Cell phone calls and texting are simply a way of life these days…instant communication. Texting is now banned in many states while driving, but another place you might want to think twice about taking those cell phone calls and texting is while sitting in the dentist’s chair.

Consider this:

1. Your dentist needs you positioned properly in the chair for treatment purposes. Moving your head or sitting up to answer a call or text hampers your dentist’s ability to provide treatment.
2. How clean is your phone? Your dentist wants to maintain a sterile environment as possible while providing care to you.

A recent survey of dentists resulted in some interesting statistics:

• 88% of dental professional consider cellphone use a major distraction
• 76% of patients asked if they could take a call during a procedure
• 67% said cell phone usages interrupts an appointment at least twice a day.

The goal of Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa is to provide superior dental care to their patients. We will give you our undivided attention, but ask you also do the same for us. Let your office or family know of your appointment. They are welcome to leave a message with our Patient Coordinator to return a call as soon as the appointment is complete.

We are conveniently located if you are in the Wayzata, MN, Minnetonka, MN or Plymouth, MN area. Call Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa at 952-473-4900 or use our request an appointment page online to arrange an appointment.

National Children’s Dental Health Month

Every February, the ADA (American Dental Association) sponsors Children’s Dental Health month to emphasize the importance of oral health for children. Regular dental checkups should be as important to your child’s periodic regular health checkups.

Teaching children good dental habits early on helps them get a good start to having healthy teeth and gums through their life. It is also important to emphasize the importance of eating right and cutting down on the sugary foods that can result in cavities. There is nothing sweeter than a child with a happy smile… help them keep it a healthy smile.

Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa is a family dentist. If you have questions about your child’s dental care, please call us at 952-473-4900 or use our Request an Appointment page. Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa is conveniently located if you are in the Wayzata, Plymouth, Minnetonka or Lake Minnetonka area.

H.R. 570: Dental Emergency Responder Act of 2011

112^th Congress: 2011-2012

To amend the Public Health Service Act to enhance the roles of dentists and allied dental personnel in the Nation’s disaster response framework, and for other purposes.

The ADA (American Dental Association) wants to see dentistry as a part of the federal disaster response program. Past disasters have shown that medical care provided by first responders must be a priority.

Many dentists and their supporting dental staff are more than willing to participate in such a program and there are compelling reasons to include them.

• Dentists have a general medical background received during their dental training. They are skilled in diagnostic evaluations, suturing, infection control and management, administration of medications both intravenously and orally, basic emergency care and wound dressing.
• Many dental facilities could serve as treatment centers or as storage or distributions sites to assist at capacity hospital facilities. At the very least, dental schools and larger facilities could take medical histories and provide triage care.

Including dentists in the planning of public health and medical response plans, as well as providing advanced training in managing the care for a large number of patients during public health emergencies, would be required. The dentists and dental personnel involved would be considered members of an all-volunteer national medical reserve corps. The Congressional Budget Office has stated there is a minimal impact on federal spending over the next five years.

The bill has passed the House with an overwhelming majority. The next hurdle is the Senate and the Presidential approval. In November 2011, H.R. 570 was incorporated into Senate Bill S.1855.  As of December 16, 2011, the bill was placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar. Hopefully, it will be presented in the near future for a vote.

Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa offers cosmetic, family, and general dentistry services. Call us at 952-473-4900 or use our Request an Appointment page. We are conveniently located if you are in the Wayzata, Plymouth or Minnetonka area.