Congratulations Anita!!!!

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1 December 2009 As the year quickly comes to an end We wish you a happy and healthy 2010!! Congratulations Anita!!!! Anita: Circa 1997 and today It is with great sadness (for us), and happiness (for her), that we announce Anita Herrmann s retirement this coming January. Anita has been an incredible asset to the office and a good friend to our staff members. We will all miss her, and wish her the best in all that is to come! Anita has worked in reception at the office for 17 years. She currently lives in Belle Plaine with her husband Virgil (Butch) and enjoys scrap-booking, dancing, and traveling.

2 Thanks to Our Awesome Staff It has been another great year for Strait Smiles. Our office is continuing to grow and change. We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to, and reacquaint you with our wonderful staff: Monica Valek has worked in reception for 14 years. She lives in Belle Plaine with her husband Chuck. They have three sons, Andy, Ryan and Tony. Monica enjoys activities with family and friends, reading and sewing. Dawn Buszmann has worked in reception for 9 years. She lives in Belle Plaine with her husband Keith and their children Jessica (14) and Jeremy (11). Dawn enjoys the kid s activities, crafts, and reading. Keriann German is the newest member of the Strait Smiles team. She has worked periodically in reception for six months, and will take over for Anita in January. Keriann lives in Belle Plaine with her husband Chris and their children Brady, (4) and Emma, (3). She enjoys knitting, reading, hiking, camping, cooking and music. We are excited to have Keriann on board and look forward to getting to know her and her family. Michelle Anderson has worked as a dental assistant (RDA) in our office for 2 years. She received her training at Dakota County Technical College. Michelle lives in Green Isle with her husband Eric and their daughter Regan, (4 months). Michelle enjoys family time, reading and snowmobiling. Sarah Kocina has worked as a dental assistant (RDA) in our office for 1and ½ years. She received her training at Dakota County Technical College. She lives in New Prague with her husband Greg and their twin daughters Abree and Adria (4). Sarah enjoys spending time with family and friends, camping and biking. Angela Koepp has worked as a hygienist (RDH) with us for 3 years. She received her BS from MSU Mankato. She lives in Belle Plaine with her husband Josh. Angela enjoys time with friends and family, crafts, painting, scrapbooking, and camping. Renee Meuleners has worked as a hygienist (RDH) in the office for an impressive 22 years. She received her training at Mankato State University. Renee lives in Henderson with her husband Ron. They have four daughters Alecia, Kaitlyn, Nora, and Janessa. Renee enjoys chasing after the kids, attending their events, reading, cooking, and gardening.

3 Our Doctors Dr. Tasha Strait Dr. Monique Baune Dr. Tasha Strait grew-up in Appleton, Wisconsin. She completed a B.S. degree in Biology and Psychology, with a minor in Chemistry at Valparaiso University in Indiana. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. The Straits currently reside in Shakopee with their two sons. Dr. Strait enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her family. She has a special interest in prosthodontics and pediatric dentistry. Dr. Monique Baune grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin. She completed her undergraduate degree at Valparaiso University in Indiana followed by a doctorate in dentistry from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. Dr. Baune graduated in 1996, and then completed a general practice residency at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Baune relocated to Minnesota in 1997 where she worked in a group practice for several years before joining her sister, Tasha, at Strait Smiles. Dr. Baune currently lives in Eden Prairie with her husband and three children. Dr. Baune enjoys traveling, biking and family activities. Dr. Mora Cervenka Dr. Mora Cervenka grew up near New Prague, where she currently resides with her husband and two children. Dr. Cervenka attended the University of St. Thomas and received her doctorate from the University of MN School of Dentistry in Dr. Cervenka worked in a private practice before joining Strait Smiles. She enjoys working in the relaxed small town atmosphere of Belle Plaine! Dr. Cervenka likes many outdoor activities, gardening, restoring their 100 year old home and especially spending time with her children. Dr. Cervenka has a special interest in TMJ disorders, pediatrics and cosmetic dentistry. Visit our new website at straitsmiles.net (Currently under construction)

4 Fluoride: The key to Remineralization For nearly 60 years, fluoride has been the cornerstone of almost all caries (tooth decay) prevention programs, both public and private. The remarkable decrease in caries rates after a landmark fluoridation of the Grand Rapids water supply in 1945 firmly cemented the role of fluoride in caries prevention. A short summary of the decay process: The surface layers of teeth are continually undergoing a process of demineralization (demin) and remineralization (remin). Demin is brought about by the acid production of mutans streptococci (a bacteria naturally found in the mouth), acids from soda and other carbonated beverages, and acid from high sugar content food and drinks. If the speed of demineralization exceeds the speed of remineralization, the tooth s structure breaks down and a cavity will eventually form. Fluoride plays a significant role in this ongoing demin-remin process. When acids diffuse into a tooth, minerals are dissolved and calcium, phosphate and carbonate are removed from the tooth. As the acids are buffered by saliva, calcium and phosphate flow back into the tooth structure. If fluoride is present in the saliva, it combines with the dissolved minerals and forms a new veneer (coating) on the tooth that is actually more resistant to subsequent acid attack because it contains more fluoride and less carbonate. In other words, the presence of fluoride in the oral cavity shifts the demin-remin process towards remineralization and the prevention of caries. Fluoride continues to be the best tool for the primary prevention of dental caries. We now know that it can also be used for reversal of early carious lesions as well. Fluoridated water and fluoride toothpaste can raise the concentration of fluoride in the mouth by 100 to 1,000 times. For fluoride to be effective, some level must be present during acid attacks. The recommended amount is one dose every four hours. Regular exposure to fluoridated water throughout the day is the best way to achieve recommended doses and to prevent tooth decay.

5 Did you know The life span of a taste bud is about ten days. A large river hippo can open its mouth wide enough to fit a four-foot child. Lemon sharks grow a new set of teeth every two weeks. They grow more than 24,000 new teeth every year. Active antimicrobial compounds found in licorice root have been proven to fight tooth decay. A company in Taiwan makes dinnerware out of wheat so you can eat your plate. What a difference a century makes! Some U.S. statistics from 1904: Average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47 years More than 95% of births took place at home The five leading causes of death in the U.S. were: #1 pneumonia and influenza, #2 tuberculosis, #3diarrhea, #4 heart disease, #5 stroke There were only about 230 reported murders in the whole country Two of ten adults couldn t read or write. Only 6% of Americans graduated from high school The average worker made $200 to $400 per year and the average wage was 22 cents an hour. Only 14% of homes had a bathtub so most women only washed their hair once a month, using borax or egg yolks for shampoo. Only 8% of homes had a telephone and a 3 min. call from Denver to New York cost $11 There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S., and only 144 miles of paved roads. Max speed limit was 10 mph Crossword puzzles, canned beer and iced tea hadn t been invented. The population of Las Vegas was 30. The American flag had 45 stars. Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska hadn t been admitted to the Union yet.

6 Health Reminder With flu season in full swing, we would like to remind you to help us protect our patients and our staff, by not entering the office or bringing yourself or a child to an appointment if you have any of the following symptoms: Severe cold Cough Fever or other flu-like symptoms Strep throat Mono Pink-eye Active cold sore lesions Shingles TB (active or while being medicated for) Please leave a message on our 24-hour answering service if you are ill and cancellations for the next day need to be made. We are now certified to provide orthodontic alignment services!! Thank you for allowing us to provide your dental care, and for all your kind referrals!