Kimberly Smiles's Schools

• Ohio State University College of Dentistry DDS

Kimberly Smiles's Publications

• Kimberly Smiles on Sedation Dentistry, Kimberly Smiles April, 2011 Using tranquilizers, anti-anxiety medication, nitrous oxide, depressants, and other sedatives, dentists can place patients in a relaxed, untroubled state during procedures. Historically, patients chose between established methods, such as inhalation for nitrous oxide or intravenous administration for tranquilizers. Today, patients have several other options that avoid injections, providing maximum comfort. While dentists continue using local anesthetic, injected directly into the gum tissue, to block pain at the site of the procedure, they use needles after supplying general sedation. Few patients even recall the needle used to administer local anesthetic. Sedation empowers many patients to undergo procedures that they would have avoided without it, granting a sense of calm during otherwise stressful processes. Patients who opt for sedation dentistry, however, must choose a responsible caregiver to accompany them to the procedure and ensure safe arrival back home afterward. The caregiver then stays with the patient for three to four hours as a safety precaution. In some cases, a dentist requires that the caregiver provide the transportation to and from the office so that the patient may take oral painkillers before leaving for the procedure. . Sedation dentistry is not equivalent to general anesthesia. Although some refer to sedation dentistry as “sleep dentistry,” the patient remains conscious throughout the entire procedure but stays in a relaxed state. Generally, patients recall very little about the actual procedure other than a sense of tranquility. Many report remembering only a few minutes even if the procedure required hours to complete. As a result, intensive procedures, such as smile makeovers, may be accomplished in fewer appointments. Some also argue that patients who undergo sedation dentistry may seek better dental care in the future since much of the anxiety of going to the dentist is relieved. For more information about sedation dentistry, including methods, benefits, and feasibility, contact Kimberly Smiles today at (773) 276-1047.

• An Interview with Kimberly Caldwell June, 2011 An Interview with Kimberly Caldwell, a Dentist at Kimberly Smiles in Chicago As a dental care provider at Kimberly Smiles, Dr. Kimberly Caldwell has assisted numerous patients with achieving sparkling smiles. Dr. Kimberly Caldwell, who remains a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the Academy of Laser Dentistry, treats patients at the Kimberly Smiles facility located in Chicago, where she and her colleagues provide a range of dental services. Kimberly Smiles, which offers cosmetic and general dentistry options for area residents, boasts a team that strives to realize a vision of excellence in tooth care. I enjoyed the opportunity to speak with Dr. Kimberly Caldwell about her experience at Kimberly Smiles and about her personal life as well. Q. First, I would like to thank you for taking time out of your schedule to talk with me today. Can you tell me about your role at Kimberly Smiles and some of your accomplishments at the dental office? A. As one of the two dentists on staff, I treat patients and provide a number of services to them. Each year, I strive to complete approximately 20 hours of continuing education practice at the office. I previously obtained certification in oral sedation dentistry. Also, I received a Top Dentist award in 2009 for my work at Kimberly Smiles. Q. I also understand that you are involved in your neighborhood. What are some examples of your community service efforts? A. I am very dedicated to the improvement of my community. I regularly participate in the Chicago AIDS Run-Walk and the Girls on the Run Chicago 5K race. We also do charity work for Give Back a Smile, which gives free dental care to Chicago-area women who experienced domestic abuse. We donate dental care services to a Chicago group that provides free dental treatment to individuals with mental or physical handicaps. I am also involved with the creation of Harmony for Smiles, a charity that will offer free dental services for refugees who reside in Chicago. Through a partnership with Heartland Alliance, I hope to officially establish Harmony for Smiles as soon as possible. Q. Lastly, what are some of the services provided at Kimberly Smiles? A. We serve many different types of patients, from children to adults, and these clients experience various issues and come to us for dental care. We provide our customers with a range of treatments, such as root canals, dental implants, crowns, teeth whitening, extractions, periodontics, among other services.

• A Primer on Cavities and Fillings, prepared by the Dental Office of Kimberly Smiles (Part 1 of 2) , Kimberly Smiles' Blog on Bigsight August, 2011 In Part 1 of this two-part overview, the Kimberly Smiles staff briefly discusses the reasons cavities form and the most common locations they appear. Dental cavities and tooth decay can affect anyone, even those who take regular care of their teeth. The modern diet, with its high levels of processed sugars, makes oral health care that much more important to avoiding tooth decay. In fact, a study recently conducted in England compared the fossilized teeth of men and women from more than 1,500 years ago to men and women of today. Researchers found that the latter group possessed a 40-percent-higher cavity rate, even with today’s modern technologies like fluoride. Spanish researchers unearth a fossilized human tooth more than One Million Year Old Tooth posted by puppiesandflowers.com Considered an infection of the teeth, cavities develop from a combination of the bacteria that resides in our mouths and the carbohydrate-rich foods and drinks we consume. Dental bacteria cover our teeth in a film known as plaque. When exposed to carbohydrates, these bacteria produce acid and cause pH levels in the mouth to drop. When the pH level falls below roughly 5.5, the acid begins to eat away at the hard enamel coating the exterior of teeth. Every time a person consumes carbohydrates, the resulting acid can attack teeth for up to 20 minutes afterwards. If left unchecked, the deterioration will continue through the enamel and invade the softer dentin beneath, eventually affecting the nerve and blood supply found below the dentin. Cavities typically occur in two areas on teeth. The first includes the pits and fissures found on the biting surfaces of molars and premolars, where the enamel exists in only a thin layer. These grooves and recesses form ideal places for food to become trapped. The second region includes the smooth surfaces found on the front, back, and especially between the teeth, where food lodges unless cleared with floss. A Primer on Cavities and Fillings, prepared by the Dental Office of Kimberly Smiles (Part 2 of 2)

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