Informed Consent and the Dental Patient

Informed Consent and the Dental Patient
Informed Consent, according to the American Medical
Association, is defined as "more than simply getting a
patient to sign a written consent form. It is a process of
communication between a patient and physician that results
in the patient's authorization or agreement to undergo a
specific medical intervention." What this has to do with
you as a dental patient has widespread ramifications.

How informed are you?

Let's develop this further. For example, do you fully
understand all the procedures, techniques and time
commitments of your proposed dental treatment? Are you
informed of all the risks, benefits and options available
for each procedure? Are you made aware of what dental
materials are being used and how they may impact your
health? Most of all, is everything in writing and signed
by you and your dentist? If any of the previous questions
were answered with a "no", then you must read further.

Your mouth is the "gateway to your body" and plays a much
more important role for achieving good overall health than
most people realize. Good nutrition, digesting food
properly, smiling, kissing, speaking and so many other
functions all require good oral health.

Studies today indicate that certain dental conditions are
risk factors for heart disease, stroke, neurological
problems, obesity, diabetes,pre-term and low birth weight
babies, headaches, facial pain and more.

No place for dentistry

Dentistry has been in the past considered to be the
forgotten child in the medical world. Medical doctors are
not trained at all about the mouth and its impact on health
while dentists, by licensure, are limited to treating
issues only within the head and neck areas.

Dental insurance coverage is poor and medical insurance
doesn't cover dental therapies (except Health Savings
Accounts). As a matter of fact, many employers are
eliminating dental benefits altogether.

Therefore, the responsibility is placed upon you to become
a more educated, informed consumer. Knowledge is the key
that will enable you to make the decisions about your
healthcare that are right for you. After all, it is your
body and you should know what is being done to it at all
times. And it starts with Informed Consent.

The right beginning

The initial examination and related diagnostic tests are
the first steps for gathering information. A good medical
and dental history is vitally important. This history not
only includes your chief dental complaint but also your
chief medical complaint, including listing of surgeries,
medications, past illnesses, family health issues and total
body system reviews.

The history should be reviewed by you and your dentist with
you being informed of how any dental procedure may impact
your health. Appropriate referrals should be made to other
qualified practitioners if indicated. This form should
then be signed and dated by you and your dentist making
sure this extremely important step has been completed.

You are doing what to me?

The treatment plan that follows provides the blueprint for
how your dentist is going to address your dental needs. A
separate appointment should be scheduled with your dentist,
not an assistant or office manager, to go over in depth
what the treatment recommendations are. Time needs to be
spent going over the risks, benefits and options for all
aspects of the proposed treatment.

You should be provided with the appropriate information,
models, pictures, brochures, charts ...etc. that fully
support your treatment decisions. Fees should be discussed
upfront, along with payment options and insurance
contributions, and accepted by both parties. When you are
both satisfied with the agreement, you and your dentist
should sign and date the document.

It is a good idea to bring a tape recorder with you to that
visit allowing you to review this discussion you had with
your dentist. Bringing your significant other is also
recommended so as to avoid any misunderstandings that may
arise, especially if finances are the issue.

As time goes on...

As treatment progresses always maintain good communication
with your dentist and the staff. Don't be afraid to ask
questions and keep asking them until you're fully satisfied
that all your questions have been answered. Any changes in
treatment should be fully discussed, understood, and
accepted by you and your dentist. And yes, get it in
writing and signed!

Through informed consent, you will gain an understanding of
all aspects of your proposed dental treatment ultimately
resulting in a more favorable outcome. You can now become
an informed consumer in charge of your own health and that
is the first step toward a healthier smile!

----------------------------------------------------
Dr. Vincent DiLorenzo, President of T-Horizons, LLC, is a
holistic dentist who specializes in Health Savings Accounts
and other types of Consumer Driven Health Care Solutions
for families, individuals and employers by encouraging
healthy lifestyles to lower healthcare costs at home and
the workplace. Learn more at => http://www.t-horizons.com

How To Find Out If Your Cosmetic Surgeon Is Board-Certified

How To Find Out If Your Cosmetic Surgeon Is Board-Certified
A board-certified cosmetic surgeon can't guarantee perfect
results, but there is nothing that can replace the
education and experience of a surgeon who has devoted their
life to improving yours.

Patients are advised to find a doctor who is certified by
the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the only
board recognized by the American Board of Medical
Specialties to certify a surgeon in plastic surgery of the
face and of the entire body. Certification by the ABPS is
one of the highest accomplishments for a plastic surgeon
because it means that the surgeon has formal training in an
accredited plastic surgery residency program and is
required to maintain their certification through an
extensive on-going training and certification.

About American Board of Plastic Surgery:

The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) qualifies a
surgeon to perform both body and facial procedures. The
American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) which is
expressly designed to provide public protection through
quality control in medical education states the "ABPS is
the only one of the 24 ABMS member boards providing
certification in the entire field of plastic and
reconstructive surgery from head to toe."

If your surgeon is ABPS-certified, they will have:

*BACHELOR'S DEGREE- Usually Pre-Med or Biology, but not
required to be.

*MCAT- A 6 hour exam to get into Medical School.

*MEDICAL DEGREE-"MD"-4 years of med-school and passing the
Boards (a 2 day/12 hour exam) Part I and Part II (another 2
day/12 hour exam).

*Upon graduating medical school, one is considered an "MD,"
but can only practice in a residency program until they
become a licensed physician.

*RESIDENCY- "On the job training" of at least three years.

*Five to seven years are required for American Board of
Plastic Surgery certified plastic surgeons.

*LICENSED PHYSICIAN -After completing 1 year of residency
and passing Boards Part III, then they are considered a
General Practitioner or "GP". A GP has not had any training
in surgery, no less plastic surgery.

*CANDIDATE MEMBER (a.k.a. BOARD ELIGIBLE)- One has
completed the required training in plastic surgery
residency and has been in [private] practice for at least
two years.*

*APPROVED SURGICAL TRAINING- in plastic surgery and the
surgeon has successfully completed extensive written and
oral examination testing in the entire field of plastic and
reconstructive surgery of the entire body.

*BOARD CERTIFICATION-Passing certification is not required
for any doctor to practice medicine, but is important when
finding a good physician and determining if one is trained
to be a specialist, such as a plastic surgeon.

To verify a surgeon's certification status, contact either
of these organizations: The American Board of Plastic
Surgery or The American Board of Medical Specialties.
Verifying the status of your cosmetic surgeon is one of the
fist steps you should take when doing your cosmetic surgery
research.

----------------------------------------------------
The Avalon Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery is located in
Lakewood and Olympia, Washington. Each of our surgeons is
Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
and has over 20 years of experience. Patient safety and
satisfaction is our #1 goal. Our art is to help patients'
look and feel their best. The Avalon Clinic wants you to
know that It Is Possible! Contact us at
http://www.avalonclinic.com or call 1-800-408-4444!

Little Changes Add Up To Weight Loss Success

Little Changes Add Up To Weight Loss Success
Little things add up. When it comes to losing weight, you
can make small changes that add up to make a big
difference. When changing what we eat in order to lose
weight, many times we take on too much. When we take on
too much, it becomes too drastic and overwhelming so we
give up. Don't give up. Actually, think small yet
consistent changes. When you master one small change, you
move on to make another and another. When you're
successful with one change and add another success on top
of another, you've created momentum to change your eating
and exercise habits to lose weight and reach your goals.

1. Water as your beverage of choice. After you've
consumed your morning coffee or tea to get you going for
the day, drink water. Water is instrumental in enhancing
your weight loss. You can drink flavored water for a
change of pace.

2. Fresh fruit instead of juice. If you enjoy orange
juice or other juices, switch to eating the real deal of
the fruit. Juice packs lots of calories in a small glass
and doesn't provide you a sense of satisfaction the way
eating the fruit does. You'll consume less calories, enjoy
the sense of eating, feel fuller from the fruit rather than
the liquid, plus you'll add important fiber from eating the
fruit.

3. Write it down. Carry a small notepad with you and log
in every meal, bite, taste and anything that you eat. By
keeping track of what you consume, it will make you think
twice before eating something. If you have to write
something down in a log, many times you don't want to see
it in your log so you won't see it on your waist either.
Writing it down can also show you exactly what you are
eating. A bite or taste sometimes doesn't register with
us. In a log, you become very aware of what you're doing.

4. Check your steps. Buy a pedometer and wear it every
day. Health experts recommend 10,000 steps each day for
maximum health. Take your first day and use it as your
base number. Set your goal to get in an additional 1,000
steps per day. Keep track how many steps you have each
day. You can make it a game by logging the steps you make
each day.

5. Lose your taste for soda. Soda scores a big zero in
weight loss. Soft drinks contain sodium and many
tablespoons of sugar. Plus, they are void of nutrition and
do nothing to assist in filling you up. If you must drink
soft drinks, go for the diet version. Just like many other
things, you acquire a taste for something and you can lose
it too. By cutting out soda from your day, you'll save
hundreds of calories which result in weight loss.

6. Get a team of support. You don't have to lose weight
alone. There are many resources available to you. First,
turn to your family and friends and request their support.
You can also hire your own weight loss coach. You can work
with your coach to create a program that is best for you,
what you like, what you prefer, and what works best for
you. You can also join an online support group. There are
many people waiting to partner with you to achieve your
weight loss goals.

7. Make your coffee work for you. I used to love those
flavored creamers. I would joke that I added coffee to my
flavored creamer. Unfortunately, I was right. It wasn't
until I kept a food journal that I noticed how much I was
actually consuming. The flavored creamers, whether non-fat
or in any form, are full of sugar. I was consuming enough
carbs to count for one-half of my day. What worked for me
is to use nonfat powdered creamer and sugar-free flavored
syrups in my coffee. I got right back on the losing track
immediately after changing this one small habit.

In another article, we'll add more little changes for you
to review and consider. As you can see, some small changes
you can be simple and easy. Yes, and small changes can be
almost painless too. As far as small changes count for
you: 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = Your own weight loss success!

----------------------------------------------------
Cathy Wilson is a weight loss life coach. Cathy lost 147
pounds six years ago. Her passion is helping clients
achieve their weight loss and life goals. Cathy works with
clients to create a weight loss life plan that is
customized to each client. Cathy is a member of the
International Coaching Federation, International
Association of Coaches, and Obesity Action Coalition.
Visit Cathy's website:
http://www.LoseWeightFindLife.com

Why You Need To Be Aware Of Your Copper Levels

Why You Need To Be Aware Of Your Copper Levels
The human body contains more copper than any other mineral,
except iron and zinc, and has been known to be essential
for both human and animal health since the earliest days of
Western medicine. Yet even now the full range of copper's
many functions is believed to be imperfectly understood,
and researchers are still learning more. Copper
principally acts within the body as a key component of many
of the enzymes which govern its vital physiological
processes and biochemical reactions. Perhaps most
importantly, different copper dependent enzymes are vital
for the production of energy within cells, for the
production of collagen, a protein essential for the health
and strength of the body's connective tissue, and for the
metabolism of a number of important neuro-transmitting
hormones within the brain and central nervous system.

More specifically, low blood levels of copper have been
associated with anaemia, poor functioning of the immune
system, and raised cholesterol levels, to name but a few.
But nutritional therapists are most likely to recommend
increased copper intake as a safeguard against the
demineralisation of bones, leading to osteoporosis, and
particularly in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Copper is known to help in the body's production of
superoxide dismutase, a powerful anti-inflammatory enzyme,
which may well account for this effect; and there's
evidence for the effectiveness of supplements of the safe
compound, copper sebacate, and the wearing of copper wrist
bands as alleviatory treatments. Copper is also
important as an anti-oxidant, but care needs to be taken
because both in excess and deficiency it can also function
as a pro-oxidant, potentially accelerating the damage to
and degeneration of the organism which may be caused by
free radicals. Copper's interaction with zinc, one of the
most vital minerals for human health, is particularly
important in this context. High intakes of copper are
associated with deficiencies of zinc, and the reverse is
also true. High levels of copper, with low zinc, have
been identified as a factor in correspondingly high levels
of oxidised low-density lipids (LDL), or "bad cholesterol";
a key risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis
(hardening of the arteries), still one of the major causes
of premature death in the West. And it's worth noting in
this context that adequate amounts of both copper and zinc
are required for the production of superoxide dismutase,
one of the body's most important anti-oxidant enzymes. Low
zinc levels caused by excess copper have also been
associated with mental problems such as depression, anxiety
and even schizophrenia.

Achieving the right balance of intake of the minerals is
therefore crucially important and the ratio of 1, copper:
10, zinc is generally recommended. A similar relationship
exists between copper and iron, with an excess of one
leading to a deficiency of the other; both excess and
deficiency having potentially serious long-term
consequences for health. Copper dependent enzymes are also
closely involved in the metabolism of vitamin C, and there
is some, though inconclusive, evidence that high intakes of
the vitamin may increase the body's demand for copper.
This is not to suggest that vitamin C intake should be
restricted, because the health benefits of this nutrient
are far too powerful for that. But it is yet another
example of the body's holistic functioning; meaning that it
is rarely if ever a good idea to supplement with high doses
of a single nutrient, and that attention needs always to be
paid to obtaining a balanced and comprehensive
supplementation programme. A wide variety of foods are
useful sources of dietary copper, but the problem is that
the richest ones, liver and shellfish particularly, are
foods which not everyone finds easily palatable or
accessible. Nuts and pulses, whole-grain cereals and green
vegetables may also provide a certain amount, but levels
have been badly affected by the demineralisation of farm
soils. A further problem is that dietary copper is often
poorly absorbed, particularly when the diet is high in
refined carbohydrates or artificial sweeteners.

The risks of copper toxicity appear to be low, although
prolonged high doses may sometimes give rise to liver
problems. The US Food and Nutrition Board has therefore
prescribed an upper safe limit of 10 mg per day for copper
consumption. Some authorities, however, argue that the
potential pro-oxidant action of copper, and its interaction
with other vital minerals, particularly zinc, makes this
limit too high for safety; and certainly for optimal
health. That said, the US Recommended Dietary
Allowances (RDA) for copper of just 2 mg has, like all
RDAs, been set only at the level judged sufficient for the
avoidance of outright deficiency and is almost certainly
well below the level required for optimal health. European
authorities have not set an RDA, but figures for the UK
suggest that average copper intake may be as low as 1.6 mg,
with the corollary that 50% of the populace fails to
achieve even this low figure. Figures for the US are
likely to be similar, and the presumption must therefore be
that most people in the West are far more likely to suffer
from a deficiency than an excess of copper.

The potentially harmful interaction with other minerals
means, however, that any supplementation of copper should
be undertaken only as a part of a comprehensive
multi-mineral and multi-vitamin regime.

----------------------------------------------------
Steve Smith is a freelance copywriter specialising in
direct marketing and with a particular interest in health
products. Find out more at
http://www.sisyphuspublicationsonline.com/LiquidNutrition/In
formation.htm