A great recipe using Xylitol instead of sugar!

                                     Sponge Cake

• 5 eggs, separated
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 cup xylitol, divided
• 1.5 tsps grated lemon zest
• 1.5 TBS freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 TBS water
• 3/4 cup plus 2 TBS whole wheat pastry flour

Combine Xylitol Recipes Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites and salt until foamy. Add cream of tartar and continue beating until soft peaks form. Gradually beat 1/2 cup xylitol into egg whites, and beat until peaks are stiff, but not dry; set aside. In separate bowl, beat egg yolks until well blended. Gradually beat remaining 1/2 cup of xylitol into egg yolks. Combine lemon zest, lemon juice and water; gradually add to egg yolks, and beat until light and fluffy. Fold flour into egg yolk mixture with a spatula until all ingredients are just blended, then fold this mixture into beaten egg whites until no streaks of yellow or white are visible. Spoon into ungreased tube pan and gently smooth top of batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. After removing cake from oven, immediately invert cake onto funnel or bottle, and allow it to cool completely before turning it right side up again. Remove from pan; slice with serrated knife.

Yield: 16 servings.

Per serving: Calories: 66.98 Carbs: 14.6g Fiber: 0.5g Fat: 1.6g Sodium: 94.7g Net Carbs: 3.6g

By LeeAnn Winkler, RDH, BSDH  April 10, 2013 

I’m sure by now many of you have heard the news reports out of Oklahoma about the Oklahoma and Tulsa health departments investigating an Oklahoma oral surgeon who allegedly exposed approximately 7,000 people to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV by violating health and safety laws, including employees using dirty equipment, reusing needles, and administering drugs without a license.

Dr. Chris and Dr. Matt want our patients to know their well being is important to them and their staff, which is why we follow stringent infection control procedures and comply with all state regulations for the protection of our patients.  As members of the Texas Dental Association (TDA), the largest dental organization in this state, Dr. Chris and Dr. Matt are constantly attending meetings, lectures, and study clubs to stay abreast of  the most current evidence-based guidelines for infection control.

TDHA President Dr. Michael Stuart was quoted as saying “It is important that patients recognize this as an isolated incident in dentistry.  Our TDA members are expected to follow a strict code of ethics, including adherence to stringent infection control procedures.”

Texas dentists must follow state regulations, which govern the delegation of procedures to licensed and qualified staff.  They are also required to follow special infection control guidelines developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Proper infection control greatly reduces risk to patients.

Infection control procedures are precautions taken in health care settings to prevent the spread of disease.  Before you enter the room, all surfaces, such as the dental chair, dental light, drawer handles, and counter-tops, have been cleaned and decontaminated.  Barriers may also be used to protect surfaces from contamination.  All instruments are either disposed of or are cleaned and sterilized between patients.

Both the American Dental Association and the American Dental Hygienists’ Association have come out with statements supporting the actions of dental professionals as a whole to protect the wellbeing our patients.  

By LeeAnn Winkler, RDH  March 26, 2013

Dental Hygiene is celebrating its 100 year anniversary this year.  I can’t believe that I have been practicing dental hygiene for almost a third of that time.  Where does the time go?  It’s hard to imagine a dental office today without a dental hygienist as an integral team member.  The practice of dental hygiene has changed over the past 100 years and will continue to change and grow in the future as the needs of the public change.

A registered dental hygienist (RDH) is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive oral health, typically focusing on techniques in oral hygiene. Dental hygienists provide three types of services to their patients. The first of these is preventive services to promote and maintain good oral health. The second is educational services to help patients develop behaviors that promote better oral health and help them understand the importance of practicing these behaviors. The third type of service provided is therapeutic services which are treatments meant to stop disease and maintain healthy tissues in the mouth.

I am proud to be able to attend the 100 year celebration as the delegation chair from Texas.  There are over 1,500 dental hygienists from across the United Sates and around the world that will be in attendance.   This is the 3^rd year I will be attending and it sparks a light in me every time I go.  Look forward to hearing about my experiences in mid-June.

October 11, 2012

We would like to take a moment and congratulate Jordan on making the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.  Enjoy every moment of this year to your fullest.

By Dr. Chris Miller, September 25, 2012                    

•    …seeing the same staff member every time I come into the office.  (Our team has a combined 195 years of experience in dentistry & 118 of those are right here in this office)
•  …the amount of time the Doctors spend with me.  (We take pride in wanting to be a personalized service practice vs. a high volume practice)
• …getting seen on time, not having to wait in the reception room, and getting out on time.
• …cutting edge technology. (We try to keep up with the newest materials and digital changes in dentistry)
• …Fun, Fun, Fun.  Everyone seems to like each other, which makes for an environment where patients want to come and where our staff want to work.
• …how thorough our Hygienists are and how much time is taken by every staff member to do things right as well as to do  the right thing.

Tell us what you think about your visit.  We want to know how to serve you better.  Please let us know both what you liked and/or didn’t like about your dental visit to our office.  We will genuinely read and heed every comment!  Thank you so much for your patronage.

By LeeAnn Winkler, RDH          September 14, 2012      

After you’ve been out in the hot Texas heat, a nice, tall, cold glass of soda sounds so refreshing.  But STOP!!!  You might want to read the following nutritional facts before picking up that glass.

 Did you know that the high fructose corn syrup used to sweeten soda is a concentrated form of sugar made from corn???  It can cause an increase of body fat, cholesterol, and triglycerides.

OK, so you say to yourself, that’s alright, I drink diet sodas. Did you know that excessive artificial sweeteners can increase cravings??? Which can cause you to eat more and put on the pounds rather than keeping them off.

Did you know that there is Phosphoric Acid in sodas??  Phosphoric Acid can weaken bones and rot teeth.

Did you know that the carmel color in sodas is made from the chemical caramel??  It is purely cosmetic, has no flavor, and is tainted with carcinogens.

Did you know that food dyes can cause impaired brain function, hyperactive behavior, and difficulty focusing??

Did you know that formaldehyde is a carcinogen??  It is not added into sodas but… when you digest aspartame (found in diet sodas) it breaks down into 2 amino acids and methanol= formic acid and formaldehyde.

 Did you know that Potassium Benzoate is a preservative that can be broken down to benzene in the body?? Benzene is a carcinogen.  Storing soft drinks in warm conditions speeds up the formation of benzene.

 So, the next time you want to quench your thirst, maybe you should choose nice, tall, cold glass of………..WATER!!!

By LeeAnn Winkler, RDH July 16, 2012

Congratulations to all of our patients who have recently graduated and are starting down a new path in life!!

There are a few graduates we would like to give a special recognition to:

Dr. Chris and his wife Laurie are the proud parents of Michael who just graduated from J.J.Pearce High School in Richardson.  Michael will be continuing his education in the fall at the University of Alabama.  Roll Tide!

Donna, Dr. Matt’s receptionist, is the proud mother of Dakota who recently graduated from Colgate High School.  Dakota will be attending Southeastern Oklahoma State Universityin the fall.

Diane, Dr. Chris’s receptionist, and her husband Kyle are the proud parents of Blake and Hannah.  Blake just graduated from Richland Community College. The day after graduation Blake received a promotion at Scott’s where he has worked since 11^th grade while putting himself through school.

Hannah just completed her course of study at Le Cordon Bleu and is working as a Samar in Dallas.  Samar is owned by renowned chef Stephen Pyles.

by LeeAnn Winkler, RDH  July 5, 2012     

…chewing gum can prevent cavities?  A chewing gum made from xylitol (a natural sweetener made from birch tree bark or corn cobs) helps prevent cavities.  In the presence of xylitol, bacteria can’t stick to teeth.  Chewing gum also increases saliva, which protects teeth from decay.

…in an average lifetime, a person produces 10,000 gallons of saliva??  As we age, our saliva diminishes, making us more vulnerable to bad breath as well as, difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking. And a substantial cut in saliva has a negative impact on dental and oral health, i.e. increases risk of cavities, gingivitis and periodontal disease.

…saliva is the mouth’s primary defense against tooth decay???   Saliva washes away food and other debris, neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and provides disease-fighting substances throughout the mouth.

…over 1800 drugs can make your mouth feel dry??  These include those drugs  prescribed for high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, allergies, weight loss, Parkinson’s disease, pain and many more.

…there are ways to increase your saliva??  You can stimulate saliva flow by chewing sugar-free gum or eating sugar-free hard candy, drinking plenty of water (dehydration leads to dry mouth), and avoiding alcohol and tobacco.

by Dr. Chris Miller, June 22, 2012

     One of the very best qualities I love about our team is their willingness through out the year to volunteer and participate in charitable dental events.  I think the main reason for this is that we all seem to get more out of them that we actually give.  We always have a heart-warming or funny story to tell afterwards.

One of our favorite volunteer events each year is “Christina’s Smile.”  Christina’s Smile is a children’s dental clinic on wheels.  An eighteen wheeler tractor trailer rig that has been finished out into a complete three chair dental clinic.  This charity is funded by the PGA Tour and it follows in conjunction with various PGA Tour events, such as the Byron Nelson and Colonial Tournaments here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. 

Matt and I along with team members, Betty and Michelle, take a half-day off and volunteer treating many needy children.  We do exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, and extractions all of the back of a semi!  Really cool.  It by far is the most organized & well run charity event that we participate in!!

Betty & Michelle inside the clinic

Dr. Chris, Michelle, Betty,& Dr. Matt

by LeeAnn Winkler, RDH, BSDH May 24, 2012

For Mother’s Day this year my daughter Shannon was trying to think of something special to do. She suggested going to the Dallas Zoo to see the Koalas (she knows I used to like them better than teddy bears as a child) or to the Arboretum to see the Dale Chihuly Art glass exhibit. 

We decided on the Dallas arboretum and it was a fantastic display!!  The display is there until November 5, 2012 so there is plenty of time to go to see it.  The arboretum is also open on select nights for Chihuly Nights. Enjoy the Chihuly exhibition in the evening glow of moonlight and tree lights with the artist’s magnificently lit sculptures.