Mobile Dentistry Update
This past weekend I had a chance to walk through the Mobile Dental Clinic from Nineveh Ministries with my good friend and dental colleague, Dr. Corey Acree. I was very excited to see this project as it nears completion and we are very close to providing emergency dental care for the underserved in our community .
Over the past two years, from idea to completion, this has been a large project with many partners providing the finances and grunt labor to finish the van. As it stands, we only need materials and supplies to begin serving the public. The dollar amount equals $6,000.00, which will allow us to open the doors hopefully within the next month.
THE PLAN: During the winter months of December, January and February, the dental van will be open once/month with a limited number of patients. In order to work out the kinks of practicing dentistry in a confined space, Dr. Corey Acree and I will begin by working with our own staff in the van. This will allow us to determine what works and what needs to be adjusted for mobile dentistry. Beginning in the spring of 2013, the van will rotate weekly to four separate locations in Modesto. We will take the information we learned in the winter and train the other volunteer doctors and staff to deliver emergency dental care in a mobile clinic.
LOCATIONS:
Week 1 - Oregon Park
Week 2 - Robertson Road Park
Week 3 - Apostolic Assembly First Church
Week 4 - Fairview Park
THE NEED:
Finances: The final $6,000.00 is needed to complete the van. This will allow us to open the doors in December.
Staff: Drawing from local dentists and auxillary staff, we will need volunteers beginning in the Spring of 2013.
THE CHALLENGE:
Raising the final few dollars in the next month and the man power in the next few months to get this clinic underway. If you are interested in joining the effort, please let me know.
I am super excited to be part of this plan. Stay tuned for updates.
Keep on smiling,
Dr. Fletcher
Teach Me How to Brushy Brushy
We saw this video yesterday, which was created as a public education promo on dental health by the Oregon State Dental Association. Maybe we need to start on our own Fletcher Dentistry rap?
Keep smiling,
Dr. Fletcher
"Beauty and the Beak"
A good friend sent me this great five minute video about the rehabilitation of an injured bald eagle. The team, including a dentist, repaied a damaged beak with the use of dental mechanics and prosthetics.
Beauty and the Beak from Keith Bubach on Vimeo.
Keep on smiling,
Dr. Fletcher
Dental Implants
Implant Brochure
Are you interested in dental implants?
Download our new brochure for information and find out if you are a candidate.
Keep smiling,
Dr. Fletcher
Heart Disease/Gum Disease - Connection?
Last month, the American Heart Association published a conclusive first paper on this topic. Their conclusion? Although they share similar risk factors, gum disease DOES NOT CAUSE cardiovascular disease. (Follow this link to download the report HERE)
STUDY HIGHLIGHTS
There is no convincing evidence that proves gum disease causes heart disease or stroke, or treating gum disease reduces the risk of those diseases.
Gum and heart disease share common risk factors, including smoking, age and diabetes, which is possibly why the diseases often occur in the same person.
Since we've been mentioning this in our office and talking about it with our patients, we were very glad to see the AHA issue their findings. However, this doesn't really change our advice (shared by the American Dental Association here at this link). We recommend that our patients eliminate any risk factors that are traced to behavior, like smoking and poor home care. Furthermore, we recommend that our patients consider the other risk factors and evaluate their potential of developing either periodontal and/or cardiovascular disease.
Keep Smiling,
Dr. Fletcher