Mission of Mercy 2010

Tuesday afternoon, I had an amazing opportunity to see my dental family in action serving the Portland community.

Mission of Mercy is a national organization that organizes free dental clinics in cities all over our country. This is the first time Portland has hosted a MOM clinic and it was an amazing sight. Semi trailer trucks backed up to the convention center and unloaded all of the equipment for hundreds of dentists, assistants, and hygienists, to provide services including examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fillings, extractions, root canals, and denture repairs. Dental equipment and supply companies donated thousands of dollars of products to provide services for approximately 1500 patients over the two days.

I personally had a chance to work in triage, anesthesia (numbing), and oral surgery (extractions). I was so proud of the energy, enthusiasm, and compassion of all of my colleagues working there. We didn’t have all of the support we were used to in our own offices, but I didn’t hear any complaints, instead everyone was doing their best with what we had. In the end the patients received excellent care and were extremely grateful.

This was a huge project and I congratulate the many people who put in long hours to make it happen. It is truly inspiring to see what the private sector can do on its own to meet the needs of the underserved among us.

Mission of Mercy

Nearly 100 dental chairs are ready, 1500 volunteers have been oriented.

Patients are camped out waiting for the doors to open.

Oregon Mission of Mercy is the largest free dental clinic in the history of Oregon.

It happens Monday and Tuesday. Dr Stafford will be there Tuesday. Check back for a first person report.

Are You Afraid of the Dentist?

One of the primary reasons that people do not go to the dentist is dental anxiety. Estimates vary, but somewhere between 10-15% of the American population, or 30 - 40 million people, avoid much needed care due to anxiety and fear surrounding the dental experience.

Whether this stems from a previous bad experience, the media, or friends who have told them horror stories, the result is that they neglect to maintain their dental health by avoiding visits to the dentist, and in turn create more problems.

As we discussed last time, the key factor for good oral hygiene is prevention - stopping problems before they arise. Unfortunately, phobic patients who suffer from severe anxiety do not visit the dentist for regular care. This results in more complex problems which require more invasive solutions, which in turn creates more fear and anxiety.

A recent study in the British Dental Journal has found that despite the advancement of modern techniques and the use of very effective anesthetics, patients still seem to maintain the same level of anxiety as they did years ago. The proportion was shown to be the same today as it was in the 1930’s.

Are you avoiding dental treatment because of fear? If so, the first thing you need to know is that you are in good company and there is nothing wrong with you. Next time I will discuss what positive things can be done to reduce your dental anxiety and allow you to get the treatment you need and want.

Yours for excellent dental health,
Dr S

Candy Buy Back 2010

We collected 100 pounds this year. It has been sent to Operation Gratitude and will find itself overseas one day soon.

Thanks to all the children who shared their candy, parents who brought their children to the event, and Happy Valley Town Center businesses who made the goodie bags even cooler.

'Til next year, folks. (Wednesday, November 2, 2011)

Got Atlanta?

We know our patients are busy and we try hard to respect their time. Our computer software is the glue that keeps everything from scheduling to charting to accounting humming. But when an opportunity arose to receive additional training, we jumped at the chance to improve our skills in the hopes it would improve our efficiency and ultimately be a benefit to our patients.

We were not disappointed! We hope you notice a positive change as we implement the knowledge in the next few months.

But since we were already there, Deon and Heidi felt the need for a small detour. Somehow they managed tickets on the 50 yard line for the Atlanta Falcons vs. the Baltimore Ravens game. The game (and their t-shirts) were a hit! (And inspired some fun ideas we will be talking about in the year to come . . . )

I Hate Flossing

These are words my dental hygienist and I hear frequently. Sometimes they are said in defiance but more often they are spoken sheepishly with a sense of guilt, almost like a confession. If you have ever spoken, or even thought these dreadful words, I have three things to say to you.

First, you are not a bad person.

Second, you are not alone.

Thirdly, you have effective alternatives to flossing that can help you maintain optimum oral hygiene.

One of these alternatives is tooth picking. Wooden tooth picks work. We also have some specially designed plastic ones and others with a neat little serrated rubber tip. Whatever you use, be gentle and thorough. Intentionally clean the spaces between all your teeth, not just the ones where the big pieces of schmuck collect.

Waterpiks are another option. Research indicates that the water spray not only removes food debris, but actually penetrates and damages the thin biofilm that attaches the bacterial plaque to the teeth, thereby retarding both dental decay and periodontal disease.

Waterpiks are readily obtainable in a variety of styles. There are even portable devices that can be used in the shower. They all work--if you actually use them. I have a box of very simple Waterpiks that attach to your shower head and require no electric power source. I will give them away on a first-come-first-served basis, as long as my supply lasts, to anyone interested in trying one.

Here's the bottom line. If you are not flossing, for whatever reason, you don't need to avoid your dental hygienist our of guilt. Just experiment with something until you find something that works for you.

Yours for excellent health,

Dr. S

Stuffing of Another Kind

Just a couple of weeks until Thanksgiving. Here's a recipe for "stuffing" of another kind. . .




Shauna Lugar, The Children's Center's (childrenscenter.cc)Development Director said, "We give each child an opportunity to pick out any stuffed animal and blanket in our quilt closet. It’s a sweet moment where they become a kid again with the only pressing problem to pick out the very best blanket and bear to snuggle. And while those who gift a stuffed animal and/or blanket to our kiddos will never see these sweet reactions, the Children’s Center is honored to facilitate this support and care from our community to our children. "

Women's Health Fair

Earlier this fall Stafford Smiles participated in one of Clackamas County's yearly staples, the Providence Women's Health Fair. This event is anticipated by many. We loved seeing mothers and daughters of various ages participating and enjoying the day together.

Each year speakers come and teach about a variety of topics at a luncheon and in classes throughout the day. We participated as a vendor, specifically offering free screening for sleep apnea for the participants and/or their loved ones who may suffer the symptoms.

Those who attended will remember our "straw test". We asked them to breathe through a straw effectively demonstrating how little someone with sleep apnea actually breathes when the airway is restricted at night during.

Congratulations to our raffle winner of a free sedation dental appointment!

2nd Annual Candy Buy Back

Halloween has come and gone. But the candy is still around. What to do with the extras? Bring it to our 2nd Annual Halloween Candy Buy Back this

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

2:00-4:00 p.m.

Here are some fun scenes from last year:

Kids bring any candy they would like to sell.

Dr. Stafford weighs it. (Thanks, New Seasons for sharing your calibrated instrument with us!)

And then he pays cold hard cash. (This lucky girl even had parents and grandparents that matched funds!)




Take a minute at our writing station to send a note to the troops.



Last year we sent the candy to Dr. Stafford's son overseas. This year we will be shipping it to Operation Gratitude who will distribute it in many care packages.

We are hoping to double our collection to 200 pounds this year.

And let's not forget the fantastic prizes!

- iPod nano and other fun surprises from Stafford Smiles
- $500 off orthodontic treatment at Happy Valley Orthodontics
- free pizza from Round Table
- coupons from other Happy Valley Town Center vendors
- a NEW TOOTHBRUSH for everyone! (We are a dental office, after all!)

Invite your friends and come on down for a fun time supporting a great cause - we hope to see you!