The End of Financial Year is Approaching – Don’t miss out on your tax offset entitlements
As you may already be aware, as a family or an individual, you may be entitled to a tax rebate on the combined total of your medical expenses. This includes your "out of pocket' dental expenses once they exceed a certain threshold in the financial year.* In the last two years there have been a number of changes to the tax offset. In 2013 the then Federal Government announced that it would be phasing out the net medical expenses tax offset. This is in addition to changes announced the previous year where the offset percentage became means tested. No further changes were…
Fundraising for the MS Society in 2014
The team at Medland Dental Centre are getting ready for another big year of fundraising for the MS Society. Many of you will already know how passionately MDC campaigns in support of the MS Society, however, may not know why. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects young females more than any other group and MDC has been touched by this disease in many ways. Our Kelly, who most of you will know was diagnosed 6 years ago after the birth of her second daughter. It was in support of Kelly that we started campaigning so actively for MS 6 years ago.Since then, one of Kelly's sisters has been diagn…
Mindy Medland’s Toothbrushing Timer gift to you!
Every Kids Club member will receive a Toothbrushing Timer at their next dental visit! As Easter is a particularly sugary time of year it is even more important to ensure children’s teeth are properly flossed and brushed every day. In this way we can prevent dental problems rather than having to fix them! This fun Toothbrushing Timer is a perfect complement to the Tooth Cleaning Chart and will assist your child to have happy, healthy smiles for life. (Just use your Patient Login Details sent in your welcome pack and included in your newsletters to access the chart and other Kids…
What is an endodontist?
An endodontist is a dentist that has undergone specialist training and has completed a three year postgraduate Masters degree in the field of endodontics. They focus solely on root canal treatment and other procedures involving the pulp of the tooth (sometimes known as the tooth’s nerve) or root of a tooth. Because of this additional training they are highly experienced in managing treatment or cases that involve the root of the tooth where this treatment may be complicated or have complicating factors.
Why do I need to see an endodontist?
Your Medland dentist may refer you to see a special…
How to keep your teeth whiter with braces
Orthodontic treatment comes in many forms these days. Orthodontic treatment can correct a “bad bite”, enhance your smile and achieve amazing results. The most common form of orthodontic treatment, called braces, involves brackets that are bonded (“glued”) to the teeth for the duration of treatment as well as wires, springs and elastics. Why do my teeth look more yellow with braces?The elastic component of the braces can stain and change to a more yellow colour from the food and drink that you consume. If you are concerned about the colour of your braces, try …
Cosmetic Dentistry: What Makes the Perfect Smile?
Your smile and eyes are the most engaging features of your face. A smile can brighten up someone’s day, attract a partner or make a stranger a friend. So what is it that makes the perfect smile?
Everyone’s teeth are unique and as such there isn’t one particular type of smile that is perfect. Our teeth are different shapes and sizes and what looks perfect on one person may look strange on another due to the way the smile suits particular facial features. There are, however, some general factors that make a smile perfect in a broad sense.
Firstly, the perfect smile looks natural. Teeth t…
Focus On: Diets and Your Mouth
Have you started a diet as part of your New Year’s Resolutions?
The holidays are traditionally a time to relax. We all eat more and exercise less. It is surprisingly easy to put on weight – more so as we get older. Research undertaken by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals that 63% of Australian adults over 18 years and 25% of children aged 5-17 years are classified as overweight or obese.
The risks of being overweight are well documented – Increased risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and type two diabetes.
In response, health and weight loss industries have gr…
Thumb and Finger Sucking
Does your child suck their thumb or finger? Thumb and finger sucking is a natural reflex that begins as early as in the womb. It is normal for young children to suck on thumbs, fingers and pacifiers as it provides a sense of security, helps them to relax and induces sleep. Most children stop sucking their thumbs between 2 and 4 years of age and any negative effects on the teeth usually spontaneously resolve without treatment if the habit is stopped early enough. Will thumb sucking cause my child to have dental problems?If a sucking habit continues after the permanent teeth arri…
Christmas Recipe: Bev’s Nutty Butter Balls
Looking for a tasty and very simple Christmas recipe? Try Bev's amazing Nutty Butter Balls! Ingredients:2 cups finely chopped pecan nuts or walnuts2 cups plain flour1 cup soft butter1/2 cup sugar1/4 teaspoon salt, optional1 teaspoon vanilla essence1 cup icing sugar Method:In a bowl place the finely chopped pecan nuts, plain flour, butter, sugar, salt and vanilla essence. Mix with a fork or hands until blended, then gather into a ball.With lightly floured hands pinch off pieces of dough, form into 2.5cm balls and place on baking sheetsBake at 160oC for 20 to 30mins, or until brown…
Opening hours over Christmas and New Year
Medland Dental Centre will remain open over the Christmas and New Year period with modified hours of operation. Monday 23 December: 8am – 6pmTuesday 24 December: 8am – 5pmWednesday 25 December: ClosedThursday 26 December: ClosedFriday 27 December: 8am – 5pmMonday 30 December: 8am – 5pmTuesday 31 December: 8am – 5pmWednesday 1 January: Closed Normal opening hours resume on Thursday, 2 January 2014. If you are an exising patient of Medland Dental Centre and experience a dental emergency out of hours, please call 3426 5777 and follow the advice on the voicemail …