Academy of General Dentistry Fellowship (FAGD)

As a Dentist, it's important to continually study the latest developments and current techniques in dentistry.  In fact, to keep our state license we must meet the minimum requirements for Continuing Education courses (CE) each year. 

But, after giving birth a few months ago to a beautiful baby girl named Audrey, I found it hard to motivate myself to spend time on my CE requirements.  I want to spend all of my free time playing with and loving on Audrey.

So I decided I needed to set a goal for myself.  I have some friends who are pursuing their FAGD, so I decided that would be my goal as well.  The FAGD is a fellowship program sponsored by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).  It's not easy.  I listed the requirements below.  Basically, I will have to take 500 hours of CE and then pass a rigorous exam.  Only 7 percent of AGD dentists have achieved Fellowship.  So it's a distinctive honor to achieve Fellowship and a nice stretch goal for a new mother trying to motivate herself. 

Requirements 

• Current AGD membership for three continuous years by December 31 of the year of the convocation for which application is made, to begin no earlier than the month of dental school graduation.
• A dental license has not been suspended or revoked within the last five years and is not currently under probation, suspension, or revocation.
• Passing the Fellowship Exam.
• 500 hours of approved CE.
• Attendance at an AGD convocation ceremony, held during an AGD annual meeting, to receive the award (successful candidates are allowed three years following approval to complete this requirement).

Abby Mann is a general dentist practicing near Mesquite Texas.

Ordering Free Samples for Patients

I remember several times in my life when I went to the doctor and in addition to giving me a prescription, they were able to give me free samples of medicine.  That way I would have some relief right away, without having to go get the prescription fulfilled, and if I recovered quickly I might even be able to just use the samples and not fulfill it. 

I believe the drug companies give samples to the Doctor in hopes of increasing brand recognition and the Doctor would in turn, prescribe their drug more often.  For the Doctor, it's a nice service to provide to your patients.  It seems like a win-win.

I figure there must be samples that out there for dentists to give to patients as well.  I did some google searches and stumbled on these two.

www.dental-professional.com/
http://www.tridentoralcare.com/

I  just requested the free samples, so we'll see how it turns out.  My only concern is that they bother us with junk mail, or worse, sales calls.

Christmas Gift Exchange

This Christmas I was invited to participate in the office Christmas gift exchange.  That was very welcome news as I am the new dentist in the office and I really like the staff that I work with.  Christmas is my favorite time of the year and I love Christmas gift exchanges.  However, being the new dentist in the office, I had a few questions.  Most important being, what is the price limit for the gift?  There is always a price limit to these things, right?  That way you make sure everyone is buying a gift of equal value, and nobody feels like they spent too much or too little.  The answer suprised me.  There is no limit, just whatever you feel comfortable with.  Awkward silence...  "Oh Okay". 

I don't feel comfortable with anything.  If I spend $50 - $100 for a nice gift it may seem like I'm trying too hard, or like I'm showing off.  If they all give $25 gift cards and I spend $100 that would make me feel really uncomfortable.  But on the other hand, if they get really nice gifts and I spend the usual $25, then I would feel like a cheapskate. 

My plan is ... somehow without drawing attention, ask someone what they got last year in the gift exchange.  That way I can gauge the value of the gift and buy something I feel is in the same price range.  Hope my plan works!

The Greatness of DentalTown

DentalTown is a website that brings dental professionals together to discuss the latest topics on dental health.  I had heard about DentalTown for a while now, but really didn't have the time to check it out. The other day I had some time and so I registered on the website.

The first thing I did was search for articles on practice management.  They had a bunch of articles on the subject, but also many message board posts.  The message boards were very interesting as experienced dentists would either ask questions, or give their advice on the topic.  I got a lot of great ideas from these posts. 

But what really impressed me about DentalTown was the Continuing Education (CE) courses that I can take online through DentalTown.  They are free courses, but you can also pay to get credit towards your FAGD (Academy of General Dentistry Fellowship). 

You can also request to receive the free DentalTown Magazine every month, mailed to your house.  It's also a great resources.  And all of the articles in the magazine are archived on the website for reference.  And every now and then I get an email message from DentalTown with news and information on upcoming CE courses or webinars that are being offered.

I look forward to getting my next DentalTown Magazine!  What a great resource!

Top 10 ways to find a good Dentist near you:

1. Ask a friend, family member or neighbor for a referral. If they like their dentist, you may as well.
2. Ask your family doctor if they can refer a local dentist. Doctors are generally very knowledgable about local healthcare providers.
3. Do a google search (ie. search for "Dallas Dentist"). Most Dentists have websites which tell you where they are located, what services they offer and a description of their office. Better yet, Google Places will show you a map of where each dentist is located and may have customer reviews.
4. Search for a dentist using Yahoo Local. This works the same way that Google Places does and will also have customer reviews.
5. Search on Yelp for reviews of dentists in your area. Yelp has an extensive list of local businesses reviewed by people just like you.
6. Check out the local Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce website.
7. Your insurance providers website should have a way to search for dentists in your network. Just remember that many dentists are fee-for-service providers and may not show up in the search results. This means they will accept your insurance and make a claim for you, but they are not tied to any specific insurance network. This helps the dentist to ensure the best quality service.
8. Search in a Business directories like http://www.citysearch.com/, http://www.yellowpages.com/, http://www.superpages.com/, etc.
9. Check out health related websites like http://www.dexknows.com/, healthgrades.com, 1-800-Dentist.com, etc. Remember that some of these websites require dentists to pay to join their network and can often just be customer referral websites.
10. Look in Local Magazines, real estate guides, newspapers and fliers. Remember these are advertisements, so make sure to verify their claims and find reviews from other customers who used this dentist.

ZOOM!® Whitening System

A whiter smile is just one dentist visit away! ZOOM!® Smile Whitening, as seen on ABC's Extreme Makeover, brightens your teeth an average of 8 shades whiter in just 45 minutes. Once you have gone through the Zoom!® treatment we will send you home with an at-home whitening bleaching kit with custom made trays. Using these trays will allow you to maintain your desired level of whitening over several months.

Why use Zoom!® Whitening over other non-professional procedures?

Zoom!® Whitening has the following benefits: 

•  Fast and convenient
•  Long lasting
•  Low sensitivity
•  Proven to be safe and effective
•  Performed by a Dental Professional

While Zoom!® Smile Whitening is a great way to enhance the appearance of your smile, it’s not always for everyone. Those with deep, dark stains that remain unaffected by whitening treatments and patients with regular tooth sensitivity may not be good candidates. To find out more about Zoom!® Smile Whitening System, call Stone Canyon Dental or schedule an appointment to Dr. Abby Mann.  Her office is conveniently located in Sunnyvale Tx, close to Mesquite, Forney, Rockwall, Garland and Rowlett.

Snoring/Sleep Apnea Appliance

Almost half of adults snore and the problem is worse with overweight individuals.  Snoring occurs when there is a partial obstruction to the free flow of air through the mouth and nose.  Snoring can be the precursor of sleep apnea and has been linked to heart failure, high blood pressure, stroke, and Type II Diabeters.  Heavy snorers are most likely to suffer a heart attack while sleeping than non-snorers.  Dentists can control snoring with an oral appliance. 

People who suffer from Sleep Apnea are twice as likely to be in a car crash.
 
Sleep Apnea has been associated with:
- Hypertension
- Heart Failure
- High Blood Pressure
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Heart Beat Irregularity
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Mental Impairment
- Depression
- Obesity
- Increased risk of Heart Attack while Sleeping

Custom Oral appliances for Snoring and Sleep Apnea can be constructed by your dentist.  When these appliances are used correctly they can help your snoring/sleep apnea and have major benefits to your overall health. 

Dr. Abby Mann is taking new patients for Custom Oral appliances for Snoring and Sleep Apnea.  Her dental office in Sunnyvale Tx is conveniently located near Mesquite, Forney, Rockwall, Heath, and Garland.

Invisalign Braces

Invisalign allows you to straighten your teeth without anyone knowing it.  Invisalign uses a custom-made series of aligners created just for you.  These aligner trays are made of invisible plastic and will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place.  There is no metal and no wires to tighten.  You simply use a new set of aligners about every two weeks until your treatment is complete and you have the smile you always wanted. Throughout this whole process, most people won't know that you are wearning braces.

Benefits of Invisalign:

• virtually invisible
• Removable and easily cleanable
• You can eat whatever you want

Invisalign is not just for teens.  Many adults now have the smile they always wanted thanks to Invisalign. 
The average cost of Invisalign is about $5,000 nationally.  Many dental insurance plans cover Invisalign just as they would other Orthodontic treatments. 

Dr. Abby Mann is taking new patients for Invisalign Clear Braces.  Her dental office in Sunnyvale Tx is conveniently located near Mesquite, Forney, Rockwall, Heath, and Garland.

Abby Mann, DDS
Stone Canyon Dental
192 S. Collins Road #100
Sunnyale, TX 75182-4634
(972) 226-6655

Abby Mann, DDS - General Dentist, Sunnyvale TX, Mesquite, Forney, Rockwall, Heath, Garland
www.abbymanndds.com

Please visit us on Facebook: 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Abby-Mann-DDS/110138315744803
Abby Mann, DDS - General Dentist, Sunnyvale TX, Mesquite, Forney, Rockwall, Heath, Garland

Read Reviews on Yelp
http://www.yelp.com/biz/abby-mann-dds-sunnyvale
Abby Mann, DDS - General Dentist, Sunnyvale TX, Mesquite, Forney, Rockwall, Heath, Garland

Abby Mann, DDS

I am committed to practicing affordable dentistry, in a relaxing environment, where the entire family can receive high quality dental care. I encourage you to call our office and schedule a cleaning with our wonderful, friendly hygienists, or to make an appointment to meet me. I look forward to meeting you and your family.

Stone Canyon Dental

Our Sunnyvale Texas dental office provides general and cosmetic dentistry for the entire family. Our patients trust us with helping them achieve and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. Your comfort and dental health is our number one concern!

Professional Service:

When you visit our practice, Dr. Mann will spend time getting to know you so that she can advise you which dental treatments will optimize your oral health. Dr. Mann will thoroughly examine your teeth and listen to your concerns before designing a custom general, cosmetic, or restorative treatment plan.

Comfortable and Relaxing:

The Stone Canyon Dental team is completely dedicated to providing excellent dental care in a warm, comfortable environment. From the moment you step into our office, until the moment you complete your treatment, we want you to be comfortable and relaxed.

Affordable Dental Care

At Stone canyon Dental, We will help you review your options and design a treatment plan that adjusts to your needs and budget. We work hand-in-hand with you to maximize your insurance reimbursement for covered procedures. If you have any problems or questions, please ask our staff.

Our office is located at:
192 S. Collins Road #100
Sunnyale, TX 75182-4634

To make an appointment, call (972) 226-6655.

Please visit us on our website at www.abbymanndds.com.

Children's Dentistry

Professional Hygiene Treatments

TMJ Therapy

Athletic Mouthguards

Periodontal Treatments

Fillings/Restorations

Dental Sealants

Dentures/Partials

Bridges

Crowns

Dental Implants

Touth Extractions

Root Canal Therapy

Cosmetic Treatments

Cosmetic Treatments

• Bonding
• Porcelain Veneers
• Inlays and Onlays
• Zoom! Teeth Whitening
• Invisalign Clear Braces