Team Talk With Our Charming Dental Assistant Mariely Medina

Greetings!
This month we are having a Team Talk with our charming dental assistant Mariely Medina.

Every month we sit down to talk to one of our team members at Herald Square Dental and the Denture Center.  This month we are featuring Mariely, a wonderful  Dental Assistant, who joined us in May of 2016.  Find out more about Mariely here:

Before working at Herald Square Dental, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?  
Mely:  I was new to New York and the United States and I got a job through my High School in Washington Heights.  It was 2006 when my HS introduced me to Alianza Dominicana Cultural Center.  And, they helped me find a job as a receptionist in a dental office at my local middle school that performs preventative dental care as well as fillings and sealants for the students there.  This opened up a door for me to the field of dentistry and I worked there the following summer as well in 2007. 


What is your proudest moment at Herald Square Dental? 
Mely:  When Dr. Pasch told me how much I made his day with the things that I wrote about him in my Christmas card.  I appreciate their having given me an opportunity to be part of our dental care team and I love my co workers as well!   He felt extremely happy for the feedback which he said he doesn’t hear often and, of course that made his day.

What are 3 words to describe Herald Square Dental?
Mely:
Fun
Welcoming
Stimulating

What is your favorite part about working for HSD? 
Mely: I love assisting with all aspects of oral surgery and doing the pre and post op teaching.  I love to see first hand the cases progress and see very very happy people once their smile is enhanced. 

Do you have an office nickname? What is it?
Mely: Yes, I do, it's Mely. Actually they call me that at home too.  My HS friends decided to call me Mely and it kind of stuck from there.

What would people never guess you do in your role?
Mely: I come up with new expressions ie, “If you see something, do something”.  I am a team player for sure.  I am the float assistant and I am adept at assisting each of our four dentists with all of the different procedures as well as helping the front office administrative team.  It’s kind of cool being able to take my knowledge base across the board.  It’s certainly not boring. 

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
Mely: Cooking  all types of food.   Also, spending time with my dog, Benny.  Benny is my 3 year old poodle mix.  I think he has a human personality. 

Tell us one surprising fact about yourself.
Mely: I was a folklore dancer in the DR from the time I was 11 until I came to the US.

Are You Neglecting Your Dentures?

Greetings from Dr. Pasch, Dr. Yam, Dr. Shirzadnia and Dr. Song!

Old, uncared-for dentures are bad for your dental health and overall — and they also often contribute to bad breath.  We recommend that you have your dentures cleaned by a professional technician in our office at least once a year.

Although many of our patients hope that one denture will serve them a lifetime, dentures are not a lifetime investment.  ADA  recommends that dentures be replaced every 4-6 years.  If they are neglected or never replaced, they eventually develop a fungal smell and can be a home for plaque and bacteria, which contributes to developing halitosis (bad breath) and intricate a number of other health threats.  Make sure you clean your dentures at home every day and request a  professional denture cleaning in our office at your next check up visit.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 212-689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com.


Regards,

Herald Square Dental
& The Denture Center

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References: www.ada.org,  http://www.everydayhealth.com

Dentures and Good Oral Hygiene

Greetings from Dr. Pasch, Dr. Yam, Dr. Shirzadnia and Dr. Song!
Want to know more about taking care of your dentures? Here you go!

- How do you clean your dentures?
When cleaning your dentures, you should first rinse away loose food particles thoroughly. Then moisten your toothbrush and apply denture cleanser. Brush every surface, scrubbing gently to avoid damage.

- How many times a day does the denture need to be cleaned?
The denture needs to be cleaned two to three times daily.

- What is good oral hygiene when you have full dentures?In addition to taking care of your dentures, taking care of your mouth also is vital if you wear full dentures. This includes brushing your gums, tongue, and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before inserting your dentures. This stimulates your tissues and helps remove plaque.

-What is the proper denture care when not being worn?
Dentures need to be kept moist when not being worn so they do not dry out or lose their shape. When not worn, dentures should be placed in a denture cleanser soaking solution or in water. However, if the denture has metal attachments, the attachments could tarnish if placed in a soaking solution.

-Are There Alternatives to Dentures?
Yes, dental implants can be used to support permanently cemented bridges, eliminating the need for a denture. The cost is usually greater, but the implants and bridges more closely resemble the feel of real teeth. Dental implants are becoming the alternative to dentures but not everyone is a candidate for implants. Consult your dentist for advice.

-Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Dentures?
Most dental insurance providers cover some or all of the cost of dentures. However, contact either your dental insurance company to find out the specifics of what they will cover or our insurance coordinator to have your benefits clarified.

If you have any additional questions regarding dentures, please call our office at 212-689-0024 or email us at  appts@newyorkdenturedental.com today. You can trust us, we have been doing this since 1977!


Best Regards,


Herald Square Dental
& The Denture Center
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References: http://www.webmd.com; http://idanewsletters.com;

Dr. Ian Pasch serving the community through Donated Dental Services

Dr. Ian Pasch DDS, Director of Herald Square Dental and The Denture Center has been donating dental care for patients of the Donated Dental Services program since 2008.

The Donated Dental Services (DDS) program is a collaborative, direct way that the dental profession reaches out to individuals with special needs. Because of the extraordinary compassion of participating Doctors, DDS tends to the essential and comprehensive dental care needs of our nation’s most vulnerable people; disabled, elderly or medically-compromised individuals who cannot afford necessary treatment nor get public aid. DDS patients have slipped through the cracks of Medicaid and Medicare programs with nowhere else to turn.


Dr. Pasch has been seeing at least one Donated Dental Services patient per month and has provided care which would otherwise have been out reach for those who need it most. Our Donated Dental Services patients not only receive needed dental care, but they also gain oral health, confidence and last but not least, a great smile! Thank you Dr. Pasch and Herald Square Dental/The Denture Center for your great efforts and compassion!