PAGD Keystone Explorer Summer 2019

Keystone Explorer |  Summer 2019  1 from the editor’s desk I have a confession to make. For my entire life, I’ve only brushed my teeth once a day. As a dentist, it’s complete hypocrisy, but it’s always worked for me: healthy gums, healthy teeth. Now that I have a baby, I don’t even know if I can say that I brush them daily; maybe every 72 hours. I’m ashamed, but when your whole routine is upended, things start to fall through the cracks. Most everyone can relate in one way or another. Priorities shift and bit by bit we “let ourselves go.” Maybe first we stop ironing our shirts, or we stop wearing makeup. We too heavily rely on dry shampoo and the idea that facial stubble is sexy, but then it’s things that really matter: diet and exercise, doctor’s appointments, sleep habits. We hear it all of the time, “You can’t help others unless you take care of yourself.” In a profession dedicated to and defined by caring for others, we tend to take that saying literally, meaning that you are physically incapable of doing your job well. You can’t continue to do dentistry well because you’ve sat with poor posture for twenty-five years and now you have chronic back pain. You can’t continue to do dentistry well because you didn’t do the recommended physical therapy after that wrist injury. You can’t do dentistry well because you continue to reschedule that appointment to have your cataracts removed. There are many hospitals with employee incentive programs to encourage self-health and preventative care. We sign off for our patients that they’ve seen the dentist twice this year and then they get some kind of discount on their insurance premium or a gift card to a coffee shop or something like that. When I worked as a resident at The Ohio State University, everyone was tracking their steps with pedometers to earn their points toward free prizes. This type of program isn’t so common for the average dentist. Your only incentive is likely your ability to continue to be able to do what you do, earn for yourself and your family, and sustain your business and lifestyle. It’s not likely that anyone is going to give you a gift card for scheduling your six-month cleaning with your own hygienist (and then actually keeping your appointment). My incentive came with the birth of my daughter. No, not because I had so much more to be healthy for, but thanks to her January birthday, I had used my entire family deductible (which I had strategically saved over nine months) early in the year. All of a sudden, visits with specialists became much more affordable for me in 2019. I scheduled appointments with an optometrist (I haven’t seen one in over fifteen years), a podiatrist, a dermatologist, and a new primary care physician (mine had moved). I did physical therapy to help my body recover from growing a human. After my two young cousins were diagnosed with breast cancer, I scheduled an appointment to have genetic testing to evaluate my risks. Overall, I hadn’t really had many symptoms, and I wasn’t worried about my health, but it had given me a fresh start for the new chapter in my life as a healthy parent. I hope that this issue of the Keystone Explorer can be your incentive to focus on yourself and truly evaluate what it is you need. I’m not expecting to be inspirational to you, but if nothing else, use it as a simple reminder to make that appointment for whatever is ailing you or to schedule your preventive care visits. You can start from your operatory. Make that appointment with your own hygienist, and then show up for it. I’m going to go brush my teeth for the second time today. Maria Garubba, DMD, FAGD Editor, PAGD Keystone Explorer Best Version of You