Get the most from your dental insurance

By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times Like anything in life, if you want to get the most out of something you need to know how it works. People fortunate enough to have dental insurance should take the time to know what their policy covers and what it’s limitations are. Never assume your dental office’s business staff knows everything. Every employer group negotiates their own...

Your body language may say more than anything

You can say a lot even when you’re not speaking By Nancy Plummer, Columnist, The Times Have you ever wondered what your body language is telling the world? Research tells us that 93% of all our communication is non-verbal, and that most of our non-verbal communication is through our posture, gestures and facial expressions. As I warn my clients, even as they are walking into a restaurant, they...

The meaning of mindfulness in the work place

Tips to find and keep calm, even when stress threatens to overwhelm you By Nancy Plummer, Columnist, The Times Work is stressful for all of us. But how is it that we all seem to have that one colleague who’s always able to stay calm, even during the most challenging days? Chances are they’re practicing mindfulness. So, what is mindfulness, and how does it help in the workplace? Mindfulness has...

Brushing up on the history of the toothbrush

From the simple to the blinged-out wild, 5,000 years of dental health By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times The toothbrush we know today has come a long way since it’s humble beginnings. The earliest toothbrushes were used by the Babylonians and Egyptians around 3500 BC. It was more of a tooth cleaning stick than a brush as we know it.  Small branches of the olive, sassafras or...

Staying friends after the breakup

It might be hard, but it pays dividends in the long run By Nancy Plummer, Columnist, The Times Breaking up is hard enough. The physical, financial, and emotional pain can be unbearable. Yet, what we somehow fail to talk about, and what can be one of the most awkward aspects of a breakup, is what to do about your mutual friends. You and your ex have probably made a lot of friends together. Even if...

New job? Communication might be your key skill

Find out how to fit in, work well with others to make your career take off By Nancy Plummer, Columnist, The Times Here’s what getting a new job looks like these days: bosses are working in different time zones so communication is challenging, departments are being down-sized so the workload is twice what it was, and everyone is talking about being a team player. It’s no wonder people are so worried...

On Your Table: Nothing says Fathers Day like a great burger

Keep it simple for a grilled taste treat By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent, The Times  Show Dad some love on Father’s Day with grilled burgers.  They don’t need to be beef by the way, but with a few easy tips and techniques, anyone can grill perfect burgers in honor of Dad’s big day. If you decide to make beef burgers, the key to making great steakhouse-style burgers at home is...

Is it a good deal or insurance fraud?

Channel 6 ‘consumer’ report may be encouraging patients, dentists to break the law By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times This week while walking by the television in my reception room, I was stopped by a consumer piece on Channel 6 (WPVI) Action News “What’s the Deal?” The segment, by reporter Nydia Han was about finding the best quality dentists with the...

In the blame game, everyone loses

At the end of the day, only you can make yourself happy By Nancy Plummer, Columnist, The Times I had a client come to me, bitter, angry, and practically frothing at the mouth as she raged on about how her ex-husband had destroyed her life and the lives of her children. When I asked her how long ago they were divorced, she answered boldly, “5 years.” All of us at some time in our lives have blamed...

On Your Table: Farmers Markets in your area

Fresh is best and you can enjoy from local farms — find your local event By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent, The Times Despite the gloom of this past week or two, summer is arriving across the area and with it the lush produce offered at local farmers markets. We welcome the fresh foods of the new season.  And we are not alone.  Across the country, the number of U.S. farmers markets has...