Invest in your child’s future by caring for their teeth

By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times Let’s start from the beginning, that’s right great teeth start from great care of our kids. We have seen decades of dental disease declining in kids who receive routine preventive care and early intervention of dental problems. For most people taking our kids to the dentist twice a year is just want we do. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always...

Happy 2017 – let’s make it a healthy year.

By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times With each passing year one thing is undeniable, we are a year older.  Let’s be a year wiser too. With the advent of great preventive care and good oral hygiene we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people who get to middle age with little or no need for extensive dentistry. Let’s not get complacent, teeth are like a classic...

How to handle hazardous holiday goodies

Here’s what to do when the joy of the season bites back By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times It’s that time of year again, we run around, stressing over the perfect gift for that special someone. Then we bake. We eat plenty of holiday treats, sometimes those delicious morsels, bite us back. The Holiday Guide to Dental Emergencies. Infection – If you have pain, redness...

Just the facts, please

By Stephanie McGann, Columnist, The Times It’s the Wild Wild West out there. No I don’t mean politics. Today’s Wild West is the internet, full of great information, supposition, opinion, marketing and malicious intent. As health care providers it’s our job to know when something is based on solid science or just someone’s opinion or anecdotal evidence. Worse yet, when information on the...

Flossing story misses the point

Common sense — and science — still make a case for flossing By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times Recently the Associated Press reported a story that there were no studies available on the efficacy of flossing. Suddenly dentists were asked by patients if this means they really don’t have to floss. I want to take this opportunity to voice my opinion on this latest news...

Parents’ guide to summer dental health

By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times Summer is here and if your kids are like mine, they would rather sleep, eat, stare at their video screens and repeat.  Without regular prodding things that are more normal in their routine seem to fall by the wayside. Keep oral hygiene a priority; I know as a mom I get a much-needed break from the early AM roller coaster of getting kids out...

LCH to open dental clinic in So. Chester Co.

KENNETT SQUARE — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) granted Kennett Square’s La Comunidad Hispana (LCH) a $350,000 award to open a new dental center to serve southern Chester County. This fall, low-income residents of southern Chester County will now have access to dental care—a service that is a crucial need in this part of the county. Many uninsured clients, who must...

Dental tips for a great vacation

A few thoughts to keep you smiling, no matter where you wander this summer By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times Summer is the time most of us plan a get-a-way. Whether your vacation is relaxing, adventurous or anything in-between a little pre-planning can provide peace of mind while traveling. Before you go Be sure your dental care is up-to-date. Nothing can ruin a vacation faster...

Dental health for older folks

Seniors often face challenges to maintaining healthy smiles By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times When people age it sometimes becomes very difficult to do the things we once could. While for some it may mean a struggle to put on shoes for others it may be challenges with memory or other physical limitations. Dental care is often overlooked in our aging population. If you are...

A list to help have a healthier mouth in 2016

Instead of resolutions, a checklist for better dental health By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times I hate resolutions.  Instead of a few well-intentioned destined to fail resolutions, I prefer to make a list. A simple list of some of the many things I would like to accomplish (or make progress toward) during the year. By now, most resolutions have already become a memory of...