Robinson Dental - August 2020

Robinson Dental - August 2020

WAYLAND • 899 Reno Drive • Wayland, MI • 49348 269-509-4155 — COOPERSVILLE • 502 W. Randall St. • Coopersville, MI • 49404 • 616-384-4129

Dental Digest

AUG 2020

The Story Behind Why We Give

ROBINSON DENTAL DONATES $10,000 TO SPECTRUM HEALTH’S COVID-19 RELIEF FUND

Donations like ours will help give comfort to caregivers and the community by providing essential needs like personal protection equipment and medical equipment and fulfilling other unique and unexpected health care requests.

At Robinson Dental, we believe that maintaining good health often takes a village to accomplish — and during the recent pandemic, keeping our “village” healthy has never been more important. That’s

why we donated $5 for every patient who came into our clinic from June to July, giving away $10,000 to Spectrum Health toward its COVID-19 relief fund. We can’t underestimate how inspiring a well-supported medical program can be, no matter how big or small the injury or condition. Scott and I began our journey to support local hospitals during our first visit to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Eight years ago, our oldest broke his arm on the playground, and another parent told us to go to Helen DeVos. It was fantastic advice because, to put it simply, we were blown away. You’d imagine that parking at a reputable hospital would be a nightmare, but when we arrived, valets did the parking for us. At every single step, our family was treated so well and empathetically. As doctors, we were inspired — and

I know just how far our health care system providers go to care for their patients and their families. Today, Scott serves as the President of the Helen DeVos Foundation Board, while I’m no longer officially on the board, and we still hear new, moving stories from every meeting. The one that I recall strongest always brings tears to my eyes: Once, after a child had passed, the staff worked together to keep an audio recording of the child’s heartbeat. Then, they put it in a teddy bear and gifted it to the parents. Who would’ve thought of that? The stories we hear about kindness in our hospital system truly surprise us in the best ways possible, and I know they continue to inspire and impact families far beyond our own.

“The stories we hear about kindness in our hospital system truly surprise us in the best ways possible, and I know they continue to inspire and impact families far beyond our own.”

Giving back has been part of our culture at Robinson Dental for a long time. Many

lucky enough to have a friend who was heavily involved with the operations there. He gave us a personal tour, and we quickly learned that we wanted to be involved. From there, Scott and I joined the Helen DeVos Foundation Board, excited to be a part of their charitable efforts toward the hospital system in our area. We quickly learned that the foundation does amazing things for hospitals like Spectrum Health, a not-for-profit health care organization based in West Michigan that is our area’s largest employer with 31,000 staff members and 4,200 physicians and advanced practice providers.

patients may know that we often hold quarterly fundraisers for local charities, and while the usual pattern was interrupted by COVID-19, we felt like we needed to donate to the new cause immediately. We hope that you’ll join us in supporting our local hospital system — you can find more information about donating to Spectrum Health at Give.SpectrumHealth.org . Thank you so much, and have a wonderful, safe August!

–Beth Robinson

1

616-384-4129

Don’t miss out! Free Dental Day May 2021!

AND AN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT FREE DENTAL DAY Give Healthy Smiles to All With These Dental Charities!

For the past 11 years, we have hosted an annual Free Dental Day for patients in need to come in for free treatment. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 and all the necessary health precautions, we are postponing this year’s Free Dental Day to May 2021 . Although that saddens us, we can’t forget the importance of good dental health for all. In honor of that, we thought we’d spread awareness this month about the charities that provide free dental care to those in underprivileged areas in the U.S. and the rest of the world. First, it might be hard to imagine how difficult dental care may be to access for some families — especially if they could be your neighbor. According to a study from 2006, over 82 million people live in underserved, low-income families, and only 27.8% of people in this population visit the dentist every year. Considering the mouth- body connection and how poor oral health can lead to many other systemic diseases, this puts millions of Americans at further risk for developing heart disease and diabetes. Luckily, many charities have stepped up to help. The Smiles for Everyone Foundation provides free dental care to those in need, both in the U.S. and around the rest of the world. Founded in 2011, they began with a weeklong dental mission trip to Asuncion, Paraguay. It was so successful that they immediately broadened their vision, including their communities at

home. Today, they’ve donated over $20 million to dentistry and given over 27,485 free treatments away. The charity supports patients in the United States, Cambodia, Ghana, Laos, Nicaragua, Thailand, and, of course, Paraguay. The National Association for Free & Charitable Clinics is also an important organization for combating poor dental health for those living in underprivileged areas in the U.S. Founded in 2001, the Association was formed by a group of passionate people to work on behalf of 1,200 free health clinics that serve poor and uninsured patients. While the Association doesn’t focus exclusively on dental health, it works actively to support many dental programs and continues to play a key role in expanding telehealth services in free and charitable clinics and pharmacies during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope these give you a great place to start so you can show support for the dental health of those in your area! With a healthier community, we all grow stronger together. Thank you so much for your generous support.

2

RobinsonDental.org

Brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash are all great ways to maintain oral health, but as you age, some habits become even more essential. Oral health problems often differ depending on the stage of life you’re in, but no matter your age, you can prepare for these potential problem areas. Here is a quick breakdown of what to avoid at different stages in life. Infants Giving young kids a bottle filled Our Core Values From Teething to Dentures ORAL HEALTHS RISKS DI FFER BY AGE

To all the patients who referred us this month or donated to our quarterly charity THANK YOU!

S. Lindsey A. Jordan B. Don H. Curtis

W. Taylor M. Justin M. Millie B. Daryl

K. Carla C. Robin D. Brytney K-S. Arianna R. Jean C. Madisyn B. Jacob T. Suzanne G. Katie C. Amy F-J. Florencia F. Hannah H. Josie H. Anna W. Mandy F-J. Florencia L. Rex M. Angela S. Ryan W. Mandy D. Audra P. Melissa C. Morgan P. Kassandra R. Jenna S. Gina

C. Laura T. Chelsea H. Jillian B. Matt E. Natalie H. Paula R. Mary Ellen B. Cassie B. Melissa S. Marianne W. Christopher

R. Raynah B. Andrea B. Lucia G. William B. Duane B. Christopher S. Francisco T. Alexander R. Michael S. Erin T. Kevin R. Michael R. Cody

A. Rachael M. Kylene R. Joyce B-H. Abelina S. Jacob T. Meridyth R. Kayla U. Jaelene O. Anna P. Danielle R. Shannon G. Jacob W. Trent W. Courtney

W. Becki D. Hope C. Christine Z. Mark K. Renee S. Mary G. Nicole H. Caitlyn L. Douglas M. Zonia L. Michael C. Connie

with milk or juice can lead to tooth decay. Since we have

kids ourselves, we know how hard it is to assess the health of your little one’s teeth when they’re just 2 or 3

B. Darcee N. Jeffrey M. Kasey S. Matthew M. Morgan B. Andrea H. Jeff S. Matthew G. John

D. Sara B. Molly A. Sarah E. Melanie R. Tara S. Melissa B. Bonnie B. Kyrstin

years old. But regularly giving children milk or juice in a bottle can do so much damage that by the time we see their teeth, they’re so deteriorated that they need to be extracted. Teenagers

Frozen PB&J Bites

Once teenagers can control their diet a bit more, they will inevitably eat more chips and drink more soda. At this stage in life, many kids who haven’t had cavities their entire lives come in to see us and have several. One teenager we see came in with 16 cavities at one time. Sometimes kids think they’re invincible, so remind them that it’s best to practice moderation. Young Adults At this point in life, many young adults stop going to the dentist. Young adults may go four or five years without seeing a dentist, during which time small problems can grow into more significant issues. Additionally, many college students drink a lot of energy drinks and sugary coffees to help them stay up late to do homework. Middle-Aged and Older Adults Adults may have healthier dental habits than they did in their youth, but it’s important to note that if your middle-aged, you may need to make appointments to maintain the dental work that was done earlier in your life. And as you get into your 60s and 70s, be aware that your gums may start to recede and your enamel may deteriorate. When this happens, the root surface of your teeth can be exposed and you may be more prone to tooth decay. The best way to prevent dental issues, no matter your age, is by visiting our office regularly. Identifying these problems early makes treatments and preventative measures that much easier to implement. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to the Robinson Dental office closest to you!

The dog days of summer are here, which means we’re all looking for ways to cool off. Help your pup stay cool this summer with these easy-to- make frozen PB&J bites. INGREDIENTS • 12 medium strawberries • 1/4 cup cold water • 4 spoonfuls xylitol-free peanut butter

DIRECTIONS

1. Rinse strawberries and remove tops. Transfer

3. Carefully place a dollop of peanut butter in each filled mold. Make sure peanut butter sinks into the mixture. 4. Place in the freezer for at least 5 hours or until frozen solid. 5. Serve frozen on a hot summer day!

strawberries to a blender and purée with water until smooth. 2. Pour mixture into preferred single-serving molds (like an ice cube tray) to 3/4 full.

3 616-384-4129

Inspired by Pawsh-Magazine.com

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

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Inside THIS ISSUE

The Story Behind Why We Give

1

Free Dental Day Update Give Healthy Smiles to All With These Dental Charities!

2

Oral Healths Risks Differ By Age Easy Frozen Dog Treats

3

Celebrate National Chefs Appreciation Week

4

CELEBRATES THOSE WHO BRING COMMUNI T IES TOGETHER National Chefs Appreciation Week

How can I celebrate? Now that many restaurants are opening back up for service at a limited capacity, it’s possible to dine in and further support the chefs who make the food you love. But, if you’re still not comfortable eating at a restaurant, there are plenty of other ways to celebrate. Continue having food delivered or picking up curbside from your favorite places. Whether dining in or carrying out, remember to tip well! You can also post about your favorite dishes on social media or leave a glowing review for your favorite eatery on Google or Yelp. The beauty of this holiday is that celebrating includes doing activities you

Restaurants have had an especially tough time staying afloat during the pandemic. Most eateries had to discontinue dine-in service, and those that couldn’t adapt to offering takeout or delivery may still be questioning whether they’ll ever be able to open their doors again. During the pandemic, it became clear to many of us just how important a role our favorite restaurants play in providing not just tasty chow, but also a sense of comfort and community. Celebrating National Chefs Appreciation Week is a great way to let the chefs who run those eateries know just how much they mean to us.

What is it? Since the holiday’s inception in 2013, it has most commonly occurred during the third week of August; this year, it’s August 16–22. Restaurants, patrons, and home cooks alike can show appreciation for the art and dedication chefs bring to their craft every day. Several restaurants across the country celebrate with special events and menus, and patrons flock to their favorite places for great food and company and to support the chefs who bring their communities together.

probably already do, so it’s easy to participate.

Chefs play a significant role in the evolution of culture, protection of tradition, and construction of community. Their food brings us together, fills our stomachs, and brightens our moods. We may not have fully recognized all they do for us until recently, but now that we have, we can truly celebrate Chefs Appreciation Week to the fullest.

4

RobinsonDental.org