Maximize Your Dental Insurance

Maximize Your Dental InsuranceAre you utilizing your dental insurance this year? If you are wondering what that means then most likely you are not maximizing your benefits. There are a lot of Americans without dental insurance, so if you are one of the lucky ones who has it, use it! To make sure you are utilizing your benefits and not throwing money down the drain follow these 6 steps.
1. Call Your Insurance Company.Call your insurance company and gather information. Find out how often you can get your teeth cleaned, is it twice a year, or every six months? How often can you get x-rays?

2. Know your yearly maximum.Most dental insurance plans have a yearly maximum per person. For example you may have a $1,000 maximum and your spouse also may have a maximum of $1,000 separate to their services. A yearly maximum is the maximum dollar amount that your dental insurance will pay each year, so if your maximum is $1,000- they will not pay one dollar more. Any dollars that you do not use for that year are lost when the New Year re-calculates. If you need treatment make sure you get it done while you have the dollars to use, otherwise the money is lost.

3. What have you used this year?Calculate how much the insurance company has paid out so far this year, this will show you how much you have left to use. If you are not sure how much you have used you can call your insurance company and they will tell you. For example if you have used $400 so far, and your maximum is $1,000, you have $600 left to use before the New Year.

4 .Coordinate Your TreatmentCall our office and let us help you coordinate your treatment to allow for you to use your insurance dollars now before they are lost. By letting us know how much you have available we can help you schedule treatment properly and efficiently.

5. Know When Your Year RenewsSome insurance plans will renew in January, and some renew in July. This is when your maximum is recalculated.

6. Use It.Prevention is key, so make sure you are seeing the dentist every six months, most plans cover this as a basic to the plan. Insurance companies know that by allowing you to see the dentist every six months for regular cleanings and check-ups, they are saving money by preventing more expensive work by keeping your mouth healthy now.Finally, make sure you utilize one of your best assets with your dental insurance, US! We are more than happy to do what we can to make sure you are using your insurance dollars. If you have any questions or would like any assistance with any of these steps, please call us, 801.262.6811.

Remember 9/11

This weekend was 9/11. I had kind of forgot it was on Saturday, but I was beautifully reminded as I ran. I ended up running 22 miles all alone which makes you think a lot... as I ran past the Sandy city buildings I was the only one around. The sun wasn't quite up yet, it was about 7am and I was headed home. It was such a beautiful morning, I was enjoying the coolness in the air, and the peace of my thoughts when I noticed the Healing Field Flag Display. I am sure I had the best view of the day, it was dawn, cool, and so peaceful... definitely somber. I stopped running for a minute to take it in, and remembered a recent visit to New York.

In New York I was able to visit two special places. The first was the 9/11 museum. I will always remember this place. You were immediately reminded of that horrifying day. There are photos, letters, quotes, clothing, pieces of buildings, all types of items from the day. The most memorable for me was reading a quote on the wall, a phone call a husband made to his wife. I'm not sure if this is the exact quote I saw, but it is a real phone call. Brian Sweeney called his wife, got the answering machine, and told her they'd been hijacked. "Hopefully I'll talk to you again, but if not, have a good life. I know I'll see you again some day." Obviously I had tears, but I hate crying in public, so was able to hold them back and pretend I was ok.

The second place I loved in New York was St. Paul's Chapel. I had walked pass it a couple of times, so one morning when I was wondering New York alone, I decided this was my chance. St. Paul's was right next to the World Trade Towers and was not damaged at all in the attacks. To my surprise, as I walked in the Chapel there was a junior high choir from Tennessee performing there. I walked in to hear them singing one of my favorite songs, "Hallelujah." They sounded so incredible I had to stay and hear the whole concert, so it was me and all of their parents. I was able to walk around the Chapel and see the memorial's to 9/11- oh, St. Paul's is right next to Ground Zero, and served as a refuge for volunteers for 8 months following the attacks- they ate and slept there. At the Chapel they have postcards you can take with a great poem, showing what a huge part of 9/11 St. Paul's was. I also loved the history of the Chapel, I learned this is where George Washington worshiped on his inauguration day. l loved walking around around the sidewalks looking at all the old grave-sites. It was definitely a place of peace in the big city.

St. Paul's Chapel

It stood. Not a window broken. Not a stone dislodged.

It stood when nothing else did.

It stood when terrorists brought September down.

It stood among myths. It stood among ruins.

To stand was it's purpose, long lines prove that.

It stands, and around it now, a shrine of letters,

poems, acrostics, litter of the heart.

It is the standing people want:

To grieve, serve and tend

celebrating the lasting stone of St. Paul's Chapel.

And deep into it's think breath, the largest banner

fittingly from Oklahoma climbs heavenward

with hands as stars, hands as stripes, hands as flags;

and a rescuer reaches for a stuffed toy

to collect a touch;

and George Washington's pew doesn't go unused.

Charity fills a hole or two.

It stood in a place of sorts.

It stood when nothing else could.

The great had fallen, as the brute hardware came down.

It stood.

-J. Chester Johnson

Ruth's Delicious Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

Ruth’s Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

2 1/4 cups flour
1 2/3 cups sugar
1 cup cocoa
1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking powder
½ cup water
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk chocolate chips

Measure all ingredients into large mixing bowl. Beat together. Pour into greased and floured bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then invert onto plate. Ice with cream cheese frosting when cool.

Cream Cheese Frosting

¼ cup butter, softened
4 ounce cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons evaporated milk
2 teaspoons vanilla

Anne Frank Exhibit

Make sure to take some time to go see the Anne Frank Exhibit "Anne Frank: A History for Today." This is a free exhibit from April 13 to May 11 at the Salt Lake City Main Library.

"How lovely that everyone, great and small, can make their contribution toward introducing justice straghtaway... And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness."

-Anne Frank

from the essay "GIVE!"

March 26, 1944

Yummy Bran Muffins...

This is one of my favorite treats, and it's pretty healthy. I love to have them available anytime. Keep them in the freezer and warm up in the microwave for 45 seconds for a delicious snack.

Ingredients:

3 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup honey

3 1/2 cups bran

1 1/2 cups milk

2 1/4 cup flour (I usually use whole wheat)

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup dried cranberries

2 smashed bananas (optional)

Directions: (if you're using the bananas, smash those up first and mix them with the "wet" ingredients)Mix wet ingredients together in large mixing bowl (by hand or electric mixer).Bit by bit, add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.Batter will be a little "wet"...add the cranberries, and mix them in. Grease a muffin pan. Fill each cup 3/4 full with batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

*I also like to substitute the cranberries with chocolate chips, yum!

Floss Your Teeth

Are you flossing your teeth right now?? You better be, it is oral health month you know... make sure you floss EVERYDAY :)

Thank you!

We wanted to say thank you for thanking us... This morning we had a bright, cheery woman come to thank us. She brought a cute gift, and couldn't help getting emotional as she thanked Dr. Barnhisel for helping out a friend of hers. Her friend was missing his front tooth and Dr. Barnhisel donated his time and resources to help this kind man leave our office with his tooth. The man was so excited he left his snow hat and other things sitting in the chair at our office. Once he realized he left his stuff, he came running back in and said he was so excited that he forgot everything else.
Later that day, he called his friend to tell her he now had a reason to smile, with his new tooth. It made our day today to have this friend come tell us how much it meant to her and her friend, to have someone take the time to help out a stranger.
The thank you made it all worth while... Thank you for thanking us!

15% off Zoom laser teeth whitening!!

Spring special, 15% off Zoom laser teeth whitening, good through the end of April. Brighten your smile today... spring is here! Call to book your appointment today, 801.262.6811.

Happiness sneaks through a door you didn't know you left open.

-John Barrymore

Dr. J's Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Dr. J’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

1 cup brown sugar
½ cup sugar
3/8 cup shortening
3/8 cup margarine
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon water
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups oats
2 cups raisins
(can sub chocolate chips, craisins, white choc chips)
1 cup coconut

Combine all non-dry ingredients- cream together. Combine dry ingredients in separate bowl. Combine all together, add in extras.

Make into a ball and flatten half way.

Bake 8-9 minutes at 350.

Laughter is an instant vacation. ~Milton Berle

photo from www.ageoldtree.blogspot.com

"teeth in a day"

Salt Lake Smile Design offers "teeth in a day." Dr. Barnhisel performs both the surgical and prosthetic aspects of the procedure using implants and fixed porcelain restorations. This procedure requires 3D icat scanning technology wgich we have in house. This is the best way to replave dentures and missing teeth. Call today for your free consultation, 801.262.6811.

Those who can laugh without cause have either found the true meaning of happiness or have gone stark raving mad. ~Norm Papernick

A smile is something you can't give away; it always comes back to you. ~Author Unknown

Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections. – Author Unknown
photo from www.ageoldtree.blogspot.com

Masked Lady

A funny story from our favorite book at the office... Chicken Soup for the Dental Soul.

Masked Lady

As was my custom, I previewed the schedule of dental hygiene patients I'd be working with on that special fall day. I noticed with some apprehension a late afternoon appointment that was one of those patients who could either be the highlight of my day or the most draining. Of course, I'm talking about a three-year-old coming on for his first dental visit. This particular little boy turned out to be adorable and, to my great relief, happily did everything I requested. Not only was I able to take "pictures" of his teeth, I also completed "brushing" his teeth with the "tickling polisher."

It was near the end of his procedure that the boy gave me, and everyone in the office, the laugh of the day. I had just finished polishing his teeth and was about to offer him a cup of water with which to rinse out the toothpaste.

Before putting the cup to his lips, I explained that I wanted him to swish the water and let "Mr. Thirsty Straw" take it out for him. I could tell by the questioning look on his face that the boy didn't understand what I meant by "swishing." To give him a visual, I lowered my dental mask and made the swishing motion with my own mouth. He was successfully able to rinse, swish, and suction the water out with Mr Thirsty Straw.

Afterward, he looked me straight in the eye with the sweet, honest innocence of a young child and announced in an unexpectedly loud voice, "YOU KNOW, YOU LOOK A LOT BETTER WITH THE MASK ON!"

Not only did I burst into laughter, but so did every patient, all the assistants, our receptionist, and the dentists present in our very open-spaced office!
-Josette Beach, RDH, MS