This week we want you to get to know our doctors on a new level! Find out what kind of beans Dr. Alperin prefers- jelly beans or green beans? And does Dr. Althouse’s dream lunchtime truly consist of “talking dentistry with his partners?” Now that’s dedication! And what about Dr. Carroll? Which does he enjoy more–fine dining or backyard cookouts?

Check it out!

The spotlight is on the Doctors (:

1.   What is your favorite thing about being a Dentist?

Dr. Althouse: “The ability to make a profound positive impact on a patient. For example: improve their smile, help them get out of pain”

Dr. Alperin: “I love really listening to patient’s wants and needs, calming patients down in situations that are stressful for them, improving their oral health and establishing a trusting, caring relationship with them!”

Dr. Carroll: “Forming relationships with patients and their families, while serving them through Dentistry.”

2.   What dentistry related technology would you like to see developed next?

Dr. Althouse: “A way to naturally repair tooth structure” (Dr. Althouse says that this is in the works! Cool!)

Dr. Alperin: “I would like to see scanning technology become more affordable and easier to use so that patients no longer have to have impressions taken” (I like that idea Dr. Alperin! I’ve never loved impressions)

Dr. Carroll: “Silent handpieces (the loud tools used during fillings and most dental procedures): patients would really appreciate that!” 

3.   What has made you laugh the hardest while being in the office?

Dr. Althouse: “A couple of Dr. Carroll’s Halloween costumes”

Dr. Alperin: “Humorous patients who find humor in everyday life. My terrific assistant Judy keeps me laughing on a daily basis also!”

Dr. Carroll: “I enjoy listening to patients (and team members) tell stories of their lives;–and some of them make me laugh!”

4.   What makes up your dream lunch?

Dr. Althouse: “A quiet restaurant, good food and talking Dentistry with my partners.” #dedication

Dr. Alperin: “Really good spaghetti with meat sauce, crispy garlic bread, green beans, chocolate mousse pie with real whipped cream!” (Is there a gourmet kitchen in the back office Dr. Alperin?:)

Dr. Carroll: “Discussing patients’ dental needs and how we can help them take care of those needs. Also, any lunch that includes peanut butter!” 

5.   What activity do you always enjoy?

Dr. Althouse: “Baseball”

Dr. Alperin: “Planting flowers and a garden and watching it grow each day!”

Dr. Carroll: “Hanging out with my family”

6.   What did you want to be when you were a child?

Dr. Althouse: “Meteorologist” (Dr. Althouse always keeps the office updated on potential weather alerts)

Dr. Alperin: “I always loved science as a child and always wanted to do something in the health care professions.”

Dr. Carroll: “Since 8th grade I’ve always wanted to be a dentist.”

7.   What is your favorite thing about yourself?

Dr. Althouse: “My optimism.”

Dr. Alperin: “My ability to laugh at myself and not take myself so seriously.” 

Dr. Carroll: “That I’ve been given a heart to truly love people.”

8.   If you could take one year off to travel, where would you go, why?

Dr. Althouse: “1. Several long cruises to see the most new places possible. 2. Australia, New Zealand to spend time there. 3. Europe to spend time there. 4. South America to spend time there.”

Dr. Alperin: “Hawaii-again, Greek Islands, Italy, Monaco, Bali, The Netherlands, Grand Canyon, Maine, Washington State, Oregon, Switzerland.”

Dr. Carroll: “Drive across the USA for the second time, tour Europe (especially Italy and Greece), visit Israel, and go to a very needy country to serve using dentistry; all with my wife, Lisa.”

9.   Happiest memory?

Dr. Althouse: “My wedding day.”

Dr. Alperin: “No one memory- just remembering times with my husband Scott and our kids laughing hysterically about something and enjoying hangout time together.”

Dr. Carroll: “Marrying Lisa Kowalewski.” 

Pick One: ocean or mountains? green beans or jelly beans? roller coasters or water rides? snow or rain? backyard cookouts or fine dining? TV or traveling? 

Dr. Althouse: ocean, green beans, water rides, snow, fine dining, traveling. 

Dr. Alperin: ocean, jelly beans, water rides, snow, fine dining, traveling. 

Dr. Carroll: ocean, jelly beans, water rides, rain, backyard cookouts, traveling. 

It’s always fun to get to know the Doctors from a new angle! What a great crew we have (:

Stay tuned as we gradually spotlight the rest of the team!!!

Keep Smiling,

Jess

P.S. Thanks for your participation Drs Althouse Carroll Alperin (ACA) (:

IT IS NATIONAL CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH!!!
Join us in developing healthy habits for children everywhere!

“The chains of habits are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken”
-Samuel Johnson, English author 1709

Surprisingly, tooth decay is the number one chronic infectious disease among children in the US. This can begin as early as age 1. Effects include long-term health issues, pain, infections, speaking and eating difficulties, tooth discoloration and tooth loss. Tooth discomfort can confuse a young child and should be addressed early! Talk to your dentist about bringing your child in for a visit to eliminate any fears they may have.

Encouragement for a happy & healthy smile:

Birth-2 years 

~Before teeth erupt, parents can clean gums and mouth at bath time with a soft cloth or infant toothbrush. This allows the child to become familiar with toothbrushes.
~Bring your child to the dentist as early as their first birthday so that healthy dental hygiene can be foundational.

2-5 years: 

~Aid your child in brushing their teeth twice daily–brushing before bedtime is an awesome habit to establish with your child.
~Add a fun game/song into your brushing time. (See below for ideas)
~Parents may begin flossing for their child in areas where two teeth are touching.

School aged:

~Continue dental care by assisting your child in brushing and flossing.
~Help promote a happy smile as you cheer on your child in his/her favorite sport! Have your child request a personalized mouth guard to protect against sports injuries. Ask for team colors and get the entire school on-board!

Are you interested in more interactive and fun ways to implement healthy tooth care?

Drawing Games: Place a small white board in your bathroom to be used during tooth brushing times. Agree upon one item to be drawn. While one person brushes, the other must draw the agreed upon item for two minutes (If you have more than one child, allow them to play against one another). Once everyone has brushed and taken a turn drawing their picture on the board, allow the drawings to be left up all day and voted upon. Laugh with your child as you comment on different features of the drawings that seem to have met the mark and others that were clearly drawn in the last couple seconds of the brushing cycle (:
Singing Games: Pick a song for your child to sing for two minutes while you brush your teeth and then switch roles! A quick and easy karaoke night (:
Staring games: Face one another while brushing your teeth and see who can end the two minutes of brushing with the least number of blinks!
Copycat: Decide who gets to be the leader and who gets to be the follower for your tooth brushing session. The follower must copy the movement of the leader with regards to the tooth brushing actions. ie. if the leader starts to brush their tongue, the follower must do the same. Stick with 2 minutes (:
Thinking games: Who can use their two minutes to think of the most… four letter words, words that rhyme with mouth, names that start with the letter “m”–while the other person brushes their teeth. Compare your list and see who wins!

Experiment with each of these or let the creativity of your child shine as you join together to form your own routines!!! Whether you are singing, side stepping or staring, let your kids know that their health is important! (: Reply back with any of you or your child’s fun ideas!

Quotes From Our Team:
“in their teenage years, I have found it beneficial to discuss the negative results of plaque buildup and brushing neglect in terms of harvesting a funky breath odor….no teenager wants to be that (bad-breathed) kid.” -Adra, dental assistant
(4-5 olds) “I like to tell them that they are now “big kids” and “big kids” take responsibility for their own teeth…they need to brush and floss their teeth and get mom and dad to check in after they have finished! No one wants to be nicknamed ‘plaquey’ or ‘yuck-mouth'(:” -Adra, dental assistant
“I like to make brushing teeth fun for my girls! Sometimes I will brush their tongues first because it makes them laugh, which allows me to associate having fun with forming healthy habits!” -Vick, dental assistant

Have Fun,
Jess & Tiana ©

Join us in celebrating child teeth!