The exuberance of spring is upon us! We’re allowed to be in more places outdoors without masks (in Maryland, even if we’re not vaccinated!). But please do get vaccinated — you’ll be protecting yourself and everybody else against new viral strains.
We hope that you find our monthly newsletters informative and interesting! In this issue:
- Thank You, Mom!
- Annual Human Rights Achievement Celebration (Ours!)
- Days to Remember in May
- Welcome, Dr. Eyoma!
- HCC Dental Externship and Emily M.
- Honoring Our Team Members
- May is National Dental Care Month
- Dental Care for Seniors
Thank you, Mom!
Some of our team members who are moms: Annette, Wendy, Lise, Maria, Danielle, Abbey and Lindsey.
This May 9th we recognize the mothers, stepmothers, and foster mothers — and also dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends in our “villages” — who have been rearing the children and keeping us sane through this pandemic. Between working, homeschooling, cooking, cleaning, caretaking, shopping, counseling, and continually figuring out how to juggle it all — thank you for being super!
Everything Mom!
How did you find the energy, Mom
To do all the things you did,
To be teacher, nurse and counselor
To me, when I was a kid.
How did you do it all, Mom
Be a chauffeur, cook and friend?
Yet find time to be a playmate,
I just can’t comprehend.
I see now it was love, Mom
That made you come whenever I’d call,
Your inexhaustible love, Mom
And I thank you for it all.
— Joanna Fuchs
Annual Human Rights Achievement Celebration (Ours!)
Due to the commitment and hard work of everyone in our dental practice, Dr. Harvey Levy & Associates has been honored with the 2021 Human Rights Achievement award through the Human Relations Commission of Frederick County. This award is presented to a business in Frederick County that has provided leadership in the areas of social justice, civil rights and/or assistance and support to those in need. The business must go above and beyond in the community and through their business efforts to reach the vulnerable populations in our county, reach diverse populations and be all around inclusive. More info: https://www.facebook.com/FrederickCountyHRC/posts/1774706462711089
The virtual celebration of our team will be on Monday, May 17, 2021 starting at 6:30 PM EDT. You may get tickets for free, using the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-human-rights-achievement-celebration-tickets-144734056459
We hope you’ll celebrate with us!
The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and the bees are buzzing! May is the time of year when the weather is getting warmer and we celebrate new life. Here are some important days to remember:
May 1 – Lei Day – Which coincides with May Day is a celebration of Hawaiian culture and the spirit of Aloha. The first Lei Day was celebrated in 1928, becoming an official holiday in 1929.
May 5 – Cinco de Mayo – Celebrates the Mexican army’s defeat of the French in 1862 which helped to unify the Mexican people and maintain their independence.
May 9 – Mother’s Day – Don’t forget to do something special to let mom know that you’re thankful for everything she does!
May 16 – Armed Forces Day – This day we thank all military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.
May 26 – The full moon in May is known as the flower moon, This year it will be a supermoon that will coincide with a full lunar eclipse!
May 26 – Senior Health and Fitness Day – See our article below for dental tips for seniors.
May 31 – Memorial Day – On this day we honor the men and women who have died while serving our country in the military.
For some fun facts and to learn more about the Month of May check out: https://www.almanac.com/content/month-may-holidays-fun-facts-folklore
HCC Dental Externship and Emily M.
We proudly partner with the Hagerstown Community College Dental Assisting program to offer dental assistant students a hands-on learning experience. Emily M., one of the externs this year, excelled in skills and commitment to such an extent that we offered her a job as soon as her externship ended. She’s about to earn her CDA license, and joined our team full time this week!
Honoring Our Team Members
Every month during our monthly All Teams Meeting we honor team members. We recognize a Most Valuable Player, and we acknowledge team members celebrating work anniversaries with us. To learn more about our team members, visit Our Team page on our website.
MVP – Wendy H.
Every month we recognize a different team member who has gone above and beyond for other teams members or our patients. This month, we want to thank Wendy for stepping up and taking on additional duties and hours to keep our hygiene schedule flowing in April. We would also like to acknowledge the entire hygiene team for their hard work while some of the team was out of the office.
Service Recognition
We are proud of the fact that we have an outstanding team of professionals who have been with Harvey Levy & Associates for several years. In April, we recognized:
- Samantha Franklin, Assistant Practice Manager and Front Desk Team Leader, who joined our office 12 years ago as a dental assistant. Sam completed her Dental Assisting externship with us and we hired her on the spot!
- Chelsea Marsden, Front Desk Coordinator, who joined our team 3 years ago. She’s been our patient since she was very young.
May is National Dental Care Month
National Dental Care month began in 2018 to encourage healthy dental hygiene and promote awareness of preventative dental care. You may have heard that oral health is the window to overall health. What this means is that keeping up with brushing and flossing can minimize the risk of diseases like Endocarditis and Cardiovascular disease. Lack of dental hygiene can lead to the bacteria in your mouth traveling through your digestive and respiratory tracts or in severe cases can lead to oral infections that can move through the bloodstream. Proper dental care is also extremely important for those diagnosed with diabetes, HIV, Osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s Disease. These conditions can lower your bodies resistance or make you more susceptible to periodontal (gum) disease which can lead to tooth loss.
The biggest obstacle to proper dental care is financial. Many people think that going to the dentist is expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Healthy habits, such as brushing 2 times a day, flossing, limiting sugary drinks and snacks, and seeing the dentist twice a year can keep the costs down. We’re also a practice that strives to keep dentistry affordable by giving you the tools you need to take care of your teeth. Every visit we’re here to teach you how to brush or floss better and to help you understand what’s going on with your mouth.
Want to learn more? Visit our YouTube Channel for quick videos about different dental health topics. You can also visit our website for some helpful resources on how to keep up with dental care at home.
Dental Care for Seniors
Our oldest patient right now is 104 years old, and we’re very proud of the care we provide to our senior population. As we age, we are at risk for many oral health problems such as root decay, dry mouth, tooth loss, darkened teeth, and an increased chance of oral cancer.
The five most common dental problems for seniors are,
- Root Decay — The roots of the teeth are generally concealed by gum tissue. They do not have a protective coat of enamel like the crowns of the teeth, so when the roots are exposed, they tend to decay rapidly. Root decay becomes a concern when the gum tissue recedes.
- Dry Mouth — Several medications can cause reduced saliva production. Certain diseases can also result in a chronic dry mouth. Radiation treatment applied to the head, neck or throat, to fight cancer or other serious illnesses may also reduce the flow of saliva in the mouth.
- Diminished Sense of Taste — As people age, their senses become impaired, including their sense of taste. Other factors, such as dentures, diseases, and medications, can also reduce the ability to distinguish between subtle flavors.
- Tooth Loss — Tooth loss is a widespread condition in senior citizens. Gum disease is the primary cause of this. Losing teeth can affect your bite and alter your eating habits, keeping you from getting the nutrition you need to stay healthy.
- Darkened Teeth — A lifetime of foods and beverages can leave teeth stained, yellowed, or even brown. This discoloration also appears when the enamel layer wears thin, revealing the dentin underneath. The dentin itself can change later in life that makes it appear darker.
Maintaining good oral health is essential for all individuals, regardless of age. And they need to:
- Brush at least twice a day
- Floss at least once a day
- Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash once or twice a day
Visit your dentist on a regular schedule for cleaning and an oral exam.
Keep Smiling,
Dr. Harvey Levy & Associates