How is summer already almost over?! The vacations are winding down, the school supplies are bought (hopefully!), and everyone is getting back into the rhythm of earlier mornings, packed lunches, practices, homework, and all the other fun that comes with a new school year.
This month, we’re talking about a few things worth adding to that back-to-school checklist—including starting the year with a healthy smile and making sure your family’s immunization records are up to date. We’re also getting ahead of open enrollment with some information about our Dental Health Club to help you look at dental insurance a little differently this year.
And because getting back into a routine is hard enough, we’re wrapping things up with an easy low-carb zucchini enchilada recipe for one of those “I have no idea what to make for dinner” nights.
As we head into Labor Day weekend, we hope you get a chance to squeeze in one last bit of summer fun—or just enjoy a well-earned long weekend! Enjoy these last few days of summer, and good luck to everyone heading back to school!
In This Issue:
We Apologize – New Online Scheduling System
We’ve recently switched to a new system for online appointment requests.
If you recently submitted an appointment request online and did not receive a response from us, please submit your request again or give us a call. If you bookmarked the old appointment request page, please delete it. Though our previous service continues to allow patients to submit requests, our office is no longer able to see who the request is from. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Our new online request system is now active.You may now request online appointments for:
- Dental cleanings
- New patient first visits
- Dental emergencies
Please remember that submitting a request does not confirm your appointment. You’ll receive a separate confirmation from our office once your appointment has been scheduled.
Request an appointment: https://book.modento.io/…/556e32598bf…/online-scheduling
If you have multiple days or times available, please include them in the Additional Notes section.
Start the School Year with a Healthy Smile
School is back in session. Whether your child is in the classroom or learning from home, a healthy smile is still a back-to-school essential.
This is a good time of year to schedule one of your child’s regular dental visits. “We can help spot and take care of any issues so your child doesn’t have to miss class once school starts,” says ADA pediatric dentist Dr. Mary Hayes. “It’s also a great time to help get back on track if some of your child’s dental habits fell away during summer, when normal routines can go out the window and there are a lot more treats around.”
Here are a few questions to ask at your child’s appointment:
How Is My Child’s Overall Dental Health?
The dentist will be looking at the big picture of your child’s mouth, including teeth and gums. “We will check to make sure teeth are lining up correctly, your child’s bite is in good shape, and to keep an eye out for any [orthodontic] issues that may show up later,” Dr. Hayes says. “We’re also making sure baby teeth are going to the Tooth Fairy like they should.”
Will My Child Get a Cleaning Today?
This is a must, no matter how well your child brushes. “Even if your child—or you, for that matter—brushes twice a day, it’s not possible to get rid of all the bacteria that can lead to cavities,” Dr. Hayes says. “You may have a child who goes off to camp and never opens their toothbrush.”
That’s why a professional cleaning goes a long way. “It removes more of the cavity-causing bacteria and helps to keep gum tissue healthy,” she says. “It can also remove most or many stains from teeth.”
Does My Child Need an X-Ray?
X-rays help your dentist see how your child’s teeth are developing and make sure the tooth roots are healthy. They also are used to see if there is any tooth decay between your child’s teeth. “The decay process can move very, very fast, so the earlier we can catch it, the better,” Dr. Hayes says.
Your child won’t need an x-ray at every visit. “We do them only when necessary,” she says.
Can You Check My Child’s Mouthguard?
If your child plays sports year-round, make sure you bring his or her mouthguard along so your dentist can check for wear, tear and fit. “If your child is having a growth spurt, losing teeth and getting new ones, the mouthguard might need to be redone,” she says.
What Are Sealants?
Sealants can be another way to keep your child from getting cavities, but they’re no substitute for brushing and flossing. A sealant is a thin, protective coating (made from plastic or other dental materials) that your dentist can place on the chewing surfaces of your child’s permanent molars (back teeth). Once they’re on, sealants work to keep cavity-causing bacteria and bits of food from settling into the nooks and crannies that your child’s toothbrush can’t reach. This helps keep cavities from forming and tiny existing spots of decay from getting worse.
In fact, having sealants on permanent molars reduces the risk of cavities by 80%. It’s best to get sealants as soon as your child’s permanent molars come through their gums (usually at age 6, then again at age 12). “It doesn’t hurt to put on or apply a sealant,” Dr. Hayes says. “When permanent molars start coming in, parents should ask if sealants are recommended.” Most sealants last for years, and your child’s dentist will make sure they’re holding strong at every regular visit.
Rethink Dental Insurance This Open Enrollment
Open enrollment season is just around the corner, which means you’ll soon be reviewing your health and dental benefits for the coming year. Before automatically signing up for another dental insurance plan, it may be worth asking: Is dental insurance actually the best value for you and your family?
For patients without employer-sponsored dental coverage—or those considering purchasing dental insurance on their own—our Dental Health Club offers an excellent option. Instead of paying premiums to an insurance company, you work directly with our office and receive immediate savings on your dental care.
No Deductibles. No Waiting Periods. No Annual Maximums.
Traditional dental insurance often comes with rules that determine when and how you can use your benefits. There may be deductibles to meet, waiting periods before certain procedures are covered, annual maximums, denied claims, or requirements for pre-approval.
Our Dental Health Club is much simpler.
Your membership lasts for 12 months from the date you join, benefits begin immediately, and there is no deductible, no waiting period, and no annual maximum on your discount.
Your Preventive Care Is Included
Our Adult Plan is $399 per year and includes two preventive cleanings, two dental exams, routine X-rays, a periodontal disease evaluation, oral cancer screening, fluoride treatments as needed, and one emergency exam.
Children ages 0–12 can enroll in our Child Plan for $299 per year, which includes two preventive cleanings, two dental exams, routine X-rays, fluoride treatments as needed, oral cancer screening, and one emergency exam.
For patients who require periodontal maintenance, our Perio Plan is $729 per year and includes four periodontal maintenance cleanings along with exams, routine X-rays, oral cancer screening, fluoride treatments as needed, and one emergency exam.
Save 15% on Additional Dental Treatment
Your membership doesn’t stop at preventive care. All three plans include a 15% courtesy discount on additional dental treatment.
That means when you need a filling, crown, root canal, implant, or other treatment, you can receive savings without wondering how much of your annual insurance maximum is left or whether you’ve satisfied a waiting period.
Our goal is for treatment decisions to be made based on what you need for your oral health, not what an insurance company decides to cover.
An Affordable Option for the Whole Household
Have more than one person in your household who needs coverage? Each subsequent household membership receives a $50 discount, making the Dental Health Club an option worth comparing when you’re looking at coverage for your family.
And unlike many insurance plans, there’s no need to wait for January 1. Your 12-month membership begins the day you join.
Compare Before You Enroll
As open enrollment approaches, take a few minutes to look beyond the monthly premium when comparing your options. Consider the deductible, annual maximum, waiting periods, exclusions, covered services, and what you’ll actually pay out of pocket during the year.
If you’re considering purchasing dental insurance on your own, compare those costs and restrictions with our Dental Health Club. You may find that keeping your dental care between you and your dental team is the simpler choice.
Interested in joining or want to know which plan is right for you? Ask our front desk team about the Dental Health Club at your next visit or give us a call at 301-663-8300.
The Dental Health Club is a discount plan and is not dental insurance. Benefits cannot be combined with dental or medical insurance, workers’ compensation, or other discounts or offers. Membership is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Check Your Records: It’s National Immunization Awareness Month
August is National Immunization Awareness Month, making it a good time to check in on more than your dental health. Vaccines aren’t just something to think about during childhood—recommended immunizations continue throughout adulthood and can change based on your age, health, occupation, travel, pregnancy, and other risk factors.
With school starting and respiratory virus season approaching, now is a great time to pull out your family’s vaccination records and see whether anything is due.
Flu Season Is Right Around the Corner
Although August may feel early to start thinking about influenza, seasonal flu vaccines generally begin arriving at doctors’ offices and pharmacies in September, ahead of the fall and winter flu season.
There’s also something new this year. On August 5, the FDA approved MFLUSIVA, the first mRNA-based influenza vaccine approved in the United States, for adults aged 50 and older.
The technology may sound familiar because mRNA has also been used in COVID-19 vaccines. Unlike traditional flu vaccines, the mRNA approach can potentially allow manufacturers to move from strain selection to vaccine production more quickly. In Moderna’s large clinical study, involving more than 40,000 adults aged 50 and older, the new vaccine demonstrated higher relative efficacy against influenza-like illness compared with a standard-dose flu vaccine during the 2024–25 flu season.
MFLUSIVA is expected to provide another option for eligible adults this flu season. As with any vaccine, your physician or pharmacist can help determine which available flu vaccine is most appropriate for you.
Vaccines Aren’t Just for Kids
Many of us remember getting shots before starting school and then rarely thinking about our vaccination records again. But immunization is a lifelong process.
Depending on your age and individual circumstances, recommended adult vaccines may include protection against influenza, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap or Td), shingles, pneumococcal disease, hepatitis A and B, HPV, RSV, COVID-19, and other illnesses. Recommendations can vary significantly based on age, previous vaccination, health conditions, pregnancy, travel, and other factors.
That’s why it’s a good idea to periodically review your immunization history with your primary care provider rather than assuming you’re up to date.
You can also review the CDC’s current immunization schedules to learn which vaccines may be recommended for you or your children. As always, check with a doctor you trust, given that vaccination has transcended the realm of science to become a political issue.
Measles Is Back in the Headlines
Another important reason to check your family’s vaccination records this year is the resurgence of measles. After decades of relatively few cases in the United States, outbreaks have increased significantly. In 2025, the U.S. reported more than 2,200 confirmed cases—the highest number in more than 30 years.
Maryland has also seen an increase. As of July 23, 2026, Maryland had reported 12 confirmed measles cases this year, compared with just 3 during all of 2025. Health officials continue to monitor outbreaks occurring elsewhere in the United States and internationally.
Measles is extremely contagious, but it is also vaccine-preventable. According to the CDC, the MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, and vaccination recommendations vary depending on age and previous immunization history. Again, speak to a trusted medical provider about recent suggested changes to this policy.
Back to School Means Back to Vaccines, Too
If you have school-age children, August is an especially important time to check their records. Maryland requires students in pre-K through 12th grade to have age-appropriate immunizations, and schools need proof of required vaccinations.
The Frederick County Health Department is offering Back-to-School Vaccination Clinics through September 30, 2026 for eligible children, including children without health insurance, whose insurance doesn’t cover vaccines, or who are unable to receive needed vaccinations through their healthcare provider. Appointments are required, and qualifying vaccinations are provided at no cost.
Where Can I Get Vaccinated in Frederick?
For most people with private health insurance, the easiest options are your primary care provider or a local pharmacy. Many pharmacies and grocery-store pharmacies offer routine adult vaccinations, including seasonal flu vaccines, although availability varies by location.
The Frederick County Health Department Immunizations Clinic, located at 350 Montevue Lane, Frederick, MD 21702, Entrance “A”, also provides vaccinations by appointment for eligible children and adults through state and federal vaccine programs. The Health Department generally serves people who are uninsured or whose insurance doesn’t cover vaccines; those with private insurance are directed to their healthcare provider or pharmacy.
To inquire about eligibility or request an appointment, call 301-600-1733 or visit the Frederick County Health Department Immunizations Clinic.
Don’t Know What You’ve Already Had?
You’re not alone. If you can’t remember when you last received a tetanus booster—or whether you received a particular vaccine—don’t rely on your memory.
Start by contacting your healthcare provider. Maryland residents can also access vaccination records reported to the state’s immunization registry through MyIR Mobile. Keep in mind that vaccinations received before 2019 or outside Maryland may not appear in the system.
Prevention Is Part of Taking Care of Your Whole Health
We spend a lot of time talking about prevention in dentistry because it’s much easier to protect your oral health than to repair damage after a problem develops. The same philosophy applies to the rest of your health.
National Immunization Awareness Month is a simple reminder to check your records, talk with your healthcare provider, and make sure you and your family are up to date on the vaccines recommended for you.
And with September just around the corner, don’t forget to add your annual flu shot to the fall to-do list.
Meet Jennell: Our Newest Dental Assistant!
If you’ve been in the office recently, you may have already spotted a new face! Jennell recently joined our team after finishing her dental assisting training and earning her certification, so we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to introduce her — and share a little about what it actually takes to become a dental assistant.
Like many of our team members, Jennell knew she wanted to work in healthcare because she wanted to help people. She hopes to make the dental office feel a little less intimidating by being able to explain what’s happening and help someone feel more comfortable.
Even though she’s just getting started in her career, she’s already discovered her favorite part of the job: getting to know our patients!
What’s Surprised Jennell So Far?
Dental assisting gives you a very different view of what’s happening inside the mouth. One of the things that surprised Jennell most during her training was learning just how far untreated tooth decay can spread. We’ve previously shared through our Stages of Tooth Decay Youtube Series how a serious infection can eventually involve the surrounding bone.
Jennell has also discovered that extractions are her favorite procedure to assist with. She likes to see the full anatomy of the tooth including the apex, or very tip of the tooth’s root, instead of only seeing it on an X-ray.
From the Classroom to the Dental Chair
So, what does becoming a dental assistant actually look like?
Jennell earned her Associate’s degree from Frederick Community College and then completed a four-month workforce development dental assisting program recognized by the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners. And it wasn’t all textbooks!
Her training combined classroom instruction with hands-on lab work. Students even practiced on one another, which gave Jennell the opportunity to learn one particularly valuable lesson from the patient’s point of view: An overfilled impression tray is NOT fun.
Want to Become a Dental Assistant in Maryland?
There’s more than one path into dental assisting, and exactly what training or certification you need depends on the duties you want to perform.
Someone entering the field can begin with the skills needed to assist the dentist and patient during everyday care. From there, dental assistants can continue their education and earn additional qualifications that allow them to take on more responsibilities.
For example, taking dental X-rays requires separate certification in Maryland. To become a Maryland Dental Radiation Technologist, applicants generally complete at least 24 hours of Board-approved dental radiation education, pass an approved radiation examination, and apply for certification through the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners.
Dental assistants can also pursue additional training for expanded functions, allowing them to perform additional procedures under a dentist’s supervision. Maryland has been updating its dental assisting regulations to establish pathways for general and orthodontic Expanded Function Dental Assistants (EFDAs), with specific education, examination and Board-certification requirements.
In other words, dental assisting can be both an entry point into healthcare and a career you continue building on as you gain experience.
Thinking About Dental Assisting?
Jennell has one piece of advice:
“Assisting is about being a team player. Try your best to learn how to anticipate both the doctor’s and patient’s needs.”
That’s a pretty good description of what happens behind the scenes in a dental office. A great assistant is constantly thinking a few steps ahead: what the doctor will need next, what the patient might be worried about, and what they can do to keep everything moving smoothly.
When She’s Not in Scrubs…
Jennell is usually reading, crafting, or heading to a concert whenever she gets the chance.
We’re excited to have her starting her dental career with us. Welcome to our team, Jennell!
Share the Care You Trust
Recipe of the Month: Low-Carb Zucchini Enchiladas
Source: https://www.purewow.com/recipes/low-carb-zucchini-enchiladas
Grilled marinated chicken, a quick tomato cucumber salad, tangy bits of feta, and a zippy pepperoncini garlic butter sauce poured over the whole thing. What a showstopper!
Ingredients
Zucchini:
- 8 zucchini, halved lengthwise
- 3 tablespoons kosher salt
Filling:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 bunch (90g) scallions, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
- 2 medium (91g) poblano peppers, deseeded and finely chopped
- 1 cup (195g) cooked black beans
- 1 cup (175g) canned corn, drained
- 1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed and meat shredded
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup (130g) enchilada sauce
- Hot sauce, as needed
Assembly:
- 2½ cups (650g) enchilada sauce
- 1 cup (113g) shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- Sour cream and chopped fresh cilantro, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the zucchini: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Use a metal spoon to scrape out the seeds from the zucchini; discard the seeds and place the flesh in a colander. Be generous when scooping, making as much room as possible for the filling without breaking the zucchini. Season the zucchini with the kosher salt and toss gently to combine. Place the colander in the sink and let sit for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Remove the zucchini from the colander, pat it dry with paper towels and place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and roast until the zucchini are just tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Make the filling: In a medium skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the scallions and poblano peppers and sauté until the peppers are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the black beans and use the back of a spoon to mash and break them up slightly. Stir in the corn and chicken, and toss to combine.
- Season the filling with the cumin, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir in the 1 cup enchilada sauce and hot sauce, to taste, and continue to cook for about 2 minutes. Set the filling aside.
- Assemble the enchiladas: Pour ½ cup of the remaining enchilada sauce in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch pan, spreading evenly. Arrange the roasted zucchini boats in an even layer on top of the sauce. Using tongs, fill each piece of zucchini generously with the filling, repeating until you’ve used it all up.
- Pour the remaining 2 cups enchilada sauce evenly over the zucchini and filling, and top with the shredded cheese. Transfer to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes. Garnish with sour cream and cilantro.