PATIENT INFO


 

You Can Feel Safe That Everything is Being Done to Protect You

We take the following protective measures (exceeding those recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and the American Dental Association):

  1. Wear gloves, masks, protective eyewear and clothing
  2. Wash our hands with disinfectant soaps before and after treating each patient
  3. Change our gloves after each patient
  4. Sterilize dental instruments and handpieces after each use
  5. Clean and disinfect the surfaces and equipment in the treatment area
  6. Use disposable products wherever possible to eliminate cross-infection
  7. Handle all disposable materials according to federal, state and local guidelines and regulations

According to leading authorities, the risk of contracting serious infectious diseases during a dental visit is extremely remote. Due to the measures we take to eliminate disease transmission, you can feel confident both in receiving dental care here and in referring family and friends to us.

If you have questions regarding our infection control measures, please ask the doctor or any staff member. We will be happy to explain all our procedures and safeguards.

When you visit our office, you can
feel confident that your health is protected

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Pointers for Parent About Your Child's First Visit to the Dentist

Our care of your child is dedicated to PREVENTION of dental decay, gum disease, poor eating habits and crowding or space problems. Our goal, as parents and pediatric dentists, is to work together to make the process of dental care pleasant. Below are some suggestions to help achieve our goal:

  1. Young children respond more favorably when they are rested, earlier in the day. Please remember that pediatric appointments are always scheduled with your child's benefit in mind.
  2. Make dental visits a fun adventure for your child.
  3. Parents and children should feel free to ask questions at any time.
  4. Please do not bribe your child to come to the dentist, nor threaten a visit as punishment. This can foster a negative attitude.
  5. Your positive attitude about dental visits and dental health makes a great impression on your child. Please try to mask any anxiety you may have concerning dental visits to help lessen your child's possible anxiety.
  6. Primary (baby) teeth are important and essential for proper chewing, speech, appearance and space preservation for permanent teeth.
  7. Try to avoid having other children tell your child scary stories about dental visits. Maintain a positive attitude and tell them that their visit will be unique and special.

Our patients really do love coming to see us!

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Sugarless Recipes

Snacking on sugar rich foods contributes to the decay of heallby teeth. Tile right kinds, of snacks are More hutritious and less costly. The following are recipe suggestions for lunches, special treats and celebrations. Help keep your child happy and healthy.

NUTTY BALLS
Roll softened cream cheese, cheddar cheese or sugarless peanut butter balls in chopped nuts, toasted sesame seeds, or parsley.
serving: Chill before serving.

CELERY BOATS
Stuff celery with cream cheese or sugarless peanut butter and top with sunflower seeds. A sliced cucumber wedge on a toothpick makes an appropriate sail.

VEGIE OR FRUIT KABOBS
Use a variety of vegetables or fruit arranged on toothpicks. Try mushroom's, cucumbers, carrots, green pepper bits, cherry tomatoes, or broccoli. Fruit bits can include apple wedges, melon balls, orange sections, grapes, berries, cantaloupe balls, pineapple.

HOT CIDER
1 qt. Cider
3 whole cloves
2 Whole allspice
2 sticks cinnanion
1 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

Combine and simmer for 30 minutes (Put allspice & cloves in tea ball).

APPLE DELIGHTS
Sliced apple wedges basted with melted butter and top with cinnamon. Bake for 30 minutes at 350*. Serve warm or chilled

ORANGE/BANANA SHAKE OR FROSTY
4 sliced ripe bananas
1/4 tsp - vanilla
1/2 cup orange juice
4 cups milk

Combine and blend. Add I cup of crushed ice to thicken. Serves 6

NUTTY CHEESE COOKIES
1/4 lb. grated cheddar cheese
3 Tbs. oil
1/4 Tsp. salt
3-4 Tbs. milk
1/3 finely chopped nuts
1 cup whole wheat flour

Mix cheese, flour, oil, and salt until crumbly. Add milk and nuts. Form into 1 -inch balls. Place on oiled cookie sheet and bake at 350* for 20 minutes.

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Home Dental Care For The Infant

WHY:

  • To aid the normal growth and development of the jaws, and thus allow the normal eruption of teeth. 
  • To prevent infection of the oral tissues.
  • To maintain the normal ability to chew
  • To allow the development of normal speech patterns.
  • To provide for the development of a pleasing facial appearance.

THE PROBLEM:
Tooth decay is disease caused by bacteria which form a substance capable of destroying the tooth. You can prevent tooth decay by using the following preventative measures

For the infant, drape a gauze pad or washcloth over your finger and wipe the teeth gently. When the child has learned to accept this procedure, introduce a toothbrush. Because children do not have the required motor skill to brush their teeth properly until age seven to eight years, assistance should be provided as close to that age as possible.

Avoid feeding excessive amounts of sugar. Soft drinks and fruit aides are not the same as fruit juice. Sweetened, between- meal snacks should be avoided. When sweets are given, they should be offered as a dessert, while the saliva is still active and some natural cleansing action will therefore be provided.

Fluoride should be provided, either in drinking water or as a supplement, such as a tablet, with or without vitamins. Consult your pediatrician and dentist by 6 months of age for proper dosages. In addition, topical fluoride applications and cleaning of the teeth should be done by a dentist beginning when the child is two years of age.

Early, severe tooth decay frequently occurs when the infant is allowed to use the nursing bottle as a pacifier. NEVER give the infant the bottle to lull him to sleep. Practically any fluid, other than water, and under such conditions, can cause rapid destruction of the teeth. When the infant feeds actively, the movement of the facial muscles and the flow of the saliva clean the teeth. These factors are not at work when the infant sucks passively. Instead of being quickly swallowed, the fluid remains around the front teeth, particularly around the front teeth, where it will be held by the tongue

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Other Things To Watch For In Infants And Young Children

Trauma
Injuries to the teeth and mouths of toddlers occur frequently. Do not ignore a fractured or discolored tooth. Although a child may not complain of pain, the tooth may be infected. Infection will, in all probability, damage the succeeding permanent tooth. Early observation and treatment of injuries can reduce the danger of more serious problems occurring.

Oral Habits
Oral habits, such as thumb sucking or use of the pacifier, may damage the alignment of the teeth, particularly, if the habit is severe or prolonged. A delicate balance exists between fulfilling the child's emotional needs and indulgence in the habit. As a general rule, indulgence in an oral habit should end by age five years, if a permanent damage to the alignment of the teeth is to be avoided.

Teething
A variety of symptoms may appear as a consequence of teething. Discomfort is common Your dentist can recommend an ointment or liquid to be applied to the gums, to soothe discomfort at night. For teething discomfort during the day, cold hard objects, such as frozen bagels, teething biscuits, or frozen teething rings are effective.

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Counteracting the Effect Of Sugar In Liquid Medications

Children with seizures, congenital heart disease, or recurrent infections receive large quantities of oral liquid medications. Some children receive as many as 10 different medications during the first three years of life, and this medicine may contain 30-50 percent sugar. The sugar is used to make the medicine sweet and to add thickness and weight. Unfortunately, physicians and dentist have no choice but to prescribe such medicines to very small children, since sugar-free medicines-such as penicillin, digoxin, or phenobarbitol -- are not available. Furthermore, these children are unable to take the medicine in pill form, so it is usually by dropper or spoon directly into the mouth.

It was found in children who were diagnosed with decay of their primary teeth, and had medical problems during the early years, that parents often gave the oral medicine to their children just before naptime. They tended not to brush their teeth as frequently because the children were often sickly or out of sorts, or the parents were too busy dealing with the management of the child's medical problem.

HELPFUL TIPS
If a child has a medical problem that requires periodic use of the oral liquid medication, a dentist should be consulted immediately, so that a preventive program may be instituted. This should begin as soon as the first tooth erupts.

  • If a child is on oral liquid medications, check behind the upper incisor teeth for discoloration. If it is noted, take the child to a dentist immediately.

  • A good time to brush the teeth is just before a meal or bottle. This removes plaque and prevents the need to wake the sleepy child after feeding.

  • Try to arrange drug dosages for times when the child is awake. Try to eliminate the practice of squeezing liquid medication into the mouth of a sleeping child. The sugar-laden medication will not be diluted, since normal saliva flow is decreased during sleep.

  • Write to pharmaceutical companies that supply the drugs your child takes and asks them to supply you with the medication in a sugar-free solution, if one is available.

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Emergency Care


We respond to your emergency dental needs promptly, often the day of the emergency. In cases of dental trauma, patients are often seen immediately. Coverage for emergencies is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Emergency phone numbers are available by calling the office after hours. Each specialty area has its own staff coverage.

Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek
Apply ice to the bruised areas. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a clean gauze or cloth. If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes or it can not be controlled by simple pressure take the child to a hospital emergency room.

Broken Tooth
Rinse dirt from injured area with warm water. Place cold compresses over the face in the area of the injury. Locate and save any broken tooth fragments. Immediate dental attention is necessary.

Knocked Out Permanent Tooth
Find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the top (crown) , not the root portion. You may rinse the tooth, but DO NOT clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Try to reinsert it in its socket. Have the child hold the tooth in place by biting on a clean gauze or cloth. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing milk or saline. See a dentist IMMEDIATELY! Time is a critical factor in saving a tooth.

Toothache
Clean the area around the sore tooth thoroughly. Rinse the mouth with warm salt water or use dental floss to dislodge trapped food or debris. Do not place aspirin on the gum or the tooth. If face is swollen, apply a cold compress. Take acetaminophen for pain and see a dentist as soon as possible.

Broken Braces and Wires
If broken appliance can be removed easily, take it out. If it cannot, cover the sharp or protruding portion with wax cotton balls, gauze, or chewing gum. If the wire is stuck in the gums, cheek, or tongue, DO NOT remove it. Take the child to a dentist immediately. Loose or broken appliances which do not bother the child do not usually require emergency attention.

Other Emergency Conditions
Possible broken jaw: If fractured jaw is suspected, try to keep the jaws from moving by using a towel, tie, or handkerchief, then take the child to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Bleeding after a baby tooth falls out: Fold and pack a clean gauze or cloth over the bleeding area. Have the child bite on the gauze with pressure for 15 minutes. This may be repeated once, if the bleeding persists, see a dentist.

Cold/Canker sores: Many children occasionally suffer from "cold" or "canker" sore's. Usually over the counter preparations give relief, Because some serious diseases may begin as sores, it is important to have a dental evaluation if these sores persist.

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Resources and Links

American Dental Association
  • The American Dental Association (ADA) was founded August 1859, at Niagara Falls, N.Y., by 26 dentists representing various dental societies in the United States.
  • The ADA today has more than 141,000 members 54 constituent (state-territorial) and 529 component (local) dental societies. It is the largest and oldest national dental association in the world.

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

  • The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry is dedicated to improving and maintaining the oral health of infants, children, adolescents, and persons with special health care needs. 

Massachusetts Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

  • is an organization of individuals whose primary concern is to promote the oral health of, and to be the advocates for, infants, children, adolescents and people with special health care needs. Our Academy represents the specialty of Pediatric Dentistry in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the purpose of achieving a high and ethical standard of practice, promotion of education, and research in pediatric dentistry. The Academy represents its membership as a liaison to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, health care groups, governmental agencies, and the community at large

American Association of Orthodontists

  • On this site, you can learn about orthodontics and orthodontists--specialists in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The correction of tooth and jaw alignment results in a healthy, attractive smile that's good for life.

American Academy of Periodontology

  • The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is a 8,000-member association of dental professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants.

Academy of General Dentistry

  • The Academy opens its doors for greater CE opportunities, important oral health initiatives, camaraderie among colleagues and representation within the profession. Currently, the Academy has 37,000 members from the United States and Canada.

The American Association of Endodontists

  • The American Association of Endodontists, founded in 1943, is a not-for-profit organization of endodontists and other professionals worldwide with an interest in endodontics. Endodontics was recognized by the American Dental Association as a specialty of dentistry in 1963. The AAE currently has more than 6,500 members worldwide, including approximately 95 percent of all eligible endodontists in the United States.

Invisalign

  • Invisalign is proven technology designed to give you the smile you've always wanted, without the pain and anxiety associated with metal braces.

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Job and Career Opportunities


Dental Hygienist: 

Our multi-specialty practice is looking for a hygienist to join our team.  Evening and Saturday’s available with premium compensation.

Dental Assistants:

Our orthodontic department is looking for an assistant with some orthodontic experience.  Radiology certification required, CDA preferred.

If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact us.

Send resume to: eracioppi@dentalassociatesofwalpole.com

 

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