Hello!
Summer is in full swing- BBQs, pool days, fireworks, and family fun has filled our weekends and we hope you are enjoying it too! In this month’s newsletters, check out our Monthly Smile Special, learn about our Smile Club memberships, view our Smile Makeover Gallery, and learn how you can achieve the smile you love and deserve!

Happy Independence Day
Thank you to all those who serve!

July Smile Special

For the entire month of July, save $750 OFF Comprehensive Invisalign Treatment! Invisalign Treatment will straighten your teeth and align your bite, improving the appearance and occlusion of your teeth.

Dr. Chan has been a preferred Invisalign provider for over 10 years. He is very detailed focused and will work with you to create a treatment case that will give you the smile that you deserve! Typical treatment cases take 6-12 months. During that time, you will wear your clear aligners for 22 hours a day, taking them out only to eat. Once your treatment in complete, you will wear clear retainers, all day at first, and then only at night to ensure your smile lasts a lifetime!

Ready to get started? Call or email the office to schedule a complimentary consultation and digital Smile Scan. If you accept treatment and pay the initial deposit of $1850 by July 31, 2022, you will receive $750* OFF your treatment!

*Smile Special discount is not applicable with any other discount, including insurance reimbursements.

Congratulations Jon and Amy!

We have been so blessed to celebrate love two months in a row! In last month’s newsletter, we celebrated our hygienist, Jennifer, and her new husband, Tony. This month, Dr. Chan’s step-son, Jon, married the love of his life, Amy! Dr. Chan, his wife Sherrie, and all of their kids celebrated in California. Jon and Amy, we wish you happiness, health, and fun for many years to come!

Join Our Smile Club

No insurance? No Problem! For patients who don’t have dental insurance, Dr. Chan has established our Smile Club memberships. For an annual fee, based on your dental needs, Smile Club members receive dental cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatments, and exams. In addition, a 12% discount is offered on all dental treatments. Our memberships include:

Smile Makeovers

Smile Makeovers are Dr. Chan’s specialty! Using a combination of restorative treatment (composites, crowns and bridges, or veneers), oral surgery (extractions and implants), and Invisalign orthodontic treatment, he can help you to renovate your current smile into a brand new one! Check out our Smile Gallery on our website, https://gaithersburedentalcare.com/smile-gallery/to view more Before and After photos. Are you ready to start your Smile Makeover? Call or email the office to schedule a comprehensive examination, x-rays, and treatment consultation.

Safety First, Healthy Smiles Always

With COVID-19 cases on the rise again in Maryland, we want to assure you that our practice is continuing to practice our stringent protocols, as we have for the entire pandemic. Masks are still required upon entering the office. We clean each operatory with virus fighting solutions in between each appointment.

If you are experiencing any symptoms or are feeling unwell, please call the office prior to entering the office. We prefer to reschedule your appointment in order to keep our team, our patients, and our families healthy and safe. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, we will do our best to triage your emergency over the phone until you are well enough to come in the office for an appointment.

Remember to get vaccinated and boosted. We are in this together!

Thank you for trusting us with your dental care. We appreciate the referrals of your family, friends, and co- workers!

Stay healthy, stay happy, smile big, and enjoy the rest of summer!

Dr. Gerald Chan and Team

Spring has sprung! We look forward to sunny days and warmer nights. Spring also kicks off many celebrations that require a beautiful and bright smile: graduations and weddings. In this newsletter we will discuss the importance of oral cancer screenings, our monthly Smile Special, Spring Giveaway, teeth whitening options, and more!

April Holidays Celebrated Around the World

Four of the main holidays celebrated in April are Easter, Passover, Ramadan, and Vishu Baisakhi. These celebrations are for the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, commemorating the liberation of the Children of Israel who were led out of Egypt by Moses, timing of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion, and worshiping the God of Time. Whichever holiday you may celebrate, we wish you memorable times with family and friends!

Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know that a majority of patients who have been diagnosed with oral cancer are young, healthy, non-tobacco using individuals? According to The Oral Cancer Health Foundation, “smoking and tobacco use are still major risk factors, the fastest growing segment of oral cancer patients is young, healthy, nonsmoking individuals due to the connection to the HPV virus.”

The OCHF also states that approximately 53,000 people in the United States will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer this year. That is 132 new people in the U.S. every day will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer, and that one person every hour of the day, 24/7/365 will die from it.

Oral cancer can strike in the mouth and throat with most of these cancers beginning in the flat cells—squamous cells—that cover the surfaces of the mouth, tongue and lips. Some of the risk factors for oral cancer include tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), sun exposure, diet, and personal history of oral cancer.

Symptoms to watch for include patches inside the mouth or on the lips, a sore on the mouth or lips that doesn’t heal, bleeding in the mouth, loose teeth, pain or difficulty swallowing, lump in the neck, numbness of lower lip and chin, difficulty wearing dentures and a persistent earache.

The good news is that a doctor or hygienist can see or feel the precancerous tissue changes which might lead to cancer. So it is important to continue the good habit of 6-month check-ups. If you are a tobacco user, have a family history of oral cancer or have HPV we recommend regular screenings. The examination will only take 3 to 7 minutes of your time. If you have a concern or change in your mouth health we highly recommend you contact your dentist and schedule an appointment immediately.

For more information please visit a few of our sources:

• The Oral Cancer Health Foundation
• The National Cancer Institute
• The American Dental Association

April Smile Special- $750 OFF Invisalign

Spring forward into a new smile! This month, you will receive $750 off new Invisalign treatment when you complete your records appointment and consent to start treatment by April 30, 2022. The initial deposit of $1850 is required to be paid in full in order to be eligible for the discount. Check out these recent cases completed in our office:

Call or email our office to schedule your free consultation and digital smile scan! You deserve a great smile!

Spring Giveaway

Follow Us, Like Us, or leave us a review on Google, Yelp, or Facebook to be entered to WIN a loaded Gardening Set! Comment on our Facebook or Instagram post once you have completed the task! The drawing is Thursday May 19th! We will enter one entry per household.

Smile Big, Smile Bright with a Whiter Smile

Boost your confidence with in-office or at-home teeth whitening! Now is the perfect time to brighten your smile for special event photos. In-office whitening takes approximately 1 hour and it virtually pain-free with the GloScience Teeth Whitening system we use. Touch up at home or create a subtle, gradual change with a take-home kit. Not all smile are the say, so we suggest scheduling an appointment for exam, xrays, and cleaning to determine which whitening needs suit you best.

Patient Referral Program

Patient referrals are the best gift a current patient can give us and we are incredibly grateful for your loyalty, trust, and commitment to our practice. We enjoy what we do- giving you and your loved ones the healthiest and most appealing smile. As a show of thanks from us to you, we are increasing our “Gift of Health” referral credit from $35 to $50, as well as sharing a gift card from our Referral Tree with you for each new patient that is seen for an appointment and mentions you as the referral source. “Gift of Health” referral credits can be used towards co-payments and in-office purchases, such as toothpaste and electronic toothbrushes. There is no limit to how much you earn- so tell tell your friends and family members about your wonderful experience at our practice!

We hope you see you soon!

HELLO FROM US TO YOU!

March is very important to us! This month we recognize, honor and celebrate Dr. Chan on National Dentist Day (March 6) and Cindy during National Dental Assistant Week (March 6-12).

We also celebrate, elevate, and empower our incredibly smart and fiercely fabulous team on March 8, and every day, for International Women’s Day!

Each member of our team plays a vital role in the vision we’ve created and the care we provide at each appointment! Whether you have been a patient for many years, or recently joined our practice family, we wanted to take this time to individually spotlight our team- without the surgical scrubs and dental instruments!

So without further ado, please allow us to re-introduce ourselves:

Dr. Gerald Chan – celebrating 39 years in dentistry!

Dr. Chan’s favorite part of being a dentist for so many years is the satisfaction he feels when patients are happy with the positive outcome that completed treatment provides them. He loves working with his amazing and skilled team! When Dr. Chan is not at the office, you will most likely find him at the racetrack or out bike riding- both at an insane rate of speed. He also loves to travel and has been to 42 states!

Jennifer, Dental Hygienist- celebrating 15 years in dentistry!

Jen, our self-proclaimed “hygenius”, loves working with a great team! Her favorite part of being a dental hygienist is the relationships she creates with her patients and the satisfaction she receives when oral health homecare is improved by following her professional recommendations. When Jen is not at work, she loves going on adventures with her soon to be hubby, working out, and trying new recipes. Jen is also incredibly active- she played lacrosse in college on a scholarship and continues to play on a local women’s league in her free time!

Samantha, Finance, celebrating 13 years in dentistry!

Sam, our fabulous “behind the scenes” team member, has both clinical experience as a dental assistant and clerical experience in practice management. She creates our marketing ideas and finalizes the financial reports. Sam is passionate about helping practices grow, crunching numbers, and discovering new ways to optimize patient care. When Sam is not working, she enjoys traveling, working out, and being a “cat-mom”. Sam’s very animated storytelling ability is sure to make you laugh out loud!

Cindy, Dental Assistant, celebrating 7 years in dentistry!

Cindy, our amazing dental assistant, loves to turn a patient’s fear into comfort! She knows that some patients dread coming to the dental office and it’s her goal to flip that perspective into a happy patient and healthy smile. When Cindy is not a work, she enjoys being a mom and spending time with her family. During the summer months, Cindy is an avid swimmer!

Katherin, Business Assistant, celebrating 2 years in dentistry!

Katherin, our lovely patient coordinator, makes it her mission to know each patient by name! Her smile shines from behind her mask as she greets you upon arrival to your appointment. Katherin loves building a relationship with patients. Her goal is to make sure every appointment is as comfortable as possible. When Katherin is not at the office, she enjoys traveling with family and friends. Katherin also loves to dance!

March Smile Special

Take advantage of our March Smile Special- $300 OFF Implant Services! This offer applies to both initial placement of the implant and the final restoration after the implant has integrated successfully into the bone. Dental implants are the most nature replacement option for missing teeth. They are permanent and with proper care, can last a lifetime! It’s time to invest in your future and improved oral health! Call, email, or schedule an appointment online on or before March 31,2022. This discount is not applicable with any other discount, including in-network insurance rate discounts.

We hope to see you soon!

Thank you for being our patients! 

Gaithersburg Dental Care

Hello!

We hope that you are staying warm during our cold winter days. We’ve enjoyed the snow and we hope that you have too!  

The month of February brings many celebrations locally, dental-related, and around the world. In this newsletter, we will observe:

Chinese New Year- February 1-16th

Black History Month- February 1-28th

Valentine’s Day- February 14th

National Children’s Dental Health Month- February 1-28th

GDC February Smile Special- February 1-28th

Chinese New Year

Xīnnián hǎo! Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, is the most important celebration observed in China, with cultural and historic significance. There are several reasons to celebrate Chinese New Year:

First, legend states that the Chinese New Year stemmed from an ancient battle against the Nian, a terrifying beast that attacked people and ate children. The people used fireworks and firecrackers to chase the beast away. This tradition has been continued until the present time and the festival serves as a time to gain good fortune.

Second, it is celebrated to mark the start of the Lunar New Year. The festival signals the beginning of spring, and the start of a new year according to the Chinese lunar calendar.

Third, this celebration, in its earliest form, was meant for farmers and workers to have a rest from their year-long hard labor, and therefore be ready to resume work afterwards, refreshed and well-rested.

Chinese New Year 2022 will fall on Tuesday, February 1st, 2022, starting a year of the Tiger. People born in a year of the Tiger are predicted to be brave, competitive, unpredictable, and confident. Celebrations of Chinese New Year traditionally last for 16 days, starting from Chinese New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival.

Black History Month

The United States, Canada, and Germany observe February as Black History Month. Other countries, including the Netherlands, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, celebrate Black History Month in October.

Black History Month started in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson who proposed marking a time to honor African Americans and raise awareness of black history. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Today, Black History Month is a time to honor the contributions and legacy of African Americans across U.S. history and society—from activists and civil rights pioneers such as Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks to leaders in industry, politics, science, culture and more. 

Every year there is also a theme that marks the celebration. 2022’s theme is focused on African American’s health and wellness. According to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), “the 2022 theme considers activities, rituals and initiatives that Black communities have done to be well. This theme acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing throughout the African Diaspora.”

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is named after Saint Valentine, a Catholic priest who lived in Rome in the 3rd Century. Many Romans were converting to Christianity, but there were strict laws about what Christians were allowed to do. It was believed that Roman soldiers should be completely devoted to Rome and therefore a law was passed preventing them from marrying. St. Valentine began to marry these soldiers in secret Christian ceremonies and this was the beginning of his reputation for believing in the importance of love.

Eventually, St. Valentine was found out and jailed for his crimes against Claudius. While imprisoned, St. Valentine cared for his fellow prisoners and also his jailor’s blind daughter. it is written that St. Valentine cured the girl’s blindness and that his final act before being executed was to write her a love message signed ‘from your Valentine’. St. Valentine was executed on February 14, in the year 270. It wasn’t until more than 200 years later that February 14 was proclaimed St. Valentine’s Day. 

The poet Chaucer in the Middle Ages was the first to link St. Valentine with romantic love. This was the beginning of the tradition of expressing love and admiration, usually in secret. While Valentine’s Day is celebrated in most countries, different cultures have developed their own traditions. In some parts of the world, Valentine’s Day is observed as a day for expressing love between family members and friends, rather than that of romantic couples. Some traditions include leaving cards, treats, and gifts for children and others include acts of appreciation between friends.

National Children’s Dental Health Month

The month of February is very important in our dental community. It is a national health observance that brings together dedicated professionals, health care providers and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their parents and caregivers, teachers and many others. Each year is dedicated to an important issue of children’s dental health to advocate for and educate. 2022’s theme is “Sealants Make Sense”.

Sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (the premolars and molars) to prevent tooth decay. The sealant quickly bonds into the grooves of the teeth, forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth. Sealants are clinically proven to reduce the risk of tooth decay up to 80%! It is recommended that all children receive sealants as their permanent molars come in, typically between the ages of 6 and 12. 

Sealants are a quick and pain-free treatment that can be performed during your child’s routine dental cleaning or during a separate appointment. Our hygienist, Jennifer, will be happy to answer questions you may have regarding sealants and the necessity for your child to have them placed. 

February Smile Special

Dreaming of a perfect smile? Cosmetic veneers can provide a permanent solution to stained, chipped, and esthetically unpleasing anterior teeth. During the month of February, you will receive 15% off when you start your treatment case. Most insurance plans do not cover cosmetic procedures, however you can use your HSA/FSA spending accounts for payment. Discount does not apply when you use Care Credit and the treatment case must be paid in full prior to completion in order to receive the 15% off. Contact our office via phone or email us at info@gaithersburgdentalcare.com to schedule your initial consultation!

As always, we hope that you and your loved ones stay healthy and safe! Please wear a mask, social distance, practice hand hygiene, and get vaccinated and boosted! 

Dr. Gerald Chan and Team

 

 

Happy New Year! We hope your holidays were filled with love, laughter, and good food. We are well rested after our week off and ready to start 2022 with you!

New Year, New You!

If you’re considering a New Year’s resolution this year, there are many that you can choose from that will make your smile healthier. This will contribute to your overall health, too, and will improve your appearance for the upcoming year. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Visit the Dentist Regularly- The most important resolution for 2022 is to see us at least twice a year. If you haven’t been making your regular hygiene appointments, there’s no better time than now to start! Regular appointments help to prevent gum disease, may diagnose oral cancer and disease at a treatable stage, and keep you up to date on changes to your teeth and gums.
2. Floss Every Day- If you take the effort in the coming year, you could reduce your risk of gum disease and tooth decay in hard-to-reach places between your teeth. Plus, you’ll get fresher breath, too!
3. Brush the Full 2 Minutes- Studies have shown that most Americans actually brush for significantly less than one minute! To make sure you’re brushing long enough, use a timer and practice brushing each quadrant for 30 seconds. If you’re still using a manual toothbrush, consider making the upgrade to an electric toothbrush this year. Electric toothbrushes have built in timers, help clean your teeth significantly better than a manual toothbrush, and it will help you get better about brushing for two minutes at a time.
4. Avoid Acidic Foods- Acidic foods can be highly damaging to your mouth. Soda, juices, and sports drinks are among the worst and should be limited. If you are guilty of consuming these beverages on a daily basis, try to reduce the amount you’re drinking. Always remember to follow up with a drink of water to help rinse the acid from your teeth.
5. Quit Smoking- Smoking is one of the most dangerous habits for your teeth and for your health. It increases your risk of gum disease and tooth loss. It makes it harder to get your teeth replaced with dental implants and may cause painful complications after a tooth extraction.
6. Cut Down on Snacking- Cutting down on snacking will protect both your teeth and your waistline. Snacking between meals gives oral bacteria additional food that they can then turn into acid for attacking your teeth.
7. Consume Less Sugar- It’s one thing to eat sugar, but drinking it is the easiest way to coat your entire mouth in sugar without even realizing it. This means reducing your consumption of soda, sports drinks, alcoholic beverages, and flavored teas and coffees.
8. Invest in a Tongue Scraper- Brushing your tongue with a toothbrush can remove some bacteria, but it isn’t the best method. If you really want to ensure your tongue is as clean and bacteria-free as possible, invest in a tongue scraper to enhance your oral health.
9. Stay Hydrated- When your mouth dries out, it means that there isn’t enough saliva to consistently wash away bacteria from your teeth. As a result, it can increase the risk of cavities. To prevent this from occurring, stay hydrated by drinking at least 8 cups of water a day. Sip on water all day long to help you meet this goal!
10. Whiten Your Smile- It’s normal to experience some staining or yellowing from your eating and drinking habits. Fortunately, whitening your smile is quick and pain-free with our GLOScience In-office and At-Home treatments.

January Smile Special

You can have the smile you deserve before the end of the year! Most Invisalign treatment cases take between 6 and 12 months to complete. Take advantage of this month’s Smile Special and receive $750 off when you start treatment this month. The initial deposit of $1850 must be paid before January 31, 2022 in order to receive the special price. 

COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster 

The current surge of COVID-19 cases in Maryland and surrounding states makes it more important than ever to get vaccinated and boosted. Maryland provides excellent resources and information on the covidLINK.maryland.gov. Protect yourself and your loved ones by also wearing a mask, social distancing, practicing proper hand hygiene, and isolating and getting tested if you are feeling unwell. We continue to practice our stringent infection control protocols before, during, and after your appointment. If you have any questions, please call or email the office. 

Winter Weather Policy

It’s that time of the year again! With snow likely in the forecast over the next few months, we wanted to remind you of our Winter Weather Policy. Your safety is most important to us. If you feel that it is unsafe to attend your scheduled appointment, please let us know with as much notice as possible. If we make any changes to our regular office hours, we will call scheduled patients and update our phone message, Facebook page, and Instagram page. Please make sure you follow us for up to date information!

 

Have a warm and safe winter season!

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