We’ve shaken off the winter blues, stocked up on pastel-colored floss, and we’re hopping into spring with a whole lot to share! From celebrating our dental dream team to spotlighting important health awareness month celebrations, we’ve packed this issue with news, tips, and even a little flavor (literally—don’t miss the recipe).
Whether you’re here for the money-saving tips, the story of a multi-generational smile legacy, or just came for the Jalapeño Green Goddess Wraps, we’ve got something to make you smile. Oh—and if we’ve brightened your day even a little, we’d love a review!
Now let’s spring forward together—smiles first!
In This Issue:
- Kudos to Our Smile Superheroes
- Oral Cancer Awareness Month
- Facial Protection Month (Mouthguards)
- Recycle Your Oral Care Waste
- Tips for Saving Money
- Springtime Celebrations
- Celebrating 45 Years! – Patient Family Testimonial
- Recipe: Tahini Jalapeño Green Goddess Chicken Salad Wraps
- Please Leave us a Review!
Kudos to Our Smile Superheroes
Dental Hygienist Week may have come and gone, but we’re still smiling thanks to the incredible work of our hygiene team!
Our hygienists aren’t just cleaning and polishing teeth — they’re building trust, calming nerves, spotting issues early, and helping patients feel proud of their smiles. They turn routine visits into moments of real care and connection, and that’s something truly special.
We’re so grateful for the heart, skill, and good vibes they bring to every appointment. Thank you for being the difference-makers behind every healthy smile!
Oral Cancer Awareness Month
Source: https://oralcancerfoundation.org/
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month—a time to spotlight a serious yet often overlooked health issue. This year, approximately 58,500 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer, and tragically, one American dies from this disease every hour.
Why Early Detection Matters
Oral cancer can affect the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and throat. Early detection significantly improves survival rates and reduces treatment-related complications. Unfortunately, many cases are only discovered in advanced stages, leading to more aggressive treatments and lower survival rates.
Know the Risk Factors
While tobacco and alcohol use remain significant risk factors, the fastest-growing segment of oral cancer patients comprises young, healthy individuals with no history of tobacco use. The cause is primarily the human papillomavirus (HPV). Other risk factors include prolonged sun exposure (for lip cancer), a diet low in fruits and vegetables, and a family history of oral cancer.
Recognize the Warning Signs
Be vigilant for symptoms such as:
- Persistent mouth sores
- Lumps or thickening in the cheek
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Numbness of the tongue or other areas of the mouth
- Jaw swelling
- Voice changes
If you experience any of these symptoms for more than two weeks, consult your dentist or healthcare provider promptly.
Our Commitment to Your Health
As part of our dedication to your well-being, we incorporate oral cancer screenings into routine dental exams. These screenings are quick, painless, and can be life-saving. It’s important that you come in for these screenings even if you wear full dentures.
Take Action Today
Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Schedule your dental check-up and ensure an oral cancer screening is part of your visit. Early detection can save lives.
Facial Protection Month
Let’s Talk About Mouthguards (and Why Your Smile Deserves One!)
Spring is in full swing, and with it comes baseball, soccer, skateboarding, and all kinds of activities that can put your smile at risk. That’s why April is National Facial Protection Month – a great time to shine a light on one of the simplest ways to prevent dental injuries – the mighty mouthguard.
Every year, thousands of dental injuries occur during sports and recreational activities. A properly fitted mouthguard can help protect your teeth, lips, tongue, and jaw from serious trauma — and in many cases, prevent the need for costly dental treatment down the road.
Did You Know?
- Mouthguards help absorb and distribute the impact of a hit to the face.
- They’re especially important for anyone with braces or dental appliances.
- You don’t have to play contact sports to need a mouthguard — even activities like gymnastics or skateboarding carry risk.
Types of Mouthguards
There are several options out there, but they’re not created equal:
- Stock mouthguards are ready-made, inexpensive, and widely available — but they don’t offer a great fit.
- Boil-and-bite mouthguards are a step up, with a more customized shape formed at home.
- Custom mouthguards are made by your dentist for a truly personalized fit, offering the best protection and comfort.
Want a deeper dive into the pros and cons of each type? Check out our full article here — it covers everything you need to know, from what to choose to how to care for your mouthguard between games.
We Can Help!
If you or your child needs a mouthguard, we’re here to help. We offer custom-fit mouthguards right in our office — tailored for comfort, performance, and safety. Just ask us at your next appointment or give us a call to get started.
This spring, don’t forget your helmet, your sunscreen… and your mouthguard. Protect your face — your smile is worth it!
Recycle Your Oral Care Waste
We’re excited to share a small but mighty addition to our dental office — a TerraCycle Oral Care Recycling Box arriving after May1st in our waiting room!
Most toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, and floss containers aren’t recyclable through regular curbside programs, but this box changes that. Through TerraCycle’s Zero Waste program, we can now collect oral care packaging of any brand — and give it a second life, instead of sending it to the landfill.
Here’s what you can drop off:
- Toothbrushes (manual or electric heads)
- Toothpaste tubes and caps
- Floss containers
- Toothbrush and toothpaste outer packaging
Any brand is welcome! (While TerraCycle’s Colgate partnership is more limited, this box is open to all brands.)
What happens next? Once the box is full, it’s shipped off to TerraCycle, where the materials are cleaned, separated, and recycled into raw materials for new products.
Want to help us make an even bigger impact? If the box sees good use, we’ll upgrade to a larger one — or even expand our recycling offerings!
Got questions? Want to learn more about what can and can’t go in the bin? Check out the official TerraCycle program page here: TerraCycle Oral Care Recycling Program
Let’s work together to keep our smiles — and our planet — a little cleaner.
Tips for Saving Money
With prices rising and budgets feeling tighter, many of us are looking for ways to cut costs without cutting comfort. Whether you’re saving up for something big or just trying to stretch your dollars a little further, here are a few simple, everyday strategies to help you spend less and live more intentionally:
- Take Inventory of Your Subscriptions – From streaming services to fitness apps, it’s easy to lose track of all the subscriptions quietly billing you each month. Take a moment to list them all out — then ask yourself:
- Do I actually use this?
- Is it worth the cost?
- Can I share it with a family member or downgrade to a cheaper plan?
Cancel the ones that aren’t adding value to your daily life — your bank account will thank you.
- Grow Your Own Groceries – Even if you’re not ready for a full backyard garden, starting with a few herbs on the windowsill or a tomato plant on the porch can make a difference. Fresh produce is healthier, cheaper in the long run, and surprisingly satisfying to grow yourself. You’d be amazed what you can do with a few pots, some soil, and a little sunlight.
- Embrace Food Preservation & Meal Planning – Plan your meals, prep your ingredients, and freeze what you don’t eat right away. Leftovers don’t have to be boring — think of them as tomorrow’s time-savers. Bonus points for learning basic food preservation techniques like pickling, freezing, canning, or dehydrating seasonal produce. They’ll cut down on waste and save you money over time.
- Choose Reusables Over Disposables – While it might feel like a bigger investment up front, switching to reusable items — like cloth napkins, washable food containers, and even rechargeable batteries — can lead to major savings over time. Not to mention it’s better for the planet. You can also extend the life of items we often toss without a second thought — rinse and reuse zip-top bags, repurpose glass jars for storage, or cut up worn-out t-shirts into cleaning rags. Small changes like these add up quickly and keep more waste out of landfills.
- Track Every Dollar – Sometimes the most eye-opening thing you can do is simply write it all down. Use a budgeting app, a spreadsheet, or even a good old-fashioned notebook to track your expenses. You’ll start to notice trends, like how that daily coffee adds up or how much you really spend on impulse buys. Once you see where your money’s going, it’s easier to make changes that stick.
Whether you’re making one small shift or several, the key is consistency. These aren’t just money-saving tips — they’re steps toward a more mindful lifestyle.
Let us know if you’ve tried any of these — or have a favorite budget-friendly tip to share! We’d love to hear from you, newsletter@drhlevyassoc.com, and will publish more tips in upcoming issues of our newsletter!
Springtime Celebrations
Spring is in full swing, and with it, we’ve been celebrating new beginnings — from Easter and Passover to Vaisakhi. It’s a season full of hope, fresh starts, and connection.
Just like the season, our team is buzzing with energy and growth.
Here’s to brighter days ahead — and to everything we’re building together this spring!
Celebrating 45 Years! – Patient Family Testimonial
Dr. Harvey Levy began practicing dentistry here in Frederick back in 1980, and just a few years later, he founded Dr. Harvey Levy & Associates. Now, we’re proud to celebrate more than 40 years of caring for our amazing community!
To mark this milestone, we’re inviting patients whose families span generations — children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren — to share a few words about their experience with us over the years. Your stories are a big part of what makes our practice feel like family.
(If we can’t feature everyone this year, don’t worry — we’re already excited to hear from you in 2030, when Dr. Harvey Levy & Associates celebrates Dr. Levy’s 50th year practicing dentistry in Frederick!)
Thank you for being such an important part of our journey!
Below is a testimonial from Debbie Mason-Rooney, who started working with Dr. Levy in 1987 as a front desk coordinator, who retired as our practice manager early this year, and who continues to support us as a consultant. In the photo many of you will recognize Abbey, who is Debbie’s daughter-in-law.
From Deborah Mason-Rooney: 3 Generations, 38 Years!
“The dental practice, Dr. Harvey Levy & Associates, holds a special place in my family’s history! I was the first member of my family to receive dental treatment from this practice. After 38 years of being a patient in this practice there are now three generations of the Mason-Rooney family that are currently receiving dental care provided by this practice and its outstanding providers. Since 1987, we have seen changes to this practice and its providers, such as retiring, moving out of the area, changing their focus from working to having families of their own. Through it all, this practice has consistently been represented by reliable, dedicated healthcare professionals. We have remained loyal patients because of their exceptional care and personalized approach to treating my family and also many other families.
It is hard to believe my family has relied on Dr. Levy & Associates for 38 years of the 45 years it has been open. The 45th anniversary of this practice is a milestone worth celebrating! This dental practice has clearly become much more than just an ordinary dental practice, it’s a trusted institution in our community. That goes beyond dental expertise: it starts with how you, the patient, feels welcome when you enter the front door. Each provider and support staff demonstrates a compassionate and true desire to treat patients of all ages and make them feel valued and understood. The best relationship you can have with a healthcare provider is trust, consistency and exceptional healthcare service. For the last 38 years my family and myself have been fortunate enough to have that type of relationship.
At first I was not aware that Dr. Levy was deeply involved in treating patients with special needs. One day I heard country music coming out of a treatment room, and as I walked past I saw hygienists and assistants dancing with a special needs patient! I later learned that the only way this patient would allow treatment was to have this brief dance! After the dance was over the patient sat in the chair and agreed to receive the necessary treatment. I learned that day that working with patients with special needs requires empathy, and the commitment to do whatever is necessary to ensure they receive oral health care. That is an example of how far this practice goes to treat their patients.
My family and I believe that Dr. Harvey Levy & Associates is a cornerstone of Frederick’s healthcare landscape, supporting wellness and giving families a reason to smile – quite literally, as you look at the picture of my family and our smiles!
Over the 38 years I have seen changes in technology and techniques used by the practice, changes to our team, and changes to the dentistry business. What has remained consistent is the sincere and deep caring every member of our team has for our patients.
My family and I would like to thank Dr. Harvey Levy & Associates for the excellent dental care and friendly welcome on each visit. Our personal wish is to have many more years and generations of the Mason-Rooney family pass through your practice door!”
Recipe of the Month: Tahini Jalapeño Green Goddess Chicken Salad Wraps
Source: https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/green-goddess-chicken-salad-wraps/
These high-protein green goddess chicken salad wraps are packed with veggies and a flavorful, creamy, pickled jalapeño tahini yogurt sauce. Customize them with your favorite mix-ins for the perfect, quick & easy weekday lunch!
Ingredients
For the pickled jalapeño herby tahini yogurt sauce:
- ½ heaping cup plain greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- ⅓ cup pickled jalapeños (I like the spicy, but mild is great, too!)
- 1 tablespoon pickled jalapeño brine
- 1 garlic clove, roughly chopped
- 1 heaping cup tender herbs such as any of the following: parsley, dill, cilantro, basil, chives
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
For the chicken:
- Roughly 1 pound of cooked leftover chicken, chopped or shredded
- Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste
For assembly:
- 4 large burrito-size spinach tortillas (or whole wheat is great, or lightly toasted sourdough bread!)
- 3 cups spinach and/or arugula (or use romaine if you like some more crunch!)
- 1 large avocado, sliced
- 1 to 2 persian cucumbers, cut into matchsticks
- 1 cup roasted red peppers strips, drained (or sub tomato slices)
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Pickled jalapeño slices
Instructions
- In a high powered blender or food processor, add the yogurt, tahini, pickled jalapenos, the brine, garlic, herbs (my fav are a mix of parsley, cilantro, dill and chives), salt and pepper. Blend on high until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust as necessary.
- In a large bowl, add the chopped or shredded chicken and all of the sauce. Mix with a spoon until well combined and the chicken is well coated. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Now it’s time to make your wraps: Add 1 heaping cup spinach/arugula (or romaine) mix to 1 wrap, then top with 1/4th of the chicken salad mixture (about ⅔ cup). Next add avocado slices, cucumber sticks, red bell pepper, red onion, and some jalapeno slices.
- Carefully tuck in the sides of each wrap as your roll until ingredients are secured inside. You can secure everything together with a toothpick before cutting it in half, if necessary. Makes 4 wraps.
Notes
- To make vegetarian: Sub in 2 (15 ounce) cans of chickpeas that have been rinsed, drained and smashed. Chickpea salads are just as delicious!
- To make gluten free: Serve in lettuce cups or on your favorite gluten free bread/wrap.