Spring is bringing out some fun at the office! We dressed up for St. Patty's Day, played some pranks on April Fool's Day, dressed up the office for Easter, AND we celebrated Red Sox Opening Day 9even though it was postponed due to weather)! Happy Spring Everyone
Did you know that in addition to getting her Doctorate in Dental Medicine, Dr. Hughes attained a Masters in Education? Her love of teaching and educating her patients is important and that is why we are starting a new awareness campaign called 7 and up. Lakewood Park Orthodontics is committed to the overall health and wellness of your children and we feel that this information is vital. According the American Association of Orthodontists, children should start seeing an orthodontist for evaluations no later than age seven.
While this may sound young, some children can significantly benefit from early intervention with orthodontic treatment. Â Dr. Hughes can detect subtle problems early on to determine the best time to start orthodontic treatment. This ensures in some cases less time in braces as a teen, possible prevention of surgery or extraction of permanent teeth and developing the best smile possible. You can rest assured that Dr. Hughes is known to be conservative in treatment and would only treat your child with early orthodontic care if necessary so as to prevent serious bite problems that can affect jaw growth and tooth development.
Here are the main eight problems that Dr. Hughes will evaluate for to determine if early treatment is needed. This list is supported by the American Association of Orthodontists:
Getting an evaluation starting at age seven can help Dr. Hughes nurture your child’s best smile as well as help improve things like self-esteem and overall dental health. So remember, 7 and up is when we would like to evaluate your child to give them their best and healthiest smile that lasts a lifetime!
January has been a busy and fun month for us! We were sad to see all the Christmas decorations come down in the office, but never fear.... Valentine's Day is near and so up went the new decorations! Looks festive as always now. We also spent our Saturday at the office in our cozy PJs and asked our patients to wear PJs with us to their appointment that day. Was a great success! Patience's one year work anniversary was on the 12th so of course we celebrated her and all the wonderful work she does in the office. Time flies when you're having fun!
To keep all of our patients and employees safe, we are adhering to the mandate from the CDC and State of Massachusetts that all dental/orthodontic offices remain closed until May 18th. For your protection, if you have an appointment scheduled from now until May 18th, it will be rescheduled as soon as we are confident that we will open on May 18th. We will be checking phone messages regularly but ask that calling the office try to be limited to inquiring about acute orthodontic emergencies and not scheduling questions. At this point, we are only allowed to see emergency orthodontic patients with pain. We wish you good health through this tough time and we will work hard to help everyone as soon as the emergency is over.
Sincerely,
Dr. Hughes and the Team at Lakewood Park Orthodontics
Over the past month we have all had to learn new ways to live and work differently. While many of our patients are doing virtual learning at home, we are taking this time away from the office to do some virtual learning too! In past years during the Spring we been able to continue our education by traveling to the American Association of Orthodontics Annual Session in locations such as Orlando and Washington DC. Unfortunately, this year the session has been canceled due to the Covid-19 virus. We are not going to let that keep us from learning! We have taken this time away from the office to watch webinars and do online training to stay up to date on all aspects of orthodontics (HIPAA, new bonding processes, treatment coordination with our patients and the future role of teledentistry). Â On our weekly office Zoom meetings we have been able to share with each other what we have learned from the webinars as well as keep in touch with one another. Â We have been completing more training in Infection Control and particularly discussing new protocols for the office when we are able to reopen. We are all dedicated to ensuring the safety of our patients, their families and ourselves. Stay well everyone!
To keep all of our patients and employees safe, we are adhering to the mandate from the CDC and State of Massachusetts that all dental/orthodontic offices remain closed until May 4th. For your protection, if you have an appointment scheduled from now until May 4th, it will be rescheduled as soon as we are able to resume. We will be checking phone messages regularly but ask that calling the office try to be limited to inquiring about acute orthodontic emergencies and not scheduling questions. You can always call or text Dr. Hughes’ cell phone at 774-270-5429. At this point, we are only allowed to see emergency orthodontic patients with pain. We wish you good health through this tough time and we will work hard to help everyone as soon as the emergency is over.
Summer is over and now we are getting back into the swing of things for the Fall. Sports, School, upcoming holidays etc are quickly approaching and are all on the forefront of our minds and schedules! But, don't forget about your teeth! Make sure you fit time in to schedule you or your child's orthodontic exam/consultation (ideally starting at age 7 and up) and orthodontic adjustments if you are in braces/aligners already before your schedule of Fall activities gets filled up!
Our office is a small local practice and so we love to support the local schools and charitable events that go on in and around Natick. This year we have participated in the Brown Wicked Fun Road Race, The Jingle Bell Run, Donated Dental Hygiene goody bags to the Brown Elementary School, sponsored the PanMass Challenge, ran a table at the Natick Organic Farm's Spring Spectacular and will help to sponsor Scoopapalooza in June. We also love to support the Drama Workshops in Natick and Framingham and the local sports teams!
October is Orthodontic Health Month
We’re super excited over here at Lakewood Park Orthodontics for our favorite month of the year; October is Orthodontic Health Month! To us, orthodontics encompasses more than just putting brackets on teeth. Through orthodontics we bring confidence, health and joy to our patients. To help give someone the confidence to smile (a real, big smile) is irreplaceable. This confidence extends into our patients daily lives and enables them to feel comfortable with who they are. So yah, Orthodontic Health Month is a big deal around here ;)
There are many blog posts about the benefits of a straight, healthy smile (decreased risk of oral disease, tooth decay, injury, jaw problems, confidence…) this is not one of those posts. If you’re reading this blog you likely have already researched the benefits or orthodontic treatment and are considering starting treatment. Today, I want to help you break down any barriers that are keeping you from moving toward your goal of a healthy, straight smile. So let’s discuss some common barriers that patients face when deciding to start treatment.
The benefits of orthodontic treatment are far reaching. Improving your smile can bring you a new found confidence that will last a lifetime (no matter what your age)! At Lakewood Park Orthodontics, we believe that the benefits of a healthy smile outweigh any of the barriers that might be holding you back.
What do you think? You’ve been considering it for long enough – it’s time to take the next step. Come in and ask your questions, confront your barriers and learn what treatment options are right for you at your free consultation. Call us at (508) 319 1545 or email us at smiles@lakwoodparkorthodontics.com
We hope to talk to you soon!
Mouthguards Matter! The American Association of Orthodontics has teamed up with Shock Doctor to stress the importance of wearing mouthguards, especially during braces. Orofacial injury rates in non-mandated sports are as high as 38%, so help protect those teeth! If you wear braces, select a mouthguard specifically designed for braces. Choose an Insta-Fit style which requires no boiling or fitting and adapts as braces are adjusted and teeth move. Dr. Hughes now carries Shock Doctor mouthguards at the office. Make sure to ask about them at your next visit!
Dr. Hughes and the entire staff at Lakewood Park Orthodontics believe that creating a beautiful smile should be a fun and joyful experience! Our theme days are an exciting way we create a fun environment for our patients and their families.
Theme days are celebrated at our office every month. Many times the theme days are coordinated with holidays and current events. We encourage our patients to participate in the theme days by dressing up with us and taking silly pictures in exchange for ‘wooden nickels’. (Wooden nickels are tokens that patients earn during treatment that can be traded for cool prizes).
Recent themes have included St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Pajama Day, Ugly Sweater Day, Chicken Dance Day and Red Sox Opening Day (just to name a few). No matter what the theme we are always willing to dress a little wacky to encourage our patients to have fun and feel like a part of our family during their time at Lakewood Park Orthodontics.
Do you have a great idea for our next theme day? Comment below or let us know at your next appointment and we may use your suggestion for our next theme day!
At Lakewood Park Orthodontics, we love our patients and wanted to show them our appreciation. So we held two patient appreciation snow cone parties! They were a success and a perfect compliment to the hot summer days here in Natick!
It's time again for our traveling T-shirt Contest! While traveling this summer or just at home enjoying summer fun, take us along with you! Send us a picture of yourself wearing your LAKEWOOD PARK ORTHODONTICS t-shirt via email (smiles@lakewoodparkortho.com) or post on our facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Lakewood-Park-Orthodontics-226824237353397/) and be enterested into a contest for a $25 gift card! Don’t have a LAKEWOOD PARK ORTHODONTICS shirt and want one? Call us at 508-319-1545 (contest is limited to patients of the practice). The deadline for photo entries is Friday, August 31, 201. Happy Travels!
The greatest compliment a happy, satisfied patient gives us is the referral of their family and friends to our practice. Our refer-a-friend contest is to thank you for that kindness! Each time you refer a friend or family member to our practice and they start treatment, your name will be entered into a drawing for a $200 gift certificate at Blue Ginger in Wellesley. We love that you want to spread the word about Dr. Hughes and the outstanding orthodontic care that she and her team provides at Lakewood Park Orthodontics. Thank you for your support. We enjoy seeing each and every one of our patients at their appointments and we would be honored to treat more of your family and friends. Your trust and confidence are truly appreciated.
Did you know that Dr. Hughes worked through college at an animal shelter in Illinois? She is a HUGE animal lover and is excited about our "Share a Basket with a Pet Event" that started at the office this week!
The goal of this event is to fill baskets with dog and cat food, blankets, kitty liter and toys to deliver to the local animal shelter. For each item a patient brings in they are entitled to fill out an entry slip to win a $50 gift card.
(That means if you brought in six cans of dog food, you can fill out 6 entry slips). Let's help make the new year a special one for a pet in need!
The road to a winning smile requires excellent teamwork. Your orthodontist has years and years of education and experience that helps him or her put the braces on just right. The patient is also a team member, carefully brushing and flossing the teeth, avoiding hard or sticky foods which may bend or break the braces, and following all other instructions such as wearing rubber bands, bite plates and other appliances.
In recognition of our very best patients, we have developed the STAR PATIENT OF THE MONTH PROGRAM. The rules are simple; each month we keep track of all patients who have perfect check ups with us. Excellent oral hygiene, excellent cooperation and a great attitude towards your orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist and his staff are the main things we’re looking for.
Needless to say, many of our patients have perfect check ups. So, at the end of each month, we randomly select one patient from the list of perfect check ups to be PATIENT OF THE MONTH.
As a token of our appreciation, the winner receives a gift certificate to a local movie cinema, and their photograph is prominently displayed in the office and on Facebook/website. Also, these patients can rest assured that they will soon be the proud owner of a beautiful smile and healthy bite…the best reward of being a great team player!
Thank you to everyone who brought in food for our Annual Food Drive. It was a great success and Jen and Dr. Hughes dropped the food off to the NAtick Service Council just in time for the holidays!
Ben was the winner of our Count the Candy Corn contest. Congratulations, great guessin' Â and enjoy the gift card!
Lakewood Park Orthodontics will be holding its annual food drive starting November 6th and we would love your help! Please bring by non perishable food items to the office at your appointment or drop off anytime on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays and we will donate all items to the Natick Service Council. Extra wooden nickels will be given to all our patients who participate so please be sure to let us know who brought the item :)
Don't forget to come in and participate in our "count the number of candy corn in the jar " contest. The prize is a $25 Target gift card!
As the nation prepares to observe the 16th Oral Caner Awareness Month this April, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, the American Academy of Oral Medicine, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Dental Association and the American Dental Hygienists' Association have joined the Oral Cancer Foundation in its campaign to raise awareness of this silent killer.
Be mindful of symptoms
The mouth is one of your body's most important early warning systems. Between dental visits, it is importance that you be aware of the following signs and symptoms, and see a dental professional if they do not improve or disappear after two to three weeks:
Factors that may increase your risk of oral cancer
Research has identified a number of factors that may contribute to the development of oral cancer. Historically, those at an especially high risk have been heavy alcohol drinkers and smokers older than age 50, but today the cancer also is occurring more frequently in younger, non smoking people. The human papillomavirus 16 (HPV) is related to the increasing incidence of oropharyngeal cancer (most commonly involving tonsillar tissue, including the base of the tongue) in the younger population.
If you have never had an oral cancer examination, there is no better time to schedule one than during Oral Cancer Awareness Month in April! When you do, be sure to ask that this examination be made routine at all your future dental checkups.
Congratulations to Dr. Hughes on completing her board recertification process! This is an honor bestowed to less than 25% of all orthodontists in the country.
Is Every Orthodontist Board-Certified?
No. There is a difference between licensed and Board Certified. All practicing orthodontists are licensed; only about 25% of all orthodontists are Board Certified as well. Certification as a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics signifies a unique achievement—a large step beyond the two to three years of advanced education required for a dentist to become a specialist in orthodontics. The current procedure requires the candidate to demonstrate actual accomplishments in patient care with detailed case reports on the treatment provided for a broad range of patient problems. Board certification is a unique honor following a process by which an individual orthodontist is thoroughly examined by an expert panel as to orthodontic knowledge and clinical skills.
What is the American Board of Orthodontics? Are there other recognized boards in orthodontics?
No. Today, it is the only certifying board recognized by the American Dental Association for the specialty of orthodontics. The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) was founded in 1929 and is the oldest specialty board in dentistry. Key objectives of the ABO are to elevate the standards the practice of orthodontics, and to certify continued proficiency and excellence in orthodontics.
If Board Certification is voluntary, why would an orthodontist become board certified?
The passage of the examination process is a demonstration to the dental profession and the general public of the orthodontist’s pursuit of continued proficiency and excellence in orthodontics. It is a representation of a commitment by a licensed specialist that he/she has the necessary knowledge base and skills to treat patients to the highest of standards. It exemplifies a practitioner’s commitment to continue to keep abreast of the latest advances in patient care, and to continue to deliver these latest advances to patients.
What is the process by which orthodontists may become board certified?
Since its founding in 1929, the process has changed many times. Today, the process involves a thorough Written Examination covering all areas of information on which an orthodontist should be knowledgeable. Successful passage allows the orthodontist to then present detailed case reports, which demonstrate a history of excellence in patient care. These cases are evaluated by expert examiners of the Board during a Clinical Examination. An Oral Examination is then given, and the applicant is tested on a wide variety of academic and clinical topics. Certification is then awarded for a time-limited period and the orthodontist must re-examine on a periodic basis to maintain the board certified status.
For further information on the American Board of Orthodontists, click below: http://www.americanboardortho.com/public/
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome Brandy Blakeney as our new scheduling and treatment coordinator! With a background in business administration and management, Brandy knows the importance of effectively scheduling appointments and making financial arrangements that are convenient for today’s busy families. Years of experience in the hospitality industry have taught Brandy that the most important thing is for patients to feel comfortable; she strives to ensure each visit to our office is a pleasant experience. As a former orthodontic patient Brandy knows the joys that a beautiful smile can bring and is eager to help others reap the benefits of their ideal smile. Outside of the office Brandy enjoys spending time with family and friends, being active outdoors and traveling. 
Thank you for taking the time to visit our blog. Please check back often for weekly updates on fun and exciting events happening at our office, important and interesting information about orthodontics and the dental industry, and the latest news about our practice.
Feel free to leave a comment or question for our doctor and staff – we hope this will be a valuable resource for our patients, their families, and friends!
