• • • 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