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Pop Quiz: Germs 101—A Crash Course for Parents

Back-to-school season is upon us, and that means your child’s chances of coming down with an illness is greatly increased. While schools are centers of learning, they are also breeding grounds for all manner of germs. However, there are ways to lessen your child’s chances of coming down with something, having to miss school due…
Tackling Mental Health Together

Establishing the West Central Florida Mental Wellness Coalition Recognizing the record number of suicide rates, substance use and opioid deaths, nearly 30 local organizations have joined forces to develop a regional mental health initiative. On June 20, BayCare CEO and President Tommy Inzina and participating leaders from other hospitals, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, government…
Working Like a Dog

Reading with Bonnie the Therapy Dog by RACHEL CHRISTIAN Cassandra Banning and Bonnie, her 10-year-old shih tzu therapy dog, have been bringing joy and happiness to people in the Plant City area for almost six years. The pair can be spotted across town visiting nursing homes, hospitals, and even Bruton Memorial Library. Unlike service animals…

A Cautionary Tale for Frequent Biting, Grinding, or Clenching

by GERALD V. CERDAN, DMD Biting and chewing your food. It’s something we do every day and without thinking. That’s why when most people have biting issues— where they bite the inside tissue of their mouth— they usually don’t think beyond the few minutes of pain and discomfort it causes. However, frequent biting (as well…
Caring for Your Kid’s Teeth

by ARCHANA ANTONY, DDS It’s not easy, but somebody has to do it. If you have an infant, toddler, or school-aged child, chances are you’ve said this to yourself more than once when it comes to their oral care. We can not only relate, but we can help. Of our 12 convenient locations around Polk,…
Diverticular Disease

Dr. Trishanna Sookdeo Diverticular disease describes the formation of small pouches in the large intestinal wall called diverticula. These pouches forms as you become older and many do not know that they have it. Some may experience constipation and bloating. Diverticular can also bleed resulting in bright red rectal bleeding or sticky black stools. This…