Chronic Stress, Depression and Cortisol Levels Are Potential Risk Indicators for Periodontal Disease Researchers evaluated the effects of stress, depression and cortisol on the accumulation of dental plaque and gingivitis in individuals over 50. Steve i. Wolf, ER100ONTICS Caregivers of people under psychological or physical stress, as well as those with the conditions themselves, should not overlook their oral health, according to a new study printed in the Journal of Periodontology. The results from the study suggest that caregivers to relatives with dementia, hypercortisolemia (overproduc- tion of cortisol) or stress are susceptible to elevated plaque levels and increased gingi- val bleeding. "We found that short-term psychological stress was a risk indicator to elevated plaque levels and long-term physical stress was a risk indicator to gingivitis," said Fernando N. Hugo, DDS, Faculty of Dentistry of Piracicaba, Brazil. The study indicates that the demanding task of caregiving, usually associated with increased stress, may also be a risk factor for poor oral hygiene, and points out that stress may contribute to a disinterest in performing oral hygiene. "Flossing and brushing the teeth and gums had a protective effect against plaque and gingivitis," said Steve L Wolf, DDS, Legacy Periodontics and AAP member. "That said, future research is needed to explore the relationship between stress and oral hygiene negligence." In this study, 230 individuals were evaluated, and almost 52 percent were caregivers of patients with dementia. This group was examined because they represent For more information on a well-known group suffering from the im- Periodontal Disease or pacts of chronic stress. The results are among Implants contact: the first published to suggest that caregivers of relatives with dementia are at risk of hav- ing more plaque and gingivitis than Dr. Steve Wolf non-caregivers. Cr:f YOUR SMILE IS OURV !AA : A STEVE c,CWOLF, D.D.S. 248.380.8020 WWW.DRWOLFPERIO.COM 23895 Now RD. SUITE 200, Novi, MI 48375 Cohen 90th ert Cohen of Oak Park celebrated her 90th birthday on Jan. 23 at a din- ner gathering in her honor given by sons and daughters-in-law, Barry and Marlene Goudsmit and Rob and Linda Goudsmit. All of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchil- dren extend birthday wishes and love. Bell 90th ilton Bell of Farmington Hills celebrated his 90th birthday with children, grandchildren, other relatives and friends at a gala dinner party at the Westchester Country Club in Boynton Beach, Fla. 1223210 GEtasmaDA • EaRF32es Tcme c- Shown are, from U© cal' left, parent-mentor Leah Trosch, Joshua Kaufman of West Bloomfield, Joshua Trosch of Franklin, Sam Grippo of Farmington Hills and Hillel science teacher Karen Howard. Day School Wins Future City Contest Saturday, March 3 7 PM at Temple Israel See our deity in costume as they present a family-friendly version of the Purim story featuring charcters from "RaAlayim Smeichot" (Happy Feet!). Come in costume for the eadinA of the Meilillah! We thank Lois & Milford Singer for providing hamentashen in honor of their granddaughters. 1221:4:o 64 March 1 • 2007 Temple Israel West Bloomfield, MI 248.661.5700 www.temple-israel.orA On Jan. 7, 10 eighth-grade students represented Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit in the Future City Competition sponsored by the Engineering Society of Detroit. The competition culminated a semester- long experience where the students created a futuristic city in the year 2150 using a computer simulation. The city chosen was "New Tokyo" because of its large population and the engineering. The Hillel students developed a scale model of their vision of New Tokyo using mostly recycled products. The team then chose three of its members, Sam Grippo, Joshua Kaufman and Joshua Trosch, to serve as spokespersons during the competition. They focused on the residential, commercial and industrial highlights of the city. Forty-five area schools participated in the competition at Rock Financial Showplace in Novi. The schools voted to give the Farmington Hills-based Hillel team "The People's Choice Award" for having the best model. The Hillel team consisted of Adam Denenberg, Andrew Goldstone, Sam Grippo, Aaron Hovey, Joshua Kaufman, Nathan Pilcowitz, Brandon Rottman, Rory Siman, Joshua Trosch and Bradley Tukel. The teacher sponsor was Karen Howard. The parent mentor was Leah Trosch.