Meet the C-R-E-W–Part 1

Posted on September 20, 2016October 4, 2019 by casasmiles

Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here…wishing you all a blessed day:)

Here at Casa Smiles we consider ourselves a family. We are very proud to say that we are part of a group that works together to be successful. In order to make Casa Smiles the great place that it is, it takes a team of amazing people to make it all happen. I am excited to begin introducing you to all the moving parts that make visiting Casa Smiles a wonderful experience. Over the next couple of weeks, you will be getting to know a little more about the special individuals that contribute to making your visit happy and professional.

First impressions are extremely important, both over the phone and in person. So today I would like to introduce you to the front line C-R-E-W! ~Caring–Responsible–Engaging–Welcoming~ These are just a few words that describe our C-R-E-W. These girls are voices you hear when you call to make your appointments, the happy faces that greet you when you arrive, and the ones that complete all the important tasks necessary to make your visit seamless with your insurance and personal information. I asked our admin team to tell us in their own words a little bit about themselves and why they love working at Casa Smiles.

“Hi, I’m Maria,
I am part of the front desk team at Casa Smiles:)
I love working at Casa Smiles because they are very loving, understanding and family oriented. To them family is everything.
I’ve always wanted to work with kids. When I graduated high school I wanted to be a teacher and then I went into dentistry for kids because I wanted to be a pediatric dentist. Then I had kids myself and just stayed here and I love it.”

“Hi, I’m Gabriela,
I am honestly everything in the Orthodontics side of Casa Smiles–Insurance coordinator, front desk, treatment coordinator, what don’t I do, lol
I love the work environment. I love all my coworkers, they make it very easy to come to work. I also really like working with the kids. It’s fun to see a change in their life & how we are helping them.
I had never worked with kids before. I was always in the dental field and I decided to try something new- working with adults was harder and I thought working with kids would be more fun, and it is! My boss (Dr. Iwanowski) is amazing, she’s really fun.”

“Hi, I’m Michelle,
I am a few different things, marketing manager, OR Case manager, and generally help out with administration.
The people here are like no one I’ve ever worked with, this team that Casa Smiles has built is extremely unique and full of heart. It’s hard to be here and not be happy.
I had never imagined working in this field–pediatric dentistry. I graduated with a degree in English Literature and went on to work at magazines, social media groups, and marketing based businesses. The fact that choices have led me to work here with kids all day and upbeat coworkers, only means that I’ve done things right.”

“Hi, I’m Darlyne,

I am the Office Manager here at Casa Smiles:)
I do a little bit of everything. I love working here because we genuinely care about our patients. We want them to like coming to the dentist. I love working with little ones because they remind you how different everything is when you’re that young.”

As you can see, many of our C-R-E-W members wear multiple hats. Here at Casa Smiles we all put in our part where it is needed. We help each other out and work together to make your family’s experience with us–the Best!

Stay tuned! Next week I will be introducing our clinical C-R-E-W!:)

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news! You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

Casa Smiles is doing it-JUST RIGHT!

Posted on September 13, 2016December 8, 2016 by casasmiles

Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here, hoping you are all feeling JUST RIGHT today:)

Here at Casa Smiles we are happy to share that we now have a great new product that will help take the guess work out of prepping your little one’s toothbrush when it’s time to brush. Dispensing the right amount of any preventive medication for your child is important. Fluoride should be no exception. Like most parents, you probably think that more fluoride is better for your child’s dental health. But did you know that too much can actually be bad? The American Dental Association’s (ADA) latest permanent whited spots on teeth, a condition called fluorosis.

Too much toothpaste equals too much fluoride. For this very reason, Casa Smiles is pleased to facilitate in helping parents dispense the amount that is JUST RIGHT by having this great product available to all of our Casa Smiles families.

The revolutionary Just Right is a metered dose pump that takes the guesswork out of giving your children the optimum amount of fluoride each time they brush. JUST RIGHT delivers a pea-sized (.25 gram) dose of toothpaste each time the pump is dispensed. A half pump yields a rice grain-sized (1.25 gram) dose ideal for children less than 3 years of age.

JUST RIGHT is easy to use, mess free, and has a convenient dispenser, resulting in cleaner sinks and counters, less waste, and saved money. JUST RIGHT has a great Berry Blast flavor that kids love. The JUST RIGHT 6 Month Anti-cavity Kit includes everything you need for the proper dosage and for the perfect amount of time. The kit includes 2 brushes featuring kid-sized heads and large handles, making it ideal for adults to assist by holding the brush while teaching children proper oral hygiene. A 6 month supply of toothpaste is perfect because it serves as reminder to schedule your child’s next dental appointment. You don’t even have to worry about buying toothpaste at your local store until you come and visit Casa Smiles. The reason the kit brings 2 toothbrushes (in fun colors) is to also remind you to start with a fresh toothbrush every 3 months.

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , Yelp & Pinterest to hear all about our daily news! You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

Let’s get Pik-ey

Posted on September 6, 2016December 8, 2016 by casasmiles

Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here, wishing you well on this lovely day in September.

If you have a teen with braces, you know how much work it is to keep their teeth clean. Brackets and wires make flossing and keeping your teeth free from extra food particles very challenging. So today I would like to remind parents of a great solution that is very useful for those with braces and the whole family. Water flossing is perfect for anyone with braces, implants, those with crowns, bridges, and veneers.

Water flossing provides a unique combination of water pressure & pulsation to clean deep between teeth & below the gum line, removing harmful bacteria & debris that traditional brushing & flossing can’t reach. New pulse-modulation technology gives you customized water pulsation for the best possible cleaning. Water flossing provides maximum plaque removal & enhanced gum stimulation.

Reasons to Water Floss:

Easy. Just point the flosser tip between your teeth and along the gum line, and let it do all the work for you.
Fast. Water Flossing takes only a minute a day, making it easy to improve your oral health and enjoy the cleanest, freshest mouth possible.
Effective. Water flossing removes the plaque and debris lurking deep between teeth and below the gumline, where it’s hard to reach with traditional brushing and flossing.

When your little ones become a little bit independent with brushing & flossing, you can help them by getting them a Kids water flosser. The ones for kids are custom models with a small & simple design that makes flossing easy for children ages 6 & up. The one by Waterpik features an extra safe, kid-proof electrical design, and easy fingertip controls. It also includes a special Orthodontic tip.

At your visit to Casa Smiles make sure to ask our friendly front desk team about all of the Water flossing options we offer. Any clinical questions can be answered by our amazing Orthodontist or Pediatric Dentists.

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

Maximize your benefits!

Posted on August 30, 2016December 8, 2016 by casasmiles

Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here..singing rain, rain, go away!:)

Are you maximizing your dental insurance benefits? Did you know that you can save on future dental appointments for your children? Many dental insurance plans cover sealants for children. Often times, parents aren’t even aware that they can maximize what their insurance offers by scheduling their kids for sealants. Sealants are applied as a preventative measure and they will save you lots of additional expenses in the future. How will sealants save you money? Well, filling cavities are much more expensive than having sealants done. Sealants can protect baby teeth and permanent teeth. As opposed to sealants, fillings for cavities are typically not fully covered & usually have a deductible that has to be met before coverage.

If you don’t know what your insurance covers, now is the time to find out. You can even ask your Dental Office, as they usually find out when they call to verify you insurance. Why not use the benefits you are already paying for and in turn, maintain healthy smiles for the entire family.

According to the AAPD, the best way to prevent cavities is to brush each morning & night & floss daily, but sometimes little teeth need a little extra help from dental sealants. Sealants are thin plastic coatings that prevent food & bacteria from getting stuck in the grooves of back teeth, helping to avoid cavities. Many parents might think sealants are only for big teeth, but baby teeth can benefit from sealants too! Cavities can be common in little teeth, with 6 out of 10 children experiencing a cavity by age 5. In fact, unrelated cavities in baby teeth can spread & cause decay in other teeth–including permanent teeth. As mentioned before, remember that dental sealants are most effective with regular brushing, flossing, regular visits to the dentist, & a proper diet.

Another plus to dental sealants is that your visit to the dentist for this type of appointment is, PAINLESS! It may taste a little funny for just a little while, but with as fun as visiting the dentist can be, getting dental sealants should be a breeze!

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

Not babies anymore!

Posted on August 23, 2016December 8, 2016 by casasmiles

Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here, wishing you well!

If your babies aren’t exactly babies anymore, you may be in the presence of an adolescent. When your little one is entering adolescence, there are many changes & one of them includes oral health. You want to make sure that your adolescent has a healthy smile consisting of good breath & strong teeth so that they can have good self-esteem.

Did you know that adolescents may be at a greater risk of gum disease? During puberty, higher levels of progesterone & estrogen cause more blood to circulate through the gums, making them more sensitive to food and plaque. This can irritate the gums, & cause them to swell, redden, & be tender. Certain medications, health conditions, or even brushing too aggressively can also put teens at a greater risk for gum disease. Some girls may even experience a temporary form of “menstruation gingivitis,” swollen, or bleeding gums days before their period.

As a teen, taking care of your gums may be at the bottom your to-do list. With this in mind moms and dads, re-enforcing good oral hygiene habits is extremely important. It’s a good idea to remind them how their smile is the first thing their friends will notice about their appearance. Remember to be a good role model by doing what you preach; brush & floss at least 2x a day for 2 mins. Take them to their regular check-ups for cleanings & full exam. Provide healthy snacks to promote good overall health & look out for any signs of dental issues such as bad breath, bleeding, or general oral complaints.

Your adolescent may think that they are all grown up now, but we know that there is still a ways to go to be considered an adult. As a result, it’s our job as parents to give them the tools to be healthy responsible adults in the future. Let them learn through your example. Healthy smiles, happy families:)

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

Brain Food for School

Posted on August 16, 2016November 29, 2016 by casasmiles

Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here, hoping you are all having a sunny day!:)

With back to school right around the corner, I’m sure you have all done your supply shopping, but have you thought about brain food? Learning and keeping the tummies full go hand in hand. Children who have healthy diets do better in school. It is hard to concentrate when you are hungry. The same is true for children with healthy smiles. Dealing with cavities and painful gums has proven to lower grades in school. Eating right and good Oral Care also go hand in hand. Below are some tips to help start off your new school year just right and bright!

H2O–Most children do not drink enough water. Wake your little ones up with a generous glass of water. Dehydration can cause kids to feel lethargic and irritable. Therefore, causing unnecessary behaviors and avoidable distractions. Giving your kids sugary juices and milk can actually make cells more dehydrated. Encourage heavy water consumption on the way to school and send them with a with a water bottle to keep hydration going during school hours.
DONT SKIP BREAKFAST–Children that eat breakfast perform better academically than those who skip out on the first and very important meal of the day. Breakfast eaters have better concentration and more energy. Oatmeal for example is a simple and very effective breakfast choice.
COMBO PROTEIN AND CARBS (COMPLEX)–Many people don’t realize it, but protein and complex carbs are a match made in heaven. Together they provide sustained energy and helps with feeling fuller longer. A good choice would be a whole grain toast with peanut butter!
FOLATE FOR THOUGHTS–Folate is a B vitamin used to create memory brain cells. Leafy greens like spinach and kale are a good source. If these choices don’t go over too well with your kids, try making meals that disguise the goods such as spinach lasagna or homemade kale chips.
DHA-ALL THE WAY–DHA is a mineral that promotes brain function. It’s needed for kid’s brain development, the same way calcium is needed for bone and teeth development. Eggs, fish, and sharp cheddar are a good source.

Although it is fun picking out a new backpack, sneakers, and pencil cases, let’s make every effort to help our kiddos succeed. Creating healthy routines will lay the foundation for the path to success!

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)