Minnesota Dental Association

January, 4, 2012

10 YEARS OF SMILES FOR CHILDREN IN NEED
MINNESOTA DENTAL ASSOCIATION SPONSORS
10^TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF FREE DENTAL CARE
FOR CHILDREN FEBRUARY 3-4, 2012

(Minneapolis, MN) Celebrating 10 years of assuring that children in need receive the dental care they deserve, Minnesota dentists across the state will open their clinic doors and provide free dental care to an estimated 6,000 children on February 3^rd and 4^th, 2012.

The Minnesota Dental Association is sponsoring the 10^th consecutive year of Give Kids a Smile, a unique grassroots program that provides children facing barriers to care with necessary dental treatment from professionals for free.

“We know that the joy and personality of a child is expressed through a smile, but untreated dental problems cause many children to hide their smiles,” said Dr. Michael Zakula, president of the Minnesota Dental Association and a practicing orthodontist in Hibbing, Minnesota. “Sadly, tooth decay remains the number one disease in children, and the barriers to care that caused us to start this program 10 years ago remain.”

Nearly 3,000 dental professionals and interpreters are volunteering at more than 200 locations across the state. The Minnesota Dental Association has reached out to hundreds of schools and community groups to help identify children who may be suffering with untreated dental disease. And the United Way’s 2-1-1 number has become an invaluable link connecting needy families with volunteering dentists.

Patients seeking appointments should be 18 years or younger and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. People interested in scheduling an appointment can call United Way 211 (just dial 2-1-1), or the statewide toll-free number 1-800-543-7709. To see a list of clinics providing care go to http://www.mndental.org. Information on specific services provided will be outlined when an appointment is scheduled.

Since Give Kids a Smile began, Minnesota dentists have provided free care to nearly 45,000 young children and donated services valued at more than $13.5 million dollars. Volunteers speaking multiple languages have been engaged to eliminate language barriers. Loyal sponsors 3M ESPE Dental Products and HealthPartners sponsor statewide TV and radio ads. And the Minnesota Dental Foundation is also once again accepting grant applications from community clinics and educational programs who are participating in the event to help defray the cost of supplies.

But challenges remain. Dental disease remains more prevalent today than childhood asthma. Tooth decay is the most chronic childhood disease, affecting 50% of U.S. first graders. And Minnesota dentists continue to be paid at one of the lowest rates in the nation for treating children on government health programs. A 2010 report by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that Minnesota dentists are paid only 40% of their actual fee for providing the care, compared to 60% nationally.

For more facts on the Minnesota Dental Association’s Give Kids a Smile, go to mndental.org or find us on Facebook.

The Minnesota Dental Association is the voice of dentistry in Minnesota, representing 80% of practicing dentists. It is committed to the highest standards of oral health and access to care for all Minnesotans. Learn more at: www.mndental.org.

October 24, 2011

MINNESOTA DENTAL ASSOCIATION WARNS CERTAIN CANDIES MAY HAUNT TEETH IN THE FUTURE

Minneapolis, MN -- This Halloween the Minnesota Dental Association advises treat-givers to make tooth-healthy choices and decline popular sour candy options - though they appear harmless, these treats may haunt teeth later on.

Candies promising a sweet and sour or “extreme sour” experience are very acidic. They can cause permanent erosion of the dental enamel on teeth, and may even lead to decay. The teeth can also become more sensitive when consuming hot, cold or sweet food and drinks.

Fortunately, a variety of healthy alternatives are available. Here are some tooth-healthy ideas:

Sugarless gum
Stickers
Rubber spiders
Small packets of crayons or markers
Pencils with fun-shaped erasers
Small charms
Bags of trail mix or peanuts in the shell
Juice boxes (100% juice)
Small chocolate candies (without caramel or components that will stick to teeth)

If you have a trick-or-treater that does eat sour candy, suggest they eat cheese or drink milk afterwards, or swish their mouth with water, to neutralize the acids. Also, use fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. Most of all, protect teeth throughout the year by reducing or eliminating sour candies from your treat list.

The Minnesota Dental Association and its members are taking a national lead in educating parents, teachers and children with a campaign called The Power of Sour on Your Teeth.

Power of Sour Campaign

See Acid Levels

September 26, 2011

DR. MICHAEL ZAKULA ELECTED PRESIDENT
OF MINNESOTA DENTAL ASSOCIATION

MINNEAPOLIS, MN— The Minnesota Dental Association recently held its annual House of Delegates meeting at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center where Michael Zakula, D.D.S. was elected as the Association President.

Originally from Buhl, Dr. Zakula spent two years at Hibbing Community College prior to his admission to the University of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. After receiving his Doctor of Dental surgery degree, he spent two years serving as a Captain in the U.S. Army Dental Corps at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri where he acquired a love for orthodontics. This led to a two-year orthodontic residency at Emory University School of Dentistry in Atlanta, Georgia. Once his residency was complete, Dr. Zakula came back to Minnesota and set up his dental practice in Hibbing where he continues to enjoy a specialty practice of orthodontics.

Dr. Zakula’s continued commitment to organized dentistry has included serving as president of the Northeastern District Dental Society; chair of the State Dental Education Committee; delegate to the American Dental Association House of Delegates; membership on various MDA committees; and board member of the Minnesota Association of Orthodontics Executive Board. He is also a member of numerous professional dental organizations

Dr. Zakula believes the legislative arena will continue to bring forth issues which may have a significant impact on how dentistry will be practiced in the future. He says, “It is imperative that we continue to be vigilant in the state and national legislatures and maintain or improve the percentage of dentists who are members of the ADA and MDA so that we can speak with one strong voice on dental issues. Finding ways to help young dentists address their large educational debts should also be addressed by the profession.”

September 13, 2011

GROWING LINK BETWEEN GUM DISEASE, HEART DISEASE AND OTHER CHRONIC ILLNESS LEADS MINNESOTA DENTISTS TO LAUNCH NEW EDUCATION CAMPAIGN

HEALTHY GUMS, HEALTHY YOU PUTS THE BITE ON GUM DISEASE

(Minneapolis, MN) -- Recognizing the growing body of research showing a strong connection between a healthy mouth and a healthy body, the Minnesota Dental Association has launched a patient education campaign to help patients understand the connection and how to assess their own risk.

Called Healthy Gums, Healthy You, the campaign explains how a healthy mouth can be linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and pregnancy complications. It also explains what patients can do to keep their gums healthy, even into adulthood, and includes a simple online risk assessment tool to assess an individual’s risk.

“We know the mouth is the gateway to the body,” said Michael Zakula,DDS, president of the Minnesota Dental Association and an orthodontist in Hibbing, Minnesota. “With growing evidence that gum disease can put people at risk for severe health complications, we want our patients to understand how they can assess their own risk and what they can do to both recognize the warning signs and prevent them.”

Gum disease begins when a sticky biofilm, called plaque, forms on teeth and can start to irritate gums. If it is not removed daily through brushing and flossing, gum tissues can start to weaken.

Patients can assess their own risk through an online risk assessment tool which can be found at: mndental.org. Warning signs include gums that bleed when brushed or flossed, persistent bad breath and gums that have receded from teeth.

Growing evidence shows that mouth bacteria can enter the blood stream, potentially attaching to blood vessels. This can increase the risk for heart disease, artery blockage and stroke.

Gum disease is also a leading complication of diabetes and is linked to increased risk during pregnancy for premature or low birth weight babies.

To avoid the risk of gum disease,Minnesotadentists offer these suggestions:

Brush your teeth twice a day.
Clean between teeth daily with floss or a similar cleaner to sweep away plaque.
Keep a regular schedule of teeth cleanings at the dentist. More frequent professional cleaning to remove tartar along the gum line helps to treat early forms of gum disease.
Tell your dentist about changes in your health.

March 24, 2011

MINNESOTA DENTISTS DONATE $2.5 MILLION IN FREE CARE TO CHILDREN IN NEED

Broad Based Community Effort Treated 5,678 Children

(Minneapolis, MN) - - Minnesota dentists, committed to making sure all children have the dental care they need and deserve, donated a record $2.5 million dollars of free care to Minnesota children in need in February. The comprehensive free dental care from Minnesota volunteer dentists was provided to 5,678 children in just two days during the Minnesota Dental Association’s Give Kids a Smile outreach.

More than 2,600 dental professionals volunteered their time to provide completely free dental care to children whose families cannot otherwise afford the care. While some clinics treated as many as 200 children, most clinics opened their doors to one or two dozen children. Many offices will continue to see the children for free for needed follow-up care.

“Minnesota dentists know there are barriers to care that keep many children from getting needed care,” said Dr. Timothy Flor, president of the Minnesota Dental Association and a practicing dentist in Waseca. “This is an amazing broad-based effort to provide direct service on a volunteer basis, while we continue work at the legislature to deliver better care to families in need.” Give Kids a Smile is sponsored by the Minnesota Dental Association.

Since its inception 9 years ago, the program has served 43,678 young children and the donated services top $13.5 million dollars in value. On average, each dentist in Minnesota donates $18,000 of care annually to their communities through a variety of charity care for children, seniors, the disabled and families facing economic hardships.

Tooth decay is the single most common chronic disease of childhood in the United States according to the federal statistics. All children are urged to see a dentist before their first birthday.

January 4, 2011

MINNESOTA DENTISTS EXTEND HELPING HAND TO CHILDREN NEEDING FREE DENTAL CARE

FREE DENTAL APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE FOR THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN FEBRUARY 4-5, 2011

(Minneapolis, MN) - - On the first Friday and Saturday in February, Minnesota dentists across the state will open their clinic doors and provide free dental care to an estimated seven thousand children facing barriers to care.

The Minnesota Dental Association wants families in need to know that appointments can be scheduled now with a simple phone call. Called Give Kids a Smile, the unique program matches thousand of volunteer dental professionals with children to make sure they get the treatment they need.

“We don’t want reduced government services, a family job loss or change in insurance to stand in the way of children getting the dental care they need,” said Dr. Tim Flor, president of the Minnesota Dental Association and a practicing dentist in Waseca, Minnesota. “Sadly, tooth decay is the number 1 disease in children and low income children face unnecessary barriers to care.”

More than 3,000 dental professionals and interpreters are volunteering at more than 200 locations across the state. The Minnesota Dental Association has reached out to the United Way, school nurses, and a broad range of community groups to help identify children who may be suffering in school with untreated dental disease. This year, the Minnesota Dental Association is partnering with the Minnesota Twins for an ad campaign that will bring even greater attention to the availability of free care for children in need.

Patients seeking appointments should be under the age of 18 and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. People interested in scheduling an appointment can call United Way 211 (just dial 2-1-1), or the statewide toll-free number 1-800-543-7709. To see a list of clinics providing care go to www.mndental.org. Information on specific services provided will be outlined when an appointment is scheduled.

Dental disease is more prevalent today than childhood asthma. Tooth decay is the most chronic childhood disease, affecting 50% of U.S. first graders. For more facts on the Minnesota Dental Association’s Give Kids a Smile, click here.

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