Smile Solutions - August 2012

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Smile Talk

August 2012


Hello and welcome to the first ever edition of Smile Talk.

I am Kia Pajouhesh, managing director and founder of Smile Solutions. Hard to believe that Smile Solutions began in 1993 as an idea with a patient base of only eight! The vision was to create a "practice of dreams" where patients who chose to embrace our philosophy of multi-disciplinary care would be cared for by the best clinicians in our industry in beautifully appointed and technologically superior surrounds. We have you, our patients, to thank for the fulfilment of this dream. Today, more than 52,000 of you are serviced by 36 clinicians across three floors of the Manchester Unity Building, and yet the motivations, the people and the modus operandi of our practice model are the same as on day one. We have spent every day of our expansion defying the belief system that quality of care is diminished by growth. In fact, I believe we have proven the opposite to be true.

Our team felt that we were ready to offer our clients a newsletter worth reading. There’s always a lot happening at and around Smile Solutions. We would love to share it all with you – and that’s what we’re finally doing.

Did you know we were recently awarded the 2012 Australian Business Award for Service Excellence in the field of dentistry? That we had 7,000 written applications to view the premises of our practice within the Manchester Unity Building as part of Melbourne Open House held on the last weekend of July? That we have our own Tooth Fairy who visits kindergartens and primary schools throughout Melbourne educating and inspiring our next generation in better oral health? That we are the only practice in the country where registered specialists in five separate fields of dentistry practise in unison with our extensive team of general dentists?

In each edition of Smile Talk you will receive updates of Smile Solutions news and events, a special offer for one of our products or services, informative articles, a Q&A with a Smile Solutions specialist that uncovers the person behind the dental mask, and a feature on one unique piece of technology used by our team.

This edition focuses on children's oral health care.

I hope you enjoy Smile Talk and that you will make the most of the specials offered in each edition. If you have ideas for topics you would like us to cover, please email me at theteam@smilesolutions.com.au. Also, to stay up to date with all our news as it happens, you may opt to "like" us on Facebook.

Warm regards,
Dr Kia Pajouhesh

Kia Pajouhesh
Cosmetic and Restorative Care
BSc, BDSc (Melb)


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The tower of the Manchester Unity Building – where the Tooth Fairy is said to live.


Getting kids to brush up on oral health.

This month is a really exciting one for us at Smile Solutions as it marks the launch of our free dental educational initiative aiming to inspire children to care for their teeth and gums properly.

Why? Concerning statistics from the 2011 Child Dental Health Survey show that almost half of Australian children aged five and six have one or more cavities in their baby teeth, while one in ten children of all ages have more than seven cavities.

Because fixing decayed teeth can be unpleasant for children and expensive for parents, we felt the need for an alternative solution focusing on prevention rather than cure.


In order to promote tooth brushing enthusiasm and lower rates of preventable tooth decay in children, Smile Solutions is:


• Sending our very own Smile Solutions Tooth Fairy (a registered dental nurse) to schools across Melbourne to present exciting interactive sessions on oral care and good nutrition. In July, Smile Solutions’ Tooth Fairy visited St Catherine’s Primary School. As reported by Channel 7 and 9 News, the students loved the Tooth Fairy and the day was a huge success!

smile Click here to view the Channel 7 news report on the Tooth Fairy visiting St Catherine’s Primary School

• Establishing a Tooth Fairy Hotline. Young Smile Solutions 4 Kids patients can call at the important time of losing their first tooth. On the call, the Tooth Fairy inspires each child to care for their teeth by capturing their imagination through magical stories and fun educational advice.


• Launching an interactive Tooth Fairy website – www.toothfairy.com.au – where kids can meet the Tooth Fairy, learn about their first visit to the dentist, and learn about dental health by playing fun and entertaining child-friendly games.

• Teaming up with Clown Doctors, an Australian charity that supports and delivers the health benefits of humour to highlight the important role emotional wellbeing plays in a child’s recovery process, and helping raise much-needed funds for the charity.

Our Smile Solutions Tooth Fairy with a Clown Doctor and little Alex last month at the Miles for Smiles event at the Royal Children’s Hospital. A whopping $145,336.90 was raised!

If your child is a Smile Solutions patient, please call 13 13 96 and one of our friendly consultants will guide you through our quick and easy Tooth Fairy Hotline registration process.

Also, speak to your child’s school, kindergarten or centre about getting the Tooth Fairy to visit their class. Schools can call 13 13 96 or visit www.toothfairy.com.au to be placed on the waiting list.

smile_helpful_facts_pic HELPFUL FACTS
• With the benefits of modern technology, traditionally unpleasant root canal procedures are now no more painful than a standard filling.

• Manual toothbrushes need to be replaced every three months, as it takes around this amount of time for the toothbrush to wear down and become ineffective.

• Human tooth enamel is the toughest and hardest part of the body. • A poll searching for the greatest looking teeth in America has identifi ed Hollywood actors Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts as the top of the teeth stakes.

• Sir Isaac Newton possesses the most valuable tooth to date. In 1816 one of his teeth was sold in London for an amount that equates to $35,700,00 today.

• Toothbrush bristles were originally made from the hair of animals, including cows, hogs, horses and badgers.
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• A poll searching for the greatest looking teeth in America has identified Hollywood actors Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts as the top of the teeth stakes. 

• Sir Isaac Newton was the owner of one of the most valuable teeth to date. In 1816 one of his teeth for an amount that would equate to $35,700,00 today. 

• Toothbrush bristles were originally made from the hair of animals, Including cows, hogs, horses and badgers.
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smile_invisalign
What is Invisalign®?
Invisalign® is the invisible way to straighten your teeth and improve your smile without the need for fixed braces. The Invisalign® system uses a series of clear, removable aligners that move your teeth over time. Invisalign® is moulded and customised to suit your teeth as they are aligned. Invisalign® can be utilised by people of all ages who want straight teeth but are seeking a clear alternative to fixed braces.
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Why do we think Invisalign® is so great? 
Invisalign® gives the option for adults and teenagers to straighten their teeth to achieve the smile they have always wanted without the embarrassment some may feel about wearing braces. As these braces are removable, you can also still enjoy some of your favourite foods and special occasions. 

At Smile Solutions we recommend our specialist orthodontists who have a Masters degree in the field of tooth and jaw alignment to cater for your Invisalign® needs. They include Dr Geoffrey Hall, Dr Louise Hagan, Dr Martin Poon and Dr David Austin.http://www.smilesolutions.com.au/specialist-care/orthodontists
smile_technology Dr Harleen Kumar
Specialist Paediatric Dentist
BDSc (Melb.), DClinDent (Melb.)
smile_vertical_spacer What is your role at Smile Solutions and what procedures do you perform?
I am a specialist paediatric dentist, doctor of clinical dentistry and the head of the Smile Solutions 4 Kids team. Utilising the latest advances in dentistry, my team members and I are equipped to perform any dental procedure a child may require, including laser, digital X-rays and ozone therapy.

What prompted you to join the Smile Solutions 4 Kids team?
My greatest passion is caring for children and their oral health. Therefore I wanted to work at a practice with a strong paediatric focus and team. This is how I came to join Smile Solutions.



What do you look forward to the most at the moment?

At the moment I am really enjoying flower arrangement in my spare time. I am currently doing an after-hours floristry course.

Is working at Smile Solutions your only connection to dentistry?
No, I am a member of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry, the Australasian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry and the Australian Dental Association. I lecture in paediatric dentistry locally and internationally and regularly present to dentists and dental therapists in continuing education training courses.

What is your favourite part about working with Smile Solutions 4 Kids?
The practice places great emphasis on building a rapport with young patients and establishing trust. It’s great to be part of a team that is dedicated to ensuring that each child’s dental experience is both enjoyable and relaxing.

Click here to see articles by Dr Kumar:
http://www.motherpedia.com.au/
article/combating-dental
-anxiety-in-children
Recent FAQs
Q: Is eating apples actually good for teeth?

A: Yes, but try to source organic apples because the genetic modification of food alters its nutritional value. Recent research from the British Dental Association showed some apples can be as bad for your teeth as fizzy drink, with many varieties being modified to contain more sugar 


Q: What food & drinks are best for teeth?

A:The best foods and drinks are water and dairy products rich in calcium, including milk and cheese, green and black tea, tofu and beans. Junk foods that are high in sugar, such as candy, are among the worst for your teeth. For simple tips on how to inspire your child to be enthusiastic about oral hygiene click herehttp://www.motherpedia.com.au/
article/protecting-your-child-from-dental-disease
smile_technologyDr Martin Poon
on the iTero Digital
Impression System


Gagging and discomfort are eliminated as the iTero Digital Impression System provides our clinicians with a highly accurate digital impression of the teeth, abolishing the need for prickly putty and tray impressions. 

As simple and unobtrusive as taking photographs of your teeth with a handheld camera, the iTero Digital Impression System facilitates treatment smile_vertical_spacerplanning for Invisalign® and orthodontics; and restorations (including veneers, crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays and implant abutments). The images can be sent digitally to dental labs to help create the perfect fit for your new smile. Dr Martin Poon 
smile_vertical_spacerSpecialist Orthodontist
BDSc (Melb), Cert Orth MS (Uni of Penn)


For the kids I’m the Tooth Fairy. It’s my job to help you keep your teeth nice and clean so they stay strong forever!

At the moment I am visiting schools to teach children just like you how to keep teeth clean. You can ask Mummy or Daddy to talk to your teacher about inviting me to visit your school.

You can also play around with fun games on my website www.toothfairy.com.au

Make sure you ask your dentist for my special phone number next time you visit Smile Solutions so you can call me directly when you’re about to lose your first tooth.

At Smile Solutions visiting the dentist is fun! We have all your favourite movies to watch and you will receive a goody bag and a congratulations certificate for being so good. If you’re lucky you might even spot Nemo, who lives in our big fish tank.

From your new friend

The Tooth Fairy
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Smile Solutions · Levels 1, 11 & 12, Manchester Unity Building, 220 Collins Street · Melbourne, VIC 3806