Recent News & Events
Posted September 27, 2011:Our commitment to you- Our dental family...
Our Commitment to You
Our office is committed to providing you with the highest level of Dental Care; helping you keep your teeth for a lifetime. Our treatment protocols evolve as new research in Dentistry emerges and offers better treatment and better results.
Our office has always been on the leading edge of non-surgical treatment of Periodontal (Gum) problems. The most recent Periodontal research shows that the presence of Periodontal bacteria in your mouth increases your risk for heart attack, stroke and pancreatic cancer. If you are pregnant, Periodontal bacteria can contribute to low birth weight.
If you experience bleeding gums, bad taste, or bad breath, you may be putting your health at risk. Our newest Periodontal protocols allow us, in partnership with you, to conrol and or eliminate the bad "bugs," and keep you as healthy as possible. Using our state of the art diagnostic and treatment equipment, we can customize a treatment plan unique to your situation and resulting in healthier gums and a healthier you.
If you exhibit any of the symptoms described above or have any concerns about the status of your gums, please don't hesitate to call our office for further consultation.
Posted September 23, 2011:Giving back...
On Sept. 23, 2011 Dr. Darling and his assistant Michelle spent a wonderful morning volunteering with the Tooth Taxi at a transitional school in North Portland. For more information on the Tooth Taxi and its services..read on.
The Tooth Taxi is a state-of-the-art dental office on wheels, with two operatory units and a waiting area. It provides free dental care and oral health education to uninsured and under-served children in schools throughout Oregon.
A direct service project, the Tooth Taxi was started in 2008 in response to the growing oral health crisis in Oregon. It was created through a unique partnership and with the generous support of OEA Choice Trust and ODS Health. It is a statewide program that will help over 3,000 school children each year and provide close to one million dollars in free dental care annually.
Unlike most dental vans, the Tooth Taxi has a full-time dentist and staff, and it spends up to a week at a school providing screenings, cleanings, sealants, X-rays, fillings, minor oral surgery and oral health education for Oregon’s neediest children. This extra time in the community allows for comprehensive treatment of the most serious cases, and gives local dental volunteers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
The Tooth Taxi is fueled by donations from foundations, corporations and individuals, and supported by volunteers from the dental community and local schools that help identify children in need and work with Tooth Taxi staff.
Posted April 20, 2011:Now offering two salivary DNA tests to fight periodontal disease!
One of the most significant advances in dental medicine, a simple DNA test, can now determine the specific type and quantity of disease-causing bacteria in your mouth! These bacteria, if left untreated, can cause periodontal disease, tooth loss, and also affect your risk for developing other systemic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes (among others).
This exciting new test is for anyone with or without symptoms of gingivitis or periodontal disease. These symptoms include: bleeding gums, badbreath, red or inflamed gums, or loss of bone around your teeth. Other indications for this test would be prior to extensive dental procedures and in some cases, surgical clearance(such as heart surgery or joint replacements).
This gentle oral rinse procedure is performed by swishing a small amount of sterile saline throughout the mouth and can be done in about 30 seconds. The sample is then sent to OralDNA Labs, Inc. (www.OralDNA.com) for processing.
The lab report that we get back will identify the bacteria associated with the periodontal infection and allow us to develop a far more powerful and effective treatment plan. Through this state-of-art technology, we are now able to treat the cause of the infection and not just the symptoms. The goal of therapy then becomes to reduce your overall bacterial risk for disease progression. As with most diseases,earlier treatment and targeted treatment can help stop periodontal disease before irreversible damage occurs.
In addition to this bacterial DNA test, we can also offer you a genetic susceptibility test that will tell us if your genetic makeup puts you at greater risk for developing gum tissue infections(due to an exaggerated immune response). This will further enable us to optimize your therapy and recare program.
If you or a loved one is in need of either of these tests, please call 503.266.5837 or email us at office@darlingsmiles.com for more information. It is our mission to offer you the most cutting edge, comprehensive oral-systemic healthcare available.
Posted July 14, 2010:Smile Reminders- A New Way to Stay Connected!
We are making it more convenient for you to communicate with our practice!
We will now be sending appointment reminders via email, text messages to your cell phone, pager, or PDA. Please provide us with your current information and have one less phone call to answer!
When you receive a message by e-mail, click the icon provided for confirmation. Confirm as soon as you receive the message, and you're done! The other messages will simply be reminders.
You can also contact us at office@darlingsmiles.com with your questions or appointment needs.
We look forward to meeting all of your dental needs!
Posted July 14, 2010:Dr. Darling Volunteering to Help Children
Dr. Darling will be volunteering in Salem on Friday July 23rd on the Tooth Taxi. They are a volunteer program who provide services to low income kids who otherwise would not be getting dental care they so desperately need.
Posted May 3, 2010:Welcome to Our New Website!
Dr. Darling would like to welcome you to his new practice website - DarlingSmiles.com.
Please take a moment to look around and see what Dr. Darling's unique practice can offer you today!