gave him the option of expediting some of his treatment to get as much as we could before the cruise, and he agreed. After three appointments, we accomplished the first phase of his treatment. When Mr. Johnson looked in the patient mirror, he broke down sobbing. “Dr. Rob,” he said, “I’m so happy. I haven’t been able to even look at my teeth for so many years. This is just amazing. Now I will be able to smile and enjoy our cruise without being embarrassed. You are a miracle worker!” I’m no miracle worker. However, I know I have the ability to change people’s lives through the gift of dentistry and look forward to many more stories just like Mr. Johnson’s.
Dr. Packard “Jane” was a single adult in her late 40s who didn’t smile much and wanted her teeth to look nicer. We decided together she would benefit from braces and whitening. When her treatment was done, she was very happy with the results. About 6 months later she came to my office and PACK ARD asked to see me. As I approached her, I could see she was crying, and my first inclination was to wonder if I had upset her somehow.
was so welcome and gave her a big hug.
the feelings of claustrophobia he endured.
“Jane, I can’t take credit for your marriage proposal, but I do want you to know how happy I am for you,” I said, thanking her for taking the time to share her news.
Fortunately for Stephen, his family dentist was also the person guiding him through his sleep apnea journey: Dr. Erin Elliott of Post Falls Family Dental and Sleep Better Northwest.
As I wished her well, I thought of what a wonderful thing it is for my dental team and I to see how profoundly our work can affect the wellbeing of our patients.
“As soon as she had a CPAP device aside from the machines, she let me know about it,” he said.
For more on Lakeside Dental, see ad on page 59.
SLEEP APNEA
BETTER REST TRANSFORMS LIFE FOR LL MAN Stephen Robinson used to wake up each morning exhausted. Afternoons at work would be a fight to stay awake, and he would fall asleep the moment he sat down at home. He lacked energy to exercise, and his weight suffered because of it. “I used to sleep for eight hours and get up and feel like it was just a halfhour nap,” the Liberty Lake resident recalled.
More than five years into his journey with the the dental appliance, Stephen recently retired his original appliance and transitioned to a new one, a simple process at Sleep Better Northwest. Even in this process, advances in technology made the experience a breeze. A hand-held video wand captured a complete digital impression of his teeth in order to customize the new appliance — with no more need to “bite down on disgusting molds” as in days gone by, he said. The new appliance was a perfect fit. Story continued on page 52
Stephen’s wife, Jamara, would tell him about his restless nights. “I would be asleep, but I would literally stop breathing, and it would wake her up and freak her out,” he said.
“Oh, Dr. Owen, I just want you to know how grateful I am for what you have done for me!” she responded through tears.
Finally, Stephen sought help and received a diagnosis of severe sleep apnea. Today, Stephen Robinson is an Ironman and an active family man, thanks to treatment that has only gotten easier since he began his journey of recovery.
Since her teeth were straightened and whitened, much had transpired in her life. What started as a confidence to smile more led to meeting a wonderful man who had proposed to her. She was so happy to be getting married. I told her she
Stephen noticed a “night and day difference” in his rest when he first began using a CPAP machine, and his holistic health improved dramatically. But the machine itself was a cumbersome addition to the travel he did for his job, not to mention
“Jane, how are you doing?” I asked tentatively.
At that time, Dr. Elliott outfitted Stephen with a dental appliance to help him transition off of the machines, and he hasn’t looked back. He said he enjoys the added freedom of talking and drinking water with the appliance in.
From left, Laney, Anaya, Stephen, Jamara and Kiana Robinson celebrate Stephen’s completion of the 2018 Ironman 70.3 event in Coeur d’Alene.
Liberty Lake 2020 51