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To smile or not to smile

Dr. Karen Teston and other local experts on oral hygiene and your overall health Some folks are afraid of pain. Some know they haven’t done a good job of taking care of their teeth, and don’t want to be lectured. Still others lack cash. Whatever the reason, many avoid the dentist until an emergency arises.…
Community outreach programs make check-ups more available

Free dental exams, preventative tooth care, and more Several outreach programs in Polk County recently offered free dental exams and other tooth services to spread awareness about the need for dental health care. At the Haines City Dental Clinic, the Florida Department of Health in Polk County (FDOH-Polk) offered free comprehensive dental exams to children…
Helping make the healthier choice, the easier choice

About the Building a Healthier Polk initiative Building a Healthier Polk is a group of community partners brought together by Polk Vision who are working towards the goal of reducing the obesity rate in Polk County. Polk Vision is a broad, community-led partnership of organizations, businesses, government, and individuals. In 2012, Polk Vision’s Quality of…

Drowning Prevention

by DR. JOY JACKSON As the temperature begins to rise outside and the water begins to heat up, Florida residents enjoy the summer days and nights by the water. Whether it be the backyard pool, a local lake, or the ocean, swimming and boating are two of the most popular summer activities for people living…
Wisdom Teeth Facts to Brush By

by GERALD V. CERDAN, DMD One little known fact about wisdom teeth: While many patients do need to have their wisdom teeth removed, your wisdom teeth can stick around as long as they don’t cause any trouble with your oral health. If your wisdom teeth come in straight, have enough room in the mouth…
Proper Preventative Eye Care

Dr. Tincy Thomas Healthy vision involves several different elements including preventive eye care and appropriate management of existing eye conditions. Prevention begins with your first comprehensive, dilated eye examination. The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that infants should have their first eye exam at six months of age and continued yearly from age three unless…