The Toothpaste Personalities

Toothpaste ~ so many brands,

so many options from each brand.

THE TRAVELER: Some people are so committed to their brand that if one store doesn't carry their specific favorite, they will head to other stores to hunt it down. Finding it is a personal quest. And when they find it, they stock up - after all, what if their one and only becomes discontinued? 

THE ADVENTURER: Other people are more adventurous ~ making their way through the toothpaste aisle, reading every box, they are open to trying something new with the hope of covering all the bases of their dental needs. It's their own personal experiment.

THE EASILY INFLUENCED: Some people are motivated to search out a specific kind after seeing an advertisement. They see it, believe it, want it, buy it! Done!

 

THE I'M-NOT-CHANGING-FOR-ANYTHING: Then there are those who have never and will never make a change. From their earliest recollection, they have been using the same brand. And why not? It worked then; it works now!

 

THE DEAL SEEKER: These savvy shoppers are all about finding the very best deal. If it has fluoride, they are a good to go and feel a certain amount of satisfaction from saving money.

 

Dargan & Miller, D.D.S. do not recommend one brand over another (nor will they divulge their personal favorites). Here's a good rule of thumb: seek out the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance  - it's there to help you make good choices. According to the American Dental Association, "Not all products submitted for the Seal meet the ADA’s stringent requirements. In fact, to obtain the ADA Seal companies frequently are asked to meet higher standards than what is required by law. The ADA Seal is never sold. No profit goes to the ADA when a company earns the Seal. The ADA Seal is not an endorsement of a particular product; rather it is designed to help you know that claims made on the label say what they do and do what they say. These claims are approved by the ADA before the product ever hits the market." 

 

So, inquiring minds want to know ...

what toothpaste personality are you?

what kind of toothpaste is your favorite?

A Deadly Epidemic Requires A Call to Action

 

With prescription drug abuse having reached epidemic proportions, a call to action is being heard across the country by the medical community. In April 2013, the Maryland State Dental Association (MSDA) and the Maryland Board of Dental Examiners announced that all Maryland Licensed Dentists, in order to renew licensure and practice dentistry, are required to complete a continuing education course entitled "Prescribing and Disposal of Prescription Drugs."

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one-third of people aged 12 and over who used drugs for the first time in 2009 began by using a prescription drug non-medically. On the Mouth Healthy website of the American Dental Association (ADA), it states: "Unfortunately, prescription medications have become a leading source of drug abuse among teens and young adults. These medications are often obtained from a friend or family member who had received a prescription for a legitimate purpose. Parents are sometimes fooled into handing over these drugs to treat an apparent symptom of physical distress or pain. More often, they are stolen from the medicine cabinet or lifted from the trash."

 

 

In an effort to relieve pain after a dental procedure, dentists may prescribe a narcotic analgesic for a patient. When used as prescribed for a limited amount of time, these medications are effective. But using these drugs beyond a limited reasonable period of time or for any other purpose is illegal, dangerous, and can even be fatal. 

The ADA offers suggestions on what you can do

to help in the fight against

prescription drug abuse:

• Communicate. Talk with your children about the dangers of using prescription drugs for non-medical purposes. Be sure they understand that prescription drugs are not necessarily safe (or safer) just because they are legal. Prescription drugs can be just as addictive and dangerous (even fatal) as illegal street drugs. They are also only legal for the person for whom they are prescribed. 

• Secure. Properly secure your prescription medications. Do not leave them in predictable, accessible places like your medicine cabinet. Hide them in unexpected places or, better yet, lock them up to ensure you do not become your teen’s supplier. 

• Monitor. Be mindful of whether anyone else—especially your child and his or her friends—may have been taking your pills. Take note of how many pills are in each of your prescription bottles or pill packets and keep track of your refills. This goes for your own medicine, as well as for your teens and other members of the household. 

• Dispose. Properly dispose of your unused, unwanted or expired prescription medications. If you are unable to attend a drug take-back day or cannot get to a permanent prescription collection site, try mixing unwanted prescription medicines with coffee grounds or kitty litter. This makes pills less appealing and less recognizable to anyone who can see your trash—including your kids. 

• Spread the word. Tell your family, friends and neighbors about how teens are now using prescription drugs to get high. Encourage them to talk with their children, safeguard their medicines and tell others in their communities.

Infection Control for the Safety and Well-Being of All

 

 

Infection control has become a hot topic in the news, as it well should be. Vitally important precautions and procedures are followed to ensure the safety of all - our valued patients and our team members. The Dargan and Miller, D.D.S. team would like to take this opportunity to share about the safeguards we have in place.

In keeping with the recommendations put forth by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Dental Association (ADA) we do the following:

 

 

 

1. Before a patient enters the examining room, all surfaces are cleaned and decontaminated, including the dental chair, dental light, drawer handles and counter tops.

 

 

 

2. Non-disposable items like the dental tools are cleaned and sterilized between patients to kill microorganisms. This keeps disease and viruses from spreading and protects your health. Once dental instruments are sterilized, they are packaged and cannot be touched directly until ready to use - by gloved hands.

 

3. Disposable items like needles or gauze are placed in special bags or containers.

 

4. Infection control precautions also require all dental staff involved in patient care to use appropriate protective garb such as gloves, masks, and gowns. After each patient, disposable wear like the gloves and masks are discarded. Before seeing the next patient, the members of the treatment team wash their hands and put on a new pair of gloves.

 

We want you to feel confident about visiting our safe office.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us:

410-535-4050 or 301-855-1008.

Introducing Dr. Dargan!

Dr. Stephen Dargan has been a practicing dentist for 35 years, 34 of which have been in Calvert County. His admirable practice philosophy has long been to provide quality dentistry with a gentle, caring, friendly approach tailored to the desires and needs of each and every patient. 

Graduating from West Virginia University with a B.A. degree in 1973, the then Stephen Dargan was accepted into the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. In 1977, he became a Doctor in Dental Surgery and soon began his rewarding career, striving for excellence in his profession. He is an active member of the American Dental Association (ADA), the Maryland State Dental Association (MSDA), and the Patuxent Dental Society (PDS). He continues to attend education seminars to not only keep current with licensure, but to also stay current with latest techniques, products, and technology.

 

Dr. Dargan has been married to his wife, Carol for 37 years and is the father of Patrick, Westley, and Stephanie, father-in-law of Aly, and grandfather of Avri. He is an avid golfer, having played some of the best courses in the world. He also enjoys skiing out west, boating on the Chesapeake Bay, and working in the yard of his Calvert County home.

 

He is grateful for his dedicated staff (the majority of whom have incredible longevity with the practice), for all of his patients (long-term and new), and for the opportunity to be part of this wonderful Southern Maryland community.