, including those who would fit the description of snake oil salesmen, were peddling all sorts of “miraculous” teeth-cleaning products to “cure cavities” and “regrow lost teeth.” In response, and to help direct the general public to legitimate oral care products, the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs put together a series of guidelines that defined what legitimate oral care products were. The organization used the guidelines to determine if a product was safe and worked as intended. Today, over 200 products bear the ADA Seal of Acceptance. To become ADA Accepted, a product must meet certain criteria. First, the product must be put through rigorous clinical or laboratory studies. This is the responsibility of the product maker. The ADA does not conduct these studies itself and relies on outside consultants when evaluating products. These experts are from all areas of the dental industry, including microbiology, toxicology, chemistry, and dental materials. They review the results

of those studies to determine whether or not that product meets its standards of “safety and efficacy according to the product category developed by the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs.” If the ADA is satisfied that the product meets its safety and efficacy requirements, it will award the seal for a five-year period. In that time, the manufacturer of the product can use that seal on the product they submitted for acceptance, such as toothpaste. However, if the manufacturer decides to change the product — for example, they change the ingredients — the seal is no longer valid and the company must send in new research on the safety and effectiveness of the updated product. If you see the ADA Accepted logo on a product, it means that item has gone through a lot of research to determine that it does exactly what the packaging says it does. It’s just another way consumers can protect themselves from misleading claims and false advertising. That said, just because a toothpaste or mouthwash doesn’t have an ADA Accepted designation doesn’t mean it’s bad. There are some products the ADA will not accept under any circumstance. This includes any toothpaste that does not contain fluoride. The most important thing you can do as a consumer is read the label of any oral care product you buy to understand what it is you are purchasing and if it meets your own standards.

TAKE A BREAK TAKE A BREAK

Green Goddess

SMOOTHIE Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com

If you’re looking to get your green on, why not try this light smoothie?

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups fresh organic spinach • 1 tbsp chia seeds • 1/2 medium avocado

• 1 1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk • 1 organic apple, peeled and chopped • 1 medium frozen banana

Directions 1. In a large, high-powered blender, add in all ingredients. 2. Blend on high for 1–2 minutes, or until all ingredients are well combined. 3. If necessary, add in more almond milk to thin the smoothie. 4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

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inside this ISSUE Women Are Key to Our World PAGE 1 Get Your Seasonal Allergies Before They Get You! PAGE 2 What Does It Mean to Be ‘ADA Accepted’? PAGE 3 Green Goddess Smoothie PAGE 3 Time for a Break PAGE 4

Time for a Break A FEW IDEAS FOR A WEEK OF MARCH VACATION

LES BOIS FILM FESTIVAL Speaking of the outdoors, the sixth annual Les Bois Film Festival is happening March 1. These movies are always enjoyable and are usually a diverse mix of nature films and outdoor celebrations. You’ll get your adrenaline pumping but walk away thinking about our deep connection to nature, both as a species and specifically as Idahoans. This festival is tied to the Egyptian Theater in Downtown Boise. ROAD TRIP! This event is all yours, from the planning to execution and celebration. Ask your family, or a best friend, to hit the road for the first time of 2021. Possible destinations could be as close as Payette Lake or farther off — like Craters of the Moon (in Idaho) or historic Baker City (across the

If you’re like us, you’re eagerly looking forward to spring break. Whether you’re a college student just out of the dorms or a family looking for fun while the kids are free, we have a few great ways to spend the time — when you’re not visiting the dentist, of course! SHAMROCKS AND SHENANIGANS BOISE VIRTUAL 4K Add St. Patrick’s Day to the list of running holidays that are still virtual due to the pandemic. But there’s another way to look at this; since the event isn’t happening simultaneously with others, you can get the whole family in on the action. There are finisher medals and shirts available for those who want them, and it’s a great way to stretch your legs in preparation for nicer weather.

Oregon border). You could travel to a classic destination or head out for points unknown; one family drove up to Seattle just to visit the Museum of Pop Culture! Get creative, have fun, and be safe.

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