This adorable group of curious preschoolers recently paid a visit to Door Creek Dental. Hygienist Michele showed the children what a first visit is like at the dentist. They enjoyed a “ride” in the dental chair and learned how to care for their teeth. We sent them all home with goody bags filled with all the things they need to get started on a lifetime of good dental health. Who knows - maybe one of these children will grow up to work in the dental field! Thanks for visiting us. We enjoyed having you here.

Always striving to stay on the cutting edge of the latest technical advances, high-quality continuing education plays an important role for all of us a Door Creek Dental. Our own Daniel Tataje, BDS, recently had the privilege of attending a week-long program at the University of Kentucky studying temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and orofacial pain with doctors from around the world. Presenting the program was Dr Jeffrey P Okeson, a highly sought after lecturer on the subject of TMD and orofacial pain. His textbook Management of Temporomandibular Disorders and Occlusion is used in most of the US dental schools as well as in many other countries and has been translated into 11 different foreign languages. Among his many accolades, Dr Okeson has received “The International Dentist of the Year Award” from the Academy of Dentistry International. This is the highest award recognized by this Academy and was given to him in recognition of his worldwide efforts in providing education in the area of temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain.                     

 Dr Okeson and Daniel at the University of Kentucky 2010

During this intensive program Daniel studied, in-depth, how to effectively manage TMD and orofacial pain disorders and how to recognize these disorders from other orofacial pain disorders so correct treatment can be selected. A comprehensive review of the multiple factors that relate to TMD and orofacial pain disorders was also covered. Treatments based on sound scientific principles were presented, with the emphasis on diagnosis. In addition, an introduction to the management of patients with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea by the use of oral appliances was provided.

“I’m honored to have met and learned from the most prestigious TMD & orofacial pain specialist in the world.” remarked Tataje.

Dr. Andersen recently traveled to the highly regarded Fahl Center in Curitiba, Brazil to further her education on anterior direct bonded restorations.  Many of you may ask, “What are anterior direct bonded restorations?”  Anterior direct bonded restorations are commonly known are “fillings” or “bonding” and are placed on front/anterior teeth.  A restoration or “filling”  may be recommended by the doctors due to decay, missing enamel due to trauma or simply to optimize our patient’s aesthetic needs.

In her recent course work, Dr. Andersen worked with numerous dentists from various parts of the world, all gathering together for the common goal of getting acquainted with recent advancements in aesthetic dentistry.  The Fahl Center in Curitiba specifically trains dentists in cutting-edge cosmetic dentistry techniques.  These techniques help assure that direct bonded restorations are long lasting and look very natural.  While some teeth may still require a veneer or crown to be optimally restored, direct bonded restorations provide a more conservative treatment option.

If you have any questions or would be interested in learning more about your options for a new and improved smile, please feel free to call us and set up your complimentary consultation today!

Collectively, we offset more than 76,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. This helps our community:

• Reduce global climate change
• Reduce the environmental impacts of developing fossil fuel resources
• Reduce our dependence on scarce energy sources
• Reduce our dependence on foreign energy resources

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Other Door Creek Dental green practices include recycling office supplies, creating patient “welcome bags” from post-consumable products and stocking the employee kitchen with non-disposable dishes and silverware and filtered water instead of bottled.

We have programmable thermostats throughout the office and keep temps a bit lower than many offices. To minimize solar gain, windows are covered with light-filtering film and have adjustable blinds. To save water, the building has low-flow toilets and motion sensor faucets that only run when users wave their hands under them.

Good lighting is critical in the operatories, so we worked with MGE to ensure high-efficiency lighting delivered excellent light quality. Each room has multiple switches, linked to multi-bulb fixtures, to ensure optimum lighting flexibility. We also use motion sensors and timed external lights.

We are in the midst of completing our transition to a completely electronic office. This will save paper and keep plastic (from xray film processing) out of the landfill.

Whether it’s recycling, working to create a paperless office or carpooling to work, our team is completely dedicated. Everyone understands how important it is for each person to do their part, and the difference that every small change can make.