Dr. Henley Was Featured in the Florida Dental Association's Journal July-August 2016

In the earliest days of medical education, the primary teaching model for those who wished to pursue medicine was the mentorship model. Young men were to study medicine from a “good teacher,” one "whose precepts are sound, whose practical skill is widely approved, who is clever, dexterous, upright, and blameless; one who knows also how to use his hands, has the requisite instruments and all his senses about him, is confident with simple cases and sure of his treatment in those which are difficult; of genuine learning, unaffected, not morose but passionate, and who is likewise patient and kind to his pupils".  The principalsthat originated in ancient medicine are still present in today’s dental education in the fact that today we all still take, some variation, of the Hippocratic Oath.  A portion of the original oath reads: “To hold my teacher in this art equal to my own parents; to make him partner in my livelihood”.  

Surveys of accomplished individuals have reported that influential mentors were second in importance only to education as a factor in their career’s success.  Mentoring during the early stages of an individual’s career has been associated with a higher level of career satisfaction and a higher rate of promotion, both in medical and non-medical fields.  

Mentorship, in my career, has been one of the best tools for fast forwarding my understanding of both the clinical aspects and the business of dentistry.  However, finding a mentor is a challenge.  It takes time and perseverance to find the right person to help guide you.  The mentor-protege relationship can be difficult to cultivate because the involved parties will need to be on similar ground morally, professionally and clinically.  The mentor has to have the desire to enter into the relationship, likewise the protege has to be willing and ready to learn.  

Much of what we do on a daily basis is attempting to determine the best possible outcome for patients.  With little or no experience, it can be difficult to determine what is best for patients.  It is easy to understand the statistics, failure rates and, average lifespans of different restorative procedures, but each case is different, each patient is different, and it often takes experience to put all of the pieces of the puzzle together to ensure excellent clinical outcomes.  Years of excellent clinical practice cannot be read in a text book.  It has to be both experienced and passed on. 

Mentorship provides guidance both clinically and morally during one’s career.  I continually rely on mentors to help me in clinical decision making and treatment planning to ensure that I am treating my patients with the appropriate care.  This is true in all facets of my practice from choosing materials, to proper treatment of oral pathology.  Mentorship is also critical with respect to ethical behavior.  The dentist-patient relationship is based on trust.  We, as practitioners, are performing a treatment that our patients, usually, cannot fully understand and cannot correct without help.  Our careers and our profession are reliant on dentists that practice independent ethical behavior.  Good mentorship can be beneficial for dentists that work in isolation and can help dentists make decisions that are good for their careers, the profession, and their community.  

Mentorship must be based on mutual respect, trust, and friendship. I have had the good fortune to have a mentor that has not only helped me to perform the best dentistry I can, but has also become a dear friend.  I deeply value the insight that I gain from my mentor both professionally and personally.  There is something inspiring when someone can help you become the practitioner and person you want to be by supporting you earnestly during your career.  

Hopefully, many of you have had similar relationships in your careers. Indeed, there is a facet of mentoring that is similar to a parent-child relationship. It is often for these reasons, the connection is an intensely personal experience. Additionally, time is essential to positive mentoring outcomes. What will be gained can not be done so quickly. The longer the duration of the relationship the more valuable the experience.

Evidence suggests that those who are mentored early in their careers later become mentors in higher numbers. In a survey of departmental chairs and residency and fellowship program directors at an educational hospital, some 90% reported having had a mentor throughout their training; of these, 81% had become mentors at some point in their careers, suggesting that mentoring activity tends to be a self-perpetuating phenomenon.

Today, it seems that, mentorships have been on the decline.  Lack of access to mentors has consistently been identified as a barrier to successful mentorships.  This is a disservice to both clinicians and patients as we move forward. Medicine and dentistry have always had mentorship as a central part of their educational processes.  I encourage both potential mentors and potential proteges to consider mentorship.  As it is both mutually beneficial to both parties and more importantly to the patients we treat.

ADA Reacts to Recent Article Questioning if Flossing Works

There has been quite a bit of buzz in the news regarding a article published by the Associated Press questioning the benefits of flossing. The American Dental Association has released a statement on the benefits of using interdental cleaners after the AP questioned the oral health benefits of flossing. “To maintain good oral health, the American Dental Association recommends brushing for two minutes, twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth once a day with an interdental cleaner and regular dental visits advised by your dentist,” the ADA said in the statement, adding that interdental cleaners, including floss, “are an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums.”

Business Insider (8/2, Brodwin) states that the AP report “comes in sharp contrast to recommendations from basically every major dental hygiene organization, including the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Periodontology.” The article adds that experts say flossing helps prevent plaque from hardening into tartar, which can contribute to receding gums and gum disease.

The New York Times (8/2, Louis, Subscription Publication) reports that there is “evidence that flossing does reduce bloody gums and gum inflammation known as gingivitis.” For example, “a review of six trials found that when professionals flossed the teeth of children on school days for almost two years, they saw a 40 percent reduction in the risk of cavities.”

New York Magazine (8/2) adds, “This very intense investigation doesn’t mean flossing isn’t beneficial,” noting that a dentist for the National Institutes of Health encourages people to continue to floss, stating that “it’s low risk, low cost.”

MouthHealthy.org provides resources for patients on flossing, including the correct flossing technique, and also provides information on plaque.

If you have any questions about flossing please contact us at 904.398.1549

Increasing Number Of Adults Turning To Braces

US News & World Report reveals that adults are increasingly “getting braces to straighten their teeth, fix their bites and improve their smiles.” The article reports that “adults made up a record high of nearly 1.5 million orthodontics patients in the U.S. and Canada,” according to a 2014 survey from the American Association of Orthodontists. According to the article, “This rising popularity” is due in part to “orthodontic options that make braces inconspicuous.”

Read more at US News & World Report

Apollo 11 Moon Landing Anniversary: Facts About Lunar Mission 47 Years Ago

Even though Yuri Gagarin from what was then the U.S.S.R. became the first man in outer space, the lead he gave the Soviets in the space race in 1961 was overcome by the United States eight years later. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin became the first men to step on the moon’s surface, a defining moment in human history.

It has been 47 years to the day since three U.S. astronauts (Michael Collins was the third, but he never went to the lunar surface, staying behind in the command ship) went to the moon as part of the Apollo 11 mission. In the three years that followed, 10 more men made the journey as part of NASA’s Apollo missions, but none has been as iconic as Armstrong’s “one small step for man.”

Here’s a look at some of the interesting facts from the Apollo 11 mission.

• Armstrong messed up his opening line somewhat. He was supposed to say “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind” but he forgot the “a.”
• “The Eagle has landed” were not the first words spoken after the lunar module touched down on the surface of the moon. Aldrin said “contact light” at the moment of contact, the two astronauts then went through a checklist before Armstrong said the famous words.
• The U.S. flag that the astronauts planted on the moon is almost certainly long gone. It was knocked over by the thrusters of the module Armstrong and Aldrin left the lunar surface in, and the harsh conditions there must have disintegrated it by now.
• Among the objects the U.S. astronauts also left behind on the moon were medallions honoring Russian cosmonauts, Gagarin and Vladimir Komarov, both recently deceased.
• Both Armstrong and Aldrin said the moon had an unpleasant smell.
• Thanks to Aldrin, the first food consumed on the moon was a communion wafer.
• Richard Nixon, president of the United States at the time, had prepared a speech in case the mission failed.
• The total duration from takeoff from Earth to splashing down in the Pacific Ocean was 195 hours, 18 minutes and 35 seconds, about 36 minutes longer than planned.

Gene Weingarten: Let’s get to the root of AARP’s dental insurance

The Washington Post (6/16) features commentary from Gene Weingarten titled “Let’s get to the root of AARP’s dental insurance,” in which he explores a dental benefit plan with a premium and deductible that nearly equals the maximum amount of coverage that could be provided. 

We strongly agree that self-pay dental insurance plans are a disservice to patients!  Please read our online article Retirement and Dental Insurance. We believe that your money works best for you when it is in YOUR POCKET!

Please see below for the full article from the Washington Post.

Like most of you, I have health insurance. Like most of you, my health insurance says it covers dental work. As with most of you, this is basically a fiction. Insurance companies are famously stingy at the dentist.

Whenever I leave my dentist’s office, he and I follow a ritual. He solemnly informs me he will first bill my insurer, and I agree that would indeed be prudent. Then, about six weeks later, I get a letter notifying me that my insurance company has completely paid for all but $328 of my $341 bill.

So you can imagine my excitement when I recently got a letter from AARP, informing me it has a dental plan for which I qualify, as a new member in good standing.

(I resisted joining AARP for years, for the same reason everyone resists, which is that even though AARP ads feature photos of “seniors” of a certain physical type — think Paul Newman and Sophia Loren — deep down, when most of us think of AARP, we think of Grandpappy Ned, who sometimes forgets to close the bathroom door. I am ashamed to admit I finally gave in and joined only after AARP offered a free tote bag. In my mind it was going to be made of supple leather, the sort of tote bag Paul and Sophia would take to the spa in Cannes; what arrived in the mail had the dimensions of a tote bag but appeared to be made of cellophane. True fact: I stepped on a bathroom scale, then picked up the tote bag, and the needle did not stir.)

Anyway, could it be that the sheer size of AARP — its numbers are mighty — has cut through the insurance companies’ tooth parsimony? I sent away for the dental plan, and AARP emailed it to me. It was customized under my name! At the end was an enrollment form, and it was already filled in with my name and address. They make it so easy for a senior to sign on. But first I had some questions.

Me: Hi. I’m afraid this plan is not for me.

AARP Lady: Okay.

Me: I can’t see how it is for anyone. Is anyone actually enrolled in this?

AARP Lady: It’s a very popular choice!

Me: Okay, the premium is $72.20 a month, which comes out to $865.20 a year. And there is a yearly deductible of $50, so I’ll basically start out paying $915 a year.

AARP Lady: Okay.

Me: Most years, I don’t pay anywhere near that much for dental care, except for the occasional year when I have real problems and need a root canal and crown, which can cost close to $4,000. So I’m thinking this is where the stiff monthly premiums pay off, when my insurance company rides in and rescues all us wrinklies, shouldering our deep financial burdens, taking on our risks, enveloping us in the warm bosom of its protection. Except ... at best you pay less than half of my bill for a root canal and crown.

Me: Noted. But that’s not the really bad thing, which is this: You have a $1,500 yearly cap on what you will pay me. For anything, and everything. So for my $915, you are promising to bear risks in any given year all the way up to a theoretical grand total of $1,500, which works out to a net risk to you, tops, of $480. If my dental bills exceed that by $5,000, that’s my burden. Now, to be fair, I do notice you also cover, separately, tooth-shattering traffic accidents and such, which could be huge — jaws rebuilt, and whatnot.

AARP Lady: That’s a complimentary benefit, but only if you pay in advance for the whole year.

Me: So I see. But that’s not my real problem. “Accident” coverage maxes out at $1,000 for your entire lifetime. Second accident? It’s on you. AARP Lady, who buys this policy?

AARP Lady:

Me: I’m thinking Grandpappy Ned.

Wisdom Teeth

With age comes wisdom. Specifically, wisdom teeth.

Your mouth goes through many changes in your lifetime. One major dental milestone that usually takes place between the ages of 17 and 21 is the appearance of your third molars. Historically, these teeth have been called wisdom teeth because they come through at a more mature age.

When they come through correctly, healthy wisdom teeth can help you chew. It’s normal to feel a little discomfort when your wisdom teeth appear, but if you have pain, see your dentist immediately.

Room to Grow?

Wisdom teeth can cause problems if there isn’t enough space for them to surface or they come through in the wrong position. If your dentist says your wisdom teeth are impacted, he or she means they are trapped in your jaw or under your gums.

As your wisdom teeth make their way through your gums, your dentist will be monitoring your mouth for signs of the following:

• Wisdom teeth that aren’t in the right position can allow food to become trapped. That gives cavity-causing bacteria a place to grow.
• Wisdom teeth that haven’t come in properly, which can make it difficult to floss between the wisdom teeth and the molars next to them.
• Wisdom teeth that have partially come through can give bacteria a place to enter the gums and create a place for infection to occur. This may also cause pain, swelling and stiffness in your jaw.
• Wisdom teeth that don’t have room to come through can cause your neighboring teeth to be crowded or damaged.
• A wisdom tooth that is impacted can form a cyst on or near the impacted tooth. This could damage the roots of nearby teeth or destroy the bone that supports your teeth.
• Why You Might Need to Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed

Every patient is unique, but in general, wisdom teeth may need to be removed when there is evidence of changes in the mouth such as:

• Pain
• Infection
• Cysts
• Tumors
• Damage to neighboring teeth
• Gum disease
• Tooth decay (if it is not possible or desirable to restore the tooth)
• Your dentist may also recommend removal of wisdom teeth as part of treatment for braces or other dental care.

Before making any decisions, your dentist will examine your mouth and take an x-ray. Together, you and your dentist can discuss the best course of treatment.

Keeping Your Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth that are not removed should continue to be monitored because the potential for developing problems later on still exists. As people age, they are at greater risk for health problems—and that includes potential problems with their wisdom teeth. Be sure to, floss around your wisdom teeth and visit your dentist regularly. Regular dental visits allow your dentist to evaluate your wisdom teeth and your overall dental health.

Fruit juices and smoothies have 'unacceptably high' sugar content

Fruit juices and smoothies have 'unacceptably high' sugar content

New research, published in the online journal BMJ Open, describes the sugar content of fruit drinks, natural juices and smoothies, in particular, as "unacceptably high."

According to Yale Health, the average American consumes around 22 tsps of added sugar every day; for teens, the figure is closer to 34. One 12-oz can of soda contains 10 tsps of sugar.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommend no more than 3-4 tsps of sugar a day for children, and 5 tsps for teens.

In the UK, guidelines recommend a maximum of 19 g, or just under 4 tsps for children aged 4-6 years, and 24 g at age 7-10 years, or just under 5 tsps, according to the UK's National Health Service (NHS).

As awareness spreads about the impact of sweetened drinks on weight gain and tooth decay, many people are turning to fruit juices and smoothies as healthy alternatives to sodas, iced tea and other favorites.

Even 100% juice is not guilt-free

However, even 100% fruit juice is not as innocent as it seems. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend not giving juice to infants under 6 months, and children aged 1-6 should have no more than 4-6 oz, or one half to three quarters of a cup. The recommended amount for 7-18 year-olds is 8-12 oz, or 1-2 cups.

Researchers from the University of Liverpool and the University of London in the UK assessed the sugar content per 100 ml (approximately 3.5 oz) of fruit juice drinks, 100% natural juices, and smoothies aimed at children, using information from the pack label.

They checked the amount of "free" sugars in 203 standard portion sizes (200 ml, or around 7 oz) of UK-branded and store-brand products.

Free sugars include glucose, fructose, sucrose and table sugar, which are added by the producer, as well as naturally occurring sugars in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates. Although fructose occurs naturally in fruit, when consumed as a drink, it can cause dental caries - as can any other sugar.

There are other naturally occurring sugars in whole fruits and vegetables, which the body metabolizes differently, and they act to curb energy intake. These were not included.

Over 40% of drinks contain 4 tsps of sugar

The sugar content in the drinks surveyed ranged from 0-16 g/100 ml, and the average was 7 g/100 ml, or around 1.5 tsps. It was significantly higher in pure fruit juices and smoothies.

The average sugar content of the 21 pure fruit juices assessed in the survey was as high as 10.7 g/100 ml or just over 2 tsps, and in the 24 smoothies, it was up to 13 g/100 ml, or just over 2.5 tsps. Over 40% of all the products, contained 19 g, or around 4 tsps, of free sugars, the maximum daily amount recommended for children.

Around 78 products contained zero-calorie sweeteners, such as aspartame. While classed as safe, health experts say they are not helping children's taste buds to get used to a less sweet diet.

Based on the findings, the team recommends:

• Not counting fruit juices, juice drinks and smoothies with a high free sugar content as one of the "5 a day"
• Consuming fruit whole, not as juice
• Diluting fruit juice with water or opting for unsweetened juices, and allowing these only during meals
• Limiting intake to 150 ml/day, or just over 5 oz
• Requiring manufacturers to stop adding unnecessary sugars to fruit drinks, juices and smoothies, if necessary, through government intervention.

Medical News Today asked Dr. Simon Capewell, who led the research, whether, in the light of these findings, we should reduce our fruit intake, too. "No. Fruit is very good for the health. Vegetables likewise. Indeed, we would recommend unlimited fruit and vegetables."

Whole fruit has a higher fiber content than juice, it takes longer to consume, it is more satisfying, and there is evidence that the body metabolizes whole fruit in a different way, adjusting its energy intake more appropriately than it does after drinking juice.

A limitation of the study was that researchers only looked at products that are available in supermarkets, and there may be alternatives with a lower sugar content.

MNT recently reported on research suggesting that health warnings on sugary drinks could encourage parents to think twice about getting them for their children.

Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/308290.php

Dr. Henley Was Featured in the Florida Dental Association's Magazine May-June 2016

 As dentists and health care providers, many of us feel the call to give back to our community. Events like the Mission of Mercy and Give Kids a Smile can make donating your time and resources back to the community easy. Volunteering is mutually beneficial for both the volunteer and the recipient. It provides physical and mental rewards; it brings people together; it pro- motes personal growth and self-esteem; and strengthens your community. However, in order to protect our profession, we need volunteers for the ADA, the FDA, and our district associations.

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Part of what has made our profession so wonderful is due to the fact that dentists like you have given countless hours to organized dentistry. When we work together serving as representatives for the ADA and the FDA, we, as a group, have a loud and powerful voice in both Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. Likewise, our political action committees give the Florida Dental Association a voice when state representatives are debating legislation that affects our profession.
We all must engage in protecting our profession. By giving your time to the ADA, the FDA, and your local delegation, you will have the opportunity to discuss and engage with the issues that are most important to our livelihood. Today this is even more important than ever, as there are many changes on the horizon for our health care system.

Despite the huge impact the ADA, FDA, and local delegations have on your practice, it
can be difficult to appreciate how decisions made by our leadership can impact our day- to-day lives. So, how can organized dentistry have an impact on your practice in a very real and tangible way?  e majority of dentists today are still solo practitioners.  is o en can lead to isolation from colleagues and new ideas that can help your practice grow.  e camaraderie that can be found in leadership of your local delegation can become an invaluable resource for ideas and advice to help any practice become more pro table and more enjoyable. Playing an active role in my local delegation has helped me quickly grow a large professional network of dentists and specialists in my area.  is has proved to be extraordinarily beneficial to my practice, as I have had the opportunity to meet practitioners that I would not have known otherwise. Moreover, I now work with many of the dentists and specialists that I have met.  is has been mutually beneficial to all of our practices, as we now refer patients to each other.  is has helped my new practice grow. Likewise, and perhaps more importantly, when I refer my patients to other specialists now, I know them both professionally and personally, and I know that our mutual goal is to provide patients with the best possible care.

As a new dentist, the cause to protect our profession is paramount to my long-term success and the continued success of dentistry. All too o en, we can look at involvement in organized dentistry as a burden. It is easy to look at member dues as an unnecessary expense, but my dues and the benefits  they provide are only a small part of what organized dentistry can do for me and my practice. In order to get all of the added benefit, I have to donate my time, be passionate about the way I want to leave dentistry when I retire and make my mark on this outstanding career by leaving dentistry in a better state than I found it.

Are You a Nighttime Tooth Grinder? Here's How To Tell—And What to Do About It

Teeth grinding is a problem that affects nearly one in ten individuals, yet many of us don’t even realize we’re doing it. And that’s a problem given just how harmful it can be to our health. Here’s how to find out if you grind your teeth when you sleep—and why it’s something you shouldn’t ignore.

Read more at www.io9.com

6 Ways To Thrive When Your Employer Is Bought Or Merges

Medical, dental, insurance and other benefits can potentially change from your old company to your new company. Both companies should coordinate their efforts so that there will not be a lapse for you. This is a good thing. Despite the best intentions, however, you’ll still want to pay close attention to the changes. Depending on the new insurance plan, you could see changes in who you see for medical and dental care. Don’t forget about any money you put into a health spending account — you don’t want any money lost in the transitions. Read more at www.forbes.com