Meet Susan, Our Staff Member of the Week

Have you had a chance to meet Susan at Gustafson and Morningstar Dentistry? She has joined Dr. Gustafson, Dr. Morningstar and our team as a Dental Hygienist, also scheduling and helping manage patient communications. You may have heard Susan's friendly voice when calling to schedule an appointment, or if you've received an appointment reminder.

A Ferris State University alumna, Susan joins our office with an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Dental Hygiene and over 30 years experience in the dental field.

Susan said that our community involvement, commitment to continuing education, patients and staff members most attracted her to Gustafson and Morningstar Dentistry. She really enjoys how our office continues to learn, and encourages all staff members to participate in trainings and community programs. "The trainings have really spiced up my career," said Susan when asked about her experiences with continuing education. Cleanliness, practice guidelines, and top notch sterilization procedures were also mentioned as distinguishing characteristics of Gustafson and Morningstar Dentistry.

In her free time, Susan enjoys reading, floral design, and all types of art. She recently attended the Thursday evening Downtown Royal Oak photography exhibition.

A Fun Fact: Susan has a Camaro, and she likes sports cars!

Dr. Gustafson and Dr. Morningstar support National Children’s Dental Health Month!

For the past 61 Februaries, the American Dental Association, or ADA, has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Each year, over 35,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with oral cancer. With early detection, oral cancer has a survival rate of 80-90%, which is why it is so important the patients visit Dr. Gustafson and Dr. Morningstar for regular checkups.

It is also important to visit our office if you experience:
• A sore inside your mouth that doesn’t heal for two weeks
• A lump or thickening of your cheek
• A white or red patch on any part of your inner mouth or throat
• Chronic difficulty swallowing or chewing
• Difficulty moving your tongue or jaw
• Numbness inside your mouth
• Jaw swelling

Please schedule an appointment with Dr. Gustafson and Dr. Morningstar if you experience any of the above symptoms, or if it has been six months since your last checkup. As always, don't hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions!

Prioritize your oral health with regular checkups!

As the U.S. economy has been slow to recover, Dr. Gustafson, Dr. Morningstar and our team have noticed many patients are conserving money while often neglecting their oral health. Families are being mindful of every dollar.

Drs. Gustafson and Morningstar encourage patients to consider the “cost of neglect” compared to the “cost of maintenance." Every time you have the oil changed in your vehicle you demonstrate prudence, knowing that a few dollars regularly spent on maintenance will prevent huge expenses down the road. The same principle applies to dentistry. While a routine exam, cleaning, and tiny white filling may pinch your budget a little bit this month, it will save hundreds or even thousands fixing major problems later, such as root canals, gum disease or lost teeth. At your regular maintenance appointment we can catch problems while they're small, easy to fix, and less expensive. An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure.

Is it time for your checkup with Drs. Gustafson and Morningstar? If you have not been to our office in the last six months (or as recommended), call us to schedule an appointment. We look forward to seeing you!

February is American Heart Month

Did you know February is American Heart Month? It’s a great time to take notice of the health of your heart, says Drs. Gustafson and Morningstar. Cardiovascular disease remains American's number one killer, according to the American Heart Association. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.

Visiting our office on a regular basis can help prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages. And because people with dental insurance are more likely to visit their dentist when they should, a healthy mouth begins with a visit to Gustafson and Morningstar Dentistry. In observance of Heart Month, it’s also important to know your numbers: blood pressure (less than 120/80), cholesterol (less than 200) and BMI (less than 25). If you have any questions about heart health, or about your treatment at Gustafson and Morningstar Dentistry, please give us a call today.