Events & News

Local and global events affect us all. At LifeSMILES Dentistry, we care about you as a person and as our dental patient. Feel free to offer feedback about this information and let us know what else we can list here for you.

LifeSMILES Key to Your Advanced Care: Continuing Education

Throughout the year, the LifeSMILES Dentistry team dedicates themselves to attending a variety of continuing education courses and seminars. These events keep the team up-to-date on the latest developments in dental technology, techniques and service, and help to ensure you of receiving state-of-the-art, comfortable care. Here are a few examples of recent continuing education courses attended by your dental team:

LifeSmiles Team Members Learn New Techniques for Creating Natural Smiles

When a patient needs a crown to protect a damaged tooth and recomplete his or her smile, only a comfortable, lifelike restoration will do. On September 22, 2011, Lori, Mandy and Sue visited D.H. Baker Dental Lab in Traverse City to learn about a new tool - the Vita 3D Shade Guide - that helps technicians create beautiful, realistic crowns. Lead ceramist, Bob, guided our team through hands-on exercises that taught new techniques that will help us to provide our patients with even better porcelain restorations. These skills will make our patients’ experiences even more special at LifeSMILES.

The "New" Perio Disease - Inflammatory and Risky

This course, presented by Samuel B. Low, DDS, MS, and sponsored by Dr. Joseph Amalfitano explored the link between periodontitis (advanced gum disease) and the overall health of the body. Advancements in technology are leading to better preventive care and diagnosis of this disease, as well as new treatments that are available to you.

The Mouth-Body Connection

Presented by Gary Kadi, this seminar discussed your oral health and its effect on the health of your body. For example, gum disease has been linked to heart disease, strokes, diabetes, some cancers, and preterm, low birth weight. This course was instrumental in the creation of our Healthy Mouth Baseline - a standard of care that you will receive on each visit to our office.

Unleashing the Power of Emotional Intelligence

This multi-day course, attended by our entire team, explored research that show that high achievement is primarily rooted in Emotional Intelligence, and less reliant on technical competency. Emotional Intelligence is closely connected to one’s motivation, enthusiasm and clarity of purpose. The principles outlined by Dr. Bob Frazer at this seminar help the LifeSMILES team in relating to all of our patients, and in keeping up a high standard of care day-in and day-out.

The Annual Chicago Mid Winter Meeting

Once again our entire Team attended The Annual Chicago Mid Winter Meeting February 21 – 22, 2008. Classes attended are as follows:

• Teamwork In The Dental Office
• Achieve “Wow” Patient Service
• Guidelines For Treating Dental Trauma
• Communication In The Dental Office
• Insurance and Accounts Receivable Course
• Stress Free Oral Surgery For The General Dentist
• Esthetics In Dentistry
• Osteoporosis…Not Just Grandma’s Disease
• Ergonomics In The Dental Office
• Allergy or Skin Irritation & Diagnosis Treatment & Management of Carpel Tunnel

Today’s Update for Periodontics and Implant Surgeries

Presented by Dr. Joseph Amalfitano
May 2, 2008 held at McGuires Resort in Cadillac, MI.
The course was attended by Sue, Lori, Carole, Rob, Mindy, & JoAnn.

Temporary Crowns Made Easy, A System That Works

Presented by Dr. John Merrill
May 15, 2008 held at DH Baker Dental Lab in Traverse City, MI.
The course was attended by Dr. Arms and clinical assistants Lori and Sue.

Local Anesthetic Course

Presented at Ferris State University
Carole Meads, RDH and Robert Schuster, RDH have both successfully completed the Michigan Anesthetic Licensure Training Program at Ferris State University. The course consisted of classroom hours, and clinical training under the supervision of a registered instructor. Rob and Carole also passed the Northeast Regional Board Exam and are now State Licensed to administer local anesthesia.

June 2-5, 2008: San Francisco, CA

Dr. Brock Arms attended a course instructed by Newton Fahl, DDS, MS. Many consider Dr. Fahl to be the top clinician in bonded, tooth-colored, composite restorations. Dr. Arms enhanced his skills in the artistry of composite placement to achieve stunning results for you and your smile.

The Annual Chicago Mid Winter Meeting 2009

Once again our entire team attended The Annual Chicago Mid Winter Meeting February 26 – 27, 2009. Classes attended are as follows:

• Lasers in Dentistry: Their many uses
• Effective Communication Skills and Enrollment
• Extraordinary Services: A Dental Necessity
• Triple Your Recall for Patients Names
• Your Practice and Treating Snoring and Sleep Apnea
• Where Does Dentistry Fit Into the Puzzle?
• Creating the Ultimate Doctor – Patient Hygiene Exam
• The New Periodontal Message
• The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Treating Periodontitis
• Managing Patients with Reported Allergy to Materials

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