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Turning the tide of tooth decay with proper pediatric dental care

| Teaching healthy habits to children now prevents oral health problems later | MANY OF US EXPECT cavities if we neglect brushing our teeth. But we may not recognize how oral health affects our overall health. “The mouth can be a very dirty place. In a healthy individual, our immune system is able to kind…
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…

Ask a Nurse: Popping pain pills?

Americans make up ~4.6 percent of the world’s population, yet have been consuming 80 percent of the global opioid supply and 99 percent of the global hydrocodone supply1! According to the CDC in 2008, 14,800 died of an opioid overdose… more than heroin and cocaine COMBINED2. Opioids like morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and fentanyl…
PCMA Letter: Don’t let an active lifestyle be a chore this summer

It’s fairly common amongst the general population to want to live a long, healthy, and happy life. Remaining physically fit is imperative to this way of life. Staying in shape helps you live longer and prevents illnesses. This is why the doctors of the Polk County Medical Association (PCMA) bring you the fitness edition this…
Publisher’s Note: Some of the healthcare legislation recently passed

Like any other year, the 2014 Florida Legislative Session saw a lot of action for health and safety-related bills. Some of them passed with flying colors, while others failed—but, just in case you aren’t aware—I’d like to summarize three important pieces of legislation that are being made into law: SB 1030 During the legislative session,…