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Pop Quiz: Test your knowledge of oral cancer

| Understand the risks and symptoms to help prevent the disease and increase early detection| WHEN YOU HEAR about the dangers of cancer, it’s rarely oral cancer that’s being discussed. Though the death rate for oral cancer is higher than that of cervical cancer, skin cancer, and many others, the disease is barely a blip…
The dangers of gum disease

| Preventing periodontal problems is essential for overall health and well-being | MILLIONS OF AMERICANS have a silent disease working in their mouths and they don’t even know it. It’s periodontal disease — also called gum disease — and it could be doing damage to your health even as you read this. According to the…
Local dentist shares the rewards of giving

In the above photo, Dr. William Nerestant and his assistants, Betzi and Joan, smile for the camera before leaving for Jamaica last year on a missions trip to help the less fortunate with their dental needs. THESE DAYS, we think a lot about personal responsibility and giving back. Some of us might donate to a…

What does Medicare mean to you?

For many Floridians, including our elderly and disabled citizens who depend on the program for care, Medicare is a lifeline. For Florida physicians, Medicare represents a cycle of uncertainty and an access-to-care crisis for some of our most vulnerable patients. Now, the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction has a chance to fix the…
Healthy Cook: Why dark chocolate is a healthier option

Ahhhh, hot fudge sundaes. Cocoa with whipped cream. Creamy chocolate milkshakes. If you’re concerned about health – or your waistline – they’re probably on your taboo list. Yet chocolate is actually good for you. “Chocolate contains Flavonoids, an antioxidant believed to help the body’s cells resist damage,” says Lisa Tomasiak, clinical nutrition manager at…
Signs & Symptoms: Understanding the warning signs of a stroke

A stroke requires immediate hospital care, but most Americans don’t recognize the symptoms of this potentially deadly “brain attack.” This widespread lack of awareness often results in preventable long-term disabilities. A survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 13 states and the District of Columbia revealed most people can’t identify the five…