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Belize Medical Mission Trip 2017

belize mission trip

A “Perfect” Summer

2017 Belize Medical Missions Trip

When I think about July, my mind automatically goes to the times spent in Belize with my family. The memories made there are like none other, the sticky humidity, the caring mission team, and children’s smiles that will melt your heart are just a few of the memories. My family and I love going. The relationships forged over the years, along with some dental work thrown in, make our time down there; well “Perfect”. So perfect, in fact, that we keep going back. This was our 9th year and this team was able to see just shy of one thousand patients. On average, the dental team sees about a third of that number and this year we were blessed with two of our very own Neosho Smiles members, Kim Smith and Kim Camerer.

The crazy thing is that some of our patients have never seen a dentist; there is a lot of preventive education that goes on. Often we talk with our patients about the importance of healthy gums and how it pertains to diabetes. There are a large number of people who come through our clinic who have to regulate their blood sugar or worse, they are unaware that they have diabetes. There is a direct link to periodontal disease and diabetes. It is people like you that make this medical mission trip successful each year. The next time you come in ask us about perio and diabetes.

belize mission trip

For more info about North Belize Medical Missions please visit this link

To read Dr. Reagan’s blog about his experience on the 2016 medical mission, click here.

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Wellness of Mind, Body and Smiles

wellness

Wellness renewal for spring

Springtime is thought of as a time of newness and renewal. The flowers are starting to bloom and green is the color on everyone’s mind. The days start to get longer and people are spending more time outside.

wellness

With these thoughts in mind, people generally think about getting in shape for summer and want to make healthier choices. Wellness is the driving factor. However, what many don’t realize is how much the hygiene of your mouth is linked to your overall health. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, “research has indicated that periodontal disease increases the risk of heart disease.”

Gum disease is a chronic infection affecting the gums and the bones that supports the teeth. Bacteria and the body’s own immune system break down the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place.

This spring, with renewal on our minds think about your wellness.

Think about your health!

We challenge you to come in and talk with us about your oral wellness, and let us help transform your smile.

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Dr. Nine Attends Midwest Dental Conference in Kansas City

Veneers graphic - Neosho, MO

Dr. Anna nine at the midwest dental conference

In an effort to provide exceptional quality care to our patients, the team at Family Dentistry of Neosho makes a special effort to stay current with research and technology. One of my favorite ways to do this is to attend the Midwest Dental Conference in Kansas City. In case you’ve never been to a dental conference before (who hasn’t!), picture high school, but for dental professionals instead of teens. You choose from a wide variety of classes to attend, you meet friends new and old for lunch, and you discuss the latest in ceramics technology. Maybe that last one doesn’t relate as well, but if you ever need a crown, you’ll be thankful we keep up with the latest advances. Ongoing research projects, samples of the newest tools and materials, and demonstrations of the best techniques are all available throughout the weekend. Basically, it’s a safe place for people to nerd out about dentistry – it’s a blast!
midwest

This particular dental conference is a special event for me, as it is hosted by UMKC, which is my and Dr. Reagan’s alma mater. It is wonderful to have Kansas City’s vibrant backdrop to facilitate learning as well as meeting with a wide range of colleagues. It is at this conference that I am able to learn about and use new materials and tools for fillings, root canals, and generally making appointments faster and more comfortable for our patients.

Our office has had the amazing opportunity to send several members of the team to this conference every year. Diana, Mercedes, and I were able to attend this time. It was a pleasure going with coworkers that care as much about learning as I do. The weekend seemed too short, but now we are invigorated and excited to apply what we learned. Until next year, Kansas City!

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Go the Extra Smile!

Dr. Nine - Neosho, MO
An old time dentist once told me, many years ago, the best way to learn is by the method “See one, do one, teach one.” In my case, it started with a filling. I saw it being done, I did one myself, and then I taught one to another. I have never forgotten that piece of sound advice, and I use it in everyday life not just within the walls of Family Dentistry.
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Regardless of age, we all have something to learn. It’s important to be a mentor but, equally as important to be mentorable. When we start to think that we have seen and done everything, “nothing surprises me” this is when a humbling experience is not too far behind.

So when it comes to mentoring, be sure to go the extra mile! Or in our case, “go the extra smile”!

When it is your turn to be the mentor, be sure to do so with a smile. When someone seeks your council, advise them gently with a smile. Your kind words can help a great deal.

~Dr. Jon Reagan

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February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

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Do you know the recommended age for taking your little one to see a Dentist? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends taking your child at age 1 to see the Dentist. There are dentists who specialize in pediatric dentistry and only see children under age 18.


At Family Dentistry of Neosho, Dr. Reagan and Dr. Nine will take patients starting at any age. Think 1st tooth 1st visit. It’s easy to remember. During the early years we just love on the toddlers, and make coming to the dentist fun and exciting. It’s exciting for their siblings to show them around! When they get to around two and a half years they are usually begging to get their “teeth counted”.


February is national children’s dental health month. Make plans now to commit to helping your children enjoy the dentist, not to fear the dentist.


Here are some quick tips.

  • Brush as a family
  • Brush longer
  • Look inside your child’s mouth often
  • Bring them with you to the dentist
  • Never let them see you sweat coming to the dentist. You might have a “dental” story but they can still have a great experience even if they are unsure of their surrounding.
  • Usually by age 3 they have 20 teeth

 



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Dental Insurance & Treatment

insurance
insurance
We are asked frequently, “Will you take my insurance?” Sometimes we hear, “I would come to your office but you don’t take my insurance.”
My first thought, “Don’t get me started on insurance!”
When dental coverage plans first came on the scene roughly 50 years ago, your benefit was $1000.00 of coverage. If the insurance community had continued to keep up with inflation your benefit these days would be about $10,000.00.
Dental insurance was designed to help you “get caught up” when it came into existence in 1967, these days it helps you “stay caught up”.
Some plans are better than others. Some will cost you more in premiums than they pay out in benefits. In other words, sometimes just paying cash for your routine care has an advantage and is cheaper than paying for your dental plan.
We are happy to see anyone. We can help. It is no problem for us to file any type dental plan for you. Call us today or look us up on Facebook.
Encompassing Wellness… Transforming Smiles… It’s what we do.
Doc
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Review Our Docs on Healthgrades.com!

Dr. Jon Reagan and Dr. Anna Nine are proud to be listed on Healthgrades.com! Have you heard of Healthgrades? Healthgrades is a website that helps people find the right doctors for them in their area. You can search by condition treated, procedures performed, insurance accepted, and more!

If you are a patient of ours, we would love for you to fill out the patient satisfaction survey to leave your review of your experience with our doctors. Simply click the link below of your dentist. Please note that Healthgrades protects the doctors and legitimacy of their reviews by requiring you to confirm your review. You can do this by email or text. Thank you in advance!

To take the survey for Dr. Reagan, click HERE
To take the survey for Dr. Nine, click HERE

 

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North Belize Medical Mission 2016

Dr. Reagan had a fantastic trip to Belize this year! Read below for his blog about his experience on the 2016 medical mission.

belize

This year, 2016, was our 8th year to return to Belize with The North Belize Medical Mission. Like all the previous years this one didn’t disappoint. We treated over 1,000 patients – we were very busy! We continued our sealant program bringing it to another village. We can tell we are on the right track. This year on our last day we did no extractions, only restorations. A few years ago extractions were the only game in town. If it hurt, they wanted it out!
The other big event was we met a local Dentist. So now we have a friend that can help with keeping an eye on those we see over the course of the week we are down there. Each year we grow more connected with our Belizean family. The relationships we have formed over the last 8 years have been life changing for my family.
As a dad, it was really a proud dad moment when you see one daughter helping the surgeon sew someone’s hand back up and hearing the other having a conversation in Spanish. That’s blessed!!
belize
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Invisalign: Clear & Invisible Braces

invisalign

What is Invisalign?

invisalign

Invisalign is a clear, invisible option for braces. Many adults choose to not straighten their teeth because they are at a time in their life where they do not want to wear traditional metal braces.

However, Invisalign gives us the ability to straighten our teeth without anyone ever knowing! Invisalign treatment consists of a series of aligners that you switch out over time. These aligners are made specifically for you and your teeth. Each aligner set gradually moves your teeth to where they need to be based on the personalized treatment plan that Dr. Reagan or Dr. Nine designed for you.

You do need to remove the aligners when you eat and drink anything other than water, but taking care of the aligners is fairly easy. For best results, it is recommended that you wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day. On average, you will change out aligners every two weeks and come in for check ups about every six weeks.

Want more info? Call today to schedule your complimentary exam with Dr. Jon Reagan or Dr. Anna Nine! (417) 451-2403.

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Welcome Dr. Anna Nine!

Andrea Mehrens, Registered Dental Assistant - Family Dentistry of Neosho - Neosho, MO

The Family Dentistry of Neosho team is excited to welcome Dr. Anna Nine to our team!

Originally from Neosho, Dr. Anna Nine completed her bachelor’s degree of biology at Missouri Southern State University. Through a combination of personal goals and guidance from the faculty at MSSU, she attended the University of Missouri – Kansas City, receiving her DDS degree. You can read more about her by clicking HERE.

You will still find the same smiling faces and exceptional care at our office. Dr. Jon Reagan is happy to share his passion for dentistry as well as his passion for Neosho with Dr. Nine.

Dr. Anna Nine

Join us in welcoming her to the #NeoshoSmiles family!