Successful Smiles Blog Has Moved

I'm very happy to announce that my Successful Smiles blog is now residing on my Website at: www.helainesmithdmd.com/blog.

Please update your RSS reader and head on over!

This blog will remain "live" but this is the last post.

Back from vacation and feeling good

I've been quiet of late. I attended an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry conference and then went on a much needed vacation.

Now I'm back and as always with vacations . . . the peaceful relaxed feeling you had wears off after a few days of work.

Because the dental conference was in Hawaii, I had a chance to meet Miss Hawaii. Isn't she beautiful?


On another note, I'm also busy moving this blog to WordPress . . . stay tuned for the new URL.

I Love My Dentist Story Contest Winners

I have really enjoyed reading people's stories about why they love their dentists, so it was really hard to choose three winners -- because all of the stories were so good! However, after much consideration, Im please to announce the winners:

First place: Cindy Ludwig / Dr. Reid Clark -- "Patient Loses Fear of Visiting the Dentist"

Second place: Robin MacDonald / Dr. Eric Vanek -- "Dentist Helps Patient Out of 'Dark Cave' of Oral Health"

Third place: Tanya Kormeili, MD / Dr. Poneh Ghasri -- "California Dermatologist Explains Why She Loves her Dentist"

After reading the stories again, I understood the reasons why people love their dentists (and it has nothing to do with filling cavities):

1. Exceptional dentists eliminate all fear -- As a few of the contestants wrote, they were afraid to visit the dentist due to dental trauma from childhood. I understand this fear because many patients write to me telling me how they haven't visited the dentist in years because of fear.

Great dentists eliminate this fear through various methods: communicating with patients and using techniques and technologies to reduce pain. Dental procedures don't have to hurt -- and dentists should not be causing people trauma.

2. Exceptional dentists provide advanced procedures -- When it comes to dentistry, everything matters, from the office setting to the dentist's chairside manner. But most important, however, great dentists practice modern dentistry, whether it's one-visit crowns, dental implants or full mouth reconstruction. Dentists can no longer simply fill cavities.

3. Exceptional dentists provide exceptional care -- As many people pointed out in their stories, they loved their dentists because they had a personal one-on-one relationship with them. This relationship is what makes the difference between a good dentist and an exceptional dentist.

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Sex! Mentioned in Boston Globe Article

The Boston Globe ran an article about social media in its Sunday, April 26 edition. In his article, "Increasingly, marketing isn't just one-way street," reporter Scott Kirsner talks about how advertising -- and reaching consumers -- is changing.

He uses examples from local area companies, including Dunkin' Donuts, BzzAgent, HubSpot -- and yes, my e-book, "Healthy Mouth, Healthy Sex!" Woot!

Eight Year Old Boy Loves His Dentist

Today is the last "I Love My Dentist" story. I saved this one for last because it's written by Aidan Thomas Hornaday, age eight. According to Aidan's mother, Aidan talked about his dentist at a media event and even handed out some of his cards -- which he keeps in an harmonica case!

Writes Aidan:

"My dentist, Dr. Ashish Patel, is the happiest dentist on the earth. His office is full of happy people and I love to go there. I feel good about my teeth there. And I feel good about myself there.

"I get my teeth cleaned and then I see Dr. Patel smiling and so happy to be looking in my mouth. He is the best dentist and has cool things in his office like headsets to listen to my favorite DVDs.

"I can tell he cares about me and my family. Even with hard stuff, like my mom's new crowns he was sweet and his machines are awesome. So if someone got a mouth full of cavities, I would say to go to Dr. Patel because he cares and he loves his patients.
"Even in the waiting room I watch amazing nature shows on his big screen. So it's not bad going there, it's great. They have done everything great that you can think of. It's all there. I am his happy patient."

Aidan, I'm glad you've found a wonderful dentist who knows how to give you exceptional care -- and that you won't grow up fearing the dentist. Dr. Patel should be proud that he has a patient like you.

Public Speaker Loves Both Dentists

When you need more extensive dental work, such full mouth reconstruction, you may have to see a cosmetic dentist who specializes in more advanced procedures. Celia Milton is one such person.

A New Jersey Wedding Ceremony Officiant and Minister, Celia writes that she was in need of extensive implants and reconstruction. Her regular dentist referred her to Dr. Robert Jaffin, DMD, a periodontist in Hackensack, NJ and Dr. Jorge Barrios, DDS, a prosthodontist in HoHoKus, NJ. Celia writes:

"When my regular dentist referred me to these dentists, I was terrified, and very depressed about the whole process. I am a public speaker; my appearance and my ability to speak (of course) is of primary importance to me.

"Every step of the way, Dr. Jaffin and Dr. Barrios made me feel comfortable, confident, and hopeful about my result. They worked together seamlessly, and the result is just amazing; my smile is beautiful and natural.

"They also went out of their way to involve everyone in their office in my journey. I can't say enough about their artistry, their professional expertise and their warm and concerned treatment of someone who was very obviously freaking out. I love them both."

Celia, thank you for your story! Your smile is beautiful.

Comedian Nancy Lombardo Loves Her Dentist

I'm often asked by patients if getting their teeth fixed is "vain" -- even when their teeth present serious health issues and/or it's uncomfortable for them to eat.

Having your teeth whitened or straightened, replacing missing teeth with dental implants or bridges, and restoring health to teeth and the oral cavity is not "vain."

As I state in both my e-books, "Healthy Mouth, Healthy Sex!" and "Keep Your Body Healthy . . . Brush Your Teeth!" your mouth is an important part of your body. Just as you need to exercise to keep your heart healthy, relieve stress, and maintain optimal weight, you need to care for your mouth through regular checkups and having dental work done when necessary.

Maintaining a healthy smile also pays dividends. You feel free to smile more, which makes the people around you feel good, and you don't hide your teeth behind "closed mouth smiles" (or close your eyes when you smile, the way one of my patients did).


This is why I loved reading Nancy Lombardo's story. A comedian, Nancy understands how image is an important part of her job -- and part of that image is flashing a beautiful smile.

Nancy writes:

"I love my dentist Dr. Reginald Moncrieff in New York. It's not often you meet professionals who take pride in their work and skills and concern in their patients. I am an actress and stand-up comedian, and Dr. Reginald understands the importance of my teeth in order to earn income.

"He has never performed unnecessary work and actually discourages it. On more than one occasion, he has come to my aid on his own time. One time he fixed a broken tooth so that I could perform.

"I have sent many of my friends to him and they all agree: he is the best. He is one dentist that goes the extra mile for a smile."

Thank you, Nancy, for your story!