How To Talk To Your Dentist

As we have mentioned in previous posts communication can make all the difference in any relationship, especially between you and your healthcare providers.  Dr. Clark makes every effort possible to help you understand your dental needs.  Each team member in our office also tries to effectively help you understand the instructions given during your visit and upon your exit.  But that doesn't mean we may have answered all of your questions.

Did you know that Dentists are often the first to detect more serious medical problems such as oral cancer?  Thorough examinations can expose other underlying health conditions that you may not be aware of and possibly even save your life.  Good dental care is so important; not only for your teeth but also for your overall well-being.

To make the most out of your dental visit here are five suggestions we would like to share:

1. Ask a friend or family member to come with you if you are nervous. Sometimes bringing someone familiar with you can help ease those nerves.
2. Bring a list of any questions or concerns you may have.  It’s easy to forget about important questions you have especially when you are nervous.  Your friend or family member can help you review your list to ensure you haven’t forgotten anything.
3. Bring a list of medications you have been prescribed along with the dosage amounts.  We also want to know about any supplements you may be taking.  There are certain medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure that can affect your oral health.  The more we know about you, the better you results will be.
4. Let Dr. Clark know about any pain or discomfort you are currently experiencing.  Do not skip this information for fear of possible problems or treatments needed.  We have found that early detection reduces pain, expense and time of treatment needed.  Dental techniques today are now advanced enough to significantly reduce the discomfort of treatments.  We can even reverse numbness sooner after your treatments.  It’s exciting to be a dentist with the technology available!
5. If there is something that has been explained that you are unclear about just ask.  So many times we fear asking for clarification or another explanation using simpler or more familiar words and that does no one any good.  Both parties need to understand in order for communication to be successful.  We want to make sure that you understand the instructions and explanations given.  That will ensure that your treatment plan will bring you the results you desire.

 We look forward to hearing from you soon!

(541) 451-1440 or TEXT us at 541.6DC.DDS2

What You Can Expect During Your First Visit

Over the past few posts we've been sharing important information to help you choose your dental care provider.  We've shared about Dr. Clark's extensive experience and background as well as introduced you to our team.  

Today we'd like to walk you through "What You Can Expect During Your First Visit" at our office.  Our office is easy to find.  Two blocks east of our office is the Super Wal-Mart.

We have parking in the front of the building and our office is located in the center right corner of the building.  Did you know we offer a mileage allowance for those of you who need to travel in from farther distances?  Ask our Office Manager Linda for details.

When you arrive at your scheduled appointment you will be greeted by Gayle, our receptionist extraordinaire!   (We shared a little bit about Gayle in our last blog post.)  You can read about her by clicking here.  She is wonderful to work with!  

You will be given some New Patient forms to fill out.  Click Here to print these forms out and bring to your appointment.  It will save a little extra time for you.  

Just as you want to get to know us better, we want to get to know you!  And that includes reviewing your complete medical history with you.  It is important we understand your health history so that we can make the best decisions while planning your treatment.

Once all of the forms are filled out and a quick picture is taken for your dental health record we will take you back for x-rays.  The wonderful part about the x-rays is that Dr. Clark uses 100% Digital x-rays in our dental practice.  Learn more about digital x-ray technology and benefits by clicking here. These provide Dr. Clark a more accurate diagnosis as well as the ability to share your x-rays with you via email or even hold a virtual consultation with a spouse or loved one to discuss your treatment plans.

After your x-rays you will be on your way to meet more of the staff during your initial exam. There is no need to be nervous because we are here to make your experience comfortable!  We have soft blankets and pillows available for you upon request as well.  We are all about comfort so don't be afraid to ask.

After Dr. Clark has had the opportunity to meet you, review your x-rays, medical records and finish the exam he will be able to provide you information to help you understand your condition and choose services that will fulfill your cosmetic and dental needs and wishes.   We have great financing options for any budget and Dr. Clark is willing to work with you at a pace that you are comfortable with.

So what are you waiting for? 

We can't wait to meet you!  

Give us a call now and schedule your New Patient Exam today.  If you are currently our patient and would like to share this information with your friends, family or co-workers we would be thrilled to meet with anyone you send our way.  And just as we have taken great care of you, we will take great care of them!

Call to schedule your appointment today!

(541) 451-1440

Meet Our Friendly Dental Team

In our last post we shared a little information about Dr. Clark and his valuable 32 years of knowledge and experience.  We hope you learned something new about him.  As talented as Dr. Clark is, he is the first to admit that he would be lost without us and appreciates the contributions we each make to your overall dental office experience and care.

Have you met us yet?  If not, let us introduce ourselves.  We pride ourselves in caring for our patients on an individual basis.  We promise to be kind and gentle at all times.  We will customize your total care to suit your specific needs, making your visit with us truly unique.  

Our office uses the latest technology, investing in state-of-the-art equipment, education, and training.  You can be assured of a comprehensive and pleasant experience.

Come visit us and let us put your worries to rest!

Top Left to Right:

Linda: Office Manager.  Linda is married and has 3 children and 11 grandchildren!  She has worked with Dr. Clark for 21 years.  She loves that Dr. Clark helps the staff stay abreast of the newest technology in dental care.  Staying educated allows the office team to provide you the very best dental care available.

Alice: Head Dental Assistant.  Alice started working for Dr. Clark when she was 19 as a Dental Assistant right out of college.  She has now been with him for 24 years!  Alice grew up in Lebanon, went to Lebanon High before going to LBCC for her Dental Assisting Certificate. She is married and has two children and as many animals as her husband will allow.

Nancy: Dental Assistant.   Nancy has lived in the area for a long time and graduated from Lebanon High School in 1985.  She has worked for Dr. Clark off and on since 1989 after graduating from LBCC with her Dental Assisting Certificate.  She is married and has three children.  She loves spending time with her children, reading and sewing.

Gayle:  Receptionist.  Gayle has worked for eight years with Dr. Clark and has been in the dental field for 37.  She likes working for a dentist that keeps up with the newer trends in dentistry.  Dr. Clark is always exploring new dental technology and that makes all the difference.  Gayle feels they are a caring and friendly staff.  Everyone cares about doing their best for every patient.  She is married with two children and two grand dogs.  

Bottom Left to Right:

Brenda:  Office Support.  Brenda has been with the team for five years.  She takes care of housekeeping and helps in the clinic or front office when needed.  She sincerely enjoys helping whomever needs her, a great team player!  She has lived in Lebanon for many years, is married with four children and two grandchildren.

Dessa:  Hygienist.  Dessa was born in Oregon but raised in Alaska.  She came back to Oregon as soon as he could.  She graduated in 2002 from OIT in Klamath Falls with a Bachelor's Degree in Dental Hygiene.  She has enjoyed working for Dr. Clark for seven years.  She loves the Oregon outdoors: hiking, camping and berry picking with her husband and daughter.

As you can see, our staff fits together like a glove.  We work in harmony and have a great time together.  This cohesiveness is important in being able to offer you top of the line oral health care. We hope that if it has been awhile since you've seen us, you'll make an appointment for a FREE EXAM this month.  

If you are searching for a Dental Team for your dental care we invite you to come on in for a free consultation, tour and introduction to our team.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

(541) 451-1440 or TEXT us at 541.6DC.DDS2

Experience Makes All the Difference

Choosing a dentist is a very important decision. One that takes research, time and a confident feeling that your chosen provider will meet your needs.  We are thankful to those of you who have chosen our office to meet your oral health needs.  We strive to make each patient feel like "one of the family" and hope that you do feel comfortable with us.

If you are reading this blog for the first time and are perhaps searching for a Dentist, let us share a little about our office and our beliefs about dental health.

Dr. Dennis Clark sincerely appreciates his patients and puts his heart and soul into giving them the results they've always wanted. He and his team use the latest technology and techniques to provide the highest quality solutions for your dental health and to fulfill your cosmetic dreams. 

By utilizing digital x-rays, intraoral camera, Diagnodent cavity finder, high intensity light and magnification, Dr. Clark is able to apply his training and 32 years of experience to discover your needs and help you see and understand them. 

To protect your teeth and financial investment, you can take advantage of the latest in scientific evidence based preventive dental care available.

Our motto simply is Dentistry with a smile!

Dr. Clark has a contemporary, full service dental practice in Lebanon, Oregon that offers a wide range of dental procedures to fit your needs.  We emphasize comprehensive care including Laser Gum Therapy, Oral Surgery, Root Canal Treatment and Cosmetic Solutions such as Invisalign Wireless Braces, Snap On Smiles, Bleaching, Crowns, Bridges and Veneers as well as more common dentistry such as cleanings, fillings and crowns. We are committed to five star service and complete satisfaction of our clients.

Credentials

Dr. Clark graduated from Brigham Young University and UCSF Dental School.  He served our country as a Dentist in the US Air Force.  

Of course, he actively pursues better, more comfortable solutions to your needs through life-long continuing education.  

He speaks Spanish fluently and has been caring for the dental needs of Mid-valley residents since 1981.

If you or a friend are searching for the best dental care in town, please give us a call.  If you are a current patient of ours feel free to share this information with your loved ones.  The best referral is from someone that can speak first hand about their experience with our office.  Take moment to read what some of our patients have shared with us:

Read  our: Patient Testimonials 

We look forward to meeting new friends and want our current patients to know how much we appreciate your confidence in our team!  We are here to keep you healthy and happy and if share a joke or two along the way you might leave with an even bigger smile on your face!

Call us to schedule your

 FREE consultation today!

(541) 451-1440

New Year Resolutions Abound!

We hope that each of you had a very Merry Christmas!  It's hard to believe that the New Year is right around the corner. While you are pondering on some New Year's Resolutions you might want to consider what your teeth would ask for this coming year.  World Dental Health shares some great resolution ideas that will keep your mouth happy and your teeth where they belong!  Their article is entitled New Year Dental Resolutions, we think they are great ideas!  

A resolution is a promise or a commitment to yourself, that you will try to fulfill a goal.  Now one of the most important resolutions should contain the word “health” in it. Therefore, even if you can’t make sure that you will be able to buy a home next year, you can make sure that you will pay more attention to yourdental health.

Here is a list with a few suggestions for your New Year’s dental health resolution:

Promise to yourself that you will floss at least once a day

Even if you don’t like the dental floss, you should have to get used to it. The dental floss helps eliminating all the food particles from in between your teeth, where the regular brush does not reach. This way you eliminate all harmful particles that could lead to tooth or gum damage.

Brushing your teeth twice a day

According to plenty of statistics many people do brush their teeth only one time per day. They tend to brush their teeth in the most “comfortable” period of the day- in the morning or before going to bed.

Promise to yourself that there will be no excuses that you are in a huge hurry and instead of brushing you will just take a pocketful of mints in the morning. Also, you can’t be sleepy enough to forget about brushing your teeth before going to bed. Brushing twice a day…keeps the dentist drill away!

Respect those regular dental cleanings

Your insurance does not cover 100% for two dental cleanings per year without a reason. Don’t get mistaken, it is not that the insurer wants you to stay healthy, but it is because the insurer wants to avoid at all costs having to cover for expensive dental treatments.

Try to look at the issue from your point of view- by respecting those regular dental cleanings you will keep away gum disease, bad breath from too much plaque deposit, and other infections and dental problems.

One dental checkup every year…at least

Regardless of whether you have got visible cavities or not. The dental checkup is not meant for the dentist to actually see what you already can: badly stained teeth, a huge cavity or gum disease.

The main purpose is to catch the earliest possible every single dental problem. This will save you time and money- and you will have good oral hygiene at all times.

We hope your New Year will be filled with wonderful experiences and many happy days.  Remember that a goal written down has a greater chance of being reached than if you just "wish it" to happen.  We would love to help you schedule your cleaning appointments or sit down with you for a free consultation in regards to the work that you need or would like done. Together we can strive for a life-long dental health.

Happy New Year!

Dr. Clark & His Team

Call us to schedule your cleanings 

 for next year! 

(541) 451-1440

The Gift of Self

Do you struggle with finding the "perfect gift" for those on your list?  We recently read an article entitled "The Twelve Gifts of Self" written by Carolyn Warnemuende, M.S.  If asked, I think the majority of our loved ones would love more of "us" more than a physical gift on Christmas morning.  Our busy lives tend to take us away from our loved ones more often than not.  We hope you find some great information from today's blog post, we certainly did.

     I love the holidays. Part of what makes them special is that from the time my children were young I have kept them relatively simple. If I overdo I become stressed. Life doesn't feel very good and I’m not much fun to be with. When I keep material gifts to a few, select only those activities that will truly bring joy, and prepare easy-to-make holiday meals, the season is joyful for both my family and for me.

Recently I went through my files and found a handout copied on bright red paper titled “The Twelve Gifts of Self.” I have no idea where it came from or who initially wrote it since no author was identified. Reading through it I knew I wanted to share the ideas with The Informed Parent readers.

1.     The Gift of Time -This month I offer these twelve suggestions, conceived by someone else, and with my description of what they mean for our children.Our time is valuable. We need to make wise choices about how we use the twenty-four hours a day allotted to us. When we offer the gift of time, we are saying to others that they are important to us. When we give the gift of undivided time to our children, they become less demanding and needy.

2.     The Gift of a Good Example.
Our children learn by watching us. When we speak kindly, behave honorably, and respect others, we teach our children the art of being compassionate human beings.

3.     The Gift of Acceptance.
Acceptance is an act of respect. When people are accepted for who they are, they usually rise to becoming their highest and best self.

4.     The Gift of Seeing the Best in People.
When we look for the best in others, they tend to bring forth those qualities. Our children want to please us. By seeing and acknowledging their best, they will act from that place.

5.     The Gift of Privacy.
Each person needs both physical and personal space. By respecting our children’s need for privacy, they often become more forthright in sharing information with us.

6.     The Gift of Self-Esteem.
When we use the effective parenting tools advocated in The Informed Parent, we foster positive self-esteem in our children.

7.     The Gift of Giving Up a Bad Habit.
When we are willing to commit to giving up a bad habit, we serve as role models to our children. We demonstrate through our behavior, that people can change.

8.     The Gift of Self-Disclosure.
When we willingly share our feelings and thoughts with others in a positive way, we give them the opportunity to truly know who we are.

9.     The Gift of Helping Someone Learn Something New.
Everyone has something they want to learn. When we help others learn something new, we are investing in their future happiness. When we assist in our children’s learning process, we are also creating memories.

10. The Gift of Listening.
Listening with our full attention and without judgment may be the best gift we can give to another. When we really listen to our children and reflect back to them what we have heard, we open the door to deeper and more intimate communication.

11. The Gift of Fun.
Building times of fun into family life creates memories. Simple fun like hiking, playing games, or going on a picnic need not take lots of time. For activities to feel fun, they need to be relaxed and easy for everyone. Find time each week to have fun with your children.

12. The Gift of Letting Others Give to Us.
When we let others give to us, we give them the gift of joy. Most of us have felt the anticipation of having someone open a gift we have carefully chosen for them, or watch for their enthusiasm when we offer to help them with a task. Whether someone gives us a material gift, a gift of time, or another gift of self, we honor them and add to their happiness by graciously receiving it.

We look forward to finding ways to give a little more of "us" this year instead of something we can wrap in a box.  After all it is the gift of self that people will remember more than something that can grow old or break.

Have a great week!

Dr. Clark & Team

Make sure you have your cleanings 

scheduled for next year! 

(541) 451-1440

Are You Feeling It?

Sometimes no matter how much we plan we can find ourselves feeling worn out or overwhelmed particularly at this time of the year.  It is our hope that if you find yourself in this category you take a moment to rest and regroup.  The Mayo Clinic has a great article on coping with stress and depression during the holidays.  If you find any of these tips helpful feel free to share with those you love.

Stress and depression can ruin your holidays and hurt your health. Being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward off stress and depression.

By Mayo Clinic staff

The holiday season often brings unwelcome guests — stress and depression. And it's no wonder. The holidays present a dizzying array of demands — parties, shopping, baking, cleaning and entertaining, to name just a few.

But with some practical tips, you can minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays. You may even end up enjoying the holidays more than you thought you would.

Tips to prevent holiday stress and depression

When stress is at its peak, it's hard to stop and regroup. Try to prevent stress and depression in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past.

1.     Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can't be with loved ones, realize that it's normal to feel sadness and grief. It's OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season.

2.     Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.

3.     Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. For example, if your adult children can't come to your house, find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, emails or videos.

4.     Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don't live up to all of your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they're feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too.

5.     Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don't try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. Try these alternatives: Donate to a charity in someone's name, give homemade gifts or start a family gift exchange.

6.     Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That'll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup.

7.     Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can't participate in every project or activity. If it's not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.

8.     Don't abandon healthy habits. Don't let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don't go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks. Continue to get plenty of sleep and physical activity.

9.     Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Take a walk at night and stargaze. Listen to soothing music. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.

10.  Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

Take control of the holidays

Don't let the holidays become something you dread. Instead, take steps to prevent the stress and depression that can descend during the holidays. Learn to recognize your holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or personal demands, so you can combat them before they lead to a meltdown. With a little planning and some positive thinking, you can find peace and joy during the holidays.

We hope you have a wonderful time this holiday season!  Share that holiday cheer by simply sharing your beautiful smile!

Dr. Clark & Team