Robinson Dental - September 2020

Robinson Dental - September 2020

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

Dental Digest

SEPT 2020

A Tribute to Our Incredible Team

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC!

The five core values of our business are community, teamwork, gratefulness, trustworthiness, and fun. I’ll be honest with you all: All of these became even more important and were highly tested during the initial months of the pandemic.

When the pandemic broke out and lockdowns began, many dental offices were shutting down completely. We worried — who was going to be able to do emergency procedures? Waiting a few months, a few weeks, or even a few days can be extremely painful for a patient with a dental emergency. Staying open for our community was really important to us. But, in order to stay open, we had to make drastic changes to our operations and implement new processes that had never been done in peoples’ decadeslong careers. Cleanliness had always been part of our office’s standards, but we had to do more than just add steps of rigorous sterilizing. For example, most of the time prior to the pandemic, dentists would be able to return home after a busy day of work at the office and rest. But in March, we needed to offer virtual consultations with patients to determine the emergency status of their dental issues. Dentists had to be

significant offering in a time that most people were scared enough that they didn’t mind being locked down to protect themselves. Many workplaces have struggled to keep team members who are willing to work, but we’ve never had that problem. Everyone at Robinson Dental adapted to these changes with such grace and selflessness that I needed to take a moment to thank them all immensely. To me, each and every one of you is a hero.

“In order to stay open, we had to make drastic changes to our operations and implement new processes that had never been done in peoples’ decadeslong careers.”

Naturally, we didn’t get to our final core value — fun — until a couple months

on call 24/7 for these FaceTime or Zoom consultations so they could adequately assess and accommodate patients that needed to come in. That was a new process for us, and our dentists had to sacrifice a lot of time to get used to it and offer our services for patients in pain. Many of our team members had to take on new roles and responsibilities, yet not once did we hear someone say, “That’s not my job.” In fact, despite the lack of information (or sometimes conflicting information!) on COVID-19, how it is transmitted, and its potential long-term risks (as scientists are only now discovering), much of our team volunteered for rotations at the office to treat patients. That’s a

into the pandemic! But, eventually, we returned to our usual way of making the office a light, happy, and easy place to work and enjoy each other’s company. I wouldn’t want to be working with any other team right now. Next time you stop by our office and meet with our team, I hope you get a chance to show them some extra love for us with a friendly wave or compliment. Have a wonderful September, everyone!

–Scott Robinson

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Is Stress Harming Your Memory?

How to Cope With Daily Triggers Stress can cause more than just a bad mood and low energy. Over time, mental exhaustion from stress

Of course, it can be easier to delete a social media app than it is to eliminate other types of stressors. Coping with a stressful coworker, for example, can be difficult. You have to figure out why they’re causing you stress and how the situation can be remedied. Dealing with a work-related confrontation can be hard, but having that difficult conversation and resolving the problem can ultimately lead to less long-term stress and improve your mental health. Another thing you can do to reduce stress is avoid multitasking. Taking on multiple projects or doing too much in too little time can leave you feeling overworked. Plus, studies have found that multitasking is not effective. You cannot deliver the same results when your attention is scattered as you can when you are focused on one thing. To make matters worse, multitasking takes a major toll on memory and cognition, according to a study from Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

can lead to forgetfulness and reduced cognition. This can hamper your

ability to do your job and enjoy life. Though stress is unavoidable, there are steps you can take to mitigate some of the negative effects of mental exhaustion, including forgetfulness.

First, consider the source of your stress. These days, a common stressor is social media. If your feeds are full of bad news and negativity, shut them down. Many researchers suggest that spending less time on the internet leads to better health. Several studies have found that constant internet use, including time spent on social media, is negatively impacting our memories. Research from Harvard, Oxford, King’s College London, and Western Sydney University all confirm this: Too much internet use is a bad thing.

If stress is impairing your memory, judgment, or cognition, take the above steps to reduce it. If you find your memory and cognition aren’t improving, consider speaking with a mental health professional to discuss your best next steps. Mental health and stress management are important, and the more we do to improve these areas of our lives, the healthier and happier we will be. Why Do Children Need a Back-to-School Dental Appointment?

Whether your child is taking classes at home, on campus, or a hybrid of both, their adorable smile is just as important to maintain as schools open up again. If you haven’t been in the office for a while and are a bit overwhelmed, it can be hard to know where to start, but don’t worry! Here are three questions that the professionals at Robinson Dental can help you answer about your child.

which can help your child feel more confident in their smile.

Does my child need an X-ray or sealants?

It’s crucial to be proactive when it comes to detecting tooth decay, since the process can move very fast. X-rays

How is my child’s overall dental health?

It’s important for dentists to look at the big picture when it comes to your child’s teeth. Dentists will check to see if your child’s bite is in good shape, if their teeth are growing properly, and if there are any signs of future problems. A back-to-school dental appointment is a great time for your dentist to tell you if everything is on track.

can help to immediately detect if there’s any tooth decay, although they’re reserved for use only when necessary. Sealants are another proactive

method for preventing cavities. They are a thin, protective coating placed on chewing surfaces and will work to keep food and bacteria out of places in your child’s teeth that are hard for them to reach with a toothbrush. If you’re ready to make a back-to-school appointment or have any questions to ask us about your child’s oral health, just call our office at 616-384-4129. The team at Robinson Dental is more than happy to help!

When was my child’s last cleaning?

Preventive treatment can save you time and money and prevent your child from experiencing pain. Even if your child brushes their teeth twice a day, as recommended, it doesn’t guarantee that they’ll get rid of all the bacteria that can lead to cavities. That’s what cleanings are for! Annual cleanings also remove most stains,

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Your family members might be playing a lot more video games, since everyone is spending more time at home these days. But you’re not limited to shooters like Fortnite or Call of Duty! Video games can be extremely useful for building teamwork and improving problem- solving skills. How can you reap these benefits? By encouraging the right games, of course. Here’s a short list of a few we trust. Our Core Values Have Your Kids Tried These Educational, Creative Video Games?

WORD SEARCH

Nintendo Labo

Once in a while, Nintendo innovates beyond its beloved franchises and truly stuns the world. That’s exactly what it’s accomplished with Nintendo Labo for the

Aster Autumn Chilly Colorful

Education Football Harvest Labor

Libra Sapphire September Squash

Easy Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Nintendo Switch. Build your own robots and instruments that interact and create virtual games! Although pricier than a traditional

game, these hybrid video game and STEM learning kit packages — Labo Variety Kit, Robot Kit, Vehicle Kit, and VR Kit — are sure to be engaging as well as educational.

Who says a loaded potato has to clog your arteries? In this healthy version that serves four, a sweet potato base is topped with fiber-rich bean salsa. INGREDIENTS • 4 medium sweet potatoes • 1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed • 2 medium tomatoes, diced • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp cumin

Minecraft

There’s no doubt that Minecraft is just as successful and acclaimed as LEGO for a new generation. In fact, it’s even drawn the attention of education experts. If you’ve been wondering how to provide a fun, creative STEM learning experience with video games at home, look no further than Minecraft’s Education Edition website. There are completely free resources and lesson plans to challenge your kid to a little bit of structured learning within Minecraft’s vast, endless worlds. Try it at Education.Minecraft.net .

• 1 tsp coriander • 3/4 tsp salt

• 1/4 cup sour cream • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Snipperclips

Not all multiplayer games bring people together; some tear people apart. Bring your family closer by politely snipping them instead with Snipperclips! In this game, each player is a piece of paper, and players solve puzzles by cutting each other to size and interacting with the right shapes. Affordable, fun, and collaborative, this game with a fun kindergarten aesthetic provides team-building and problem-solving challenges for all ages. You’ll need a Nintendo Switch to play Nintendo Labo and Snipperclips, but you can access Minecraft on nearly any electronic device! We hope these games help you and your family stay creative and intellectually stimulated this school year!

DIRECTIONS

1. With a fork, prick each sweet potato a few times. Microwave the potatoes on high 12–15 minutes, or until cooked through. 2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the beans, tomatoes, olive oil, cumin, coriander, and

3. Cool potatoes slightly, then cut each potato open lengthwise. Pull the halves apart to create space to spoon the warm bean salsa inside. 4. Add a scoop of sour cream to each potato, garnish with cilantro, and serve!

salt. When the potatoes are done, microwave the mixture on high for 2–3 minutes.

Inspired by EatingWell.com

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

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Inside THIS ISSUE

A Tribute to Our Incredible Team

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Is Stress Making You Forgetful? Why Do Children Need a Back- to-School Dental Appointment? Educational, Creative Video Games for the Family Easy Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

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3 Fun Family Activities for Fall

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3 FUN FAMI LY ACT IVI T IES FOR FALL Gardening, Gold, and Photo Shoots It’s fall, which means social media will soon be saturated

ghost town. Many of them have great tourist attractions that include gold panning. You probably won’t get rich, but it will still be a fun story. If you’re not able to make the trip, you can always create a gold panning operation at home! Visit

with pictures of your friends enjoying “classic” fall activities. Photos of leaf peeping, apple picking, and the occasional scarecrow run rampant. But rather than following the herd, you can make your family the trendsetter of unique fall activities! Here are a few outdoor endeavors your family will love. Get gardening. Fall is the time for harvest, but if you want to enjoy flowers in the spring, it’s also a time for

MessForLess.net/panning-for-gold- activity for a great step-by-step guide on how to go panning for gold in your own backyard.

Plan a fall photo shoot. It’s time to freshen up those family pictures

planting. The cooler autumn air is easier on plants, but the soil is still warm enough for roots to grow before the ground freezes for winter. Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are all spring bulbs that need to be planted in the fall. Do a little research with your family to determine the best time to start planting in your area. Pan for gold. Here’s one that’s really off the beaten path: Take your family on an adventure panning for gold! Start by planning a road trip out to an old

hanging around the house. The changing leaves provide a beautiful background for any family portrait. Better yet, the cooler temperatures mean that an outdoor photo shoot won’t be nearly as uncomfortable as it would be in the summer. You can take your pictures by the trees in the front yard or make a daytrip of it. What about pictures at the corn maze or pumpkin patch? It’s never too soon to start planning this year’s holiday card.

Spend this fall outdoors and create great new memories with your family!

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