•
•
•
We're Just What
The Doctor Ordered!
COME AND VISIT OUR
ETV SHOWROOM!
Dr. Jeffrey Devries, pediatrics; vey of more than 5,000 doctors
Dr. Sidney Goldstein, cardio- from the Midwest who were
vascular disease; Dr. Ruth Ler- asked to rate the clinical abilities
man, geriatric medicine; Dr. of their peers. The regional guide
Michael Lesch, cardiovascular recognizes clinical ability among
disease; Dr. Steven Levine, doctors in communities of all sizes
neurology; Dr. Barry Levine, throughout the Midwest. ❑
cardiovascular disease; Dr. Ar-
;--,lene Levine, cardiovascular dis-
/! The Jewish News period-
ease; Dr. Leonard Pollack, ically publishes Hot Shots in our
pediatrics; Dr. Mark Rosen- health section. If you are a med-
blum, neurosurgery; Dr. Barry ical professional with news
Skarf, ophthalmology; Dr. Tor about an award or achievement,
Shwayder, dermatology; and mail a brief announcement to
Dr. Norman Silverman, tho- The Jewish News, Health Beat,
racic surgery.
27676 Franklin Road, South-
. The Best Doctors In America: ffi.eld, MI 48034.
Midwest Region is based on a sur
THE ADVANTAGES OF
BARNES HOME MEDICAL
• Highly Personalized Attention
Coordinated
Care With Physicians and Hospitals
•
• Clean, State-Of-The-Art Equipment:
• Oxygen • Nebulizers
• Hospital beds and accessories
• Wheelchairs and accessories
• Diabetic equipment and supplies
• Instructions Provided In Equipment Use
24-flour Emergency Oxygen and Enteral Feeding
/ • Major Insurance Plans Honored
B RNES
The Fluoride
Revolution
•
5829 West Mnle Road
West of Orchard Lake RC. • West Bloomfield
810 • 932 • 0888
DEAN WEAVER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
,. eonard Giannone, a Spring-
field, M., dentist for 34 years,
remembers a time when the
word "fluoride" evoked fears
about cancer, mind manipulation
and even death.
\___, Today, the mineral additive has
'— been proven safe, greatly reduc-
ing cavities among children and
changing the prime mission of
dentists.
Today's dentists say they pri-
marily clean and straighten teeth
and concentrate on methods of
prevention.
--, Before water was fluoridated,
dentists spent most of their time
filling cavities, pulling teeth and
making dentures. Because teeth
now last longer, dentists are see-
ing different problems — like pe-
riodontal disease, caused by
receding gum lines.
Water fluoridation has made a
h uge impact on dental care, but it
took an Illinois state mandate be-
fore water was treated in Dr. Gi-
annone's hometown, he recalls.
"In the early '60s there was a
push for water fluoridation, but
an activist group called the Clean
Water Advocates warned the City
Council that adding the mineral
3 to the water would convert chil-
dren to communism," he says.
William Horsley, 84, an Illinois
state senator at the time, re-
members receiving crank letters
when he sponsored fluoridation
legislation in 1967.
"There was a small but vocal
group against it, but it had little
•
t rouble passing," Dr. Horsley says.
The benefits of water fluorida-
tion could be seen almost imme-
diately. Studies by the National
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention during the 1940s and
'50s — when fluoridation began
in some parts of the country —
showed cavities in children
/— - younger than 16 were reduced by
60 percent. Today the figure is
closer to 35 percent, says Ray-
\- -
MEDICAL
EQUIPMENT & SERVICES, INC.
mond Flanders, chief of dental
health for the Illinois Department
of Public Health.
The drop occurred because
most people now receive fluoride
through dentist-applied treat-
ments, oral pills, toothpaste and
mouthwash, he says. Fluoride-
treated water, however, remains
the most effective way to receive
the mineral's benefits.
In addition to changing the role
of the dentist, fluoride has
strengthened children's tooth
enamel, says Robert Larison, a
Springfield, Ill., dentist.
"Dentistry was more crisis-ori-
ented 25 years ago," he says. "Now
we concentrate more on preven-
tion and aesthetics."
Fluoride can be applied to the
surface of the tooth by -using tooth-
paste or can be absorbed into the
bloodstream by drinking treated
water.
Once in the bloodstream, fluo-
ride makes the tooth enamel more
resistant to bacteria-produced
acids that cause cavities.
Whitening teeth by using a self-
administered bleach and filling in
spaces by bonding teeth is be-
coming more popular now that
people realize their teeth can last
a lifetime, says Dr. Larison.
Fluoride has changed where
cavities appear, according to Dr.
Larison.
"Fluoride has greatly reduced
the number of cavities on smooth
tooth surfaces, but we still see
them in the crevices of the molar
where the fluoride has trouble
penetrating," he says.
Dentists are relying more on
sealant, a dear liquid that is paint-
ed on the top of the molars, to re-
duce these cavities.
Despite fluoride's success, 95
percent of Americans still experi-
ence tooth decay, Dr. Flanders
says. LI
Dean Weaver writes for Copley
News Service.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5 • Sat. 10-2
Laser
Erase
rienced Center
e Most
For Laser Cosmetic Surgery
In Michigan
Wrinkles
Mouth Lines
Acne Scars
Baggy, Droopy Lids
Facial Scars
Sun Damage
Stretch-marks
Facial Blood Vessels
Nearsightedness
Age Spots
Dark Circles Under Eyes
Tattoos
LaserGraft Ctr.
Introducing A Laser Cure For Snoring
L. D. Castleman M. D., Director
Physical Perfection From Laser Precision
for Cosmetic Sui g - ery
Southgate
1-800-403-0060
(.0
0-)
0)
Cr)
Next time you feed your face, think about your heart.
Go easy on your heart and start cutting back on foods that are high in saturated
fat and cholesterol. The change'II do you good.
....,,,
Ilk, American Heart Association
WE'RE FIGHTING FOR YOUR LIFE
CC
69