South Capitol Smile Center, PLLC

May your fire be stronger than your fears...

How do you serve? It doesn't have to be official, or with a title. Last week, a close friend had a medical emergency. She's young, healthy, full of life. Until she had to go to the ER. She was also across the country from our little but mighty friend group. We did what women do best- kicked into overdrive and helped support. Calls, texts, arranging for meals- figuring out how to support her dental team and her family while she is out of the office.

What struck me most is that we all have things going on. Who do you know that isn't exceptionally busy with family, careers? We all have small businesses to run. Educational pursuits- whatever it is... and we help anyway, because it's what we would hope for if something happens to us. Chances are, we will all need our friends, our chosen people, at some point. Grateful for this opportunity to be a friend and for .veenabhat - an incredible team of dental mom besties, most of whom I didn't even know 2 years ago. But wow have I found my peeps. Thank you ladies for being you. I'm so blessed to be on your team!

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We rise by lifting others.

I always talk about gratitude in my life and career and with that, an important aspect of my dental world has been mentoring young dentists. I'm extremely proud of and who have both excelled in their careers and inspired me - above and beyond!!! Their love of education, their joie de vivre, the passion and enthusiasm they bring- it's so inspirational and I wish everyone would show up like these two do- in whatever their chosen career is. Proud to know these incredible "baby docs", as I call them. Love them to the moon and back.

Big thanks to and Dr. Jill Bruno, for an amazing evening of learning with the legend, .levin.9 .
It's always great to hear him speak.

Be a mentor or get a mentor! So grateful for the many folks who helped pave the way for me- I'm just perpetually trying to pay it forward and help the next generation of dental leaders. Never stop learning OR living, folks. Who has inspired YOU???

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The DC AGD is excited to kick off a great year of CE and comraderie! Join us starting next week!!

www.dcagd.org

Luckily my patient base understands why performing irreversible medical treatment on oneself is an issue.

https://www.dentistryiq.com/dentistry/orthodontics/article/55138666/theyre-baaack-diy-braces-trending-again?o_eid=6656C8069934B1A&oly_enc_id=6656C8069934B1A&rdx.ident[pull]=omeda|6656C8069934B1A&utm_campaign=CPS240910042&utm_medium=email&utm_source=DEC_DIQ+Morning+Briefing

They’re baaack: DIY braces trending again One of the latest social media trends is seeing a second life: DIY braces. Some of your patients may have jumped on the bandwagon, usually leading to dangerous consequences.

Taking antibiotics should always be a last resort. This is a problem already!!

Antibiotic resistance could cause over 39 million deaths by 2050, study says Researchers have long flagged antimicrobial resistance as a public health concern, but this study is the first to analyze such trends around the world and over time.

The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more.

Jonas Salk

Getting nominated by to the International College of Dentists has been another humbling moment in my dental career. When I consider what tenants the College represents- Integrity, Leadership, and Service, I'm reminded that my journey started way before dental school at - it started with my healthcare provider parents who originally hailed from 3rd world countries, and unknowingly paved my path with their examples of working in underserved areas of Kentucky and Indiana, as well as my Mom serving as the Dental Director two different times- for developmentally disabled persons at Muscatatuck State Developmental Center and also eventually via the Indian Health Service, on a Navajo reservation.

My first dental mission with in Sierra Leone in 1989, I was reminded that many people worldwide don't have access to basic healthcare. In , I learned how it takes a global village. Since graduating from dental school and my residency at , I've continued providing needed care to my fellow , including Vets with limited care options through the , and refugees from 4 continents via multiple support organizations.

The closest to my heart though is , connected to .peterschooldc , through which we started a dental mission in Haiti.

Service does not need to be far flung- there are opportunities locally, daily. A smile and a kind word does wonders!! So grateful for this recognition of my past, current and future involvement and hope it inspires others to join in their own communities to give time and energies to make the world a little smaller and ultimately, better for all.

Congratulations to my fellow 2024 inductees to the International College of Dentists and much thanks to a longtime bestie for hosting me in Nashville and being my date for a gorgeous celebration gala honoring the 2024 ICD inductees. ♥️🙏🏽🌎🌍🌏

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Absolute gratitude.

This week has been an insane roller coaster. And as they say, attitude is one of the key factors, if not the most important, in how we pull through tough events. We've all had hard times, and we've been gutted, finished, depressed, angry- especially when occurrences happen without our ability to do a single thing about them. The moments replay in our heads over and over.

I was so deeply saddened, by how a tragedy affected a friend and their family this week- a brutal daytime assault in our close knit neighborhood. But what really opened my eyes and took my breath away was the way they responded to the event. With grace. Gratitude. Not a hint of anger or victim mentality - and truly, they had every right to have those feelings.

It really hammered it home, that our response to events is changed by the way we react. These friends weren't aiming to be admirable for their unbelievably calm and positive outlook, but it really opened my heart to see how a different type of response can be and how always, even when it's the hardest thing in the planet, to laser focus on what is positive. What we HAVE vs. what was taken away.

I'm grateful for them helping me see a better way of responding to grief, and grateful for the outpouring of support from our tiny Capitol Hill community. May all of us be so lucky as to find love and support like this. 🙏🏽♥️ I often talk about gratitude, but their actions made me realize how much more I can focus on the positive on a daily basis.

Sharing a video I took last night of the city which has given me opportunities, helped shape who I am today, and enabled me to find special people like the ones admired in this post.

Wishing you a joyful and gratitude filled Friday.

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You either quit or keep going. They both hurt. Choose wisely.

I had a previous co-worker say to me "I don't read books". I was shocked because I can't stop collecting them- to read now, or later. I know that there is so much to learn and I don't want to stop growing. I plan to be a lifelong learner.

If you don't want to learn or think you already know everything, I hate to break it to you. You're wrong! And staying in the same place in any aspect of your life- that's no way to live.

Growth can hurt. It can also be liberating. Choose evolution this week and make your goals work for you. You got this! ♥️💪🏼🤩

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Still shook.

It's taken me a long to realize my strengths.

For decades I identified with being:
•the out-of-place immigrant/minority
•the person who dressed weird
•the person who always said the wrong/awkward things
•the person who had to always try harder
•the person who didn't "look" the part

Little did I know that feelings and experiences like those could be turned around, make me stronger, resilient, empathetic and unstoppable!

My life experiences helped me realize that by being my true, authentic self I would someday be identified as:
•A mentor
•An inspiration
•An award winning dental practitioner
•A teacher
•A coach
•And the only GP Dentist in the entire DC metro area to be crowned by both and the and published for top case results, year after year!!!

It's hard to shout these things out sometimes, because as women in my generation weren't necessarily taught to be boastful. Self promoting. Proud. Those who know how the game works know that these accolades have to be shared because few people will share them for you.

I will share this though- that I'm forever grateful to those who have believed in me. Pushed me. Never let me stop. And never let me achieve less than I was capable of. Thank you Mom, Dad, my brothers, friends and incredible mentors in the and , as well as 💪🏼 and of course 🤩🤩🤩

Big thanks to my long time gal pal who helped me celebrate last night ♥️

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dc

Prioritize and plan.

There comes a time in life when you can't say yes to everything. is tough, but you don't have time for people and things that don't align with your priorities and goals. Say yes only to the important things. Family. Friends. Self care. Personal growth. Professional achievement. Decide what matters to you and keep that in your bucket.

Rest this weekend. Recharge. Then . It's the only way to get where you deserve and want to eventually be.

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Begin.

"You have the power to open your front door and take on the world. You have the power to create change. You are strong. You are brave. You can build the life of your dreams. Your potential is infinite. Let go of what weighs you down. Release the fear. Release the excuses. Release the toxicity. Breathe in the love that life is offering you. Stand up. Dust off your wings. Be free. Be real. Be bold. Begin." - C. Crippen

As we get into Friday, what changes do you need to make, to begin your best life? Breathe. Focus. Plan. Act.

Use your weekend to decompress, then plan for success! Take the plunge! You. Got. THIS.

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Choices, choices.
 
It’s easy to look at a tooth and say- let’s just fix it and make it prettier.  Sometimes things are way more complicated than that.  See the crack?  How deep does it go?  Is the nerve affected?  Could it be infected and need a root canal?  Can the tooth even be saved?  A great dentist will ask all the right questions and try to save the tooth if possible.  She will also tell you if it is not worth the money to do “heroics".  And finally- in the final photo- why is there not more anatomy?  (And if you look really closely at the final photo-  the tooth adjacent already had a root canal too- indicating that this broken tooth is not a Lone Ranger when it comes to a traumatic bite). Sometime having a flatter anatomy can assist with less pressure on a tooth.
 
Someone with a strong bite like this broke their tooth and lost their filling for a reason- lots of wear and tear, grinding and a heavy bite.  An intricate anatomy may not mesh well with a continued bite force and the opposing tooth. Flatter may not be prettier, but it just might last this person a good long while, which is always the goal!
 
SO- always, lots of choices to be made, including who you trust with your care.
 
Questions about this?  Ask me in the comments below!  I love my job- and I’m pretty sure it shows.

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Cannabis is mainstream and here to stay. Don't forget these two things though:

Smoking is smoking- which means it not only impacts your lungs, but also your other organs, including skin (wrinkles, anyone?), and gums and teeth.

The gummies are a nightmare for dentists (or job security???). This goes for ALL gummies, including melatonin, and vitamins- for kids AND adults. They are high in sugar, stick to your teeth and can cause decay.

As with everything you put into your body, know the downsides!

https://www.rdhmag.com/patient-care/article/14212751/weed-my-lips-the-good-and-not-so-good-aspects-of-cannabis-use-among-patients?o_eid=6656C8069934B1A&oly_enc_id=6656C8069934B1A&rdx.ident[pull]=omeda|6656C8069934B1A&utm_campaign=CPS240719047&utm_medium=email&utm_source=DEC_DIQ+Morning+Briefing

W**d my lips: The good and not-so-good aspects of cannabis use among patients Despite its growing use, public health concerns regarding cannabis remain. This is especially true among dental hygienists. Why? Because patients have never had such widespread...

Love what you do; Do what you love♥️♥️♥️

Honored and excited to be named to Best of City 2024!!! This time - for Best Invisalign Provider!!! Super grateful for inclusion in the July/August Issue.

Thank you to the readers who submitted me for consideration!



Link to the entire issue is here:
https://digital.modernluxury.com/publication/?m=3612&i=825944&p=1&ver=html5

Specifically to the Best Invisalign Mention here: https://digital.modernluxury.com/publication/?m=3612&i=825944&p=190&ver=html5

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dc

Somehow, some decades ago, dentistry and medicine got separated to the detriment of overall health. Medical doctors receive minimal training on the Oral-Systemic health correlation. Why are we not talking about this???

Oral health impacts Systemic health.

https://www.dentistryiq.com/practice-management/industry/article/55089707/new-consumer-data-reveals-pcps-dont-talk-about-oral-care-or-preventive-health-with-patients?o_eid=6656C8069934B1A&oly_enc_id=6656C8069934B1A&rdx.ident[pull]=omeda|6656C8069934B1A&utm_campaign=CPS240614044&utm_medium=email&utm_source=DEC_DIQ+Morning+Briefing

New consumer data reveals PCPs don’t talk about oral care or preventive health with patients If patients don't hear it from their physicians, they may not appreciate or understand the importance of their oral health and the oral-systemic link.

Every day life and normal wear and tear keep dentists in business- don't let your habits contribute!

5 Things You Do That Keep Dentists in Business These habits can cause a surprising amount of damage to your teeth, experts say.

"You can choose to view yourself by your weakest moments or by your strongest. You can choose to focus on beauty, progress, and your unwavering commitment to offer your best. Take a moment to appreciate all that you are and all that you are in the process of becoming. Honor the space between “no longer” and “not yet”. - C. Crippen

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I love the weekends. A chance to slow down. Breathe. Reflect. Reconsider. Mentally unwind from the week before but also prepare for the week ahead. Hope you all have a had a chance for some of this and more. ♥️

Just keep going...

I randomly gave this simple piece of advice last weekend. Coming from a swim family, it was only natural for me to volunteer when my kids joined the sport. As a Stroke and Turn judge, one sees a lot of things, especially with the younger kids 🙃! During one particular race, a child stopped at the wall halfway through his race and looked up at me, and in a bit of a panicked voice, said "I have water in my goggles"! I'm sure I shouldn't have engaged 😳, but the mom in me couldn't help but help, while also trying to do so discretely. "Just keep going!", I replied, as I gave him a little wave to get off the wall. And keep going, he did.

And isn't that life. We will not win nor lose every race, but darn it, if we just have to plug through occasionally. Of course we aim to give our all, but sometimes, consistently staying in the game is the big win.

Happy Tuesday!! And don't be afraid to go for it a little (or a LOT today). ❤️❤️❤️

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Everyone wants to succeed , but not everyone wants to do what it takes to succeed. You can’t get the top prize, with a low level effort.

“Rule of 100 states that if you spend 100 hours in a year, which is 18 minutes a day, you'll be better than 95% of the world in that discipline.”

You don’t like where you're at, move!

How are you going to move today?

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People complain about healthcare in our country. Want to know who knows about healthcare? Doctors. You want to know who does not? Finance people.

Choose your healthcare provider wisely - it could significantly impact your health.

Leaked documents reveal patient safety issues at Amazon’s One Medical After One Medical began using a call center staffed by contractors with minimal training, patients with urgent symptoms failed to receive immediate help.

Gorgeous space for a photo shoot!

Man, do I LOVE to save money!!! Healthcare is one place to be real cautious about though. Don't cause permanent damage by letting someone do something irreversible to you- ESPECIALLY when they do not have any proper training. It could be an expensive and life-long mistake to correct.

The dangers of “veneer techs” and how social media makes them possible Self-proclaimed "veneer techs" are putting people's health in danger. Make sure your patients see licensed professionals for this procedure.