Closed for the Christmas Holiday!

Hi everyone,

As usual, we are taking a bit of a break during the Christmas holiday season. Our hours of operation in the next week are as follows:

Monday, Tuesday (Christmas), Wednesday (Boxing Day), Friday: Closed
Thursday and Saturday: Open and extended hours
Tuesday (Jan 1), Wednesday (Jan 2) , Friday (Jan 4): Closed
Thursday Jan 3rd and Saturday (Jan 5): Open and extended hours

I'll be checking our voice messages everyday for emergencies. Be sure to check our website www.promenadecourtdental.com for solutions to common issues. We'll try to fit everyone in. Thanks to everyone ahead of time for their patience during this very busy time of the year. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to everyone.

Take care,

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: The Canadian Forces Dental Service

The Canadian Forces Dental Service was first established on May 13, 1915 as the Canadian Forces Dental Corps and currently provides oral health services for our troops in operations far from home.

Source: Feldman B, War and Teeth (OD Editorial), Ontario Dentist, Sept 2007, Vol 84, No 7, pg 8-9.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Avocados and Oral Cancer

A study published in Seminars in Cancer Biology showed that phytochemicals kill some cancer cells and prevent precancerous cells from developing into cancer. The mechanism appears to be programmed cell death.

(Dr. Skariah's Comment: Hmmm... I wonder if other phytochemicals (e.g. flaxseed) have the same effect?)

Source: FYI Research, AGD Impact, December 2007, Vol 35, No 12, pg 20-21.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: The Difference in Bite Force Among Teeth

Canine (fangs) absorb about 18 lbs/sq in of bite pressure while molars are in the 350-450 lbs/sq in range.

Source: Martin J, Everyday Occlusion: Evidence-Based or Common Sense, Ontario Dentist, December 2007, Vol 84, No 10, pg 26-30.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Submerged Primary Molars

A primary (baby) tooth is considered submerged if its marginal ridge (height at each end of the tooth) is more than 0.5mm below the intact marginal ridge of normal adjacent teeth. Studies show the prevalence of this condition in children ranges from 1.3 to 38.5%.

Source: Sherman M, Clinical Management of Submerged Primary Molars, Ontario Dentist, December 2007, Vol 84, No 10, pg 16-20.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Simroid Dental Robot: International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo

This "Simroid" is a dental patient simulator for dental students. Apparently, she has quite the realistic facial expressions, a gag reflex and can "experience" pain. She is currently one of the stars of the International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo (and not surprisingly, YouTube).





Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

The practice is closed for the week: My father-in-law has passed away.

I am saddened to report that the practice is closed until Saturday due to the passing of my father-in-law from complications due to his cancer. Any emergencies can be managed by Jodie and may be handled by my good friend Dr. Andrew El-Faizy.

The funeral will be held on Thursday Nov 22/07 at the OGDEN funeral home 4164 Sheppard ave E (at Midland) at 11 am. Shilpa and I appreciate your prayers and consideration during this time.

Take care.


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Oral Cancer Rates in Canada

Approximately 3,200 new cases and 1,050 deaths from oral cancer occur each year in Canada. Unfortunately, many cases are diagnosed late and require aggressive treatment. As a result, 50% of oral cancer patients die within 5 years of diagnosis.

Source: Point of Care: What do I need to know about oral cancer screening?, JCDA, November 2007, Vol 73, No 9, pg 797-8.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

A Reminder to Take Advantage of your Dental Insurance

Hi everyone,

This is just a reminder to our patients to take advantage of their insurance benefits before December 31st. Most dental plans cover approximately $1000 to $2500 a year in coverage. However, if you do not use them by the end of the year you will lose the remaining amount. Usually, a new insurance year starts in the New Year.

Let our practice know if this is your situation and we will try our best to accommodate your dental needs and your schedule. We have convenient evening and Saturday hours available.

Take care,

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Leadership Keys

Saw this in an Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Journal:

Six essential qualities of a leader:

1. Beliefs: Develop strong core beliefs.
2. Optimism: Be a problem solver not a problem maker; believe that there are solutions.
3. Courage: Take action in the face of fear.
4. Preparation: Do your homework; "luck" is where opportunity and preparedness intersect.
5. Teamwork: Be humble and know that you can get others to help with success.
6. Communication: People who can influence others can move the world; become good at it by practicing the preceding five qualities.

I thought these were great points that I could use to enhance the practice going forward.

Source: Stolz B, Tips for Building an Unstoppable Team, Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry Fall 2007, Vol 23, No 3, pg 70-72.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Moving to iTrans

Well, we've got broadband Internet in the office (finally...I was getting tired of dial-up!) and I am pleased to announce that we will one of the first tier of practices to be moving to the iTrans system to further expedite claims and predeterminations. I'll be releasing more information as we progress on this little project, especially the specific advantages of the new system.

Take care,


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Tooth Erosion "Web Sticker" from the Academy of General Dentistry

Read the e-brochure on this topic: Dental Erosion (PDF format)


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Attractiveness

1. The face is the most important component of physical attractiveness
2. The mouth/oral region is the most noticed/focused on area of the face

Source: Greenberg J, AGD Impact, "Voices", pg 9, October 2007.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Pneumonia and Oral Hygiene

In experiments involving patients admitted to a surgical intensive care unit, the use of an antimicrobial rinse and improved oral hygiene reduced the incidence of pneumonia by 60% compared to controls.

Source: The Oral-Systemic Disease Relationship: An Update for Practicing Dentists, The Colgate Oral Care Report, 2007, Volume 16, No 4, pg 3.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Fluoride Concentration

The level of fluoride in the water supply is approximately the equivalent of filling a bathtub to the rim and adding a drop of fluoride.

Source: Mancuso A, Fluoridation Misinformation (Letter to the Editor), The Journal of the Academy of General Dentistry, Sept 2007, pg 6.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Pica

Pica is typically defined as an eating disorder that involves the persistent eating of non-nutritive substances for at least one month. Some examples are clay, dirt, sand, stones, hair, lead, vinyl gloves, paper, paint chips, coal, and matches to name a few.

Source: Johnson et al, An unusal case of tooth loss, abrasion and erosion associated with a culturally accepted habit, General Dentistry, Sept/Oct 2007, Vol 55, No 5, pg 445-448.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did you Know: The Number One Killer of Dentists

Stress-related cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of dentists. (More motivation for me to eat healthier!) :)

Source: Land R, Stress in Dentistry-It Could Kill You, Oral Health, Sept 2007, Vol 97, No 9, pg 3-6, 95.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: The Number of Swallows per Day

According to Dr. Brock Rondeau, it is approximately 1000 times a day.

Source: Rondeau B, The Importance of Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with TM Dysfunction, The Journal of the Academy of General Dentistry, Sept 2007, pg 8-13.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Take More Vitamin D Mothers Told

Saw this article this morning, about new recommendations from the Canadian Pediatric Society on pregnant and nursing women to significantly increase their intake of vitamin D to reduce the incidence of a number of diseases. Here are the teaser quotes:

Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should consider increasing their vitamin D intake to 2,000 international units a day to reduce the chances their children will develop such ailments as multiple sclerosis, diabetes and cancer later in life, the Canadian Pediatric Society says.

That amount of vitamin D is 10 times higher than what is currently recommended by Health Canada for women in their childbearing years, and the advice is believed to be the first time a medical group has called for healthy people to take such elevated amounts of the sunshine vitamin.

...The advice was based on the growing body of evidence that increased exposure to vitamin D during key points of fetal and infant development may offer protection against many dangerous diseases, including asthma, osteoporosis, dental cavities and inflammatory bowel disease, among others

You can read the entire article here: Take More Vitamin D Mothers Told

Source: Globe and Mail Online, Sept 24/07,
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070924.wvitamind24/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/home

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

London tap water missing fluoride: C-Health Article

Saw this article in C-health. The fluoridation of London's water supply was quietly shut down September 3rd after the commercial distributor in Canada had run out. What is a bit disturbing to me is the lack of communication from the municipal department to the public regarding the change in their water.

Here's the teaser quote:

For weeks most Londoners have been drinking tap water without fluoride, the result of a continental shortage of the substance that's added to water to prevent tooth decay.

It took a plebiscite in the city 41 years ago to give the go-ahead for fluoridated water, but the equipment to add it was quietly shut down Sept. 3 for the larger of London's two water supply lines.

Asked last night whether Londoners should have been told their water composition had changed, at least one city council member was unprepared to take a position.

You can read the rest of the story here: London Tap Water Missing Fluoride

Source: C-Health, September 22, 2007 http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_health_news_details.asp?channel_id=131&relation_id=1883&news_channel_id=131&news_id=22801

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100