Meet Our Staff: Lois Vulpis

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

Up next in our "Meet the Staff" blog series - we have another one of our front desk rock stars, Lois Vulpis! Get to know Lois a bit more, find out what she likes to do in her spare time and how she ended up in pediatric dental:

 

Why did you choose pediatric dentistry or orthodontics?

I taught dance to small children for almost ten years.  I love working with parents and children, so going into this field made sense! 

Did you always think you'd end up working in pediatric dental? What other career dreams did you have as a child?
I wanted to be a nurse, and a dancer, but instead became a computer programmer, systems analyst.

What’s your favorite thing about working with kids every day?
Kids are fun, period.  

Do you have any tips and tricks to calm first time patients?
I smile and greet people in the warmest way, sometimes it can turn an angry person around.

Any suggestions for parents on how to prep kids for their first time visit?
Children read their parents better than anyone. I would tell parents to be upbeat, happy, and always smile when talking about the dentist.

What is the number one problem you encounter when it comes to children’s dental hygiene?
Not taking enough time to brush (my kids especially). Make sure to brush for TWO minutes TWICE daily!

What do you do when you’re not in the office?
I enjoy spending time with my family, I volunteer in a museum and also study dance!

Do you have a favorite movie or TV show?
Downton Abbey   

 
Do you have any pets? What kinds and what are their names? 

I have an old cat that came with the name Boots, though I would have named her Edith, she is beautiful.

What is your favorite vacation spot? 

Wyoming – the Big horn Mountains, and Hawaii

Do you like to cook? What is your specialty?

I make a great Brisket, and mash potatoes, and a great pot of sauce and meatballs!

Who is your favorite band?

The Nick of Time ( My husband’s band)

What is your favorite sushi roll?  

I don’t know - I actually haven’t had any yet!

 

Learn more about our practice and our staff on the web. You can also call any of our three offices to schedule an appointment or walk through with your child.

 

Dental Health New Year's Resolution Check In!

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

As we head into February, now is a great time to assess the changes you’ve promised to make this New Year. Whether big or small, keeping your resolutions not only serves as a morale booster, but it can in many ways improve your overall well being! 

Remember, consistency is key to any resolution you make. If achieving great oral health is something you and your family are dedicated to, here are a few tips to help you ensure that you stay on track:

Improve Your Diet - While sugar isn’t the worst thing to consume, it’s not smart to let it sit in your mouth after a snack! Sugar filled treats (including fizzy drinks and carbohydrate-rich foods) can accelerate tooth decay, leading to cavities and other mouth related issues. To help remedy this, try to limit the amount of sugar consumed and chew some xylitol infused gum to help reduce cavity causing bacteria!

Try New Flossing Options - While traditional flossing is very effective, switching things up can make the “chore” fun again! Try incorporating a Waterpik into your kids flossing routine. Floss first to loosen the plaque, then Waterpik to flush it away! Waterpiks are also great for those with braces since it can get behind the metal wires to rid any trapped food particles. 

Keep Dental Visit Promises - A typical dental check-up takes usually no more than an hour. We know it’s easy to skip appointments, but it’s just as easy to commit to going twice per year! By keeping these visits, we can make sure problems are addressed early - when they’re more treatable. 

If you have any questions about your child’s teeth throughout the New Year, give one of our offices a call! We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment, in three different Long Island locations. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news! 

Get Ready for National Children's Dental Health Month

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com
 

February marks National Children’s Dental Health Month -  a month long observance dedicated to bringing together dental health professionals, healthcare providers, and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers and more!

This year’s campaign - Sugar Wars - features The Smileys, McGrinns and K9 in spaceship, USS SweetSwatter.  It is equipped with toothbrush swatters, to fight against the Sweet Tooth Invaders for good oral health! The reverse side of the ADA’s poster is aimed at preteen/teenagers and demonstrates effective ways to defeat the effects of sugar and maintain good oral health by brushing, flossing, rinsing and eating healthy snacks.

This annual campaign gives teachers and parents resources needed to promote the benefits of a good oral health routine to children. 

If more resources are needed, give us a call! We are always available for FREE school visits and info sessions, as well as welcome any school or scouts field trip to any of our three locations. This is the perfect time to provide students with some essential information and tips to encourage good oral health practices for 2016 and beyond!

Give us a call to schedule a visit today:
Nesconset Office (631) 360-7337
Massapequa Park Office (516) 798-1111
West Islip Office (631) 661-7337

Winter Fun Safety Tips

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Now that the weather has calmed down and the driveway has been shoveled, it’s time to have some fun! But before you do so, make sure you keep these winter fun safety tips in mind:

Dress warmly - Even if all that running around warms up your children, make sure they stay dressed appropriately for the outdoors. Several layers will keep them dry and warm - don’t forget boots, gloves, and hats! 

Know the signs of hypothermia - Hypothermia develops when a child’s temperature falls below normal due to the colder weather. This often occurs when a child is playing outside without proper clothing (as mentioned above) or when clothes get wet. When hypothermia sets in, your child may shiver, slur speech, and become lethargic. Call 911 at once and take your little one indoors to remove any wet clothing and wrap him/her in warm clothes and blankets.

Set reasonable time limits - To prevent something as severe as hypothermia, set reasonable time limits on play outdoors. You may also want to supervise them to ensure everything goes smoothly. 

Have them wear a mouthguard - If they’re going out to sled or play some hockey, a mouthguard should be worn. These are essential for protecting teeth should a fall or collision occur! 

For more winter safety tips, check out this article from the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

Don't forget to post a picture of your family or kids having fun in the snow to our Facebook page for a chance to win a $100 gift card!  We want to see what all of our patients are up to this weekend! (winner announced Tuesday).

If you have any questions about your child’s oral health or are in need of a new mouthguard, give any of our offices a call! Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dentistry has three Long Island locations. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. 

5 Fun Snow Day Activities

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Are your kids getting a little stir crazy? If you’ve already watched all their favorite movies and are running out of ideas on how to pass the time, we have some snow day activities to keep the whole family busy throughout the storm:

Photo via Flickr

1. Color - It’s simple, it’s fun, and it’s calming! Plus, coloring isn’t just for kids. So parents feel free to join in - Mouth Healthy Kids has some printable coloring sheets ready for download. 

2. Build a fort - If it’s too cold to work on your igloo building skills outside, bring the fun indoors! Blanket forts never go out of style and can keep your kids busy for hours. For a real step by step blanket fort building guide, check out this article. 

3. Strike a pose - Raid the closets, dig up past Halloween costumes, print out some fun props and have yourselves a photoshoot! Kensie Kate has some templates available otherwise feel free to do a quick Google search on your own!

4. Play a game - When was the last time you enjoyed a family game night - with a good old-fashioned board game! Dust off the Monopoly, put on your detective hats for Clue, or try your hand at the game of Life. 

5. Build a snowman - As Jonas begins to die down, perhaps the best suggestion is to get the kids out of the house and into the snow! Test your snowman building skills or go sledding. Whatever snow themed activity your family enjoys the most, bundle up and enjoy!

If you do venture outside this weekend - post a picture of your family or kids having fun in the snow to our Facebook page for a chance to win a $100 gift card!  We want to see what all of our patients are up to this weekend! (winner announced Tuesday).

Tooth Tips to Fight the Flu

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

 

While flu season can begin as early as October, continuing well into May - now is commonly its peak time. To help in being proactive in fending off the flu, we wanted to share some tooth tips on how your family can fight the flu this year:

• Store toothbrushes upright and away from the toilet. Find a dry, open space where your toothbrush can breathe, aka not near a toilet or sink! If it’s left on the sink, dirty soapy water can find its way onto it. If it’s nearby a toilet, each time it’s flushed bacteria can become airborne and latch onto the brush - gross!
• Remember the three month rule! Toothbrushes should be tossed and replaced every three months. Old bristles hold on to bacteria and aren’t as effective in cleaning teeth. You may also choose to replace it sooner - after a cold or flu has run its course.
• Brush and floss regularly. Allowing food particles to sit in the mouth can open the door for harmful bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Now, your body will work on ridding itself of this bacteria which can tire the immune system, thus reducing its strength to fight off more serious infections such as the flu.
• No toothbrush sharing! No matter how close you are with your spouse or child, germs and illnesses can easily be transferred from toothbrush sharing. This also means keeping all brushes separated in their holders to prevent bristles from touching.

Proper oral health habits are important year round, but during cold and flu season the prove even more vital. Share this post to help others fight the flu this season!

 

If you have any questions about how to better care for your child’s oral health - give any of our offices a call. Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dentistry has three Long Island locations. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. 

 

Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news! 

Establishing Your Child's Dental Home with AMPD!

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

When it comes to your children’s health, you don’t skip doctor visits - so why skip dental visits? We can’t stress enough that establishing a dental “home” for your child at a young age is vital in preventing dental problems down the line.

Dental problems can begin earlier than you think. Children run the risk of severe tooth decay just from using a bottle during nap time or while sleeping overnight - as well as from continuously nursing from the breast. That’s why the earlier you schedule your dental visit - the better chance we have at early intervention plus assuring optimal oral health care for a lifetime!

At Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental - we provide a warm, friendly environment, and treat your children the same way we treat our own! See what Dr. Marc Adelberg himself has to say about the importance of infant oral exams and early intervention services:

We (along with the AAPD) recommend your child’s first dental visit happen by their first birthday to ensure their teeth are erupting properly and that there are no dental abnormalities. Give any of our three offices a call today to schedule your child's first dental appointment!