As a child, I have to admit that I feared the injection. However, I had a wonderful pediatric dentist, Dr. Charles Fain, that was so patient with me. He was gentle, and he carefully talked me through each and every procedure that he performed on me. Believe it or not, I had to have a lot of dental care when I was young!

I believe that because I have been the dental patient numerous times, I have a lot of empathy now for my own patients. We go to great lengths to be certain that our patients are comfortable during their appointments. There are so many techniques and technologies available now to minimize anxiety and discomfort during dental treatment. We utilize computerized injection systems, offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation, and we also have never abandoned the simple, old fashioned TLC for all of our patients.

I idolized Dr. Fain and he seemed to enjoy caring for me. I thought he had a great job, and as a result, I've nearly always known I wanted to be a dentist. In fact, the attached picture is of me performing my first dental exam on my sister in the back seat of our car! Take special notice of her body language-it screams, "Are you done yet?" Or, "Really, is this the best game we can play on a long family vacation?"

We are especially fond of our young patients. Starting them off with positive experiences at an early age develops a lifelong relationship and commitment to dental care that will positively impact their health for a lifetime. We have many kids in our practice that literally beg their parents to come see us. We are most flattered!

-Dr. Richard Mullens

The best advice I have received regarding patient relationships was that, although it is not always popular, being transparent and honest in all matters regarding a patient's health will always ring true. It is always in the patient's best interest to be presented with the facts without distortion. Patients must be allowed to partner in the decisions regarding their well-being, based on the facts.

We have built in excess of 20 years of trust into the relationships we have in our office with our patients, and it is a facet of our relationship and service that we take very seriously.

If you have any questions about your treatment at our office, or your oral health, give us a call or ask us on Facebook!

-Dr. Rick Mullens

With February being National Children's Dental Health Month, our team at Dr. Richard Mullens' office thought we'd share a few good oral hygiene tips with our patients, courtesy of the American Dental Association, or ADA.

• Teeth brushing techniques: It takes only two minutes to properly brush, using short, gentle strokes and devoting extra attention to the gumline, areas around fillings and hard-to-reach areas such as the back teeth.
• Flossing: hold the floss snugly between thumbs and index finger and place between each of the teeth, making sure to go beneath the gumline and curving the floss around the base of each tooth.
• Snack wisely: choose healthy snacks such as vegetables, fruits and cheese and avoid sticky, chewy candies that can stick to the teeth. If you eat these snacks, make sure to brush after doing so.
• Carbonated or sugary drinks: these beverages create acids that can damage the teeth when mixed with saliva, so they should be avoided altogether. When drinking one of these beverages, avoid sipping on it throughout the day. Rather, have a drink and then brush your teeth.
• Regular dental visits: You should visit us regularly (approximately every six months).

National Children's Dental Health Month, now in its 62nd year, aims to increase awareness about the importance of kids' oral health. If you have any questions about keeping your mouth healthy, or about your treatment with Dr. Mullens', please feel free to give us a call!

Did you know February is American Heart Month? It’s a great time to take notice of the health of your heart, says Dr. Richard C. Mullens. Cardiovascular disease remains American's number one killer, according to the American Heart Association. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.

Visiting our office on a regular basis can help prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages. And because people with dental insurance are more likely to visit their dentist when they should, a healthy mouth begins with a visit with Dr. Mullens. In observance of Heart Month, it’s also important to know your numbers: blood pressure (less than 120/80), cholesterol (less than 200) and BMI (less than 25). If you have any questions about heart health, or about your treatment, please give us a call today.