Thank You. The Annual Patient Christmas Party Was A Smash!

Thanks to everyone who was able to attend the party on Saturday. It was our best party ever.

We also want to say THANK YOU to all the patients who donated to TOYS FOR TOTS and HOPE LODGE. Our lobby is full of donations!

We so appreciate you all coming out and we hope that you enjoyed the party.

Happy Holidays,

Dr Prior & Staff

Pearly Whites for Christmas

Do you want beautiful, white teeth for Christmas? One way is to use pearls but our patients have been very happy with our approach. Call today for a free consultation with Dr. Prior and find out how we can give you a “white Christmas”. Call (727) 796-1713 today for an appointment.

Give The Gift of a Lifetime by Celebrating the Season with an Unforgetable Smile!

This time of year brings out the best in us, and now you can bring out the best in yourself or a loved one with the gift of a straight, beautiful smile with Invisalign. Have the smile of your dreams. Just call our office today at and we’ll evaluate your smile at a no-charge Invisalign consultation.

Holiday Party! December 11 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Save the Date!

Prior Cosmetic and Family Dentistry presents our Annual Holiday Patient Appreciation Party!

Please join us as we celebrate the season with our friends, family and patients.

There will be food, prizes, live music and a very special guest!

Bring your friends and family. Please RSVP by calling 727-796-1713 by December 3, 2010.

The party will take place on Saturday, December 11 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at Prior Cosmetic and Family Dentistry: 2467 Enterprise Rd., Suite F, Clearwater, FL 33763

While not mandatory, we are asking everyone to bring an unwrapped gift for our “Toys for Tots” drive or a paper paper product donation for Hope Lodge.

You’re About to LOSE Your Dental Insurance Benefits

When December 31 rolls around this year there are three New Years Eve traditions you can count on:

Gorgeous fireworks will light up the sky to welcome the brand new year.

A glittering ball will drop in Times Square to the applause of a cold but enthusiastic crowd.

Millions of dollars in dental benefits will vanish – straight into the pockets of the insurance companies.

If that last “tradition” sounds more like a disaster than a celebration, you’re right. But it happens year after year – and that means people like you are literally wasting hundreds of dollars in benefits you’ve earned.

The Invisible Trap

It’s not a plot by the insurance companies. They make it clear in the information that comes with your plan that your insurance runs for a calendar year and has an annual benefit.

Unfortunately, though, they don’t bend over backwards to remind you to use your benefits before the calendar year ends or you lose them when the clock strikes midnight on New Years Eve.

Those benefits are yours – whether you paid for them yourself or got them through work (probably in lieu of a bigger paycheck). And watching them go down the drain is a pretty depressing way to start the New Year.

You’re Not Alone

You’d be amazed how often that happens, though – even to people who watch their investments carefully and drive across town for a bargain.

One big reason is that folks don’t think about the difference between health insurance and dental insurance.

• Health insurance protects you from the high cost of treatment for serious illness. As you buy it you cross your fingers and hope you’ll never use it.
• Dental insurance covers a big part of the cost of preventive and routine care – things like exams, cleanings and some of the cost of treating cavities – along with part of the cost of more complex treatment.

Plan to Save

When you take full advantage of your dental insurance, your benefits let you get most of your preventive care at a fraction of the cost. PLUS, that preventive care can actually keep you from needing more extensive (and EXPENSIVE) care down the road.

If you DO need more extensive dental care, you and I may be able to come up with a plan of action that lets you take full advantage of your benefits by doing some work this year (while you have benefits just waiting to be used) and after January 1.

Act Now

To make sure your benefits don’t go to waste, though, you need to act fast, because you aren’t the only one looking to have work done while your insurance will pay for a large part of it.

Every year there’s an end of year rush for appointments at our office – and some folks lose out and end up watching their unused benefits (often as much as $800 worth of benefits or MORE) go down the drain.

I hate to see that happen – which is why I’m reminding you now, in October, while there’s still time to make the most of your hard-earned benefits.
Call today to schedule an appointment so we can USE your benefits to protect your health, your budget and your smile.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is breast cancer awareness month.

At Prior Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we have many patients, friends and family who have been affected by this deadly disease.

This year, we are joining forces with the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure in an effort to stop the devastation of this disease. The following are some quick facts about the Breast Cancer and some ways to help reduce your risk. [Read more]

Clearwater Dentist Talks About Oral Cancer and the Importance of Early Detection

According to the American Dental Association, there is recent good news about progress against cancer. It is now easier than ever to detect oral cancer early, when the opportunity for a cure is great. Currently only half of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer survive more than five years.

Our practice has the skills and tools to ensure that early signs of cancer and pre-cancerous conditions are identified. We can help you fight and win the battle against oral cancer. Know the early signs and see your dentist regularly.

You Should Know:

• Oral cancer often starts as a tiny, unnoticed white or red spot or sore anywhere in the mouth.
• It can affect any area of the oral cavity including the lips, gum tissue, check lining, tongue and the hard or soft palate.

Other Signs Include:

• A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
• A color change of the oral tissues
• A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area
• Pain, tenderness, or numbness in the mouth or on the lips
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the jaw or tongue
• A change in the way the teeth fit together

Regular Dental Check-ups Important

Regular dental check-ups, including an examination of the entire mouth, are essential in the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions. You may have a very small, but dangerous, oral spot or sore and not be aware of it.

Request an appointment or call our office at (727) 796-1713 to schedule a personal consultation.

Sincerely,

Prior Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
(727) 796-1713

Kelly, Dental Hygienist

Kelly is a life-long resident of Dunedin. Her family owns a three-generation business. Kelly graduated from the University of Florida in Tallahassee. Her Mom was a Dental Assistant and that’s how she became interested in Dentistry. She has been with us for several years, loves her dogs, Emma and Daisy and loves to travel.

Ever noticed that a bright, natural smile catches your attention?

Let’s face it … one of the first things you notice about people is their smile. When you meet someone with a bright, natural smile, it catches your attention. However, over time, the natural aging process and your lifestyle (coffee, tea, wine, smoking) can stain your teeth. To get your smile back to looking its best, you should choose a whitening method that:

• Helps you look and feel younger, more attractive and more confident
• Achieves the longest-lasting results
• Gives you the most naturally brilliant and uniform look
• Is clinically proven to be safe and effective and administered by a dental professional

Request an appointment or call our office at (727) 796-1713 to schedule a personal consultation during your next visit.

Sincerely,

Prior Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
(727) 796-1713

Periodontal (Gum) Disease

Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. The word periodontal literally means ‘around the tooth’. Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth.

Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) cause the gums to become inflamed.

You may be at risk of gum disease if you answer yes to any of the following questions:

Do your gums ever bleed?
Are your teeth loose?
Have your gums receded, or do your teeth look longer?
Do you smoke or use tobacco products?
Have you had any adult teeth extracted?
Has it been more than 2 years since seeing a dentist?
Have any of your family members had gum disease?
In the mildest form of the disease, gingivitis, the gums redden, swell and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care.

Request an appointment or call our office at 727-796-1713 to schedule a personal consultation during your next visit.

Sincerely,
Prior Cosmetic & Family Dentistry

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