Summer Memories!

Although this has been one of the Hottest Summers of recent memories, it has been a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories.  Whether you headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, hit America's open roads or just had fun in the backyard, our team at Thomas Family Dentistry would love to hear all about your favorite summertime activities.

As summer starts wrapping up and everyone's focus starts to shift to the start of yet another school year, we encourage you to post any stories or photos from your Summer Adventures on our Facebook wall!

Thanks for staying connected with us,
God Bless,
DRT

Purple Heart Day!

A debt of gratitude goes to all of our military personnel that are presently serving or have ever served our country. The Medal of Honor that is now the Purple Heart began as the "Badge of Military Merit."  First awarded by General George Washington, the badge was a figure of a heart in purple cloth.

The Purple Heart is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces that has been wounded or killed, died as a result of a wound in battle, or otherwise designated by the President of the United States.  Purple Heart Day is now celebrated on the anniversary of its inception, August 7th.  On this day, it is our patriotic duty to remember and recognize those people willing to serve our country, no matter the price!

May God Bless,
DRT

Lieutenant Commander Thomas, USCG

Dr. Thomas was raised in Arkansas and moved to Oklahoma to obtain his dental degree at Oral Roberts University.  After graduating in 1986, he received a commission as a Lieutenant in the USPHS and worked with the Indian Health Service for 3 years. Upon his promotion to Lieutenant Commander, he was reassigned to the United States Coast Guard and stationed in Cape May, New Jersey.  During his two year assignment, LCDR Thomas was on active duty during the first Gulf War to liberate Kuwait from the invasion that Sadaam Hussein had led.  Under Federal Law, the USGC falls under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy during wartime activities.  One of Dr. Thomas' most important duty assignments at the USCG New Jersey recruitment facility was to ready troops for deployment to the gulf during this time.

Dr. Thomas received an honorable discharge in 1991 and returned to Broken Arrow to start his private practice.  He continues to keep in touch with his fellow dental officers that he served with and he feels very blessed to have been able to serve his country during his time in the United States Coast Guard!

Go Coasties!
Semper Paratus
"Always Ready"

Kid'sTiming: The Dental Connection!

For many, Summer is drawing to a close and everyone's focus is shifting to the start of school!  It's time to get your children in for their bi-annual cleaning and check-up before school starts. Once the learning begins, school sports kick-off and other extra-curricular activities get underway, it can be very difficult to find the time for other important things in your child's life, like dentistry!

Call our office at 918-455-0123 for an appointment that will make your child smile and help them to focus on the new school year!

Have a great day!
God Bless,
DRT

Turnover: The Dental Connection!

When should you change your toothbrush?  The average American only changes their brushes twice a year.  The American Dental Association recommends that you change your toothbrush at least four times a year, which is approximately every 3 months and any time you are sick. If the bristles of your toothbrush start flaring before three to four months, then you are using too much pressure to brush your teeth! People with gum problems, other oral diseases, or weakened immune systems should change their toothbrush more often.

At the end of your regular cleaning and exam at our office, we give you a "goody" bag containing a new toothbrush, floss, and a toothpaste sample.  We want to help you keep your smile nice and clean!

Call us at 918-455-0123 for additional assistance.

God Bless,
DRT

Congratulations Kathy: The Dental Connection!

Dr. Thomas and the entire staff want to congratulate Kathy on her 13th year with our dental family at Thomas Family Dentistry.  Kathy has been greeting our patients since July 1998! Besides spending her free time with her family and Boston Terriers, she loves connecting with our patients on a personal level and considers each patient as a friend.  We appreciate Kathy's desire to greet each of our patients at Thomas Family Dentistry and strive to make our patients truly feel like family!

Congratulations again,
God Bless,
DRT

Pool Safety: The Dental Connection!

Summer is here, and with the incredible heat we've had this summer, many people jump into the pool to cool off! Our team at Thomas Family Dentistry found some helpful pool safety tips that we'd like to share with you, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Pediatricians!

• Install a fence at least four feet high around the pool
• Make sure that pool gates open outward, are self-closing, and self-latching 
• Never leave children alone in or near a pool
• Keep rescue equipment like a shepherd's hook, life preserver and phone near the pool
• Use appropriate life vests for younger children instead of "floaties"
• Children are usually not developmentally ready for swim lessons until after their fourth birthday
• Infants and toddlers should always have "touch supervision"-an adult within an arm's length
• Kid's Horseplay could cause a chipped tooth or other injury

Have a great summer, stay cool and stay safe when you're at the pool!

God Bless,
DRT