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Happy September! This month we would like to highlight our 20th-year celebration here in the Farmington Valley. This past weekend, we participated in Septemberfest, run by the Simsbury Performing Arts Council. It was a huge hit and a lot of fun. Thank you for all that stopped by and participated in our awesome giveaways.

We are excited to celebrate National Coffee Day this month, on September 29th. In the office we like to enjoy a few drinks, Jill goes for a Butter Pecan flavor, Pat reaches for the old-school hot coffee, cream, and sugar, and Kelly likes hers with almond milk and hazelnut swirl. When you really need an afternoon boost you can rely on caffeine. Fun fact, caffeine can help with the occasional migraine and headaches. 

Now that school is back in session, we do have a few office-related updates. Our early morning and late afternoon appointments fill up fast! We can't accommodate everyone's requests for those time slots, so we ask for your understanding! We try to reserve the late-day slots for our teens and tweens who find it harder to miss school. Dental appointments are considered excused absences and we will be happy to provide a school note. Please be mindful of your child's school schedule when booking, especially if you come in March and then need to book that 6 months return visit in September. 

We know that with flu season just right around the corner, and with the continuation of COVID-19, some of our patients may be nervous to schedule an in-person visit. Here at Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry, your child can expect a warm and friendly welcome every time they come in. Our COVID-19 protocols are posted on our website and we have created a short video under "Office Tour" where you and your child can see exactly what to expect when you are here. We ask that only 1 parent accompany their child and no extra siblings unless they also have an appointment at that time. We continue to employ strict cleaning and sanitation protocols. We clean our check-in tablets after every single use and provide hand sanitizer at the door for everyone entering. Flu shots are available at local pharmacies too. 

Now for the fun part! We have a few employees we want to shout out this month. Kelly and Susan have been rocking the front desk! They make a fabulous team, supporting each other and looking out for the clinical staff. They handle rescheduling requests, New Patient calls, and keep our schedule full! Shari, our Marketing Director is celebrating her 2nd anniversary this month. She not only handles all the marketing for the office but also provides support for the front desk each day. Melissa, one of our dental assistants, is celebrating her birthday in September. 

We really appreciate how committed our patients and families are in responding to the ever-changing COVID-19 situation. We feel fortunate to live in an area with people who take this situation very seriously and work hard to keep the numbers in our state low. We hope to see you soon and thank you for being the best part of Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry. 

There are many different types of dental specialties out there, so how do you know when you should see a general dentist (your regular dentist), and when you should seek the help of a dentist with specialized training? This article covers the basic differences between a pediatric dentist and a family or general dentist, and why it may be beneficial to find a specialized doctor to work with your children’s teeth.

What is a pediatric dentist?

All dentists, regardless of which specialty they practice, attend a four-year dental school for either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. Once they have completed the initial degree program, some dentists choose to proceed to additional training in an area of dental specialty. Pediatric dentistry is one of those specialties.

A pediatric dentist will study the development of teeth from infancy through the teen years. Babies, toddlers, school-age children, and teenagers experience different growth phases and have different needs for their oral health care from adults. A dentist with post-graduate training in this specialty can often provide a more comprehensive approach to treatment to meet those needs.

Specialized Needs Pediatric Dentists Can Address

Starting with the first teeth that grow in your child’s mouth (usually around six months of age), you need to begin caring for your child’s teeth. However, it’s not as simple as just doing the same things you do for your adult teeth, because children have specific needs and may have concerns and issues that you do not face for your oral health care as an adult.

There are several concerns unique to younger dental patients. Beginning with babies, parents need to be aware of the specific oral care required for children. For example, babies who drink from bottles can develop baby bottle tooth decay if parents do not properly clean their teeth. Young children may develop a habit of sucking their thumb, which can contribute to poor oral hygiene. Children who have trouble with teeth grinding may need specialized care. And children have specific dietary needs that serve their need to develop strong teeth and gums.

All these concerns can be addressed by a pediatric dentist with specialized knowledge of childhood oral health and teeth development. General dentists often know some of this information, but without the specialized training they may not be able to provide the care that is geared toward the needs of your children. In addition, pediatric dentists will often have a practice that is built entirely with children in mind, with décor, staff, and other elements that can help put children at ease when it’s time to visit the dentist.

If you have young children, consider our pediatric dentistry office. At Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry, our specialized care for young patients features a caregiver with the knowledge and training to provide your children with the best possible care.

Labor Day is upon us, and that means the non-official end to summer. Before the kids head back to school and temperatures start to cool down, this is your last chance to barbeque in the beautiful Simsbury, CT community, head to the lake, and wear your favorite pair of white pants.

About Labor Day

Each year, Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September. It is the one day of year Americans celebrate their achievements in work, which the US Department of Labor says has contributed to prosperity and well-being of America as a whole. Americans have been celebrating Labor Day since the 1880s, and today it is an official federal holiday.

Interesting Facts About Labor Day

• Every year, more than 30 million Americans travel over Labor Day weekend.
• Canada was the first to celebrate Labor Day, and the US soon followed.
• President Cleveland made Labor Day and official US holiday in 1894.
• Labor Day marks the beginning of the NFL and NCAA sports seasons for fans.
• Labor Day marks the end of hot dog season, when Americans consume seven billion hot dogs.

Thanks for being a valued patient of our Pediatric office. Our staff would like to wish you a safe and happy Labor Day weekend. Enjoy your time off!

Healthy eating, combined with regular physical activity, plays a vital role in your child’s health and well-being. Dairy foods are naturally nutritious, packed with ten essential nutrients that help your child feel good for life. But did you know that dairy is also great for your child’s dental health? Our team at Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry will tell you that, in addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, dairy products also help fight cavities! Dairy products have a specific role to play in dental health as they contain a unique combination of special anti-decay nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, and the protein, casein. Cheese is especially useful, as eating a small piece of cheese after consuming sugary foods or drinks can help protect teeth and reduce the risk of tooth decay.

If you’d like to know more about the importance of dairy products in your child’s diet, or about any aspect of your child’s dental health, feel free to ask Dr. Maryam Azadpur at your next appointment!