It’s October! What does this autumn month mean to you? For people in the northern part of the country, October is when the weather starts to get a little chilly; the warmer sweaters and jackets come out of storage and the summer clothing gets packed away until next year. You find ways to enjoy the cooler days and nights, and the beautiful, colorful fall foliage. You start making plans for the upcoming busy season of holidays. October means something a little different to our team at Horner Barrow Orthodontics because it is National Orthodontic Health Month. During October, orthodontic practices all over the country work together to promote their services and inform their local communities about the important work we do.
National Orthodontic Health Month is a health awareness campaign created cooperatively by orthodontists and other dental health professionals. During this month, we make a special effort to promote dental health and orthodontic health in particular. It is a really good time to get your questions answered by dental professionals in your community and to learn more about exactly what an orthodontist can do for you and your family. Events held in connection with National Orthodontic Health Month are also an opportunity for us (orthodontists) to come out and meet community members. If you have never been to an orthodontist before, you might not know what to expect. Meeting your orthodontist in person before your first checkup is a great way to find out what kind of person you’ll be seeing during your appointment.
Meeting Dr. Horner or Dr. Barrow in a relaxed “meet and greet” atmosphere can be especially helpful for any young orthodontic patients in your family. Kids of all ages (and their parents, as well) can feel anxious about going to the orthodontist. Getting to know the person you have an appointment with can make the experience a lot less stressful for everyone. Just meeting and talking with the orthodontist you’ll be seeing may be enough to put you more at ease about your upcoming appointment.
Dental health is something that affects everyone; healthy teeth and gums contribute to a healthy smile and a lifetime of comfort and well-being. Orthodontists are just one of the various dental practitioners you could visit at some point in your life, so taking a little time to learn who we are and what we do is certain to be a helpful experience. We look forward to seeing you and your family this October in our Sioux Falls, SD office!