Volume XIIProduced by Future of Dentistry

Future ofDENTISTRYImpacting Lives One Smile At A Time

Membership includes:• Two dental cleanings • Comprehensive oral exam• Fluoride treatments• Annual bitewing digital x-rays• Intraoral camera exam• Oral cancer screening• 15% reduction on selected procedures (adults and children)• 20% reduction (Senior Membership, 60 + on selected procedures)

About 108 million people in the U.S. have no dental insurance, according to the U.S. Health

Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Without regular dental care, individuals are at

higher risk for more serious problems.

HRSA Deputy Administrator Marcia K. Brand may have described it best: “I must have heard

several hundred people say, 'If my kid is really sick, I can take him or I can take her to the emergency

department — the ER. But I can't get dental care anywhere.”

ThisÊ isÊ notÊ aÊ dentalÊ insuranceÊ plan,Ê butÊ aÊ membershipÊ opportunityÊ specificÊ toÊ FutureÊ ofÊ Dentistry.ÊThere are NO yearly maximums, deductibles, waiting periods or pre-existing limitations.Ê ForÊ details,Ê callÊ usÊ atÊ 781-245-2299Ê orÊ emailÊ Info@FutureOfDentistry.com.Ê MentionÊtheÊ codeÊ "NewsletterSmile."

Here at Future of Dentistry, we've introduced a new program for the uninsured. Our Membership Program offers numerous services for a flat annual fee — $250 for adults and $150 for children.

Healthy membership: We've got you covered

How sweet it is! Candy buyback — treats for our troops

Thank you for all your referrals. We appreciate them!

There's a great way to limit "junk food" intake this time of year. Future of Dentistry participates in Halloween Candy Buyback, a nationwide program. This initiative benefits Operation Gratitude, which sends care packages to our troops and veterans.

It's easy to participate. During the first week of November, we'll purchase your leftover Halloween candy. We'll give you $1 per pound for any unopened candy. The treats will be sent overseas to our troops, along with toothbrushes and floss. According to the Halloween Candy Buyback program, troops who are serving overseas often share the candy with local residents, which helps to foster trust and collaboration.

This is a win-win program. Kids have a little less candy around, and they learn about giving back and honoring our troops. We send a positive message of support to our troops — and of course, we send goodies!

For more about the Halloween Candy Buyback, call 781-245-2299 or email Info@FutureOfDentistry.com, and mention the code "NewsletterSmile."

A sweeter Halloween for our patientsHalloween is one of the most popular holidays in America. According to a survey by the National Confectioners Association (NCA), 75 percent of U.S. households plan to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters this year.

Those of us in the dental field have mixed feelings about the holiday. Like everyone else, we love the costumes and treats and sense of community that Halloween inspires. But it's also a difficult time for maintaining oral health.

It's not just kids who are tempted by treats. Of the parents surveyed by the NCA, 78 percent confessed to dipping into their kids' seasonal candy stashes. Candy is simply everywhere this time of year, from the office break room to holiday parties. There's really no one who is exempt from it, whether you're a teen, a millennial or a senior citizen. There are also "threats" from other fall food items like candied apples, cider and donuts. Here are a few tips to minimize the damage:

1. Keep some sugar-free treats around the house for when you have a sweet craving, and available to hand out to kids on the big night. In particular, the artificial sweetener xylitol fights tooth decay, especially when in gum or in a candy that slowly dissolves. (If you haven't tried sugar-free candy and gum recently, rest assured, they taste better than they did years ago!)

2. Avoid "grazing" on sweets. This is especially true for the kids. It's better to have a few pieces of candy and then brush and floss relatively soon after, compared to eating candy slowly over the course of several hours. If you really can't brush at the time, drink a glass of water.

3. Watch out for "healthy" alternatives: Some households pass out dried fruit as a healthier option. Though it's more nutritious than a candy bar, dried fruit is not exactly tooth-friendly. Its non-cellulose fiber traps sugar on and around teeth, so be sure to brush and floss after eating it.

Most of the guidelines for a tooth-healthy Halloween are fairly common sense. Of course, being vigilant about them is often the challenging part!

We strive to make your experience at Future of Dentistry a positive one, in every way. Even if you're a longtime patient, you may not be aware of some of the services and programs we offer:

1) LONG-TERM WHITENINGA whiter smile is all about maintenance. When you purchase custom-made teeth whitening trays, you can enroll in our "White for Life" program. You'll receive free whitening material whenever you come in for your hygiene appointments. To remain in the program, all you have to do is keep your appointments.

2) FREE MOUTH GUARDSMouth guards protect against an array of potential health problems, including concussions. We're offering customized, complimentary mouth guards to students enrolled in youth sports in Wakefield. If your kids play sports elsewhere, ask us about the Grin and Wear it program (through Mass. Dental Society) for discounts on custom guards.

3) CREATURE COMFORTSWe're all about making your visit a pleasant one. Would headphones improve your visit? A blanket? A stress ball? Lip balm? Ask about our Comfort Menu for these and other complimentary items.

4) FREE WI-FI Ask us for the password next time you're in the office, so you can enjoy free Internet access without depleting your data plan. It'll help keep teens and older kids occupied too.

5) A BRIGHT FUTUREMost of us start out with healthy teeth as kids. Ever wish you could help your kids hang onto that time? You can. Dental sealants create a barrier to prevent cavities, including the grooves in back teeth where brush bristles can't reach. Be on the lookout for upcoming Kids Club events.

To learn more about these 5 reasons to smile, mention the code "NewsletterSmile" when you call us at 781-245-2299 or email us at Info@FutureOfDentistry.com.

Sending Goodies and a Positive Message!

5 Reasons to Smile!

Future ofDENTISTRYImpacting Lives One Smile At A Time

More and more, research links poor oral health with heart disease, stroke, diabetes, premature births and osteoporosis. Put simply, a healthy mouth is a sign of a healthy body.

Ensuring your oral health requires ongoing collaboration between the patient and his or her team of dental professionals. We'd like to thank all our patients for choosing Future of Dentistry, and for your efforts to maintain your smile and your overall wellbeing.

Insurance benefits: Use them, don't lose themOctober is an appropriate time of year to recognize National Hygiene Month. Many people don't realize they have unused dental benefits that expire at the end of the year. Unfortunately, if you do not utilize your benefits, you will lose them.

We would be happy to discuss your remaining benefits and options — please contact our office at your earliest convenience. If you are in need of treatment, we would certainly make every effort to accommodate your schedule at this hectic time of year.

We appreciate the opportunity to provide our patients with optimal dental care and look forward to hearing from you.

If you don't have dental insurance, be sure to read about the Membership Program on this page, which is designed to help the uninsured manage their dental care costs.

from

thed

en

tist National Hygiene Month

October is National Hygiene Month!

TheÊ LatestÊ NewsÊ forÊ yourÊ continuedÊ goodÊ health!

Information included is not dental or medical advice. For your specific information be sure to consult our office. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please contact us directly.

officeinformation

Future of DentistryGerry J. Casazza, D.M.D, F.A.G.D.

968 Main StreetWakefield, Ma 01880-3989

Office HoursMon/Tues/Wed 7:30 am – 7:00 pmThursday 7:30 am – 8:00 pmFriday 7:30 am – 6:00 pmSaturday 7:30 am – 3:00 pm

Contact InformationOffice: (781) 245-2299Email: please contact us through our website www.futureofdentistry.com

Future ofDENTISTRY Impacting Lives One Smile At A Time