March is Women’s History Month – commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. With most of our team members being women, in this issue of our newsletter we recognize their incredible contributions to our practice and the health of our patients!
Speaking of history, if you missed any of our newsletters you can find them on our website, under https://www.drhlevyassoc.com/newsletter/ . As always, please feel free to forward this email to friends and family who you think would benefit, and let us know what you thought of this one!
In This Issue:
- Oral Health is a Women’s Health Issue
- Sleep Apnea and Snoring
- Why Celebrate Women’s History Month
- Join us at the World of Possibilities Expo on Saturday, April 9
- Honoring Our Team Members
- Free At-Home COVID-19 Test Kits
- Recipe of the Month
- Review Us!
Oral Health is a Women’s Health Issue
Edited. Original Source: https://nwhn.org/oral-health-is-a-womens-health-issue/
Oral health is essential throughout a woman’s life, and particularly during pregnancy. But far too many women, especially low-income women and women of color, lack access to comprehensive and affordable dental insurance.
Women and Oral Health
Women face unique risks for oral health problems that put them at risk for severe gum disease. Causes unique to women include fluctuating sex hormone levels during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, as well as oral contraceptive use. Morning sickness and acid reflux can also break down tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay.
Common oral health problems during pregnancy include cavities, loose teeth, gum disease, and pregnancy oral tumors. A growing body of research has confirmed that severe gum disease increases the likelihood of preterm birth and low birthweight. Oral health problems can also increase the risk of other health problems for women, including diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and osteoporosis.
Obstacles to Women’s Oral Health Access
Many women in the United States often go without necessary dental care. Reasons include financial cost but there are other access challenges, such as finding transportation, taking time off work, and arranging childcare.
It is difficult to find updated information about the differences between access to care for men and women. The most recent statistic we could locate was from 2016, and it didn’t provide a comparison.
If you’re interested in access to care, the 2021 article “Disparities in Oral Health,” published by the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/oral_health_disparities/index.htm , compares factors such as untreated cavities, oral cancer, gum disease, and edentulism (complete tooth loss) for different groups based on age, ethnic background, and education level.
Sleep Apnea and Snoring
March 1-7 was Sleep Apnea Awareness Week. Because sleep apnea is a serious health concern that can literally kill those who suffer from it, we felt that it was important to include the article below.
Source: https://tinyurl.com/2s49n45d
Sleep apnea is a common and serious sleeping disorder that happens when your regular breathing is interrupted during sleep. Snoring is common among patients with sleep apnea but not all snorers have sleep apnea.
There are two main types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea. The more common form, it is the result of blocked airflow during sleep, usually when the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses while you sleep. Health factors, such as obesity may contribute.
- Central sleep apnea. Results from a problem with how the brain signals the breathing muscles. The airway is not blocked, instead the brain fails to signal the muscles to breath. This type of sleep apnea can occur with conditions such as heart failure, brain tumors, brain infections, and stroke.
Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, although men are more likely to develop the disorder. The risk is also greater for those:
- over 40
- overweight
- with large tonsils, large tongue or small jaw
- with a family history of sleep apnea
- with a nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum, allergies or sinus problems.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a number of health problems including:
- high blood pressure
- stroke
- heart failure, irregular heartbeat and heart attack
- diabetes
- depression
- worsening of ADHD.
Sleep apnea can be treated. There are several options:
- Adjusting sleeping habits. This may mean simply not sleeping on your back
- Continuous positive air pressure (CPAP). This is a device which improves breathing while you sleep. The device supplies air through the nasal passages and the air pressure keeps the airway open while sleeping.
- Oral appliances. Certain oral devices can shift and support the jaw to prevent the airway from collapsing. Research shows that oral appliances can successfully prevent sleep apnea in some mild to moderate cases.
- Surgery. According to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine upper airway surgery may be recommended when other treatment options are unsuccessful in eliminating the symptoms of sleep apnea. Depending on the location and nature of the airway obstruction, the procedure may be minimally invasive or more complex. It may be necessary to remove the tonsils or other parts of the soft palate or throat.
If you think you have sleep apnea, make sure to speak with your physician or dentist for more information and possible evaluation.
Women’s History Month: March 2022
Source: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2022/womens-history-month.html
National Women’s History Month traces its roots to March 8, 1857, when women from various New York City factories staged a protest over poor working conditions. The first Women’s Day celebration in the United States was in 1909, also in New York City. More than seven decades later, Congress in 1981 established National Women’s History Week to be commemorated annually the second week of March. In 1987, Congress expanded the week to a month and every year since has passed a resolution (and the president has issued a proclamation) designating March Women’s History Month.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month 2022, we reflect upon advances women have made over the last decade. Women have increased their earnings, education and fields of occupation, and continue to have longer average life spans than men. Below are some Census Bureau stats highlighting these and other changes over the years.
Did You Know?
164.8 million – The number of females of all ages in the United States. There were 159.9 million males of all ages.
2 to 1 – The approximate ratio of women to men ages 85 and older (4.1 million to 2.2 million) in the United States.
20.7% – In 2019, the percentage of women 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree as their highest degree; 19.9% of men had a bachelor’s degree as their highest degree.
80.8% – Women’s median earnings as a percentage of men’s median earnings, for full full-time, year-round workers 16 years and older.
Stop by and say hey to Lindsey and Abbey who will be attending the first World of Possibilities Expo to be held in Frederick, MD on Saturday, April 9th! We have been honored to attend this expo for the past several years in Timonium, MD and are excited for the venue to be closer to home and our patients.
The World of Possibilities Disabilities, Healthy Aging and Independent Living Expos are designed to bring people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, service providers and supporting agencies all together in one venue. These Expos provide an opportunity for you to enhance your knowledge and explore disability related products, services, technology and resources available.
We will be educating community members about the importance of dental services for this underserved demographic and our office’s ability to treat patients with special needs. If you are interested in attending, stop by our office for a free admission pass.
Clarion Inn Frederick Event Center
5400 Holiday Dr
Frederick, MD 21703
April 9, 2022
Saturday, 11:00a-3:00p
https://expo.caringcommunities.org/
HONORING OUR TEAM MEMBERS
MVP – Deb
In February, we recognized Deb as our MVP. Deb is a great team player who is always offering to help out when needed. A very experienced dental hygienist, Deb has come through for us several times at the last minute over the last few weeks. Deb has now joined our team on a regular part-time basis, and will be working in our office every Wednesday and Thursday, as well as some Saturdays. Thank you Deb for being a valued member of our team!
SERVICE RECOGNITION
We are proud of our outstanding team of professionals, many of whom have been with Dr. Harvey Levy & Associates for several years. In February, we celebrated 20 years of teamwork with Abbey. Abbey has been warming the hearts of our team members and patients since she started with us 20 years ago! She has an amazing ability to remember everyone’s name and is genuinely interested in getting to know you. She has an infectious smile and attitude that can lift anyone’s mood! Abbey has a generous soul and she is frequently bringing in baked goods and treats for her fellow team members – just because! – and also spearheads our holiday charity drive. Abbey is the main organizer of our team member milestones and celebrations, from bridal and baby showers to retirement parties. We are so fortunate to have Abbey on our team and we look forward to many more years with Abbey in our office family!
Free At-Home COVID-19 Test Kits
We have an excess of Covid-19 at-home test kits that will expire at the end of May 2022. We are offering these kits to our patients free of charge. Please contact our Front Desk Staff if you are interested in picking one up.
Recipe of the Month
Margarita Chicken
Ingredients
- 1⁄2 can (14–16 oz) black beans, drained
- 1⁄4 tsp cumin
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1⁄2 Tbsp canola or olive oil
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each)
- 1 cup prepared salsa, preferably salsa verde (Made from tomatillos, onions, jalapeños, and lime, salsa verde strikes a perfect balance between acidity and spice, brightening and intensifying flavors in everything it touches.)
- 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- 1⁄2 can (14–16 oz) black beans, drained
- 1⁄4 tsp cumin
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1⁄2 Tbsp canola or olive oil
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each)
- 1 cup prepared salsa, preferably salsa verde (Made from tomatillos, onions, jalapeños, and lime, salsa verde strikes a perfect balance between acidity and spice, brightening and intensifying flavors in everything it touches.)
- 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
- Chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- Combine the black beans and cumin in a saucepan and heat all the way through.
- Squeeze in the lime juice and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Remove from heat, but warm before serving.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper and sear in the hot pan for 3 to 4 minutes on the first side, until a nice crust develops, then flip.
- Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, then spoon the salsa over the meat, top with the cheese, and place in the oven.
- Bake until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is fully melted and bubbling, no more than 5 minutes.
- Divide the beans among 4 plates, top with the chicken, and garnish with cilantro.