As summer arrives and our calendars fill with family gatherings, vacations, and community celebrations, June also gives us an opportunity to reflect on the values that help build healthier, stronger communities: inclusion, respect, and connection.
This month, we recognize both Pride Month and Juneteenth—two important observances that remind us of the importance of dignity, acceptance, and equal access to opportunities and care. At Dr. Harvey Levy & Associates, we believe everyone deserves to feel welcomed, valued, and comfortable when seeking healthcare. A healthy smile starts with trust, and we’re committed to creating a positive experience for every patient who walks through our doors.
We’re sharing information to help you make informed decisions about your oral health—from understanding dental implants and protecting your smile after 40, to learning how everyday dietary choices can affect your teeth. We’re also excited to share details about our upcoming patient communication platform, and launch our new Share the Care referral program.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of your healthcare journey. We hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter and find something that helps you smile a little brighter.
In This Issue:
Considering Dental Implants? Here’s What to Know
Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dental-implant-surgery/about/pac-20384622
We’re thrilled to announce that we now offer dental implant treatment in-house! If you’re missing one or more teeth, dental implants can be a long-term solution that looks, feels, and functions much like your natural teeth. Rather than simply replacing the part of the tooth that you see (like a bridge would), implants replace the root itself, creating a strong, stable foundation for a new restoration.
Dental implants are small titanium posts that are placed into the jawbone. Over time, the bone naturally fuses to the implant in a process called osseointegration, creating a secure anchor for a crown, bridge, or denture. That’s what keeps everything firmly in place, with no slipping, no shifting, and no second-guessing your smile.
Who Might Be a Good Candidate?
Implants can be a great option if you:
- Are missing one or more teeth
- Have a healthy jawbone (or are a candidate for bone grafting)
- Want a more permanent, stable solution than removable options
- Are in good overall oral health
What Does the Process Look Like?
Implant treatment happens in stages. Depending on your needs, it may involve removing a damaged tooth, placing the implant, allowing time for healing, and then attaching a custom crown. Because the bone needs time to integrate with the implant, the full process can take several months.
Why Choose Implants?
- They help preserve jawbone health
- They don’t rely on neighboring teeth
- They look and function like natural teeth
- They’re designed to last with proper care
- As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks, but they’re typically minimal and manageable with proper planning.
The Bottom Line: The biggest news here is you no longer have to go elsewhere for implant care. We’ve brought this entire procedure in-house, so the same team that knows your smile, your history, and your goals can now place and restore your implant from start to finish. No referrals, no new offices, no unfamiliar faces. Implant appointments are currently available on Fridays, and starting in July, we’re adding Mondays too. Call us to find out if implants are right for you and to get on the schedule.
A New Patient Communication And Scheduling Platform Coming Soon!
Coming soon this summer, we’ll be rolling out Dental Intelligence, a new patient communication and scheduling platform to make it easier than ever to book appointments, get reminders, and stay on top of your care. We’ll be rolling it out in stages, starting with appointment reminders and follow-ups, so don’t worry if you don’t see every feature on day one.
What you need to do: Nothing, really — just make sure the cell phone number and email address we have on file for you are current. If you’d previously opted out of text or email reminders, you’ll need to opt out again under the new system, but it should be quick and painless.
What’s changing for you:
- Less annoying reminders. You’ll only get a text reminder if you haven’t already confirmed your appointment, plus a same-day reminder. No more repeat texts for appointments you’ve already confirmed.
- A better online portal. You’ll be able to make payments, schedule appointments, and message our office directly online.
- Smarter forms. No more filling out the same information every visit — you’ll simply verify what we already have on file and update anything that’s changed or new.
- Real-time online scheduling (new patients only, for now) — instead of submitting a preferred date and hoping we have an opening, you’ll be able to see our actual available appointment slots and pick one that works. We’re starting with new patients while we learn the system, and plan to open this up to existing patients for routine cleanings once we’ve got it dialed in.
In the meantime, if you have questions, feel free to ask our front desk team.
Share the Care You Trust
Know someone who’s overdue for a cleaning or looking for a new dental home? Our Share the Care referral program rewards you for spreading the word.
Here’s how it works:
- You refer a friend or family member as a new patient.
- They get care — plus a $35 credit toward any visit.
- You get a thank-you — a gift card from us, redeemable after their first appointment.
Your thank-you gift card:
- $5 gift card — Family referral
- $10 gift card — Friend referral
- $15 gift card — Implant case referral
Choose from Amazon, Target, Walmart, Starbucks, Dunkin’, or Dollar Tree gift cards. (Only 1 gift card per referred patient.)
There’s no limit to how many people you can refer. So, if you’ve been telling friends “you have to go there,” now there’s a little extra reason to share!
Thank you for trusting us with your care — and for helping your friends and family find theirs.
Dental Diversity Month: Everyone is Welcome to a Chair in our Office
Every June, the dental community observes Dental Diversity Month — a chance to reflect on the wide range of cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences our patients bring to our office every day, and on what it really takes to make EVERYONE feel welcome and comfortable.
The idea of welcoming everyone has shaped our practice since its very beginning in 1984. We welcomed members of the deaf community, with whom we communicated using ASL and TDD before cell phones made it easier. We welcomed patients with many kinds of special needs into our office and hospital operating rooms, and over the years Dr. Levy has trained hundreds of dental practitioners nationwide to do the same. As our society as a whole became more aware of discrimination we decided to intentionally focus on inclusivity, making sure that every team member that joins our team shares our values.
We’ve come to realize that “inclusive care” is a daily practice of paying attention. It means noticing when a patient is more anxious than they’re letting on, and slowing down. It means recognizing that a patient with a complex medical history needs a different conversation than a patient coming in for a routine cleaning. It means understanding that someone who hasn’t been to a dentist in years has a reason, which deserves respect, not judgment.
We welcome patients across an enormous range — from infants to centenarians, from people with significant special needs or dental phobia to folks who just haven’t had a great experience with a dentist before. We see families who’ve been navigating language barriers or tight budgets, and we try to meet them where they are rather than trying to fit everyone into a mold. None of that is unique to June. It’s just who we’ve strived to be for the last 42 years.
How we include diversity in our care
Our team spends time learning about our patients and their experiences, because the goal isn’t to treat everyone the same; it’s to treat everyone well, which looks different from person to person.
We also know access to care isn’t equal. Cost, transportation, fear, and time all get in the way for a lot of people. We try to chip away at those barriers where we can — through flexible scheduling, payment options, and willingness to give someone extra time when needed.
And we try to show up outside the office too — through school visits, community partnerships, and mentoring the next generation of dental professionals, through internships and externships.
Why we keep coming back to this
On average our team members have been with us for more than 16 years – some for a year, some for almost 30. This kind of continuity matters. It’s part of why patients tell us they feel genuinely known when they come to our office, not just scheduled.
For us, diversity in dentistry has never really been about WHO we treat. It’s about HOW we treat — with patience, respect, and the assumption that everyone in our chairs deserves to be heard.
So, this June, we’re not announcing anything new. We’re just grateful for the patients and team members who are committed to making sure that everyone who walks through our door feels like they belong here.
Dental Health After 40
Source: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/life-stages/adults/adults-40-60/dental-health-concerns-adults-40-60
Your smile doesn’t stop changing once you reach adulthood. Decades of chewing, grinding, old fillings, shifting hormones, and new medications all leave their mark. A mouth that sailed through your 20s without a single cavity can start raising new questions in your 40s, 50s, and beyond. None of this means your dental health is destined to decline — it just means it’s worth knowing what is usual at this stage of life, so you and your dentist can stay a step ahead rather than reacting after things happen.
Here are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Gum disease — Gingivitis is the only reversible stage of gum disease, and it doesn’t always cause obvious symptoms. Regular checkups catch it early.
- Missing teeth — The average adult age 20–64 has three or more decayed or missing teeth. Bridges, dentures, and implants are all options worth discussing.
- Sensitive teeth — Hot or cold making you wince? It could be worn enamel, a cavity, or gum recession — let us help pinpoint the cause.
- Dry mouth — Often a side effect of medication, dry mouth raises your risk of tooth decay. Tell us about any medications you’re taking.
- Oral cancer — Risk increases after 50. Routine exams help catch suspicious changes early, when they’re most treatable.
- Calcium intake — Adults over 50 need about 1,200 mg of calcium a day to help protect the jawbone and prevent tooth loss from osteoporosis. Your diet may not be furnishing enough.
The takeaway: regular checkups matter more than ever after 40. We’re here to help you stay ahead of these changes.
Is Your Diet Quietly Wearing Down Your Teeth?
Source: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/dietary-acids-and-your-teeth
Sugar isn’t the only threat to your enamel — acid is too. Foods and drinks that are citrusy, carbonated, or sour can slowly erode the protective layer of your teeth, even if they’re sugar-free.
Common culprits:
- Soda and sports drinks (the carbonation itself is acidic)
- Citrus fruits and juices (great in moderation, not as a sipping drink all day)
- Sour candies (some are nearly as acidic as battery acid!)
- Dried fruit (sticky + acidic = double trouble)
Easy ways to protect your smile:
- Use a straw with acidic drinks
- Rinse with water or have a piece of cheese after acidic foods/drinks
- Wait about an hour before brushing after eating something acidic (this gives your enamel time to re-harden)
- Chew sugar-free gum to keep saliva flowing
Irreversible loss of tooth enamel, also known as tooth erosion, is very preventable. A few small habit changes go a long way.
Your Root Canal Might Be Good for Your Heart
“Root canal” might be one of the most dreaded phrases in dentistry — but new research suggests it could be doing more for you than just saving a tooth.
A study from King’s College London followed dental patients for two years after they had a root canal and found something unexpected: along with treating the infection in the tooth, the procedure was linked to measurable improvements in markers of heart and metabolic health — including lower inflammation and better cholesterol and blood sugar readings.
Here’s the connection. A tooth typically needs a root canal when the soft tissue inside it (the pulp) becomes infected or inflamed, usually due to deep decay, a crack, or repeated dental work on the same tooth. Left untreated, that infection doesn’t always stay contained: bacteria can leak from the tooth into the bloodstream, triggering inflammation that ripples well beyond the mouth. Chronic, low-grade inflammation like this is already a well-established risk factor for heart disease and metabolic conditions like diabetes. A root canal removes the infected tissue, seals off the source of that bacteria, and — according to this research — appears to let some of that inflammation settle down.
It’s an encouraging finding, but it’s also a good reminder that your mouth doesn’t operate in isolation from the rest of your body. Gum disease has long been linked to heart disease and diabetes risk, and this study adds a tooth-level infection to that same conversation. So, putting off a needed root canal doesn’t just risk the tooth itself; based on this research, it may also be letting a quiet source of inflammation sit unaddressed in your body longer than it needs to.
What this means for you: if a tooth has been bothering you — lingering sensitivity, pain when you bite down, or a tooth that’s gone dark — it’s worth getting checked out sooner rather than later. To make it more convenient for you, we’re now able to perform root canals in our office, so don’t hesitate to make the appointment to have it checked out.
Recipe of the Month: White Bean Salad With Feta
Source: https://www.oliveandmango.com/white-bean-salad-with-feta/
This Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta is so simple to make, with a few fresh veggies and a handful of pantry staples. It’s great for meal prep school lunches, work lunches for the week, and makes a great healthy summer BBQ or picnic, or potluck side dish! Healthy, simple to make, and packed with veggies and a light vinaigrette dressing. Serve it alongside some grilled meat, tuna or veggies for a quick and easy light and delicious dinner, or bring it to your next get together and watch it disappear!
Ingredients
- 2 cans white beans rinsed and drained ( white kidney beans/ cannellini beans)
- 2 mini cucumbers (or ½ English cucumber) thinly sliced or chopped
- 2 spring onions finely chopped
- 1 shallot or small red onion small, peeled and chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill
- ⅓ cup pitted and sliced Kalamata olives
- 1 small diced red bell pepper – red or yellow
- 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup crumbled or cubed feta cheese, plus more to taste
Dressing
- 1 large garlic clove, peeled and minced
- Zest and juice or 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Prep your fresh ingredients. Drain and rinse beans, halve the olives, cut the cucumber into small pieces, halve the cherry or grape tomatoes, slice the red onion, roughly chop the fresh herbs, seed and chop the bell pepper. Cube or crumble feta.
- Once all salad ingredients are prepped, place them all into a large mixing bowl, and stir and toss to combine.
- Make the dressing. Add all dressing ingredients (olive oil, lemon juice, zest, vinegar, oregano, garlic, salt and black pepper) to a medium bowl or liquid measure, and whisk well to combine. Or place in a mason jar with lid and shake until well combined.
- Pour dressing over the salad in the bowl, and gently toss to coat. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
- Salad can be made ahead, and keeps in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Can be served immediately but if you chill it for a 1-2 hours, the flavors will come together better.
Notes
- To mellow out the flavor of the red onion you can toss the onion with the dressing and let it marinate while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
- USING DRIED BEANS: If using dried beans use approx 500 grams of medium size beans (white haricot beans, cannellini, or navy beans) soaked overnight. The next day, strain the beans and then boil them in fresh water. When they start boiling, use a slotted spoon or ladle to remove the foam. Once the foam is removed, strain the beans and replace with fresh water to bring them to a boil a second time. Once they start boiling again, add salt, reduce heat and simmer for about 1–1 1⁄2 hours, covering with a lid, until they are soft. When they are cooked, let them cool down and strain them.