HealthLink Dental Winter/Spring 2021 Newsletter

Ask a Dentist!
Jessica Scordamaglia, DDS
attended the Kornberg School of Dentistry at Temple University.
She is currently a dentist at Dental Excellence of Hatfield and is
the President of the Montgomery Bucks Dental Society.
Meet HealthLink’s
New Board President
HealthLink is pleased to announce that Rick James has stepped into the role of
President of the Board of Directors! As he takes over the helm from Dr. Bernard
Dishler, a dedicated leader who spent the past six years in that leadership position,
we invite you to learn a little more about Rick.
Q: Is it safe to go to the dentist
right now?
A: That’s a great question! As always
you should feel very safe seeing your dentist.
Dentists have continued to use infection
control and sterilization techniques and to
wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
that are mandated by the State Board of
Dentistry since before the pandemic started.
After COVID-19 became our new reality, PPE
use has been upped to include respirator N95
masks and other protective gear or equipment
such as disposable gowns, face shields, and air
purifiers. This helps to keep both you and your
dentist’s office safe. Also know that dentists
and their dental team are required to take
continuing education that helps them stay up
to date on the latest protocols. In addition,
if your dentist is a member of the ADA you
can be sure that they are getting direct and
continual access to the latest research, data,
and guidelines available.
Q: With all the other current
health concerns due to the
pandemic, is it important
to go to the dentist for
non-urgent appointments
such as cleanings?
A: Many patients have avoided seeing the
dentist for routine care but I strongly advise
against this. It is recommended to continue
seeing your dentist for preventative care and
to keep your appointments including cleanings
up to date. Not doing so could result in serious
issues such as periodontal disease or dental
infection going unseen that may require an
emergency appointment that will cost you
extra time, headache, and cost that no one
needs or wants during a pandemic. Lastly,
if you still have any concerns, I advise that
you contact your dental office directly so that
they may help answer any questions you may
have.
HealthLink Dental Clinic is proud to partner with the Mongomery Bucks Dental Society to provide
education and resources to dental professionals and the community as a whole. If you have a question
you’d like answered by a dentist, please email it to jsalisbury@healthlinkdental.org. Your questions
may appear in our newsletters, social media posts, and on our website but we won’t post your name
(unless you want us to)!
SAFETY is
HealthLink’s
#1
Priority!
The environment has changed for dental offices, but at
HealthLink Dental Clinic we take every precaution to keep our volunteers,
patients, and staff healthy and safe during dental appointments:
New extraoral suction machines
and HEPA air filters are in every
operatory to remove aerosols.
Patients are screened for symptoms
and exposure before their
appointment and immediately
before entering the clinic.
The clinic has a sufficient inventory
of enhanced PPE.
The number of people in the clinic
at any time is limited.
Increased sanitizing and disinfecting
takes place after every appointment
and throughout the day.
Q: How did you first
get involved at the
HealthLink?
A: I was leaving the corporate
world and was looking for a way to
get more involved in the community
and saw that HealthLink was seeking
a volunteer for the Board’s finance
committee. Based on my experience
in finance at Aetna and Prudential I
believed I could be of assistance.
Q: Why do you volunteer at
the HealthLink?
A: It is a known fact that oral
health can have a significant impact
on a person’s overall health, so it’s a
good feeling to know our free services
help those less fortunate in our
community in many ways.
Q: How has volunteer
work had an impact
on your life?
A: Beyond the good feeling of
helping others I feel you learn to
appreciate more the good things in
your own life.
Q: What advice would
you give to those
considering volunteering
their time or donating a
gift to the clinic?
A: There’s no time like the
present!
Q: What are you most
excited about as you
step into the role of
board president?
A: The opportunity to increase
the community’s awareness of the
services and value we offer and
to increase the number of people
we assist.
Q: What has surprised you
most about working
with HealthLink?
A: As HealthLink enters its
20th year of service it was great to
find that we have delivered close to
30,000 free appointments worth
more than $5 million of care!
Q: What do you do when
you’re not volunteering?
A: I enjoy cycling and the history
of our area which led me to start a
bike tour business (Encore Rides)
that combines both of these on rides
through Bucks and Hunterdon
Counties.
Q: What is a fun fact
about yourself?
A: Based on my name, many
people are expecting to see the “super
freak”, punk rock singer from the
1960s and 70s.
If you have an interest
in volunteering at
HealthLink and becoming
a member of one of the
various board committees
or would like to be
considered for a seat on
the Board of Directors,
please contact Raquel
Braemer at (267) 699-
0122 or rbraemer@
healthlinkdental.org.
6 FEBRUARY 2021 : healthlinkdental.org healthlinkdental.org : FEBRUARY 2021 7