10 Fascinating Facts About Dental School

A typical practice model used in dental education. It helps simulate the restraints and difficulties of working on a real patient. 

Most people outside of the profession can't say they know much about dental education. Of course dentists learn about teeth and the mouth, but what about the rest of the body? How long is dental school? Is there a difference between a D.D.S. and a D.M.D. degree? We compiled a short list of lesser known facts about dental school to separate some of the truths from the rumors! Take a look: 

1. Most schools require dental students to dissect a human body from the head and neck to the torso. Some require a whole-body dissection. This includes structures such as the arms, GI tract and heart. 

2. Some schools hold courses and seminars on dental research. These are classes specifically geared towards evaluating research papers for clinical application. 

3. The average dental student doesn't get to work on an actual patient until they have completed two years of didactic education. Only then are they allowed clinical responsibility. 

4. Dental residencies can take from 1-6 years in addition to the four years of dental school. The longest (6 years) is for a joint DDS/MD degree in oral and maxillofacial surgery. That rounds up to 14 years of college education! 

The beige tooth was actually hand carved from wax. Students are required to make teeth from wax to learn about the finer points of dental anatomy. 

5. Dental students still learn how to hand form teeth from wax. Although this technique is dated, it teaches invaluable lessons on tooth anatomy.

6. There are over 60 dental schools in the United States. 

7. Some schools grant D.D.S. degrees and other grant the title of D.M.D. There is absolutely no difference in the responsibilities and privileges between degrees; they are completely equal!

8. Dental residents (post-doctoral students) can be called upon to assist in many hospital duties. Some even provide general anesthesia for surgical cases. 

9. There are nine ADA recognized dental specialties/residencies: Endodontics, Dental Public Health, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, Orthodontics, Oral Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry, Prosthodontics and Periodontics.

10. Dental education never stops. In order to hold a valid license, a dentist has to take continuing education courses every year. 

What's in a Toothbrush?

“What type of toothbrush do you recommend?”

- A question heard daily at dental offices around the world. Between TV ads, flashy packaging and nearly miraculous promises, there seem to be an infinite number of variables on the simple brush. Fortunately, picking a great toothbrush is easy and straightforward. There is no need to go out and buy the priciest or latest model; as long as you keep some simple principles in mind, you are sure to make a great choice.

When picking out a manual toothbrush, the most important factors to consider are brush head size and bristle stiffness. In general, a smaller brush head will allow you to better access the more difficult-to-clean areas of your mouth. This is especially true for young children, who have much less room to accommodate a large head. Also, make sure you are using a toothbrush with soft or (at the most) medium stiffness bristles. Stiff and extra stiff options can actually cause damage to your enamel and gum tissue, particularly if you tend to brush with a lot of force. Beyond size and stiffness, the brush you use should be a matter of personal choice. Make sure to use a toothbrush that is comfortable to hold and easy to maneuver all over your mouth.

For those looking to “upgrade” their brushing experience, our office recommends switching to an electric toothbrush. For the average patient, electric toothbrushes offer a more complete cleaning experience by taking the guesswork out of duration, proper motion and amount of force necessary. While it may be possible to achieve the same level of clean with a manual brush, electric variants simplify the process while simultaneously making it harder to “cheat” on brushing time.

When shopping for an electric brush, we recommend looking for the best deals available on brushes with timers and force sensors. Big box stores tend to have the best prices, particularly on two packs (for you and a loved one!). Most brushes will fall into either the sonic (vibrating) or the spinning (mechanical) category. We recommend picking whichever motion you think you will like the best. As with manual brushes, the most important factors are brush head size and bristle stiffness. So long as the brush comes with a reasonably small and soft head, any mechanical motion will be beneficial to your teeth and gums.

If you have any further questions about toothbrush choices, do not hesitate to call our office. Any of our staff members can offer great perspective on what models have worked best for them personally. We are more than happy to make recommendations and suggestions with all your home dental hygiene choices!

Pankey Institute

As you likely already knew, one of the cornerstones of modern medical education is the idea of being a “lifelong learner.” Dentists, physicians, hygienists and nurses all have to meet yearly  “continuing education” requirements to hold a valid license and continue providing care. At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we pride ourselves in treating our patients with the most up to date and complete dental knowledge. With this principle in mind, we are proud to announce that Dr. Kari Ann Hong recently completed training at the prestigious Pankey Institute in Miami, Florida.

The Pankey Institute offers world class teaching facilities and laboratories (pankey.org)

The Pankey Institute is a nonprofit organization that prides itself in offering unbiased and research proven dental courses. Their current curriculum spans the entire scope of practice, including esthetics, night guards, and functional shaping of dental restorations. The culmination of their educational program is the Core Diagnosis principle. Here, a series of facial measurements and proportions are used to make better decisions for cosmetic procedures such as orthodontics, crowns/veneers and periodontics. Tooth shape, gum height, and smile size all have a dramatic effect on how we perceive facial esthetics. This system collects all this data to define the safest and most efficient way to develop a beautiful and natural looking smile!

The Core Diagnosis system takes a unique and comprehensive look at facial esthetics. 

Dr. Kari started her coursework with the Pankey Institute in 2007 and completed their most up-to-date coursework in October of 2014. She has been proud to utilize their unique and patient focused perspectives for effective dentistry. Beyond many continuing education courses, the Pankey program brings together cosmetics, prevention and patient safety- Ideals we strive for with everyone who visits our office.

If you have any further questions on why we chose the Pankey Institute or any other educational programs we use, please let us know. Our office is here to provide the absolute best service we can. We always strive to use techniques, ideas and products that keep our patients at their healthiest!

Dental library Review: What Does the Tooth Fairy Do With Our Teeth?

Welcome to The Dental Library Review! In this feature, we will be reviewing and highlighting different children’s books we have collected at our office. Our staff have personally used these books with their own children and have had great reception. Today, we will be going over What Does the Tooth Fairy Do With Our Teeth? by Denise Barry (illustrated by Andy Boerger).

This rhyming book chronicles the many things the tooth fairy could do with our teeth. From keeping them in display cases to turning them into long necklaces, many fantastic ideas are proposed. Every two pages has a new stanza on what exactly she could be up to. The book ends with an open invitation to imagine even more fun things for the tooth fairy to do with her prizes.

We love this story because the illustrations are absolutely beautiful. Kids and adults alike will be entertained by the artistic talent that went into it’s creation. Because of the fun pictures and simple vocabulary, this book is likely best suited for young readers or as a bedtime story. At 34 pages, it is a long enough to fill a car ride or a particularly restless evening. Overall, we really enjoy the fun rhyming, beautiful pictures and fun storyline!

As with all the stories we review, feel free to check it out at your next appointment. We are always happy to do anything we can to get your family excited and educated about dental health topics!

Office Update: Past Team Members Greg, Maggie and Dean

At Thousand Oaks Family dentistry, we have the pleasure of working with a fun, interesting and dedicated group of medical professionals. While most of them can still be found in our office, some have left for new adventures across the country. As such, we would like to take a moment to update you on the lives and times of Maggie, Greg and Dean. You may be surprised to find out exactly what and where they are!

Greg and Maggie

Maggie and Greg in New York

My parents Jerry and Candy and my brother Greg out to eat at Bestia, one of the Reserve restaurants in Los Angeles.

Greg (former office manager/Dr. Kari’s brother) and Maggie (former dental assistant) have always been dear to our office and patients. In October of 2013, Greg and Maggie officially moved to New York to launch and market an exciting new mobile app. The result is Reserve.com- a dining service that allows you to buy reservations to popular/difficult to book restaurants. It is currently available in New York, Los Angeles and Boston and will be opening soon in San Francisco. Take a look at what Forbes, Fortune and Engadget have to say about it!

Dean

Dean and His Girlfriend at his white coat ceremony.

This past you year, you probably encountered our dental assistant Dean. When he wasn't sterilizing instruments or taking impressions, he was going around the country on school interviews. As of September of this year, he is a student at the UC San Francisco School of Dentistry. He is pursuing a DDS degree and should graduate in 2018. Although he loves his classes, he misses the warm weather and family in Southern California. In between anatomy labs and dentistry lectures, he still stays in very close contact with our office!

Specialist Spotlight- Mcleod and Webb Oral Surgery

At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we are proud of the network of skilled dental specialists we have created. Whether you are in our office or one of our associates’ offices, know that you will be treated with respect, kindness and experience. Today, we would like to highlight the surgical services offered by Dr. James McLeod and Dr. John Webb.

As an oral surgery office, McLeod and Webb offer a number of procedures related to repairing, removing and altering hard structures of the mouth. Although most patients associate oral surgery with extractions, the true scope of their services extends into implantology, oral pathology and certain types of jaw surgery. Our office will refer out any surgical procedure that requires the expertise and technology of a specialist’s office. 

We enjoy working with Mcleod and Webb because of the convenient and compassionate nature of their office. WIth two locations, they can schedule and accommodate patients quickly, often with same-day appointments. Their health history information is logged digitally online and can be filled out before your visit, saving you time. Once you have arrived at their office, you will be treated with attention and care. Mcleod and Webb pride themselves in having a compassionate staff, who can answer and assure all of your questions and concerns. If any complications do arise, they are poised to respond quickly and succinctly, keeping you informed and attended to. Post surgery, they are extremely communicative with our office, ensuring great continuity in your dental treatment. 

McLeod and Webb’s office has had its doors open for over 35 years, serving the Thousand Oaks, Westlake and Simi Valley areas. They represent thousands of hours of education, surgical experience and patient care. If you would like to know more about their office, or any of the other specialists we work with, please give us a call. We want our patients to know they are in good hands, whether with us or our one of our specialists. 

New Technology- DEXsheild X-Ray Sheild

The DEXsheild is a black ring that focuses the radiation produced by an X-Ray beam to the exact dimensions of our digital sensors.

When receiving medical, dental or pharmaceutical care, safety is everyone’s main concern. Adverse reactions, side effects and allergies can all make a treatment undesirable or unrealistic for your personal needs. As such, our office is always looking for new ways to minimize any potential risks while maximizing our patients’ wellness. Most recently, we have updated our X-Ray safety protocol to include the new DEXsheild radiation shield.

For starters, it is important to note that dental X-rays are an extremely safe and useful diagnostic tool. A standard dental X-ray produces roughly a quarter of the radiation you would receive on any given day. Yearly, it represents a negligible fraction of radiation exposure that our bodies absorb from the sun, consumer electronics and other sources. At our office, we further minimize any risks by utilizing high sensitivity digital X-ray sensors, radiation aprons with thyroid collars and modern X-ray beams. In short, we make sure every patient is safe and protected to standards exceeding those laid out by the ADA and other governing bodies.

The DEXsheild fits in to our current safety standards by narrowing the beam of radiation that the patient is exposed to. We have always used devices called collimated X-ray beams. Here, a thick metal tube essentially focuses the radiation produced by the beam to the oral region. While the sensor can detect and develop an image, the rest of your body is largely unexposed to any X-rays. The DEXsheild works by taking the place of a standard targeting ring (the red, blue and yellow rings we have on the outside of the sensor holders) and blocking the released radiation to the exact dimensions of the sensor. It essentially functions as a secondary safety apron, but for your mouth!

X-rays represent an indispensable tool at any dental office. The information provided from a few quick photographs can give us fantastic perspective into if a tooth is healthy, why it might be hurting or what we can do to repair it. We also understand that many patients are concerned about radiation exposure and want to know how we are keeping them safe. If you have any questions or concerns on ANY of our safety protocols, please give us a call. Our patient’s safety is our primary concern and we are happy to alleviate any of your worries!

Dental Library Review- Just Going to the Dentist

Welcome to The Dental Library Review! In this feature, we will be reviewing and highlighting different children’s books we have collected at our office. Our staff have personally used these books with their own children and have had great reception. Today, we will be going over Just Going to the Dentist by Mercer Mayer.

This story is written and illustrated in the familiar style of Mayer’s “Little Critter” series. In this book, Little Critter goes in for his first dental appointment. Although the setting of the dental office was a little strange and uncomfortable, he has a very good experience. His exam, X-rays and filling didn’t hurt him at all, and he even got a treat when it was over. Little Critter quickly learned that dental appointments weren’t scary at all, just tiresome!

Our office recommends this book because it can introduce some of the more intimidating aspects of the dental office before your child’s appointment. Throughout the story, Little Critter encounters many different parts of a dental visit, only to find them fun or (at the worst) uneventful. Even the dreaded “shot” was shown to be nothing but a small inconvenience. If your child has had a bad experience at a medical or dental office, this book will show them that it can be fun and easy!

Given the large illustrations and simple words, we would recommend this book as an early reader or a great bedtime story. As with all the stories we review, feel free to check it out at your next appointment. We are always happy to do anything we can to get your family excited and educated about dental health topics!

Specialist Spotlight- Conejo-Simi Endodontics

Dr. Stoops

Dr. Bollinger

Dr. Cobin

At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we are proud of the network of skilled dental specialists we have created. Whether you are in our office or one of our associates’ offices, know that you will be treated with respect, kindness and experience. Today, we would like to highlight the services offered at Conejo-Simi Endodontics, the office of Doctors Cobin, Bollinger and Stoops.

At Conejo Simi Endodontics, an array of services are provided towards preserving infected or chronically inflamed teeth. Beyond root canals, their office can diagnose internal fractures in tooth roots, retreat failing root canals and more. The end result is relief from pain, removal of infection and a longer lifespan for a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted.  

In diagnosing and providing endodontic treatments, Doctors Cobin, Bollinger and Stoops bring together years of experience with state of the art technology. Their office is highly corroborative, and utilizes the doctors’ multiple perspectives and techniques in treating your case. Cone Beam CT scans are used to visualize your tooth in three dimensions while precise microscopes expose nearly every facet of the tooth structure. This technology and clinical skill distills to a better understanding of what exactly is happening in your mouth. Their office can then better work within many different constraints- whether personal needs, medical conditions or timing issues.

Beyond their technology and technical abilities, Conejo Simi Endodontics prides themselves in being an extremely communicative and open environment. They take time to listen to patient needs and respond appropriately. If you are apprehensive, they can help relax you with music, movie glasses or even blankets in addition to conscious or IV sedation. If you need further instructions or referrals, they are happy to walk you through why endodontic treatment isn’t appropriate at this time. Simply put, they want you to feel informed, listened to and supported. On top of patient communication, their staff does an excellent job of corresponding with our office, providing us with clear and informative report of your procedure. This translates to quick and continuous treatment of your dental needs.

In total, we are proud to refer to Conejo Simi Endo because of their compassion, communication and expertise. If you would like to know more about Doctors Cobin, Bollinger and Stoops or any other of our fantastic specialists, please give us a call.  We want our patients to know they are in good hands, whether with us or one of our specialists.

For more information on Conejo Simi Endodntics, please visit their website at: www.conejosimiendo.com

Video Blog on Home Hygiene

Greetings, my name is Dr. Kari Ann Hong, and I have a family dentistry practice where I see patients from all age groups.  In my practice, I help educate my patients about what they can do at home to help care for their teeth.  

The first topic of discussion is what patients eat and drink and how frequently they do so.  Our mouths all naturally harbor a certain amount of bacteria.  A specific strain called streptococcous mutans is responsible for eating the foods and beverages we ingest and creating acid.  This acid causes a breakdown in the calcium phosphate structure of our teeth, leading to tooth decay.  Certain foods will stick to the teeth longer than others and make the teeth more susceptible to decay.  Examples of cavity provoking foods and beverages are pretzels, crackers, cereals, sodas, energy drinks, and juices.  Natural foods that come from a tree or are picked from the ground will naturally wash of the teeth much quicker after we eat it.

Every time we eat or drink something other than water, our mouth will become more acidic for at least fifteen minutes after we ingest it.  So the more frequently we eat, the more acid that accumulates in our mouths.

In order to counteract the bacteria in our mouths and the foods that stick to our teeth, it is important that we brush twice a day and floss once a day.  I generally recommend an electric rechargeable toothbrush like a Sonicare or an Oral B to all of my patients.  These electric toothbrushes are great because they help remove plaque build up better that we can with a manual toothbrush.  Also, they have timers on them to encourage us to brush for a full two minutes.  I recommend that my patient split their mouth up into four quadrants, and spend 30 seconds on each quadrant.  If you choose to use a manual toothbrush, then I recommend a soft tooth brush.  A harder tooth brush can adversely abrade the gum tissue or the tooth surface with extended use.  Place the tooth brush at a 45 degree angle to the tooth surface.  Make sure to gently massage the tooth and focus on where the teeth meet the gums, because this is where the plaque likes to collect.  

I recommend flossing or using a hygiene tool to clean below the contact of the teeth at least once a day. The idea behind flossing is that you want to get the floss between the gum and the tooth, by wrapping each tooth you have just flossed between in a C-motion.  For the butler soft pic, you just need to get it below the contact area.

In terms of what toothpastes or mouthwashes to use, I have a couple of suggestions.  Any fluoridated toothpaste will be sufficient to clean the teeth.  In patients that have a high risk of tooth decay, I will often recommend an additional  tooth paste to be brushed on with a dry toothbrush, after regular tooth brushing.  CariFree gel and MI paste are two of my favorite products for tooth remineralization.  Both products have calcium, phosphate, and fluoride that help to rebuild tooth structure.  

For mouth washes, I like over the counter ACT Fluoride rinse for those prone to tooth decay.  For those that are prone to gum disease, I recommend Listerine, which is anti-bacterial.  CariFree also makes a mouth wash that is pH neutral and has the same calcium and phosphate as the gel.

Finally, if you like to chew gum, then you can also fight your bacteria at the same time, by finiding a gum with xylitol. Xylitol is a plant derived sugar that prohibits the bacteria in our mouths from producing acid.  Studies have shown that 5-8mg of xylitol a day in a chewable form helps protect our teeth.  

If you would like more information about what you can do to prevent tooth decay and make your teeth healthier, contact us for a new patient exam, where we will go into your specific needs in detail!