Wednesday, March 2, 2016 | Liv Livingwell Living ingwella-z | 5
PRESENTED BY LIVINGWELL A-Z AND
THE ARIZONA DENTAL ASSOCIATION
BRUSH UP, ARIZONA!
Everything you need to know about caring for and protecting your teeth By Meghann Finn Sepulveda
W
e all want the perfect smile. By taking a few preventative steps to care for your teeth, you can not only achieve a beautiful smile but also prevent cavities and decay and ensure good oral and overall health. The Arizona Dental Association recommends regular dental checkups and a consistent brushing and flossing regimen to remove plaque and harmful bacteria so you can keep your mouth healthy. Schedule routine dental visits A visit to the dentist’s office is an investment in yourself. These twice yearly recommended visits are important to professionally clean teeth, remove plaque and check for cavities and any signs of tooth decay, gum disease or oral cancer. A visit to the dentist is also an opportunity to ask questions and discuss any pain, problems or other concerns. “The great thing about dental care is that it focuses on prevention,” said Dr. Brian Powley, president of the Arizona Dental Association. “Patients who see the dentist on a regular basis receive X-rays, cleanings and other important screenings to avoid the need for future treatment such as root canals, dental crowns or costly implants.” While the recommended number of annual visits to the dentist may vary per individual, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stress that it is important for adults to see a dentist on a regular basis to care for and maintain the overall health of the teeth and mouth. Periodontal disease and tooth decay are the most frequent causes of tooth loss, according to the CDC. People with a higher risk of dental disease, such as smokers, pregnant women, diabetics and those with a weakened immune system, may need to see the dentist more frequently. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children go to the dentist by age one or within six months after the first tooth erupts. Arizona Dental Association dentists also suggest eating a healthy, balanced diet and eliminating sugary food and drinks, such as soda and hard candy, because sugars bind with the bacteria in the mouth to create acids that cause decay. Parents should also be aware that children should not be put to bed with bottles filled with juice or milk.
This can lead to rampant decay and an infection known as “baby bottle caries.” “Parents may also not be aware that bacteria can easily transmit from parent to a child. Never clean off a pacifier that has fallen to the ground by placing it in your own mouth, and avoid sharing utensils at the table,” Powley said. “Baby teeth are important to your child’s development. Although they will eventually fall out, they serve an important role to maintaining the space for the development of permanent teeth.” Children should also get routine applications of topical fluoride, to protect the teeth from the acids that cause tooth decay. Sealants are also recommended for permanent teeth. Children with untreated tooth decay can experience pain and develop infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing and learning, according to the CDC. In fact, toothaches are the leading reason for school absences. Oral health is inseparable from overall health and well-being.
IMPLANT STUDY
Practice good oral hygiene To prevent oral health disease, the Arizona Dental Association recommends people brush their teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride to help strengthen teeth. In 2012, approximately 58 percent of Arizona’s population on community water received fluoridated water, which keeps teeth strong, reduces cavities and prevents tooth decay. Flossing daily helps remove food particles that a toothbrush cannot reach and eliminates bacteria. The CDC recommends people should avoid tobacco in any form, which increases the risk for periodontal disease, oral and throat cancers, and oral fungal infection. More than one-third of all cancer patients also develop complications that affect the mouth, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Therefore, it is important that cancer patients
are engaged with their dentist when undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Regardless of whether proper oral hygiene has been achieved, it’s never too late to see a dentist for treatment. “Don’t be fearful or ashamed,” Powley said. “A dentist can get your smile back so you can be happy and healthy again.”
Did you know that not all dentists are members of the American Dental Association (ADA)? Furthermore, nearly 3 out of 4 patients said that knowing that a dentist was a member of the trusted ADA would influence whom they selected. Find your local ADA dentist here in Arizona at azda.org/findadentist.
“Patients who see the dentist on a regular basis receive X-rays, cleanings and other important screenings to avoid the need for future treatment such as root canals, dental crowns or costly implants.” — Dr. Brian Powley, President, Arizona Dental Association *FIRST TWENTY CALLERS MAY QUALIFY FOR ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS.
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6 | Liv Livingwell Living ingwell a-z | Wednesday, March 2, 2016
PRESENTED BY LIVINGWELL A-Z AND
THE ARIZONA DENTAL ASSOCIATION
Dental benefit for ALTCS enrollees may return By Debra Gelbart
I
magine someone who’s physically disabled, elderly and disabled, or developmentally disabled, relies on state government for medical care but can’t get covered care from a dentist. For the approximately 50,000 Arizonans who are part of the Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS) and have significant developmental or physical disabilities, that has been the reality for the past decade. But the situation may be about to change. Gov. Doug Ducey’s proposed FY 2017 state budget reintroduces a $1,000 annual dental benefit for this population. This benefit was eliminated about 10 years ago and hasn’t been part of ALTCS since.
Importance of dental health Good oral health affects your entire quality of life, said Kevin Earle, executive director of the Arizona Dental Association. “We found that after this benefit was eliminated, ‘treat and release’ visits to hospital emergency departments for mouth pain and infection rose precipitously,” he said. “Because there are no dentists in hospital settings, patients are given antibiotics and pain medication to treat the symptoms but the underlying dental condition is not addressed,” he said, adding that many of
17 percent of adults likely to miss work because of children's dental needs. As for themselves 9 percent are likely to miss work for personal dental needs.
Kevin Earle (left), executive director, Arizona Dental Association, and Will Humble, director, Division of Health Policy & Program Evaluation, Center for Population Science and Discovery, The University of Arizona Health Sciences Center. these individuals return several times for the same complaint. The drugs only lead to dependence on pain medication and antibiotic resistance, Earle said. The number of admissions to hospitals with more acute systemic infections that require several days of hospital care also has risen dramatically, Earle said. Compared to the general public, “people with disabilities are more susceptible to oral diseases that can further jeopardize their health,” said Will Humble, former director of the Arizona Department of Health Services and now director of the Division of Health Policy & Program Evaluation in the Center for Population Science and Discovery at
The University of Arizona Health Sciences Center. “Arizonans living with disabilities currently face challenges getting proper treatment for dental issues in time, often resulting in more expensive treatment in emergency departments and hospitals.” Earle said a majority of state House representatives and senators have indicated support for restoring the dental benefit for the ALTCS population. “They’re sympathetic and understand that investment in dental care is the right thing to do,” he said. Earle is hopeful the funding will remain in the governor’s proposed budget and said Senate Bill 1507, introduced by state Sen. Carlyle Begay (R-Ganado), further clarifies the intent to reinstate the dental benefit. If approved, the dental benefit for ALTCS enrollees would take effect by the end of this year.
AHCCCS dental benefit restoration The dental benefit for AHCCCS (Medicaid) enrollees was eliminated in 2009 but likely won’t be restored this year for the adult enrollees in that program. Yet Humble is hopeful that the 2018 state budget may include restoring the dental benefit for all AHCCCS enrollees. When he was named to head the health policy division, he undertook a study to determine the impact
of cutting the dental benefit to the state’s poorest residents. “We found a noticeable increase in the rate of emergency department visits for oral health reasons by adult Medicaid members in the first 18 months after dental services were eliminated,” Humble said. When childless adults again became eligible for AHCCCS enrollment in July 2014 after three years of non-eligibility, “we again saw the rate of emergency department use increase for oral health problems among adult Medicaid members.” Humble said more study is needed. “It’ll be awhile before we can definitively say whether the elimination of the dental benefit saved the state or whether it in fact ended up costing more than it saved,” he said. “But it certainly looks like it didn’t save as much as was thought, and may not have saved anything at all.” The results of the full health economics study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal this summer, Humble said, “so the results of our study should be available to inform legislators and the executive branch by the next legislative session.” “Mr. Humble's work will demonstrate that the state is essentially paying for medical care that is not resolving the underlying health condition,” n, Earle said.
4 misconceptions about oral health
1
DENTISTRY IS EXPENSIVE: Tooth decay and periodontal problems are a progressive disease. Avoiding routine annual checkups and failing to take care of dental problems early will only increase the likelihood of more expensive procedures in the future.
2 3 4
IF MY GUMS DON’T BLEED I DON’T HAVE GUM DISEASE: This couldn’t be further from the truth. A regular checkup is the best way to keep gum disease at bay.
ORAL HEALTH DOESN’T AFFECT OVERALL HEALTH: Oftentimes poor oral health can lead to the discovery of diabetes, heart and immune system problems.
BABY TEETH DON’T MATTER. They are temporary, but they can also harbor tooth decay and infection. If not treated, decayy can lead to pain and serious health consequences for your child. Baby teeth also serve as 'spacers' to ensure that permanent teeth come in correctly.
DENTAL CARE PROVIDER James Poyak, DDS Dr. Poyak, is a native Ohioan. He and his family moved to AZ in 1985. A general dentist and current presidentelect of the International Association for Orthodontics, he will be speaking in Poland, India, Germany, UAE, and the Philippines this year. If you are looking for excellence in dentistry and a caring environment, we are the perfect office for you. Orthodontics, Cosmetic & Family Dentistry 9755 N. 90th St., Suite 190, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 480-451-0908 • Drpoyak.com
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Wednesday, March 2, 2016 | Liv Livingwell Living ingwella-z | 7
PRESENTED BY LIVINGWELL A-Z AND
THE ARIZONA DENTAL ASSOCIATION
Arizona dental community supports those in need By Brian Sodoma
D
aniel Overman, 67, is one of the thousands of Arizonans hit hard by cutbacks in state dental benefit funding. A couple of years ago, with no dental insurance, his oral health began to suffer; he needed a tooth extraction, but did not have the funds to pay for it. Then, a friend told him about Mission of Mercy, a dental charity event involving some 1,500 dental industry volunteers, held each December at Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum. Overman endured a 12-hour wait for his extraction, but he couldn’t be happier with the results. “If you know that in 12 hours you’re not going to hurt anymore, it’s really worth it,” he added. “I’m so grateful for this.” Event organizers also referred him to the Arizona Community Dental Clinic (ACDC), which operates on a sliding-fee scale. There, he was able to have additional dental work done at a reasonable cost. Overman is just one example of thousands of Arizonans benefitted by the dental community’s charitable outreach efforts. Here’s a quick glimpse into how the state’s dental community helps untold numbers of Arizonans in need every year.
clothing and medical needs, but this year will also include a 20-chair dental clinic at Chase Field, Conroy said. In Southern Arizona, Dr. Dean Hauseman, a Tucson endodontist, has been overseeing the dental portion of the Tucson HopeFest for 19 years. Each year, about 280 volunteers help some 500 to 600 people with hygiene, fillings, restorative care and make referrals to area dentists for oral surgeries and root canals.
Give Kids a Smile Run by the Arizona Dental Foundation, this unique program works with Phoenix-area Title I school nurses to identify students missing school due to dental problems. It’s a problem for thousands of children around the country, said Ginger Froncek, executive director of the Foundation. The program also works with area dental and dental hygiene schools to offer care to children during coordinated spring and fall events. During the events, kids are bussed to sites where the care, like fillings, root canals and other procedures, can be performed. In its 13-year run in Arizona, Give Kids a Smile has provided $5 million in free care.
Dental Dent Mission of Mercy
HopeFest Hope CADSF CADS will also be involved with this year’s Phoenix HopeFest effort. The April event offers Arizonans access to food,
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Arizona Community Dental Clinic (ACDC) Also run by the Arizona Dental Foundation, this downtown Phoenix site opened in 2013. It offers reduced fee dental services to patients who are under 200 percent of the federal poverty level. The site is staffed by volunteers and sees about 1,500 patients a year. ACDC is looking to add a clinical director and expand capacity soon.
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This effort started in Kansas about e 25 years ago. In 2012, local endodontist, ye Dr. Jacqueline Allen, and other dental Ja health healt professionals, organized Mission of Mercy in Arizona for the first time. The Me 3-day December event is now held each year at a Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum and serves serve between 1,600 and 2,000 uninsured people peop annually with fillings, extractions, crowns crow and other procedures. “The economy [and 2010 state legisla“Th ture elimination of AHCCCS adult dental e benefits] really sparked the event,” said benef Kevin Conroy, executive director of the Central Centr Arizona Dental Society Foundation (CADSF), which organizes and oversees the (CAD effort. effort “The dentists saw a huge need for this.” Between 250 and 300 dentists volunteer Bet for the th event each year.
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8 | Liv Livingwell Living ingwell a-z | Wednesday, March 2, 2016
PRESENTED BY LIVINGWELL A-Z AND
THE ARIZONA DENTAL ASSOCIATION
True or False?
Arizona Community Dental Clinic:
CHANGING LIVES PAMELA LOVE CHAVEZ hadn’t seen a dentist in 33 years. Caring for her teeth just wasn’t a priority while she was raising her five children. It wasn’t until a tooth in the front of her mouth started to deteriorate, break and eventually fall out that she knew it was time to seek care. Last year she discovered the Arizona Community Dental Clinic. “The people there are all so wonderful and amazing,” Chavez said. “The students and dentists contribute their time to help others.” Chavez had 19 cavities treated and will soon have a permanent crown. “I am so very thankful. This has truly been an answer to my prayers.” It had been a struggle
for 66-year-old Mesa veteran EDWARD LUZ to find affordable dental care. Luz needed new plates for both upper and lower areas of his mouth. “Two teeth had cracked and were causing me pain,” Luz said. “The Clinic was able to completely replace the bottom plate and made a partial plate for the top.” Luz credits the staff of volunteer dentists who made his time at the Arizona Community Dental Clinic a life-changing experience. “It is a big deal to me and made such a huge difference in my life,” Luz said. “Now when I look in the mirror, I crack a smile. I love it.”
Oral Health Knowledge Among Adults in 2015
59%
TRUE OR FALSE: IF MY TEETH LOOK FINE AND THERE’S NO PAIN, I DON’T HAVE TO SEE A DENTIST FALSE: How often you service your car depends on its age, its mileage and the manufacturer’s recommendations. Your teeth are the same. Experts recommend that adults should be recalled for check-ups, depending on risk factors including alcohol and tobacco use and diet. So they suggest every three months for those most at risk of dental problems and every two years for those with the lowest risk. It’s wise to visit your dental team regularly even if you are not experiencing any problems with your mouth or teeth. Attending regularly helps you and your dentist keep your teeth and gums healthy and pain-free. They will understand your needs and will recommend how often you visit based on their assessment. Go to mouthhealthy.com for more information TRUE OR FALSE: A LITTLE BLEEDING OF THE GUMS AFTER BRUSHING OR FLOSSING IS NORMAL FALSE: Bleeding gums are never normal. If your gums bleed when you brush, it
TRUE OR FALSE: I CAN’T HAVE DENTAL XRAYS IF I’M PREGNANT FALSE: Dental X-rays are sometimes necessary if you suffer a dental emergency or need a dental problem diagnosed. Your dentist or hygienist will cover you with a leaded apron that minimizes exposure to the abdomen and, whenever possible, will cover your throat with a leaded thyroid collar to protect the thyroid from radiation. TRUE OR FALSE: TOOTHPASTE CAN HELP CLEAR UP PIMPLES FALSE: Applying toothpaste to your skin can cause irritation or allergic reactions in people with certain sensitivities. The result? You could develop a rash or even rosacea – a chronic condition of redness and skins sores that closely resemble acne.
“Your aunt Dot is tossed!”
48%
OF HIGHINCOME ARIONA ADULTS
could be a sign of gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. It also could be something simple like brushing or flossing too hard. If your gums bleed regularly or enough to worry you, make an appointment with your dentist. Go to mouthhealthy.com for more information.
OF LOWINCOME ARIONA ADULTS
ANSWERED ALL OF HPI'S ORAL HEALTH KNOWLEDGE SURVEY QUESTIONS CORRECTLY COMPARED TO 52% OF HIGH-INCOME AND 44% OF LOW-INCOME U.S. ADULTS
Oral Health Status Among Adults in 2015 10 8 6
Poor Oral Health
4
8.8
HIGHINCOME ADULTS
6.3
8.2 7.2
HIGHINCOME ADULTS
LOWINCOME ADULTS
LOWINCOME ADULTS
2 0
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Our mission is to provide the highest level of oral health care | We will invest our utmost efforts to treat each patient as an individual with individual needs | We will invest our time to continually improve our knowledge and skills | We will invest in technology to provide advanced level care | We will strive to educate our patients with the information they need to optimize their oral health and enhance their overall health | Above all, we will treat our patients with the highest degree of respect, integrity, and ethics.
About Us: We are a husband and wife dental team! We have been in practice together for 32 years. We have 3 grown kids. Dr. Griego is a native of Phoenix. Dr. Metter is from Bakersfield, CA. We are a family practice and see patients from 3 to 103.
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Timothy M. Mettler, DDS
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