Mar 31, 2025
April 23 is Administrative Professionals Day and we are so lucky to have a fantastic team at the FDA front desk. Chances are you’ve been welcomed and cared for by Eliza, Geena, Camille, and Marlene. They are there to help you feel comfortable and at ease as they get you checked in for your appointment with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos and answer your questions. We consider them the heart of our practice and are so grateful for their commitment to patient care. To celebrate and honor these wonderful women, we share a little about each of them and what they enjoy about their work:
Eliza
“I love working at FDA! I feel accepted and valued as a member of the team. We all collaborate on making FDA a comfortable and relaxing space for our patients to get the care they need.”
Eliza joined FDA in 2024 and has a background in education and insurance. She works with patients to ensure we have the correct information to file insurance claims and communicates about the costs estimates for upcoming treatments.
Geena
“As a kid I remember being so scared of the dentist. Being the first person a patient sees is beyond important and helps set the scene for how an appointment will go.”
With a background in patient care in a hospital setting, Geena joined FDA as our Patient Scheduling Coordinator. She ensures all our patients are able to schedule and reschedule their appointments with ease and is always available to answer questions.
Camille
“Everyone [at FDA] is so incredibly friendly and welcoming. It really feels like being part of a team.”
Camille provides a warm welcome for new patients at Falmouth Dental Arts. As our New Patient Coordinator, she is responsible for making sure new patients have all the information they need for their first appointment.
Marlene
“Everyone works together as a team and we all care about each other, which makes it such a great practice to work at and be treated as a patient. There is such a connection between staff and patients – it is very special.”
Marlene has been working in the dental field since 1990 and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our front desk team.
Thank you, Eliza, Geena, Camille, and Marlene!
If you have questions or need to schedule your next check up, please give us a call at 207.781.5900. We look forward to helping you have a healthy, happy smile!
Mar 30, 2025
April is Oral Cancer Awareness month and regular visits to the dentist can be your best defense against the most common form of head and neck cancer. That’s because early detection is crucial. At Falmouth Dental Arts, we provide oral cancer screenings – Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos as well as our hygienists perform screenings during your regular check up appointments. To help raise awareness, here’s what you need to know about oral cancer, its causes and common symptoms, and our screening procedure.
What is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer is a general term that covers cancers in your lips and mouth. According to the Cleveland Clinic, 11 out of 100,000 people will develop oral cancer in their lifetime. If it is left untreated, it can spread to other parts of your head and neck. It’s encouraging to note that when oral cancer is detected and treated early, there is a 80-90% survival rate.
Common Causes of Oral Cancers
For the majority of cases, oral cancer is linked with the following habits:
- Smoke and/or use tobacco
- Drink excessive amounts of alcohol
- Spend long periods in the sun without protection
- Have the Human papillomavirus (HPV).
While smoking is the leading cause of oral cancer, there are increasingly more and more young people developing oral cancer due to the HPV virus.
Oral Cancer Symptoms
If you notice any changes to your mouth or experience any pain or tenderness, you should let us know. Here are some of the common symptoms and warning signs for oral cancer, including:
- White or red patches in the mouth
- Sores that fail to heal
- Abnormal lumps in the gums or neck
- Numbness or pain in the face, mouth or neck without cause
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Chronic bad breath
If you discover an area of concern, please let us know so we can see you promptly for a thorough exam.
FDA’s Oral Cancer Screening
At FDA, Dr. Brunacini, Dr. Karagiorgos, and our hygienists perform oral cancer screenings for our patients at every hygiene appointment. These screenings may include:
Visual Exam
During a visual exam of the mouth, we look at the gum tissue, lips, checks, and tongue. Additionally we gently palpate or press on areas of the face and neck to check for any irregular lumps. If we have any concerns, we may offer to do a screening with VELscope.
VELscope screening
VELscope is a screening device that emits a blue light that quickly identifies abnormal cells before they are visible to the naked eye. It is a safe and non-invasive procedure. We find it to be helpful for early detection of oral cancer.
CBCT 3D X-Ray
We also perform CBCT 3D X-Rays which enables us to better visualize all of the structures within your head, neck, and mouth and assess your oral health. 3D imaging can be helpful in determining subsequent steps for the ideal treatment of an area of concern.
If we have any reason for concern after a screening, our next step would be to refer you to an oral surgeon for additional consultation and a possible biopsy. As your partner in oral health, we will remain involved every step of the way to provide support and follow-up care.
As always, when you have any questions about your oral health or the oral cancer screening process, please don’t hesitate to call us. We are always happy to answer your questions so you feel informed and confident about your oral health!
Mar 4, 2025
We love our team of Dental Assistants! Lindsey, Mary, Mirela, and Pat are the helping hands of our practice, always putting patient comfort first. March 3 – 9 is Dental Assistant Recognition Week, so it’s the perfect time to shine a light on these skilled and compassionate dental professionals. This month, learn more about the role of a Dental Assistant and what a day-in-the-life is like for the FDA Dental Assistant superstars – Lindsey, Mary, Mirela, and Pat.
What is a Dental Assistant?
A Dental Assistant works directly with dentists during procedures and provides support for them. They are Dr. B & Dr. K’s extra hands! They also focus on the smooth operation of the dental office and handle a variety of tasks including, preparing patients, sterilizing instruments, and taking x-rays.
A Typical Day for a Dental Assistant
A typical day for the Dental Assistants at FDA starts at 6:30am. They arrive to get all the equipment turned on and the rooms set up for the day. They ensure all the instruments are clean and sterilized and check with the hygienists to make sure they have everything they need. The schedule is then reviewed with Dr. B & Dr. K and everyone prepares for the day.
“We are all a team when it comes to seeing patients,” shares Lindsey. “We see patients for all different types of situations – from emergency visits to re-cementing an old crown. Being a Dental Assistant is never dull! There is always something to be done.”
Patient Comfort
Patient comfort is a top priority at FDA. Mirela shares, “Anyone can be afraid of going to the dentist – not just children. That’s why we do everything we can here at FDA to make patients feel comfortable and relaxed while they’re in our chairs.” Pat adds, “I love helping patients feel relaxed and at ease during their dental appointments. I hope my presence, compassion, and experience as a Dental Assistant helps everyone have a better experience when coming here.”
A Rewarding Job
One of the most rewarding parts of the job is to see the transformation that can happen during a procedure. Mary shares, “I love knowing that our patients feel good about themselves afterward. They see the success, too.”
Thank you, Lindsey Mary, Mirela, & Pat!!
Our wonderful team of Dental Assistants, along with Dr. Brunacini, Dr. Karagiorgos, will ensure your next procedure is a comfortable and stress-free experience for you. If you need to schedule your next appointment, please call at 207.781.5900.
Feb 2, 2025
February is Gum Disease Awareness month. According to the CDC, nearly 42% of adults over the age of 30 have a form of gum disease, and gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. This is preventable! At FDA, we are your partner in oral health. We love educating our patients about best practices that keep you smiling and healthy. Here are three tips for preventing gum disease:
Have a Good Oral Hygiene Routine
The key to good oral health is to have a good oral hygiene routine. This includes:
- Brush twice a day for two minutes. Gently brush along your entire gumline, massing your gums to improve circulation and gum health.
- Floss every day. Flossing gets into the nooks and crannies between your teeth where food and bacteria hide and brushing alone leaves behind.
Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices
The health of your gums is linked to your overall health, so making healthy choices is a smart idea! In particular think about:
- Quit smoking! This is a no-brainer for your health. Beyond your lung health, smoking weakens your immune system, causes chronic inflammation, and affects the balance of healthy bacteria in your mouth.
- Eat crunchy fruits and veggies. The vitamins and minerals in fruits and veggies are beneficial for your overall health and your oral health. Crunchy fruits and veggies act like a natural toothbrush removing plaque and stimulate saliva rinsing away bacteria. What a win-win!
Come to FDA for Regular Checkups
Regular cleanings and dental checkups with our hygienists and Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos are an important part of your oral health care routine. We love seeing your smiling faces at least twice a year. Among other things, these checksups are a way for us to monitor the health of your gums and assess for any signs of disease. If your gums are bleeding when you brush or floss, that’s a good sign you are due for a checkup. Early detection and treatment of gum disease is the best way to prevent serious outcomes like tooth loss.
If you have questions about your gum health or need to schedule your next appointment, please give us a call at 207.781.5900, we’re here to help!
Feb 1, 2025
We made it to February and to National Children’s Dental Health Month! This month-long observance is all about helping kids develop good oral health habits, something we are passionate about at FDA. What’s at the center of every oral care routine? Brushing! Here are 3 tips from our team to get your kids to brush twice a day, every day!
Kids love to have fun! Why not bring some fun to brushing time! There are lots of silly songs that will get your kids smiling as they brush. Playing a song that your child can brush along with can also help them brush for the full two minutes…a big win! Another fun trick – have your kid wear sunglasses while they brush – everyone looks cool in sunglasses! Also, there are tons of toothbrushes featuring fun colors and your kids’ favorite cartoon characters that can help get your kids excited, too. Find what makes it silly and fun for your family!
Use your imagination and find some creative ways to inspire your kids to brush. Perhaps brushing is a game of zapping all the “bad guys,” aka cavity-causing bacteria, in their mouths. Or maybe your child is a crocodile with a lot of teeth to brush! There are so many creative ways to engage your kids at brushing time! Plus, when they have a positive association with their oral brush, you’re building healthy habits for life!
As parents, you are your kids’ best teacher and example. Next time they have to brush their teeth, do it alongside them! They will watch you and learn from the master! Showing your kids how you brush and floss each day will surely inspire them!
Whenever you have questions or concerns about your children’s oral health, please don’t hesitate to call us at 207.781.5900! Our team of hygienists love to educate kids and help them set up their oral health care routines! We’re your partner in oral health and in keeping your kids smiling!
Dec 1, 2024
At FDA, we love electric toothbrushes for both our patients and for ourselves! We are here to help our patients reach their oral health goals and we often advise on home care routines. After all, brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes is an essential part of your oral health care regimen! You can supercharge your oral hygiene by going electric! Here are three reasons why we love electric toothbrushes:
⚡They Attack Plaque⚡
Studies show that electric toothbrushes do a superior job of cleaning your teeth and removing plaque than a manual toothbrush. With electricity powering the toothbrush head at high speeds – like 1,000 strokes a minute – electric toothbrushes are simply able to move faster than your hand alone. This means fewer cavities and a reduced risk of gum disease. Plus, many electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer which will help you brush for the entire recommended two minutes. In other words, attack that plaque!
⚡ They Improve Gum Health ⚡
As mentioned above, electric toothbrushes are amazing at removing plaque on your teeth. Plaque not only causes cavities, it can also irritate your gums and lead to gingivitis and gum disease. So less plaque means healthier gums! Also, while electric toothbrushes move at high speeds, they have soft bristles and are gentle on your teeth and gums, which is a better way to support their health. In other words, give those gums an electric massage!
⚡ They Are Easier to Use ⚡
For folks with limited dexterity or mobility issues, electric toothbrushes are much easier to use than manual toothbrushes. The toothbrush does all the hard work for you! You can often reach places a manual toothbrush wouldn’t reach and brush for longer without your arm getting tired. In other words, brushing can be a breeze!
What are you waiting for? Give your oral care a boost with an electric toothbrush! You and the FDA team will notice a difference in your oral health at your next checkup! If you have questions about how to brush or need to schedule your next appointment, please give us a call at 207.781.5900. We are your partner in oral health and here to help you!
