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Q&A on the most lethal form of dementia

Dr. Gordon J. Rafool shares the symptoms and treatment options of Alzheimer’s disease Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in America. In Polk, 11.8 percent of Medicare beneficiaries were treated for Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia in 2013, according to Healthy Tampa Bay. We interviewed Dr. Gordon J. Rafool, a geriatrician…
Pop Quiz: Establishing a solid oral care foundation

Will your child have a future Filled with healthy smiles? Teeth add to your smile, allow you to enjoy delicious foods, and rip apart that plastic wrap off your new DVD. However, as a parent, you might be wondering whether you’re setting up proper oral hygiene habits for your child, or if the little tike…
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.…

Getting to the Root of the Problem

Hair loss, baldness, or alopecia is often a concern raised by both male and female patients. We normally lose between 50 to 100 hairs a day that are replaced by hair growth. Signs indicating abnormal hair loss are bald patches or hair thinning. Many times, hair loss may be an indication of a disease or…
When Summertime Sports Lead to Dental Dilemmas

By: Dr. Gerald V. Cerdan With the nice weather of summer, school being out, and more vacation time at work being taken, sports activities are usually at its peak during summertime. With the increase of sports activities, often also comes an increase in dental accidents and dilemmas. Some of these dental dilemmas include cracked, chipped,…
Important Firework Safety Reminders

By: Daniel Smith, O.D. With the Fourth of July festivities quickly approaching, it is important to consider a few important tips regarding fireworks safety. Remember that fireworks are more than just loud bangs and pretty colors—they are explosives capable of inflicting serious injury. Every year, thousands of Americans are injured by either by handling fireworks…