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ARCH ORTHODONTICS PARTICIPATES IN YMCA’S ‘HEALTHY KIDS DAY’
May 17th, 2012
PROMOTING HEALTHY SMILES – Scores of families visited exhibits of ARCH Orthodontics at five Old Colony YMCA locations promoting healthy smiles and good oral hygiene habits for all ages during the Y’s recent ‘Healthy Kids Day.’ ARCH Orthodontics offers courtesy discounts to veterans and all those currently serving in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, and their families, and to municipal employees working in towns where ARCH has offices, and their immediate families.
Shown (photo #1) dispensing a healthy dose of information are (left to right ) Orthodontist Dr. Andrew Chase; Lucy Cobb, Office Manager, and Belkys Brady and Sarah Lochiato, Orthodontic Assistants. In Photo #2, families talk to the ARCH staff.
What’s a palatal expander and why would I need one?
May 14th, 2012
A palatal expander “expands” (or widens) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars and is used to make the bottom and upper teeth fit together better. It also makes more room for teeth and helps to promote a broader, more aesthetic smile.
Palatal expansion is usually not painful, but you may feel some minor discomfort. It’ll take a little time for you to get used to your appliance, so you may experience difficulty speaking and swallowing for the first day or two.
Adjusting your appliance as directed will ensure you keep on schedule with the rest of your orthodontic treatment plan. It takes about a few weeks to achieve the desired amount of expansion, after which you’ll keep wearing your expander for about six months, giving time for the new bone to form and stabilize. Our team at ARCH Orthodontics will give you detailed instructions about how to adjust your appliance and can answer any questions you may have about your palatal expander.
RULE OF 5’s’: NEW TOOL CAN AID ORAL HYGIENE FOR KIDS WITH BRACES
May 8th, 2012
The ‘Rule of 5’s’, created by Dr. Robert Chavez and his son Dr. Andrew Chase who operate ARCH Orthodontics, is a checklist using lots of 5’s to help young patients care for their teeth during their Orthodontic treatment:
1. There are 5 places to brush: (1) where the teeth meet the gum lines, in toward the gums; (2) under the wire; (3) on top of the wire; (4) on top of the tooth,: (5) in back of the tooth.
2. There are 5 times during the day to brush: after breakfast, after lunch or after school, after dinner, after snacks, and before bed.
3. At the end of the day, spend an additional 5 minutes to floss and use fluoride rinse.
Dr. Chavez, who has been practicing for 38 years and says he’s improved the smiles of thousands of people of all ages, says, “Sometimes it can be a challenge to convince younger patients to take special care when wearing braces for 1 – 2 years.” He says the best ages for Orthodontic treatment for girls is usually 10-15 and for boys, it’s ages 11-16.
Dr. Chase, who has been practicing since 1998, says, “From the very first appointment, we explain how braces allow us to move teeth so they will look better and work (chew) more effectively. It’s a gradual process you can’t speed up. The message is repeated at every appointment: Their teeth and braces need special attention to aid treatment and improve the final result.” A list of oral hygiene habits and foods to avoid are listed on the website www.archorthodontics.com.
In addition to reminders about oral hygiene during office visits, via Facebook and Twitter, and the ‘Rule of 5’s’ reminder cards, ARCH Orthodontics enrolls patients in an OrthoRewards Program in which patients earn points for regular brushing and not breaking braces, for good report cards, community service, and for wearing their ARCH t-shirts to appointments. Points can be exchanged for prizes. The doctors remind patients to continue regular dental checkups and cleanings throughout Orthodontic treatment.
Survey Shows 96% of Orthodontic Patients Would Refer Patients to ARCH For Care
May 7th, 2012
About 96% of ARCH Orthodontics’ patients would recommend the practice to their family and friends. “These are excellent results, but we’re aiming for 100%,” says Dr. Robert Chavez who opened his first office in Stoughton (Mass.) 38 years ago. “We always engage perfection and professionalism in everything we do.”
Among other survey results compiled from 570 patient respondents:
• 90% said their appointment experience met or exceeded expectations. (“an excellent, friendly staff”)
• 95% said the way they were treated upon arrival met or exceeded expectations. (“Your staff is personable, professional, friendly… immediately makes you feel comfortable”)
• 90% said they were seen within a reasonable time after arrival.
• 92% said the staff answered questions well about current conditions and any recommended treatment.
The survey was conducted by an independent third-party research group. Responses are reviewed and addressed regularly at staff meetings conducted by Dr. Chavez and his son Dr. Andrew Chase who joined ARCH in 1998.
Dr. Chase and Dr. Chavez, who have built ARCH into 9 offices, say a primary goal is “to make our patients’ visits the greatest part of their day.” Patients range in age from 4 to 80.
ARCH works hard to attract and retain skilled staff. It sponsors regular in-service training sessions such as an American Heart Association-accredited CPR training class with the new Pet heart defibrillator, OSHA training class, and Advanced Sterilization Techniques for the Modern Orthodontic office. ARCH brought 7 staff members to a practice software conference in New Orleans.
Dr. Chase says, “We never assume we know what patients value most, or that we know what areas of the practice need more attention. An objective survey helps us provide a systematic, patient-focused approach so patients will continue to refer friends and relatives to us.” Dr. Chavez adds, “Our mission includes being ‘the Orthodontic office of choice in the communities we serve’ and being ‘the best Orthodontic group practice.’ Making patients our primary focus is how one builds a practice, maintains loyalty, and thrives, even in a challenging economy.”
The practice offers courtesy discounts to members of the armed forces and their families, and to municipal workers and their families in the towns where ARCH has offices. ARCH is the Official Orthodontist of Miss Massachusetts and its Scholarship Foundation.
ARCH Orthodontics has offices in Bridgewater, Brockton, Canton, Hyde Park, Randolph, Stoughton and Westwood, and two new offices on Cape Cod in Hyannis and Orleans. Arch offers complimentary initial consultation including digital photos and panoral x-rays. For more info: www.archorthodontics.com / 1-800-28-SMILE / email smilemaker@archorthodontics.com
