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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…

What Counts as Exercise?

Making the effort to exercise regularly is an admirable pursuit. Physical activity can play a vital role in cardiovascular health, weight loss, body strengthening, and even emotional well-being. But not all physical exertion is truly “exercise.” By definition, “exercise” is physical activity that leads to sustained elevation of the heart rate; this can only be…
The Importance of Regular Cleanings

We’re now three months into 2019, and if you can’t remember the last time you went to the dentist for a cleaning, it’s time to stop putting it off. Outside of maintaining your oral health, dental cleanings serve a variety of other purposes that can lead to short and long-term benefits. Here are a few…
Taking Care of Your Eyes

The gift of sight is one of our most valued senses and often not paid attention to until symptoms arise. Some common eye complaints are: Conjunctivitis: this may be sudden in onset and due to an infection if it occurs in one eye (or both) , is accompanied by pain , swollen eyelids , itching…