Columbia Dental P.C.

We had the privilege of giving back to our community this #Thanksgiving by hosting a Free Cleaning Event at #ColumbiaDental. The experience was truly heartwarming, and we’re so grateful for the overwhelming support and participation we received! A special thanks to the incredible team at #FOX61 News for helping us spread the word and cover the event. Your support made a big difference! To our dedicated staff: working on Thanksgiving Day to make this event possible speaks volumes about your passion and commitment. We are so lucky to have you on our team, and your hard work didn’t go unnoticed. The smiles we helped create were hands down the highlight of our holiday, and we’re already looking forward to hosting more community events like this in the future.

On December 2, 1982, 43 years ago, 60-year-old dentist #BarneyClark made history as the first person to receive the #Jarvik7 permanent artificial heart. This implantation marked a pivotal moment in medical history, though he lived for 112 days after the procedure before passing away from complications. While artificial hearts are still evolving, there is hope that by 2029, the #BiVACOR heart could become a reality, offering a new life-saving option for those in need. On a more positive note in the world of #dentistry, artificial teeth, or #dentalimplants, have been around for over 60 years, with a remarkable success rate of up to 98%. Currently, over an estimated 3 million people have received dental implants, helping them regain not only their smile but also their confidence. As a #dentist, I’m proud to be part of an industry where technology and innovation continue to improve the lives of our patients. Looking forward to the future, who knows what breakthroughs will continue to shape the #healthcare field!

This #Thanksgiving, we had the privilege of giving back to our community by hosting a Free Cleaning Event at #ColumbiaDental. It was truly an incredible experience, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the outpouring of support and participation. A special shoutout to the amazing team at #FOX61 News for covering the event and helping us spread the word! To our dedicated staff: thank you for working on Thanksgiving Day to ensure we could make a difference in people’s lives. Your commitment to providing exceptional care, even on a holiday, speaks volumes about your passion and dedication. We are so thankful to have had the opportunity to serve our community, and we look forward to hosting more events like this in the future. The smiles we helped create were the best part of our holiday! https://lnkd.in/gw6EJJjA

This #Thanksgiving, #ColumbiaDental is giving back to our community with a Free Cleaning Day (first come, first served) on Thursday, November 27, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at 483 Middle Turnpike West, Manchester, CT 06040. Let’s celebrate gratitude, health, and brighter smiles together this Thanksgiving!

I had a wonderful interview with Bridgette Bjorlo from #Fox61, about advances in #dentalimplants and maintaining optimal #oralhealth, especially as we celebrate #NationalDentalHygieneMonth. During our conversation, we discussed how modern technology has revolutionized the way we approach dental implants, making procedures faster and more effective. These modern solutions provide long-lasting results for patients who need replacements for missing or damaged teeth. One of the highlights was having my patient, James Garabedian, join me in the interview to share his personal experience and life-changing results with the #AllOn4 procedure. Hearing directly from James about the positive impact of the treatment really added a human touch to the conversation. As we’re in the middle of National Dental Hygiene Month, we also covered some crucial tips on maintaining healthy gums and teeth: from brushing techniques to the importance of regular professional cleanings. Thanks to Bridgette and Fox61 for this opportunity! https://lnkd.in/ghfbnYbm

I am deeply honored to be featured in #Marquis #WhosWho Insight Fall 2025 Edition. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported me during this amazing journey. Here’s to the future- onwards and upwards!

I had a wonderful interview with Melissa Sheketoff from #WICC! We dove into an important topic: the potential impact of #weightloss medications, like #Ozempic, on #oralhealth. While medications like Ozempic have received a lot of attention for their weight loss benefits, there are some overlooked side effects, specifically, dry mouth or #xerostomia. This can lead to an increased risk of cavities and periodontal disease. Dry mouth is caused by a reduction in salivary flow. Saliva plays a key role in protecting our gums and teeth from bacteria, so when that’s reduced, the risk of cavities increases. And if nausea or vomiting occurs as a side effect, the acidic environment in the mouth can also lead to enamel demineralization. So, it’s definitely something to watch out for if you’re on these medications. We also touched on periodontal disease, which is often asymptomatic until it reaches an advanced stage where the tooth becomes loose. Unfortunately, once bone loss occurs, it can’t be reversed, but the good news is, with proper care, it can be managed and prevented from getting worse. If you’re on medications like Ozempic or any weight loss treatments, it’s important to stay proactive about your oral health! Regular check-ups with a #dentist who understands these risks, and seeing a #periodontist when needed, can make all the difference in maintaining a healthy smile. #OzempicTeeth https://lnkd.in/gHU3mqmC

Prescription pain #medication has always been a double-edged sword in the U.S., playing a critical role in relieving suffering but also fueling the #opioidcrisis. According to the #CDC, from 1999 to 2010, prescription #opioid sales in the U.S. quadrupled and the rate of opioid-involved overdose deaths doubled from 2.9 to 6.8 deaths per 100,000 people. As a #dentist, I see firsthand how important pain management is to daily practice: after all, the tooth is highly enriched with pain receptors, making toothaches among the most severe forms of pain patients experience. For years, opioids have been one of the main tools we rely on, but change is on the horizon. In January 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (#FDA) approved #Suzetrigine for the treatment of moderate to severe short-term pain in adults. What’s exciting about this drug is that it doesn’t act like opioids at all. Suzetrigine works as a local anesthetic and functions as a selective sodium channel blocker. And here’s the really fascinating part: the inspiration for this breakthrough came from an unexpected place. In Karachi, researchers studied performers who walked on hot coals without experiencing the same degree of pain as others. While they felt heat, the pain sensation was diminished. Scientists discovered that generations of these performers carried a rare gene mutation that altered the way sodium channels functioned, reducing pain perception. By mapping that biology, researchers were able to replicate the effect in the medication. It’s amazing to think that curiosity about something as simple as walking on hot coals could lead to an FDA-approved drug. A big step forward for pain management, and hopefully a safer alternative to opioids. P.S., a huge thanks to my IPA, Dr Gauri Late, for helping me put this post together.  

One of my favorite movies is Wall Street, starring #MichaelDouglas. In it, he brilliantly portrays a character driven by greed and moral corruption. This September marks Michael Douglas's 81st birthday. My connection to him goes beyond admiration for his work in Hollywood. As a #dentist I can tell you that Douglas was diagnosed with stage 4 tongue #cancer and underwent an intensive regimen of chemotherapy and radiation. He later attributed his cancer to #HumanPapillomavirus (#HPV), a sexually transmitted virus. In a 2013 interview with The Guardian, Douglas revealed that his cancer was caused by HPV transmitted through oral sex. The good news is that there is a safe and highly effective vaccine to protect against HPV. It is not an #mRNA vaccine, and it has a strong safety record. The #CDC recommends routine vaccination at ages 11 or 12, ideally before any sexual activity begins. Drawing from his own experience with HPV-related #oralcancer, Michael Douglas has become a prominent and influential advocate for HPV #vaccination. His openness has played a crucial role in raising public awareness, particularly about the link between HPV and certain types of cancer, especially among men.