gregory j daniels
MOUTHFUL O' PUCK
June 06 2010
As a youth I was an avid hockey fan. The Chicago
Blackhawks of Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita was my team.
Years of Hawks mismanagement and the overexpansion of
the NHL alienated my affections and I defected to
basketball during the Jordan era. The 2010 Blackhawks
are the most exciting of any current professional
sports team and I am enjoying these playoff series
once again.
Blackhawk defenseman, Duncan Keith took a puck to the face when he got in the path of a zone clearing pass by a San Jose Shark player during Sunday’s NHL playoff game. Keith had seven of his upper and lower anterior teeth sheared off at the gum-line. This type of injury, referred to by the players as “spitting Chiclets,” is an all too common occurrence in this day and age.
As a dentist from Hinsdale, Illinois, I am surprised that the hockey players of this generation continue to eschew the use of readily available and comfortable mouth and tooth protection while playing this most dangerous sport. I do not know about the type of mouth guard Keith was wearing. In any case, the impact of such a direct hit may still have caused serious tooth damage. Certainly, the flimsy mouth guard sported by teammate Patrick Kane offers no protection whatsoever considering that he chews on it as it hangs outside his mouth most of the time he is on ice and off. This being said, I cannot imagine that affixing a protective cage to the helmet would interfere greatly with vision, movement or comfort. I have not seen the protective gear that the junior players wear, but I’d bet it is more substantial than that worn by the pros.
I was introduced to hockey in the era when no one wore helmets and no goalies wore masks! I remember a Life Magazine issue which had a cover graphic displaying the scars on the face of the famous Detroit Redwing goal tender, Terry Sawchuck. He was not smiling in that photo. I doubt that he had teeth to smile with.
Since the incident on Sunday, I have been surprised at the cavalier attitude in the press and blogosphere which trivializes the loss of one’s teeth. Ask a denture wearer or someone who has lost their teeth in a less preventable way about what a life changing experience it is. Modern dentistry has some effective and beautiful materials and techniques which will allow the eventual restoration of Duncan Keith’s structure and chewing function. However, it will never be as good as the natural teeth he has lost. In my practice, I see many injuries sustained in sports that do not enforce the use of mouth guards. These include basketball and soccer. I hope Keith’s injury encourages the parents and coaches of young athletes to advocate the use of quality mouth and tooth protection.
Blackhawk defenseman, Duncan Keith took a puck to the face when he got in the path of a zone clearing pass by a San Jose Shark player during Sunday’s NHL playoff game. Keith had seven of his upper and lower anterior teeth sheared off at the gum-line. This type of injury, referred to by the players as “spitting Chiclets,” is an all too common occurrence in this day and age.
As a dentist from Hinsdale, Illinois, I am surprised that the hockey players of this generation continue to eschew the use of readily available and comfortable mouth and tooth protection while playing this most dangerous sport. I do not know about the type of mouth guard Keith was wearing. In any case, the impact of such a direct hit may still have caused serious tooth damage. Certainly, the flimsy mouth guard sported by teammate Patrick Kane offers no protection whatsoever considering that he chews on it as it hangs outside his mouth most of the time he is on ice and off. This being said, I cannot imagine that affixing a protective cage to the helmet would interfere greatly with vision, movement or comfort. I have not seen the protective gear that the junior players wear, but I’d bet it is more substantial than that worn by the pros.
I was introduced to hockey in the era when no one wore helmets and no goalies wore masks! I remember a Life Magazine issue which had a cover graphic displaying the scars on the face of the famous Detroit Redwing goal tender, Terry Sawchuck. He was not smiling in that photo. I doubt that he had teeth to smile with.
Since the incident on Sunday, I have been surprised at the cavalier attitude in the press and blogosphere which trivializes the loss of one’s teeth. Ask a denture wearer or someone who has lost their teeth in a less preventable way about what a life changing experience it is. Modern dentistry has some effective and beautiful materials and techniques which will allow the eventual restoration of Duncan Keith’s structure and chewing function. However, it will never be as good as the natural teeth he has lost. In my practice, I see many injuries sustained in sports that do not enforce the use of mouth guards. These include basketball and soccer. I hope Keith’s injury encourages the parents and coaches of young athletes to advocate the use of quality mouth and tooth protection.
MENISCUS SCHMENISCUS
May 27 2010
I’m sitting on my screen porch in a semi-stupor.
Spell and grammar checker will be well employed today
as I write this.
I have had my first surgical experience. I am documenting this now so that I may compare it to whatever the future brings in the coming era of health care reform.
My knee has been giving me increasing trouble and I pursued a diagnosis. My meniscus was breaking down and surgery was advised. I desire to continue with a long life of hiking and biking so getting this repaired in a timely fashion made sense to me. We figured that the longish Memorial Day weekend would allow my recuperation without missing too much work.
That arthroscopic surgery has become so commonplace, with athletes seemingly being scoped one day and back on the playing field the next, I was surprised at all the preliminary falderol that was necessary before the cutting actually took place.
First there’s the exam with the doctor. Then, there’s the MRI, followed by the consultation with the doctor and MRI results. Next came the lab tests, EKG, chest x-ray, and extensive health history forms. All this was followed by a phone interview reviewing the health history data. Finally, one week pre-op was another visit with the doctor’s assistant to answer questions and clear me for the surgery.
I have no complaints at all. All of this was done with the highest of competence. I spent little time in waiting rooms and all prep work went smoothly and efficiently. A tremendous amount of duplication and redundancy exists in medicine these days. I imagine much of it is to avoid human error and abide by risk management protocols. Basically, so things don’t get screwed up and people don’t get sued.
This morning I was asked to show a picture ID at the surgicenter. My imagination took flight, wondering as to the need for ID. Was there concern that I sent a proxy to have the surgery for me? Might someone walk in off the street to steal a meniscectomy in my name? Can you sell a stolen surgical procedure on EBAY? Or, could it be that a brother-in-law, who is uninsured, is actually having the procedure done and billing it to my insurance? Any and all are possibilities.
I was asked to sign the HIPAA privacy agreement, a two page waste of paper never read by anyone and signed to satisfy the bureaucrats. Why doesn’t the EPA sue these people for wasting valuable resources. This form along with the six inch sign affixed to my extension cords warning of the hazards of their use, but not warning of the danger of tripping over the sign qualify as my latest peeve toward an all too large government. But I digress. I signed the privacy form and return the HIPAA statement to the clerk so it could be re-used and ignored by the next patient.
The nursing staff was cheerful and competent. Their jobs are apparently very specialized. One nurse took vitals and started the IV. Another shaved my knee and did a preliminary scrub. I was handed an indelible marker to indicate on my thigh, which knee it was that was to receive the surgery. Both nurses re-iterated the same questions about allergies and stomach contents.
The surgeon popped in to greet me and initialed my knee to affirm which one got done. Finally, the anesthesiologist arrived to explain his special cocktail designed to render me unaware and comfortable during the procedure. He was followed by the scrub nurse and her introduction. Meeting this large cast of characters served to pass the hour and a half that I waited in pre-op similar to the way the snaking lines pass the time at Disney World.
All the nursing staff, auxilliaries, doctors and patients were dressed in color coordinated blue duds topped by blue hairnet/ shower cap things. Unfortunately, only the patients’ garb had the peekaboo back.
The surgeon has one different element of attire. He is wearing boots. I could exaggerate and describe them as hip-boots or waders, but they actually resemble the knee high rubber boots worn by the plumber cleaning out your sump pit. These serve to keep his tootsies dry from the overflow of the irrigating solution used during surgery. The boots added a bit of class to the standard issue uniform of the surgery center.
When my time had come, I was walked past the cells of the other inmates to the …whoa that’s a different story! I was walked to the frigid OR exchanged pleasantries again with the anesthesia guy, got an answer to why it was so cold in here and things went black like the end of the Soprano’s finale.
I awoke to the smile of my concierge nurse, the last in the line of contacts at the center. She gave me post op instructions and a snack and ushered me out of the building.
It is now three hours post-op and I am surprisingly comfortable. The medicine used for anesthesia these days is effective yet mild. I feel competent and alert, though a little unsteady on my feet. The pain has not yet hit me, but I am well prepared if and when it does.
My maiden journey through the current US healthcare system has been a good experience so far. If Blue Cross does its job and pays its fair share, I will say that this is a system that has done me well. I realize that surgical centers are different than hospitals. I also realize that I am not an ill person needing comprehensive care. So, my experience is very limited. It is my hope that our health care professionals receive the financial rewards, respect, and satisfaction in a job well done throughout their careers so that we all can have positive experiences in medical care in the future.
I have had my first surgical experience. I am documenting this now so that I may compare it to whatever the future brings in the coming era of health care reform.
My knee has been giving me increasing trouble and I pursued a diagnosis. My meniscus was breaking down and surgery was advised. I desire to continue with a long life of hiking and biking so getting this repaired in a timely fashion made sense to me. We figured that the longish Memorial Day weekend would allow my recuperation without missing too much work.
That arthroscopic surgery has become so commonplace, with athletes seemingly being scoped one day and back on the playing field the next, I was surprised at all the preliminary falderol that was necessary before the cutting actually took place.
First there’s the exam with the doctor. Then, there’s the MRI, followed by the consultation with the doctor and MRI results. Next came the lab tests, EKG, chest x-ray, and extensive health history forms. All this was followed by a phone interview reviewing the health history data. Finally, one week pre-op was another visit with the doctor’s assistant to answer questions and clear me for the surgery.
I have no complaints at all. All of this was done with the highest of competence. I spent little time in waiting rooms and all prep work went smoothly and efficiently. A tremendous amount of duplication and redundancy exists in medicine these days. I imagine much of it is to avoid human error and abide by risk management protocols. Basically, so things don’t get screwed up and people don’t get sued.
This morning I was asked to show a picture ID at the surgicenter. My imagination took flight, wondering as to the need for ID. Was there concern that I sent a proxy to have the surgery for me? Might someone walk in off the street to steal a meniscectomy in my name? Can you sell a stolen surgical procedure on EBAY? Or, could it be that a brother-in-law, who is uninsured, is actually having the procedure done and billing it to my insurance? Any and all are possibilities.
I was asked to sign the HIPAA privacy agreement, a two page waste of paper never read by anyone and signed to satisfy the bureaucrats. Why doesn’t the EPA sue these people for wasting valuable resources. This form along with the six inch sign affixed to my extension cords warning of the hazards of their use, but not warning of the danger of tripping over the sign qualify as my latest peeve toward an all too large government. But I digress. I signed the privacy form and return the HIPAA statement to the clerk so it could be re-used and ignored by the next patient.
The nursing staff was cheerful and competent. Their jobs are apparently very specialized. One nurse took vitals and started the IV. Another shaved my knee and did a preliminary scrub. I was handed an indelible marker to indicate on my thigh, which knee it was that was to receive the surgery. Both nurses re-iterated the same questions about allergies and stomach contents.
The surgeon popped in to greet me and initialed my knee to affirm which one got done. Finally, the anesthesiologist arrived to explain his special cocktail designed to render me unaware and comfortable during the procedure. He was followed by the scrub nurse and her introduction. Meeting this large cast of characters served to pass the hour and a half that I waited in pre-op similar to the way the snaking lines pass the time at Disney World.
All the nursing staff, auxilliaries, doctors and patients were dressed in color coordinated blue duds topped by blue hairnet/ shower cap things. Unfortunately, only the patients’ garb had the peekaboo back.
The surgeon has one different element of attire. He is wearing boots. I could exaggerate and describe them as hip-boots or waders, but they actually resemble the knee high rubber boots worn by the plumber cleaning out your sump pit. These serve to keep his tootsies dry from the overflow of the irrigating solution used during surgery. The boots added a bit of class to the standard issue uniform of the surgery center.
When my time had come, I was walked past the cells of the other inmates to the …whoa that’s a different story! I was walked to the frigid OR exchanged pleasantries again with the anesthesia guy, got an answer to why it was so cold in here and things went black like the end of the Soprano’s finale.
I awoke to the smile of my concierge nurse, the last in the line of contacts at the center. She gave me post op instructions and a snack and ushered me out of the building.
It is now three hours post-op and I am surprisingly comfortable. The medicine used for anesthesia these days is effective yet mild. I feel competent and alert, though a little unsteady on my feet. The pain has not yet hit me, but I am well prepared if and when it does.
My maiden journey through the current US healthcare system has been a good experience so far. If Blue Cross does its job and pays its fair share, I will say that this is a system that has done me well. I realize that surgical centers are different than hospitals. I also realize that I am not an ill person needing comprehensive care. So, my experience is very limited. It is my hope that our health care professionals receive the financial rewards, respect, and satisfaction in a job well done throughout their careers so that we all can have positive experiences in medical care in the future.
A WHITE WEDDING ISN'T COMPLETE WITHOUT A WHITE SMILE!
July 25 2009
A bride-to-be wants everything perfect on her wedding
day – the weather, her flowers, the dress — and even
her smile.
According to a nationwide study conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), 96% of adults believe that a beautiful smile makes a person more appealing to the opposite sex. So if you have thought about enhancing your smile, the perfect time to do it is before you walk down the aisle.
Here’s some important things to consider before a smile consultation with an AACD member cosmetic dentist:
* Expect the dentist to recommend a comprehensive examination before any treatment begins. The dentist should be able to assess all aspects of your dental health and the potential longevity of your proposed cosmetic treatment.
* Be sure to find a dentist who will take the time to consult with you before treatment begins. Be prepared to discuss what changes you would like to make to achieve a beautiful smile.
* Ask to see the dentist’s before-and-after photographs of actual patients.
* Make sure the dentist is an active member of the AACD, and ask how they keep up-to-date with new techniques and technology.
And then get ready to smile and enjoy your wedding day!
According to a nationwide study conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), 96% of adults believe that a beautiful smile makes a person more appealing to the opposite sex. So if you have thought about enhancing your smile, the perfect time to do it is before you walk down the aisle.
Here’s some important things to consider before a smile consultation with an AACD member cosmetic dentist:
* Expect the dentist to recommend a comprehensive examination before any treatment begins. The dentist should be able to assess all aspects of your dental health and the potential longevity of your proposed cosmetic treatment.
* Be sure to find a dentist who will take the time to consult with you before treatment begins. Be prepared to discuss what changes you would like to make to achieve a beautiful smile.
* Ask to see the dentist’s before-and-after photographs of actual patients.
* Make sure the dentist is an active member of the AACD, and ask how they keep up-to-date with new techniques and technology.
And then get ready to smile and enjoy your wedding day!
DENTAL TWITTERING
June 01 2009
An interesting thing happened to me last week at my
dental office. I was emailing a colleague
during a snack break when a new post showed on
my ‘in’ box. I had been forwarded a plea
about someone seeking help for a serious
toothache. The woman didn’t have a regular
dentist, and was afraid to call a dentist with whom
she was not familiar.
Then she had the idea to Twitter her fellow Twitter acquaintances. (Are they called Twits? I am not quite “hep” on the Twitter phenom.) Anyway, one of her contacts referred her to my office with the assurance that I would take good care of her. That I read her message within seconds of her posting was extraordinary. I called her immediately and arranged for a visit that afternoon.
It worked out well because she indeed had a true emergency and I was able to help. What an amazing world we live in! I did not really know that Twitter worked in the way that it does. That day it certainly did well for us both!
Then she had the idea to Twitter her fellow Twitter acquaintances. (Are they called Twits? I am not quite “hep” on the Twitter phenom.) Anyway, one of her contacts referred her to my office with the assurance that I would take good care of her. That I read her message within seconds of her posting was extraordinary. I called her immediately and arranged for a visit that afternoon.
It worked out well because she indeed had a true emergency and I was able to help. What an amazing world we live in! I did not really know that Twitter worked in the way that it does. That day it certainly did well for us both!
THE WHITE SMILE DIET
May 15 2009
First it was Atkins, then it was South Beach, now
it’s the White Smile Diet. Daily home care and
regular cleanings at your dentist’s office are
essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. In
addition, certain foods can help remove stains from
your teeth. Foods such as apples, pears, celery,
carrots, cauliflower and cucumbers produce saliva
which combines with the foods’ natural fibers to
naturally clean teeth and remove bacteria.
A recent survey show that whitening treatments have increased more than 300% since 1996. With so many people wanting to brighten their smile, Gregory J. Daniels DDS, a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists (AACD) has a few easy tips that will help his patients to maintain their beautiful white teeth after treatment.
• Strawberries will naturally whiten your teeth.
• Avoid drinking coffee, dark syrup sodas, red wine and blueberries. All stain teeth quickly.
• Drink from a straw whenever possible this allows food dyes to bypass teeth altogether.
• Baking soda helps remove stains. Brush it on your teeth twice a month, just as you would toothpaste, and rinse.
• Raw veggies are not only healthy, but they clean your teeth and remove topical stains.
• Chewing sugarless gum stimulates saliva and clean teeth surfaces. Not recommended for patients with TMJ.
A recent survey show that whitening treatments have increased more than 300% since 1996. With so many people wanting to brighten their smile, Gregory J. Daniels DDS, a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists (AACD) has a few easy tips that will help his patients to maintain their beautiful white teeth after treatment.
• Strawberries will naturally whiten your teeth.
• Avoid drinking coffee, dark syrup sodas, red wine and blueberries. All stain teeth quickly.
• Drink from a straw whenever possible this allows food dyes to bypass teeth altogether.
• Baking soda helps remove stains. Brush it on your teeth twice a month, just as you would toothpaste, and rinse.
• Raw veggies are not only healthy, but they clean your teeth and remove topical stains.
• Chewing sugarless gum stimulates saliva and clean teeth surfaces. Not recommended for patients with TMJ.