Approximately six million Canadians avoid visiting the dentist every year because of cost. If you do not have insurance or recently lost your coverage and are looking for options to continue you or your family’s dental care, Edmonton has some great resources.

Children Dental Care

• The SHINE Dental Clinic is a student run organization established through the U of A. This organization provides dental care for youth at no cost. Our own Dr. Yeung volunteered at SHINE while he was in dental school.
• U of A Orthodontic Clinic is also a good lower cost option for kids who need braces and may not have coverage or limited orthodontic coverage under their parents insurance.
• NAIT’s Dental Assisting program provides teeth cleaning and fluoride application to kids and teens for a discounted price.

Adult Dental Care

• The Boyle McCauley Health Centre offers dental care to adults who may have difficulties accessing a dental office. They provide treatment for those suffering with mental illnesses, addictions, social barriers, and financial hardships.
• NAIT’s Denturist Technology program provides dentures for patients at a lower rate. All services are provided by the students, under the supervision of a registered practitioner.
• U of A School of Dentistry takes certain patients depending on the schools educational needs for treatment. They teach in their clinics, so it is important to understand that dental care is delivered in an educational setting with faculty supervision.

All these clinics work limited hours and have some requirements prior to becoming patients. But they are great options to be able to continue to get dental care when cost is a factor.

At Sherwood Dental we believe in making dental care as accessible as possible for our patients. We offer payment plans for those without insurance and direct billing for those who wish to not pay up-front. We also accept assistance programs like Non-Insured Heath Benefits, ADSC and IFHP Refugee program. Give us a call if you have any questions regarding fees and how we can help if you're going through a financial transition.

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Your smile is one of the most valuable natural assets that you have. Smiling plays a huge part in our social interactions. It can make people feel good, offer comfort, and even reduce stress.

Sometimes we don't feel confident in our teeth and smile, we hide it behind our hands or simply don't smile at all. Although you may not realize it, this can negatively impact your mental health.

Each time you smile your brain feels really happy, and it improves your emotional state.

Smiling activates the release of feel-good-messengers that work towards fighting stress. When a smile flashes across your face; dopamine, endorphins and serotonin are all released into your bloodstream, making not only your body relax but also work to lower your heart rate and blood pressure.

Serotonin release can reduce stress, and dopamine increases our feeling of happiness. Low levels of both these hormones in your body can be associated with depression and aggression.

In other words, smiling can trick your brain into believing you’re happy which can then spur actual feelings of happiness.

We believe that all smiles are unique and beautiful. You do not need to have the "perfect Hollywood mouth" to be confident smiling. To us a healthy smile is a perfect smile.

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For over the past 25 years your visit to Sherwood Dental may have included a hygiene appointment with two of our hygiene superstars. Even if you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing them, I am sure you have heard them around the clinic. Their infectious laughs and personalities have brightened not only our patient’s days but the staffs as well. We are so happy to be able to celebrate with them as they move on to the next chapter…retirement. Although we will miss seeing their smiles around the office we are so grateful that they have been a part of our lives at Sherwood Dental.

Jan’s career as a Registered Dental Hygienist began when she graduated from the University of Alberta in 1973. She began working at Sherwood Dental 31 years ago! Jan was able to build a strong and loyal relationship with many of the patients she saw, many whom have seen her since she started. She built her life in Sherwood Park raising her two children, and now cherishing her two granddaughters. You may have seen her around at yoga, the pool, walking, or volunteering at her church. This past November she fractured her arm and was off for two months, then came back working half days earlier this year. Since her injury she has been suffering with radial nerve problems and had to make the hard decision of retiring.

Lisa’s career began in Saskatchewan in 1981 as a Dental Therapist treating children in the Saskatchewan Dental Plan. A move to Sherwood Park in 1988, prompted her to return to school so she could work as a Registered Dental Hygienist in Alberta. Throughout her career she has worked in private practice, and as a clinical instructor at the University of Alberta, and NAIT. We are lucky that most of her clinical practice was spent here at Sherwood Dental, where she worked part time for 26 years. This allowed her the chance to enjoy both a career and family, raising two active boys with her husband Pat.

Jan and Lisa couldn’t leave without saying one last thing about their time at Sherwood Dental, and about their retirement.

“I was very reluctant to retire because I love all my patients and look forward to their visits two or more times a year. I am very sad to leave all the dentists and staff. Love you all!” - Jan

“I will miss all the staff and patients at Sherwood Dental. You have allowed me into your mouths but also your lives.  I consider all of you friends, and will miss you all. After 36 years in dentistry, I am looking forward to retirement and spending time with family and friends and of course chilling at the lake.” – Lisa

As bittersweet as retirement is, we could not be happier for Jan and Lisa. These ladies are more than just hygienists, they are role models, therapists (at times), trailblazers, friends, and family.

Thank you Jan and Lisa for your dedication, hard work, and friendship.

The post Celebrating Jan and Lisa’s Retirement appeared first on Sherwood Dental.

On behalf of all of us at Sherwood Park Dental, we’d like to wish our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Holiday Hours:

December 24, 25 & 26: Closed
December 27: Open 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
December 28: Open 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
December 29: Open 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
December 30: Closed

Alberta Suggested Fee Guide for 2018

You may have heard news about proposed legislation from the Government of Alberta regarding the dental industry in our province. We’re pleased to report that after reviewing the government’s list of recommendations, Sherwood Dental is very closely aligned with the guidelines that they have proposed. If you would like more information about the recommendations, visit Dental Health Alberta).

Oh Baby are we ever excited for Dr. Pestova

We would like to officially announce that our family is growing, more specifically Dr. Pestova’s family is growing. Dr. Pestova is expecting this March and will be on maternity leave. While she is away, our family of doctors will be helping her patients with their checkups and treatments.

The post May Your Holidays Be Full of Smiles appeared first on Sherwood Dental.

Building Community. Growing Hope. Supporting Change.

The Mustard Seed is building community right here in our area, and Sherwood Dental was privileged to lend a hand!

The Mustard Seed is providing emergency shelter, food, clothing, hot showers, hygiene supplies and acceptance to those experiencing poverty. But making a real difference in the lives of individuals involves more than providing essential services and basic needs. They are also working to help individuals find sustainable housing and employment so that they will be able to move on and begin rebuilding their lives.

Evening meals are served Monday through Saturday to individuals and their families. Our Sherwood Dental group helped prepare and serve one of those evening meals to over 250+ people Monday, February 8, 2016! It was epic and so rewarding!

Here's what our business coordinator had to say about it:

Our Team really enjoyed volunteering @The Mustard Seed for the evening. We came with a group of twelve people from our office and met at their church location to serve a dinner meal. We met with Judy who was really organized and efficient in quickly getting our team to cook the meal and prep for serving over 250 people. The hot meal was complete with meatballs, rice, mixed vegetables, dessert, salad & buns. One team member prayed to bless the meal and then each person was served. Each team member had a job to do and two people acted as runners to keep the food coming! When the community all had their meals, the team was encouraged to take a plate and eat with the community. We all really felt this was an amazing opportunity and realized what a blessing this night was. We'd love to do it again! ~ Angela

The Mustard Seed's essential services are only available because of people like you, people like us. Consider taking action and lending a hand in building community in our area.  Partner with The Mustard Seed today!

Thanks to The Mustard Seed for building community. Thank you for growing hope. Thank you for supporting change! Sherwood Dental is privileged to have been a part of all that you do for others and the heart you share in our community.

The Mustard Seed | 10635-96 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5H | (780) 426-5600 | http://theseed.ca/

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