CEOMOM Fall 2020

Photo Credit: Marcus Owens Photography
years of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery residency at Meharry Medical
College and Nashville General Hospital. That was the best decision
ever! In fact, my Air Force experience was highly beneficial in my
acceptance into the program.
Tell us about your practice, About Face Oral & Facial Surgery. What
separates About Face from competitors?
About Face is a military term meaning to turn around. My thought
process for About Face is both literal and figurative, I transform faces
through surgery, thus, transforming lives. I help people reach their
esthetic goals, which helps to improve their confidence and also their
livelihood in many ways. If patients are experiencing discomfort, I try
to alleviate their pain. Many people suffer from infections, decayed
teeth, and dental pain, which need immediate treatment, or the
problem worsens. Our office utilizes advanced and innovative
technology through digital planning of surgical procedures. We have a
3D CT scanner, that can digitally scan the mouth (instead of gooey
alginate in the mouth), and also have 3D printers to plan complex
implant cases. We also offer virtual consultations and pride ourselves
in providing quality service for our patients, and always have short
wait times because we do not double book. I like to take time during
my consultation to get to know patients and I take the time to
thoroughly discuss their surgery plan so that they are well aware of all
risks, benefits, and complications of surgery.
My husband, George, a University of Alabama graduate (Roll tide!), is
our office manager, and understands the business side and
administrative portion of our business, which takes so much stress off
of me. He spends time with patients discussing their insurance
benefits, and how we can maximize their benefits and develop an
affordable plan for them. You won't get top notch care in a family
atmosphere anywhere else!
You often speak about the importance of dental health in
maintaining overall wellness. What role does dental health play
in complete wellness?
Your dental health is definitely related to the overall health and
wellness of your body. The mouth is a window into the health of
the body. It can show signs of nutritional deficiencies or general
infection. It is scientifically proven that there is a link between
periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease as well as preterm
or low birth weight babies in pregnant women. It’s very
important for pregnant women to take even better care of their
teeth and gums than average because hormonal changes can
exaggerate dental issues. Therefore, given the potential link
between periodontitis and systemic health problems, prevention
may be an important step in maintaining overall health.
It’s important to brush your teeth twice a day for 2-3 minutes
and floss at least once a day. Eat a balanced diet and limit
snacking throughout the day because those carbs that we love
turn into sugar, and reap havoc not only on our waistline, but,
can also cause tooth decay and periodontal disease. This is why
it’s so important to schedule dental exams with x-rays and a
cleaning twice a year. People with periodontal (gum) disease
even have to get deep cleanings even more frequently like 3-4
times a year.