The Secret

It's no secret: What you think about, you bring about.

The reason the 2007 book/movie is titled,"The Secret", is because throughout history there have been people with  a special, certain knowledge who controlled all the wealth, had all the power; and the unlocking of this information would enable access to the riches of the Universe.


Got you hooked? Well, quite a few other people felt the same way. Currently, there are 21 million copies in print! As I said, this is no secret.

This bit is copied straight from Wikipedia:

Explanation of the Law of Attraction

The Secret describes the law of attraction as a natural law that determines the complete order of the universe and of our personal lives through the process of “like attracts like.” That is, as we think and feel, a corresponding frequency is sent out into the universe that attracts back to us events and circumstances on that same frequency. For example, if you think angry thoughts and feel angry, you will attract back events and circumstances that cause you to feel more anger. Likewise, if you think and feel positively, you will attract back positive events and circumstances. The Secret states that desirable outcomes such as health, wealth, and happiness can be attracted simply by changing one’s thoughts and feelings. For example, if a person wanted a new car, by thinking about the new car and having positive feelings about the car, the law of attraction would rearrange events to make it possible for the car to manifest in the person’s life.

Well guys, it ain't that easy - nothing ever is. (although if you think "easy", maybe it will!)

Thinking in the positive is the key. Negative thoughts will bring the negative outcome. For example, if one were to think, "I DON'T want to be fat" - you will likely get fat. Rephrase the thought as, "I WILL be skinny" - you are more likely to become skinny. Get it?

Also if it was really that simple, methinks we would have millions more Lotto winners.

Guys, I'm not saying this "Secret" is all you need in life. I tell you though, it sure beats the alternative. Think negative? Just not in my DNA. Don't think anything, just go with the flow? Not a chance; doesn't everyone want some control over their lives?

As this is my dental blog, I'll give you two examples of how the Law of Attraction works in my dental practice.

Every time I take a continuing education course in something, I immediately do more of this particular kind of work. For example, I take an implant course, I start seeing more implant patients within days. I did a course on lasers earlier in the year, and suddenly, I'm Luke Skywalker in the surgery!

For July 31 of this year, I had set a goal for our office to complete a certain number of Six Month Smile braces patients. If attained, I would send the team over to Los Angeles for continuing education, later in the year. With a week to go, the goal was looking distant. On Friday, July 29, the team completed four patients in braces. On this last working day of July, we had exceeded our goal by one patient! LA, here we come!

The secret here, was not just thinking about how to attain the goal. I actually visualised the team, on location, in Los Angeles. I could actually see them, checking into their hotel; registering for the seminar; taking notes; sharing meals.

It works, try it for yourself.

From the book, "The Secret":

"You create your own universe as you go along."

What's a Six Month Smile?

Being a dental blog, I guess we should talk some dentistry once in a while.

Straight teeth - in about six months. Interested? Read on...

Some of you know I participate in dental forums, on the Internet. Well almost two years ago, the guys on the forum started talking about a short-term orthodontics concept. This means straightening teeth within a relatively short time frame. How short? This way of moving teeth was called, "Six Month Smiles"; meaning patients would only have the treatment for around about six months. Hmmm, let's see what we have here...

I don't think many days go by without a patient wishing their teeth were straighter. It could be one tooth on the lower front; it could be the whole mouth; there's always someone! The solution was simple - for me at least - direct patient to our local friendly specialist orthodontist.

Not so simple for our patients.

What if, this person with crooked teeth was the fourth child in the family who needed braces. At around $6500 per child, we're up to $26,000!!!

What if, this person with only ONE TOOTH being twisted, was told by the specialist that TWO YEARS in braces was needed to correct it.

What if, this person was looking into the amazing Invisalign system for straightening teeth, only to be shocked at the $9000 price tag.

These people would all come back to me with no treatment, no satisfaction. No smile.

There had to be a way.

So I travel all the way to San Francisco for two days for intensive training in the Six Month Smiles system. Later, I travel all the way to Rochester, New York for further training - I guess I'm a slow learner!

From March 2010, DJ Lee - Dentist is doing this. WHAT IS SIX MONTH SMILES?

• Clear braces; white wire
• Time - approximately six months
• Cost (as @ July 2011) - $4000
• Result - straight teeth; new smile.

We are not here to move the Earth. We just wanna move your teeth to nice new smile!

Here's my wife, Kathleen, with the braces on:

Think you can handle that look?

The photo was taken @ Christmas 2010. The braces came off in April 2011. Total treatment time in braces - 6 months.

And we are done.

For more photos before and after the Six Month Smile braces, check out our smile gallery on our website:
http://www.myhillsdentist.com/smile_gallery_baulkham_hills_nsw.html

And check out our special offer on straightening your teeth:
http://www.myhillsdentist.com/dental_offers_baulkham_hills_nsw.html

For more information on the Six Month Smile system, check out the website:
http://www.6monthsmiles.com/
DJ Lee - Dentist is listed as one of the officially certified providers of the system.

Thanks for reading, catch you next week!

Does the Tooth Fairy exist?

Written by Olivia Lee, age 6
13th July, 2011

 




Olivia came with me to the office on Wednesday. Don't know what it is, but the children seem to enjoy hanging out at the office during school holidays. Maybe it's the hustle and bustle of activity they witness; patients coming and going; assistants doing their thing, always with a spare minute for my children. Or maybe it's the candy that the shopkeepers across the road hand out as gifts. Whatever it is, I enjoy it too, as I can give the kids a hug as I'm passing from room-to-room.


Well, she had a loose tooth - the lower right lateral baby incisor. We're both at the office, it's waving in the breeze, it had to go. The combination of a cotton bud, numbing cream, and a rolling action, popped this one out. Olivia is a cool kid - I love her.


What you see above, is the letter she wrote that evening. If you can't decipher 1st grade artistic writing, it basically says:


"Dear Tooth Fairy; how are you going; can I see you; something about magic dust; how do tooth fairies find the coins; and when do fairies sleep."


So, according to my eldest daughter, Olivia, the Tooth Fairy does exist.


Growing up, I was never big on Santa Claus, or the Easter Bunny. The whole Tooth Fairy thing was killed off when I awoke one morning to see my father dropping a coin into the jar that my tooth was in. No big deal, and I certainly don't have some psyche issue with my father on this one.


Children have something very special. Call it innocence, call it whatever. But if you could see the effort Olivia made to write this letter; how solemn she was, in placing it on her bed head; and the sparkling joy and excitement she had in telling me that the Fairy had left a note for her. You just don't want your children to ever lose this quality.


Enjoy it, cherish it. The written form is in this blog, as long as the Internet is still around.


This is the note that the Tooth Fairy left for Olivia:


" Hi Olivia!


Wow, I didn't think I would be back so soon. Your fifth tooth, means five dollars for you.


I heard you were at the dentist, where you had your tooth taken out. For being such a good girl, I will try and answer your questions.


You asked, "When do Fairies sleep?" When we are tired, of course! This is usually at night; but if any of us have to visit a child at night to collect their tooth, we would have a nap during the day.


There are coins everywhere. You only need to keep your eyes open, and Fairies are very good at finding money. So many people lose money, so make sure you hold on to it.


The magic of Fairies is all around us. From the rainbow in the sky, to the fairy dust you might see. From beautiful flowers, to the smell and taste of your favourite food. Keep believing in Fairies and your life will be full of magic!


Love, 
The Tooth Fairy"

Fun Dental Facts

How much is the Tooth Fairy paying per tooth?
Around $2 per tooth, according to Securian Dental Plans, an insurance provider. (12/05, Money Magazine)

32% of Americans cite bad breath as the least attractive trait of their co-workers.
38.5 total days an average American spends brushing teeth over lifetime.
73% of Americans would rather go grocery shopping than floss.

32% of Americans cite bad breath as the least attractive trait of their co-workers.

60% of people who don't know that a sore jaw, when combined with chest pain, can signal a heart attack-especially in women

38.5 = the total days an average American spends brushing teeth over a lifetime.

73% of Americans would rather go grocery shopping than floss.

Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least six (6) feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush.

A toothpick is the object most often choked on by Americans.

More people use blue toothbrushes than red ones.

Like fingerprints, everyone’s tongue print is different

The average toothbrush contains about 2,5000 bristles grouped into about 40 tufts per toothbrush. The tufts are folded over a metal staple and forced onto pre-cored holes in the head and fused into the head with heat. The handle is made of at least two materials, usually plastic and rubber. The grips used for the handle is: precision, power, spoon, oblique and distal oblique. AGD Impact 2/2003

- The average woman smiles about 62 times a day!
- A man? Only 8!
- Kids laugh around 400 times a day.
- Grown-ups just 15:-(
- Smilers in school yearbooks are more likely to have successful careers and marriages than poker faced peers

Every year, kids in North America spend close to half a billion dollars on chewing gum

The above 'Fun Dental Facts' are from: www.dentalgentlecare.com

DJ LEE - Dentist
38 Merindah Road Baulkham Hills,
NSW 2153
Tel:(02) 9686 7375
Email: hillsdentist@gmail.com
Website: myhillsdentist.com

Dental Education for Children

A Habit That is Good to Teach Your Children
Dental health should be something the entire family is involved in when it comes to teaching. Anyone that has children knows that they are constantly mimicking what they see. Here are four suggestions on creating a great dental habit.

Create a tooth brushing routine together

Just because your kid is old enough to put on her pajamas doesn’t mean she should be little Miss Independent in the bathroom. Make tooth brushing a do-together activity. Anyone that has children knows that they are constantly mimicking what they see. When you brush together, she can mirror all your smooth brushing moves, and you’re making sure that no corners are being cut!

Choose the right tooth tools.

Make sure that you are using the correct toothpaste for your child. A fluoride toothpaste should not be introduced until you are sure that your child is old enough and will not simply ingest the toothpaste. When picking a toothbrush, dentists recommend a brush that has soft to medium bristles, has a flat head and handle, and easily fits into your mouth. You do not want to use a brush that is to big. And be sure to replace those toothbrushes often! Mom and dad should change toothbrushes four times a year and your children’s toothbrushes even more frequently. And don’t forget to floss! Try to find a flavored dental floss that your kid can actually get into. They also now have handheld flossers that you can find almost anywhere that are easy for kids to use.

Establish healthy eating habits.

Nothing fights tooth decay like eating the right foods. Teeth are actually denser than the rest of the bones in your body. So to keep your teeth strong, maintain a family diet that’s rich in calcium with foods like lowfat yogurt and cheese sticks, and yes, all those green, leafy veggies! And remember to keep sweet treats and desserts to a minimum.

Find a great family dentist.

The best way to make sure your kid doesn’t dread the dentist? Pick a great pediatric dentist who can treat the whole family. That way, you can make your appointments together. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) says to avoid using alarming words like pain, hurt, drill, shots, etc., when discussing the dentist. You want to make visits to the dentist a positive experience.

Above article from www.starsmilez.com

DJ Lee Dentist knows the importance of children's dental health! Visit our main website to learn more about our dental care services for children in Baulkham Hills NSW.

SMILE! 10 Surprising Facts About Smiling

Top 10 Surprising Facts About Smiling
BY: Stella Katsipoutis
www.brightsmilebeautifulyou.com

Most likely, the last thing you think about when you’re posing for your latest Facebook shot is the science behind your smile. But the truth is, there’s a lot more to a smile than meets the eye. Read on for 10 little-known facts that will have you beaming.

Fact No. 1: Smiling has body benefits.
Every time you frown, you’re unnecessarily exhausting 43 facial muscles, while smiling only uses 17 muscles. Some studies show that beaming can benefit your blood pressure levels. Add a laugh and you’ll also slim your middle -- the movement exercises your abs, diaphragm, shoulders and heart. Scientists at Vanderbilt University found that laughing can stoke your calorie burn by up to 20 percent.

Fact No. 2: Grinning is human.
One thing that separates us from animals may be our ability to accessorize, but it’s also our capacity to smile. We don’t learn how to smile from our surroundings; rather, it’s a natural mechanism that’s hardwired in us from birth. Studies have shown that newborn babies crack their first grin as early as two hours after delivery.

Fact No. 3: Women are more likely to smile.
Fact: The average woman smiles approximately 62 times a day. In that same day, a man only flashes his pearly whites a mere eight times. Interestingly enough, a study at Yale University found that the difference declines when the two genders share the same occupation. Why? The researchers believe that it could be because every workplace has an unspoken “smiling standard” that’s followed by all employees.

Fact No. 4: There are different types of smiles.
Happiness isn’t the only thing we can express when we turn up the corners of our mouths. During his research at the University of California, San Francisco, scientist Paul Ekman discovered that people smile 19 different ways, depending on social situations and emotions, including fear, grief and hatred. All types fall under two larger categories: heartfelt and artificial. You can differentiate the two: Sincere smiles cause the corners of your eyes to scrunch up -- insincere smiles don’t.

Fact No. 5: Beauty comes from a smile.
When asked to select more attractive counterparts, study participants at Scotland’s University of Aberdeen pointed to those people who were beaming. In another recent lab report, 69 percent of those asked said that women look younger and more attractive when they wear a smile rather than makeup.

Fact No. 6: Smiling leads to a longer life.
Research conducted at the University of Illinois has suggested that people who generally feel happy and smile more often have a longer life expectancy of nearly a decade. Another study looked at baseball cards. The Wayne State University scientists concluded that those athletes who were flashing their pearly whites in their pictures lived on average seven years longer than those who didn’t.

Fact No. 7: Healthy marriage from a happy smile.
People who grin consistently are more likely to have healthy marriages, say researchers at DePauw University in Indiana. Some say it’s because smilers can more easily express their emotions, and others think that people who smile often attract happier people, allowing them to form stronger, more positive connections.

Fact No. 8: Smiling releases endorphins.
Research shows that the simple act of turning your mouth up, whether authentic or not, can help release endorphins, feel-good hormones. Serotonin, a chemical that’s a natural stress-reducer, is also increased when you smile.

Fact No. 9: Fight a cold with a grin.
Cut down on those sick days by plastering a big, cheesy grin on your face. Every time you flash your teeth, your body produces greater quantities of antibodies and T-cells (or white blood cells), which may give your immune system a huge power boost.


Fact No. 10: Smiling is contagious.
During an experiment conducted in Sweden, participants reported that they found it very difficult to frown when they saw other participants who were smiling. Many began to turn their mouths up without even realizing it. Start smiling and the whole world will smile with you.

Dr. DJ Lee and his dental team in Baulkham Hills NSW is ALL about smiles!   Visit our main website to learn more and our dental care services.

I AM A DJ

It's true.

My given names are David Juyub; which makes me DJ Lee. Simple as that.

And.....

For almost 20 years I put smiles on peoples' faces in a different way - by playing music.

The Lee household was always musical. Mom and Dad could play; the children all learnt to play; music was always playing @ home and in the car. None of us would be afraid to sing (except for 10 horrible seconds of stage-fright when I was 8), or dance.

From listening to all types of music in the early years, I moved on to collecting music when I was 10. Like today, none of this music was bought; songs were recorded directly off the radio! I just had to have as many songs as possible; making up "special" compilations of the latest hits on cassette.

When my sisters had friends over for parties, I would be in the corner, controlling two cassette players and playing song after song for their listening and dancing pleasure. I would even take cassettes with me to friends houses, in the hope they would have a player ready for me to entertain with.

My first casual job at 15, what did I spend my hard-earned money on? Music, of course. 1985 - the compact disc was taking off in a big way. Only the very best music would be bought on CD - because this technology was so special! Everything else - vinyl; especially those extended play 12" singles. All of this would be recorded onto "mix-tapes", for parties, the classroom, bus trips, anywhere.

The seeds were sown.

At 17 years of age, I entered my first night club. The place doesn't exist anymore, but it wouldn't matter where it was - the experience would have been the same. The thing that rocked my world was the dude playing music in the corner. When I stood next to the DJ box, I noticed the two crates of vinyl records he was selecting his tracks from. To me, it seemed like ALL THE MUSIC IN THE WORLD. I had to have it.

After clubbing hard for a couple of years, for my 19th birthday, I asked my parents if they would buy me turntables. You see, I needed a reason to be buying so much frickin' music - I had to be a DJ. Or at least have the gear.

My parents, who had given me so much, gave me the turntables. So the mix-tapes actually became real mixed-tapes. The next step was private parties, because it seemed like a waste - all this music, and only my close friends and myself listening to it. I had to put it out there.

Money - I don't think so. @ $100 for a party; that paid for about 7 songs. This was definitely some kind of love.

In 1993, I approached a club promoter, handed him a mix-tape, and said I'd like to DJ in his club. That club was Riva - under the Sheraton on the Park, Sydney - and that became my first DJ residency.

History has taken me DJing all over Sydney in the best night clubs and bars; up to Queensland, down to Canberra; ending up @ the Mean Fiddler in Rouse Hill, Sydney in 2009. This video was taken on my last night there. It has been a wild, non-stop ride!

So there's the proof.

DJ Lee IS a DJ, and always will be.

Why I do dental implants...

Two words:

My Parents.

For all those patients who have already had implants placed by me; and for any staff members who have assisted me with implants for the last 8 years: You have heard this story. You do not need to read on.

For anyone else, here goes:

I graduated from Sydney University Dental School in 1992. However, I didn't look into my parents mouths until 1995. Only reason: I worked in a public hospital for the first two years of my dental career. So when I peeked in, with over two years of experience under my belt, I wasn't a bit nervous. The first time I ever attempted to place an implant, however, was a different story.

The first seven years of looking after my folks mouths was easy - mainly because I didn't attempt a whole lot. Cleaning, the odd filling, cleaning, a crown here and there, some veneers, more cleaning; and when the cleaning didn't work, a referral to a gum specialist. When Mom and I walked away from the gum specialist' appointment, she said to me, "You could've done that treatment for me."

This wasn't some kind of indictment on me, by my mother. She actually believed in me, that I could possibly do the work of a specialist. Or maybe, she just wanted me to do everything dentally possible for her.

The next realisation was, that even after specialist intervention, Mom was going lose some teeth. Extracting teeth - yep, I could do that. But I also realised, I did not want my parents to be wearing dentures, of any description. Which made implants the only option to replace the soon-to-be-extracted teeth. Well since Mom wanted me to be her super-dentist, I commenced my implant training.

Four days of lectures; two days hands-on training; six half-days of "over-the-shoulder" training; and I was ready to place my first implant - on my mother.

Cut, drill, place, sew. Done.

Wait.

Test. Impression.

Wait.

Mom's got a tooth, again.

My first look at these photos - taken in 2003 - gives me a tinge of sadness. Mom was 63 at that time, and @ 71, now, the ageing is apparent. Don't get me wrong, my folks are healthy, happy, and I think they still look good. It's just that our memories of loved ones are usually when they are at their best. Dad - when he would bowl cricket balls to me at full pace; Mom - when she would comfort me when I was crying, yet again.

However, the overwhelming feeling from these photos is happiness, because:

• The fact that the implanted teeth will essentially be the same in form and function until Mom passes
• The confidence that Mom instilled in me to get the job done
• I was looking after my Mom, as her dentist.

Mom and Dad: 10 implants over 8 years - smiling and chewing well.

I am their Dentist.