Sabal Dental Rockdale - September 2021

Sabal Dental Rockdale - September 2021

September 2021

307 Childress Drive, Rockdale, TX 76567 | SabalDentalRockdale.com | (512) 446-5886

MEET FINANCIAL/HYGIENE COORDINATOR LACI OLDHAM! Work Hard, Play Hard

Hi, folks. My name is Laci Oldham, and I’m the financial and hygiene coordinator at Sabal Dental Rockdale. I’ve been here for three great years, and I love working with the team and all of our patients. I originally wanted to be a nurse, but life got in the way. I still knew that I wanted to work in a profession where I’d get to help people. I’d had braces three different times in my life, which sparked my interest in dentistry. I developed a great relationship with an assistant who worked at my old orthodontist’s office, and she was so kind. She helped me understand the different roles that exist in the dental profession, and since I entered this field in 2007, I’ve held most of them! In my current position, I love helping patients figure out the financial side of their dental needs, what their insurance can cover, and how they can afford their treatment. It can be like a puzzle, and being able to help people in that way is really rewarding. But my favorite part of the job is seeing how happy a patient is when they see their new smile for the first time. Dental issues can be damaging to a person’s self-esteem, and seeing the moment when a patient gets their confidence back is wonderful.

I love where I live, and I’ve been a Texas girl all my life. I was born and raised in the Panhandle and moved to Lubbock after graduating. I lived there for five

years before relocating to central Texas, where I’ve been ever since. I can’t see myself ever leaving Texas and don’t know why I would want to. All of my family is here, and there are just so many things to do! When I’m not helping patients, my two kids keep me plenty busy. Hayden is 14 and plays sports, so most Thursday and Friday nights, you can find me in the bleachers watching him play. Football, basketball, track — I don’t know how, but he does it all. His sister, Kinley, is 8, and she loves her dance and gymnastics classes, so if I’m not at a game, I’m likely at a recital. Outside of sports, we all love to ride four-wheelers and our four horses. We also love going to the lake to fish, which is how I spend some of my favorite days. We attend the Lee County Cowboy Church and enjoy volunteering there in our free time. They do lots of activities — like barrel races, ropings, and displaying the annual Nativity scene — and we’re glad we can help out. Now that the kids are getting older, we’ve also had more opportunities to travel. This summer, we went to New Mexico and Florida, and next year, we’re planning a trip to Montana. I’d love to hear where you think we should go next, so feel free to share your suggestions the next time you’re in the office! I’ll be here, ready to help and happy to chat. –Laci Oldham

“My favorite part of the job is seeing how happy a patient is when they see their new smile for the first time ... the moment when a patient gets their confidence back is wonderful.”

Sabal General Dentistry • (512) 446-5886 • 1

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.thenewsletterpro.com

AND EXERCISE THROUGH THE FALL Get a Jump on Winter Blues

OUR PATIENTS SAY IT BEST Less sunlight can have a negative impact on your mental well- being, and as you head into the darker, chillier months, worsening weather and shorter days can make staying in shape more of a chore than a joy. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. With a few tricks, you can thrive through the cold season. Finding ways to stay active while cooped up inside has never been easier. Thanks to the pandemic, online exercise courses, at-home workouts, and remote Zumba classes grew in popularity and are still going strong. If you embraced these for your summer workouts to avoid the heat, you can continue that routine this fall and winter and keep up your exercise, mixing it up if one course gets stale. Similarly, winter provides a great time to focus on a new type of fitness goal, like building muscle in an indoor facility or taking martial arts classes at the gym. It doesn’t matter what you do; what matters is that you do it. Stay active! While it’s a bummer that you can’t go trail running or biking, any exercise is better than none. And don’t wait to get started: Add that “winter workout” into your weekly routine now. Not only will it help make the transition a little easier when you can’t go for your morning run, but also, if you’re also trying a new sport, activity, or exercise, it gives you a buffer in case you decide it’s not for you after all. Don’t let bad weather or fewer daylight hours be an excuse for less exercise. Your brain will thank you, and who knows? You might actually have fun too!

“Dr. Blankenship was amazing. He explained each step as he went and consistently checked on comfort level. I couldn’t have asked for better service!” -Lauren H. “Had two appointments in the past couple weeks, and both went without issue. The first was to clean and examine my teeth — best cleaning job I think I have ever had. The second was to prepare a molar for a crown. Again, I certainly cannot complain. I think I am going to love this dental office and the staff.” -Cindy B. “Everyone at Sabal Dental is friendly and professional. They are pros at what they do. They make going to the dentist as enjoyable as possible.” -Allan M.

2 • www.SabalDentalRockdale.com

5 Foods That Will Improve Your Dental Health AND HELP MAINTAIN A HEALTHY SMILE

Celery Though it doesn’t contain any nutrients that will specifically benefit your teeth, chewing celery can actually clean your teeth and massage your gums, all while helping your mouth produce more saliva that neutralizes bacteria. Strawberries While these tasty red berries are highly acidic, they’re still good for your teeth and gums because they contain malic acid, a natural whitening agent for your enamel. Eating strawberries regularly can actually help you keep your teeth free of stains! Salmon This fish is packed with both vitamin D and calcium, which help keep your teeth

HAVE A LAUGH! strengthen teeth and bones. At the same time, it can balance the pH level in your mouth, neutralizing harmful acids and preventing cavities and tooth decay. Cheese Like many dairy products, cheese is full of calcium and phosphate, which The best “secret” to continued dental health is to do what your dentist recommends every time you have a checkup: Brush twice a day, floss regularly, and don’t eat too many sugary foods. However, if you want to give your dental health an extra edge without adding steps to your routine, you can actually improve your dental health while you eat. All you need to do is incorporate some of the following foods into your diet!

strong and healthy. Vitamin D enables your body to more effectively absorb calcium, while calcium itself helps you maintain healthy teeth and gums. Carrots You can get many of the same benefits of brushing your teeth from eating carrots — but that doesn’t mean you should eat carrots in place of brushing your teeth! Like celery, chewing carrots massages your gums. Plus, they’re rich in keratin, which fights plaque, and vitamin A, which strengthens tooth enamel. By eating some of these foods (or all of them!), along with brushing and flossing regularly, you can ensure that your smile stays fresh and healthy for years to come!

Easy Cranberry- Apple Salad

Inspired by CookieandKate.com

Want the taste of fall without the calories? Try this quick and easy salad, topped with homemade apple cider vinaigrette.

Ingredients For the salad: • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds • 5 cups salad mix • 2 Granny Smith apples, chopped in bite-size pieces • 1/3 cup dried cranberries • 1/3 cup goat cheese, crumbled

For the dressing: • 1/4 cup olive oil • 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar • 1 1/2 tsp honey • 1 tsp Dijon mustard • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions 1. In a skillet over medium heat, toast the pumpkin seeds until fragrant, then set aside. 2. In a small jar or bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients, then set aside. 3. Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing until lightly coated, then toss and serve!

Sabal General Dentistry • (512) 446-5886 • 3

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

307 Childress Drive Rockdale, TX 76567 SabalDentalRockdale.com (512) 446-5886 Hours: M–F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Inside This Issue Meet Financial/Hygiene Coordinator Laci Oldham! PAGE 1 Get a Jump on Winter Blues With Fall Exercise PAGE 2 Hear From Our Happy Patients! PAGE 2 5 Foods That Will Improve Your Dental Health PAGE 3 Easy Cranberry-Apple Salad PAGE 3 Willie the Parrot: The Ultimate Danger Alarm PAGE 4

WILLIE THE PARROT: THE ULTIMATE DANGER ALARM

Willie the Quaker parrot was a pretty remarkable bird. Like many parrots, he had a knack for mimicking certain sounds and words, including barking dog noises, human kissing noises, and a fair share of swear words. However, what made Willie a hero one day was not just what he said, but also when he said it. Meagan Howard, Willie’s owner, brought him over to her friend Samantha Kuusk’s house while she babysat Kuusk’s little daughter, Hannah. Hannah and Willie were both in the kitchen while Meagan prepared a Pop-Tart for Hannah’s breakfast. After placing the Pop-Tart on the table, Meagan stepped away to use the bathroom. While she was away, however, Hannah got her hands on the Pop-Tart and began to scarf it down, lodging a piece in her windpipe. She started choking and was unable to signal to Meagan that

Willie began squawking and shrieking, saying the words “Mama! Baby!” over and over again. In a matter of moments, Meagan knew something was wrong. She rushed to the kitchen to find a very frantic Willie and a very blue Hannah. Meagan jumped into action. She grabbed Hannah and performed the Heimlich maneuver until the Pop-Tart piece dislodged itself and shot out of her mouth.

Meagan may have been the one to stop Hannah from choking, but she insists that Willie was the real hero of the story. If he hadn’t used his unique mimicking skills to get Meagan’s attention, she doesn’t know what would have happened. It’s worth noting that before that incident, Willie had never used the phrase “Mama! Baby!” before. He knew something was wrong, and he knew how to get help.

something was wrong. Luckily, Willie came to the rescue.

Shortly after the incident, Willie received the local Red Cross chapter’s Animal Lifesaver Award for his heroic actions.

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Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.thenewsletterpro.com Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com