WTAP - To Your Health

3M ESPE Mini Implants

Is your loose denture causing you to miss out on life’s simple pleasures? Do you miss eating your favorite foods? Are you afraid to laugh or smile? If so it is time to enhance your life with the Mini Denture Implant (MDI) system by 3M ESPE.
The MDI system consists of a miniature titanium alloy implant that acts like the root of your tooth and a retaining fixture that is incorporated into the base of your denture. The head of the implant is shaped like a ball, and the retaining fixture acts like a socket with a rubber O-ring. The O-ring snaps over the ball when the denture is seated and holds the denture firmly in place. When seated, the denture gently rests on the gum tissue. The implant fixtures allow for micro-mobility while withstanding natural lifting forces. Come and visit us in the morning to have the mini implants placed, and be able to eat dinner that evening comfortably with this scientific breakthrough in denture stabilization. All of this is available at an extremely affordable price and interest free financing is available for those who qualify.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

Keeping a healthy smile starts with your child's first tooth. February is National Children's Dental Health Month - a good time to make sure your kids have regular checkups and are brushing two to three times a day and flossing at least once a day.
The American Dental Association recommends that children have their first visit to a dentist by the time they get their first tooth or by their first birthday - whichever comes first. A pediatric dentist specializes in children this young. "First visit by first birthday" is a good rule of thumb. This gives the dentists an opportunity to detect the beginnings of early tooth decay and teach parents how to care for their child's teeth. Depending on the child, we like to start seeing them at our office around the age of two or three. We encourage you to bring your child with you to your prophy (cleaning) appointments so that they can get familiar with the office and can see what to expect. It is important to keep their teeth strong and healthy.

When should my child start brushing?

Clean your child's very first tooth by rubbing them gently with a damp piece of gauze. There are other options such as tooth and gum cleansers that can be purchased at your local pharmacy. But when the first molars come in, usually by the age of ten months, it is time to start brushing daily. Use a soft-bristled brush and water or non-fluoridated children’s toothpaste. Move the brush back and forth gently in short strokes, making sure you reach the front, back, and chewing surfaces of all teeth.

How should my older child brush?

Until your child is old enough to handle a toothbrush on their own - probably when they are six or seven - parents need to do the actual brushing. Again, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste. Brush twice a day, once after breakfast and once before bed. Even when they start brushing on their own, parents will need to supervise until they are seven or eight.

Which toothpaste should I use?

The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry do NOT recommend using fluoride toothpaste until your child is two to three-years-old, and then you should only use a pea-sized amount, making sure your child spits it out and doesn't swallow it. When choosing a toothpaste, be sure to check the label - some are not recommended for children under six years old.

When should my child start flossing?

Children need to floss as soon as they have two teeth that touch together. Many children under six will need a parents assistance. After your child's teeth are brushed, wrap a length of floss tightly around two of your fingers, and guide it between your child's teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Slide the floss up and down along the side of each tooth, and clean the gum line by carefully sliding the floss under the gum in the space between the gum and tooth. There are a wide variety of flossing aides that can be purchased at your local pharmacy. For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please call our office 304-424-6100.

Teachers’ Scholarship Fund

As parents, former students and professionals, all of us recognize the tremendous sacrifice and dedication of teachers. Teachers can never be compensated enough for the work that they do.

Our doctors and staff thank you for the financial sacrifices you make in order to better our young people and our community. We realize that, because funds are limited, teachers often use their personal funds to purchase classroom supplies. It is because of this that our office wants to support our educators and our community by providing funding to offset some of that cost.

Beginning in 2008, Wayne P. Dunn & Associates will be sponsoring a Teachers' Scholarship Fund which consists of thirty five $100-$125 scholarships given to area teachers for use in buying classroom materials. Teachers of grades K-12 are encouraged to apply.

In selecting the recipients, we will consider the proposed use of the funds and the neediness of the request. For example, proposals may be made for the purchase of a cranial skeleton for a science class or books for a first grade reading program.

Applications must be received by September 1st. Just complete the application and return it to our office by the deadline. Funds will be awarded by September 15th.

A special thanks from all of us at Wayne P. Dunn & Associates. It is our hope that the Teachers' Scholarship Fund will provide materials that will benefit teachers and students for years to come.

The 2011-2012 Teachers’ Scholarship Winner’s are:

Belmont Elementary-
• Missy Maidens
• Eric Brand

Belpre Elementary-
• Mary Miller
• Donna Curfman

Belpre High-
• Lisa Grays

Criss Elementary-
• Marjorie Edwards

Edison Middle-
• Sara Wilson
• Cindy Woody
• Ervan Russell Miller III
• Angela Huffman

Emerson Elementary-
• Adam Dobson
• Savannah Charlton
• Stacie Moore

Franklin Elementary-
• Lisa Rawson
• Christina Braden

Jackson Middle-
• Laura Thrash
• Barb McCullough

Jefferson Elementary-
• Jessica England
• Lynn Stoll
• Rebecca Reid

Madison Elementary-
• Meaghan Hahn

McKinley Elementary-
• Michael Meredith
• Lisa Buckley

Mineral Wells Elementary-
• Mika Martin
• Stephanie Asbury
• Susan Blake
• Gerri Field
• Darcella Lynne Maul

Neale Elementary-
• Don Fosselman

Parkersburg South High-
• Jennifer Blair
• Abbie Burge
• Tangie Rumbold

Pleasants County Middle-
• John Mike Nichols

St Marys Elementary-
• Sherri Murphy

VanDevender Middle-
• Rick Dobson

Vienna Elementary-
• Candi Kaufman
• Patricia Weigand

Waverly Elementary-
• Shelly Wooldridge

Williamstown Elementary-
• Ruth Patrick

Worthington Elementary-
• Lori Richards

Click here to view the application

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