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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…
The trouble with trigger finger

Local surgeon develops alternate solution for a tricky procedure There’s no getting around this fact: you need your hands. When one or more of your fingers or thumbs doesn’t function properly, it interferes with work and play. Correcting a condition such as trigger finger once meant a trip to a hospital or surgery center for…

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…