June 18, 2008 - We have had a lot of activity in the office since our last office news update:
Dr. Mehta took an advanced workshop on Temporo-Mandibular Joint disorders (TMJ Syndrome), and rehabilitation of complex bite problems. Patients with pain in their jaw joints, and patients with bite problems or complex tooth reconstructions will benefit from this training.
Dr. Mehta also took a workshop on implant supported dentures, and received training in reading the new CT scan technology being utilized with dental implants. Our office has years of experience in replacing missing teeth with dental implants, and in stabilizing loose dentures with dental implants. Please speak with anyone on our staff or either of our doctors if you are interested in learning more about these implant options.
Dr. Gusar has started his second year as President of the Central Massachusetts Dental Implant Study Group, and is busy planning advanced workshops for the Group for the coming year.
Our hygienist Jessica and Dr. Mehta took an advanced dental anesthesia workshop. Dental anesthesia techniques and materials were reviewed, along with saftey and indications for various types of "novocaine." Jessica was one of the first hygienists in Central Massachusetts to become certified in administering dental anesthesia.
Dr. Gusar, Dr. Mehta, and Deb took an advanced workshop on the newest version of our dental software, which has been completely redesigned, and will allow us to be able to offer you faster and better service. We upgraded our computer system several months ago in anticipation of this latest software release, and we will be implementing it at the end of the summer.
Our staff attended a workshop given by Sandy Roth of Prosynergy through the Seattle Study Club of Central Massachusetts, on teamwork and customer service. We have always prided ourselves on having a close knit, strong staff, and especially on providing you with top notch customer service second to none, and we continue to put energy into this area.
Our office has been trained in and we have implemented a new and advanced digital impression system, and we are one of the few offices in the area to take advantage of this new technology. Digital impressions allow us to take impressions for crown and bridge work without impression material. The technique is more accurate than traditional impressions, will provide even better fitting crowns, and does not cause any gagging.
Sue Depatie's son "D" has undergone his seventh round of chemotherapy, and will be going for updated scans to see if his cancer is in remission. There was a Five K walk to "Help Heal D" on June 8, 2008. Virtually all of our staff attended, and we are all hoping and praying that D will be cancer free. Sue and her family have very much appreciated all the support and well wishes they have received from all of you.
Dr. Gusar, Dr. Mehta, and our entire staff appreciate having you as patients in our office, and we appreciate your continued referrals. Have a great summer!!
April 14, 2008 - First, we wanted to update you about Sue Depatie's son, "D", and to thank you for your contributions, prayers, and well wishes. D has been undergoing chemotherapy for a stage IV neuroblastoma, and a recent scan has shown that the tumor has shrunken quite a bit, but not completely. His next step is to undergo stem cell transplants, which we pray will be successful. Sue will be out of the office while she is taking care of D, but plans to return when he is healthy again.
Dr. Mehta recently attended an advanced Invisalign workshop in New York. He learned techniques for placing traditional fixed bands for short periods (2 - 6 months) and then finishing the treatment with Invisaign clear aligners. Dr. Mehta believes with these enhanced techniques that treatment can be offered to an even wider variety of patients, with an optimum final outcome. Our patients who have had Invisalign treatmnent with Dr. Mehta have been thrilled!
Dr. Gusar recently organized a workshop for the Central Massachusetts Dental Study Group. The workshop focused on utilizing dental implants to enhance removable partial dentures. If you have a reveable partial denture that is loose, digging in, or is unstable you may be a candidate for this type of treatment. Dr. Gusar has completed his first year as President of the Central Massachusetts Dental Implant Studt Club, and is planning workshops for the second year of his presidency.
Our hygienist Jessica will be taking an advanced workshop in local anesthesia. Jessica is already licensed to administer local anesthesia, and this workshop will further her skills. Courtney and Jessica both attended workshops at the Yankee Dental Convention in Boston, and have been implementing what they have learned.
Our office recently had an OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) update training workshop. We had a mock OSHA inspection by a third party trainer, and were found to be in excellent compliance. Our OSHA safety officer, Jennifer, has done an excellent job this past year in maintaining our safety systems, and in making certain we are in compliance with the latest OSHA guidelines.
On a social note, Drs. Gusar and Mehta hosted a wine tasting evening for our staff at the Wine Vine, in Worcester. MA. There was a catered dinner, we tasted a variety of interesting wines, and learned what to look for in tasting a wine. We are very proud of everyone on our team, and wanted to thank them for their hard work and dedication.
Our entire team wants to thank you for your ongoing confidence in our office, and we all look forward to seeing you again.
February 12, 2008 - Before we update you with the activities of our Doctors we wanted to share some distressing news about one of our staff members. Most of you know Sue Depatie, our Director of Operations, who sits at the front desk and greets you as you come in. Sue's five year old son Dan, nicknamed "D", was recently diagnosed with a stage 4 neuroblastoma. D had an extensive surgery in December, and is currently receiving chemotherapy at Children's Hospital in Boston. Sue is staying at home to take care of him, and will hopefully be back in the office when D is in remission. We have established a fund to help Sue and her family with their expenses. If you wish to contribute to the fund you can send a check to the office made out to "The Daniel Depatie Fund" and we will deposit it in his account. Sue appreciates your well wishes and your prayers.
Now for other news:
Both Dr. Gusar and Dr. Mehta attended a workshop on digital photography. Digital photography is becoming an essential part of dental documentation and diagnosis, and is an indispensable aid in helping you with smile enhancements and with producing better and more accurate crown and bridge work.
Dr. Gusar and Dr. Mehta both attended Yankee Dental Congress-33. This is New England's largest dental meeting, with over 28,000 dental health professionals participating. Dr. Mehta volunteered to work on the MAC van while at the Yankee Dental Congress. The MAC (Mobile Access to Care) van travels throughout Massachusetts, targeting poverty areas, and providing care to children.
Dr Mehta took a workshop with Dr.Joseph Massad, an internationally known teacher on advanced esthetic denture making techniques.
Dr. Mehta also took a workshop on advanced root canal treatment from Dr. John West, another internationally acclaimed speaker from Seattle, WA.
Dr. Gusar and Dr. Mehta also recently attended a workshop on advanced treatment planning through the Seattle Study Club of Central New England. Both Doctors are planning to attend a second workshop on dental treatment planning in order to provide you with the most current and most sophisticated techniques and alternatives.
Dr. Gusar and Debbie attended an advanced workshop on coaching team members for best results. We are very proud of our staff, and receive compliments on our team virtually every day, and want to continue to nurture this aspect of our practice.
Dr. Gusar continues his presidency of the Central Massachusetts Dental Implant Study Group, and as such will be attending the national meeting of the Association of Osseointegration in Boston on February 29th and March 1st. Dr. Gusar will also be coordinating a meeting of the Study Group in April, and is arranging to have a nationally known speaker from Oklahoma present to the group.
Dr. Mehta continues to have great success with the Invisalign orthodontic technique. Our patients who have had Invisalign treatment have been thrilled, and are referring their family members to see if they are candidates for treatment.
We all very much appreciate your presence in our practice, your continuing referrals, and we feel it is a priviledge to be able to serve you. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Michael Gusar, D.M.D.
Vivek Mehta, D.M.D.