Background Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including bats, cats, camels and cattle. Rarely, coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), and now with 2019-nCoV (Covid – 19). Covid-19 was first reported in Wuhan city in China in December 2019. Symptoms range from a mild cough to pneumonia. Most people recover easily though some get very sick very quickly. Good hygiene can prevent its spread. Most often, spread from person-to-person happens among close contacts (about 6 feet). Person-to-person spread is thought to occur mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. A person may get infected with Coronavirus if a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touches their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. Sandgate Bayside Dental (Robert Duhig Dental) – Policy on Coronavirus As with any healthcare issue Sandgate Bayside Dental takes cross contamination very seriously. The approach towards the spread and potential contamination of Coronavirus is the same as all other potential threats. Sandgate Bayside Dental will continue to uphold its exemplary standards of Cross infection with the use of Face Masks, hand sanitary care and hospital standards of instrument sterilization as well as the use of disposable items where applicable. As such, patients should not attend the practice if they have: • left or transited through mainland China in the last 14 days – they must isolate themselves for 14 days from leaving mainland China left or transited through Iran on or after 1 March – they must isolate themselves until 14 days after leaving Iran been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus in the last 14 days (they must isolate themselves for 14 days after the date of last contact with the confirmed case). We thank you for your understanding. Unfortunately because of the relative difficulty in obtaining face masks, Sandgate Bayside Dental (Robert Duhig Dental) cannot offer to supply our patients with face masks. Naturally there are hand sanitizers in all areas of the surgery both clinical and non-clinical. More information can be found here http://conditions.health.qld.gov.au/HealthCondition/condition/14/217/838/novel-coronavirus https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov?utm_source=health.gov.au&utm_medium=callout-auto-custom&utm_campaign=digital_transformation If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 3269...

Every December we start to make New Year’s resolutions and a lot of the times those resolutions revolve around improving our overall health. So why not this time make a new year’s resolution that improves your oral and dental health. You will be surprised to see how much it can improve your general health and well-being. Here are some tips from dentists at Sandgate Bayside Dental. Develop some good habits Do you brush your teeth well at least twice a day, for at least two minutes each time? Do you floss between your teeth every time you brush your teeth? Do you visit your dentist for a check-up and a scale and clean every 6 months. Not following this regime can leave harmful bacteria sitting around your teeth causing serious damage to your teeth and your smile. This could have a lasting impact on your teeth and your confidence. So make sure you get into the good habits of maintaining your oral and dental health in 2020. Have a healthy diet How much sugar do you have every day? As they say nowadays, sugar is the new tobacco! Sugar is the real culprit in causing several of those lifestyle diseases and poor dental health is no exception. Cut down on the amount and frequency of sugars that you have in your diet every day and replace it with some fibre/ protein. Visit a great dentist who could look after your whole family Finding the right dentist who could look after your whole family for years to come could be a difficult task. Often you will come across some dentists who work with corporate dental practices and change their workplace quite often. This leaves you a task to look for another dentist and re-build that trust with them. Sandgate Bayside Dental is not a corporate dental practice. The practice has been operating since 1980’s. Dr Vik and Dr Rob commit to continue the high standards of patient care in the practice for years to come. If you want to stay with a dental practice for life, look for a dentist with plenty of experience treating people of all ages like the team at Sandgate Bayside Dental. Make 2020 a healthy year Schedule a visit at Sandgate Bayside Dental to get a clear understanding of where your oral health stands and what you can do to maintain/improve it. For more tips on how to maintain your oral health in 2020, or to schedule an appointment with us, call 07-3269 2443...

Caps & Crowns – The Humble Tooth Cap Has Come a LONG Way! Gone are the days of crowns (previously known as tooth caps) in stand-out shades of pewter. These ugly examples of cosmetic dentistry defied logic and common sense, leaving people self-conscious. Nowadays, crowns are almost invisible to the naked eye and an excellent solution when a significant gap needs a’filling. Want to talk teeth? Contact US, the gentle dental specialists, today! What is a crown, anyway? A tooth cap, or crown as it’s called today, is necessary to disguise a broken or decayed tooth. It’s often put in place to cover up visible decay, a missing tooth or after a root canal treatment procedure.  A crown can be made up of a number of different materials including ceramic porcelain, gold and metal. Ceramic porcelain dental crowns will allow your tooth to blend in with its little toothy brothers and sisters, meaning that seamless technology will completely disguise the fact that you’ve had any work done at all. This look provides a flawless finish that will see you being able to smile your brightest once more WITHOUT being afraid of anyone seeing a darkened or grey tooth hiding at the back. Get ready to flash ALL of your pearly whites! Cosmetic dental work  Of course, if you’d like to stand out from the crowd you can still invest in a gold or silver crown or tooth cap. It’s the more expensive option, sure, but it carries with it a certain aesthetic that you may enjoy wearing with pride.   Tooth caps and crowns for little ones If your child requires a crown, it’s a similar procedure. Talk to your dentist about how this would work. Children who are quite small will most likely have to be put under anaesthetic treatment because of the complexity of the procedure. This might mean navigating a number of issues on their path to tooth health, which may require a visit to a dental hospital rather than an in-house job. Work with the professionals to find a solution that’s the best fit for your family.  A jewel in the crown This is your opportunity to take back control of the look and feel of your teeth. Visible tooth decay and breakage can be easily masked by a flawless crown that’s going to make you feel like a million bucks. Forget those old school tooth caps. What are you waiting for? Talk to us TODAY about restoring life to your smile with a new generation tooth...

How Does a Sleep Apnoea Mouth Guard Work? Sleep apnoea is a serious condition that impacts both sufferers and their families. Potentially, a sleep apnoea mouth guard may provide some relief and see everyone in the home getting a better night’s sleep. Want to know more? Book an appointment with your friendly gentle dental team today! What is sleep apnoea and how can a mouth guard help? Sleep apnoea is a disorder that impacts a surprisingly large section of the population. Whilst many people snore, those who experience sleep apnoea suffer from excessively broken sleep patterns. This is due to the collapsing of their airways, preventing them from breathing for short periods of time. This can, in turn, lead to more serious health concerns like high blood pressure, and even the risk of a heart attack. It’s not just a case of keeping you up at night – this is serious and needs to be examined in a professional setting.  What about the mouth guard? Glad you asked! An oral appliance that’s similar in shape and function to a sports mouth guard can be custom designed for those who suffer from mild sleep apnoea. This is not a ‘one size fits all’ treatment and must be discussed with your health and dental care professionals to see if it is right for you. With the guard in place, the lower jaw is held forward which creates more room for the tongue, thus lessening the snoring side effects. Natural sleep movement is not impacted by use of this device.  What are the other symptoms of sleep apnoea? If you’re considering this as a treatment, it’s likely that you experience the following: Snoring Waking up with a dry, sore, raspy throat Irritability, anxiety or depression as a result of constantly disrupted sleep Poor concentration and memory abilities with difficulty focusing on tasks Gasping, snorting and choking during sleep Sound familiar? Maybe it’s time you started getting serious about your sleep health.  Is a sleep apnoea mouth guard the solution for you? This disorder is potentially very dangerous so do not write it off as an irritating condition that you just need to put up with. If you have a history of heart issues in your family tree you need to act now to find a solution to this problem before it becomes more serious. Put yourself, and your family, first and contact those who can help you trial a sleep apnoea mouth guard.  Work with your gentle dental team to find a solution to what’s keeping you up at...

Do you get sweaty palms and knots in your stomach at the mere thought of even making a dental appointment? If so, you’re not alone. Dental anxiety is a surprisingly common phenomenon. The good news, however, is that caring, gentle dentists DO exist so don’t give up on your oral health just yet. As an experienced, gentle dentist, Robert Duhig knows that dental anxiety is not unusual and greets each patient with a friendly, empathetic ear, helping them to go into their appointment with confidence. If you’re riddled with dental anxiety, contact Robert Duhig Dental to learn how their extremely gentle practices can get you back on the road to a happy, healthy smile.  A gentle dentist will put you at ease from the first point of contact  For some people, dental anxiety can result in going to great lengths to avoid visiting the dentist altogether. However, an experienced dental practice will know how to make people feel at ease from the minute they book an appointment or walk through the front door.  Staff are trained to be empathetic and calming and they will talk you through each step of the process before your appointment even starts. In fact, Robert Duhig understands that in certain cases, patients may feel more comfortable taking their own pain killers or anti-anxiety medication before coming in for their appointment. However, it is very important that you call the office to get the right advice before taking anything prior to your dental visit. Communication is the key to making patients feel calm and confident  With over 30 years of experience, Robert Duhig prides himself on knowing how to calm the minds of anxious patients and consistently checks in with them to see how they are feeling throughout each appointment. If your anxiety is centred around discomfort or having your mouth numbed, Robert’s vast experience and precise skill means that he is able to place the numbing shot in the EXACT right spot every single time – resulting in optimal patient comfort. Don’t be afraid to express your concerns to your dentist. A truly gentle dentist will listen to their patients with empathy and understanding and do what it takes to make each visit a positive experience.  You’ll be in good hands with Brisbane’s own truly gentle dentist With a reputation for being one of the most trusted gentle dentists in Brisbane, Robert Duhig’s patients return time and time again as he’s changed the way many of them feel about going to the dentist.  If you’ve been putting off your next check-up, it’s time to take a deep breath and put your health first. Book your appointment with Robert Duhig Dental...

Losing a tooth is a rite of passage for children worldwide, and in many western cultures, it’s marked by a very special visit from a magical, nocturnal guest, affectionately known as the Tooth Fairy. While the Tooth Fairy most commonly exchanges the lost tooth for money, she can also play an important role in encouraging good oral hygiene for years to come. Words of encouragement from the one and only! While most children are excited at the prospect of losing a tooth, for others, the experience can be a bit scary. They may be nervous about feeling pain, feel insecure about what they will look like with a missing tooth, or feel queasy at the thought of seeing any blood. So, when the big day does come, it’s a cause for celebration. Not only is it important for parents to be supportive, but it’s also an opportunity for the Tooth Fairy herself to share some encouraging words of wisdom. By leaving a customised note in her own unique hand-writing (or perhaps on special paper sprinkled with fairy dust), the Tooth Fairy can offer praise to the child for taking such good care of their teeth and offer tips for good dental care routines that will carry them into adulthood. Helpful hints for a bright future By incorporating personalised notes each time your child loses a tooth, the Tooth Fairy can play a role in dental education by reinforcing the importance of brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily and limiting sweets. These special letters can also stress the importance of lifelong care for their new adult tooth that will soon appear. Additionally, parents can use the Tooth Fairy as an incentive for encouraging their children to keep their teeth shiny and healthy. After all, the Tooth Fairy loves adding beautiful teeth to her collection! Tooth Fairy tips for extra special situations In a perfect world, all of your child’s baby teeth would fall out naturally and with ease. However, it’s possible for a baby tooth to be lost prematurely due to accident or injury, or it may fall out without your child even realizing it. Other times, a tooth may need to be removed with a dentist’s help for a number of reasons. In these special cases, children will need a little extra TLC from both their parents and the Tooth Fairy. Praise for their bravery, reassurance that the Tooth Fairy is sure to still visit, and perhaps a little extra reward to compensate for the unusual circumstances can go a long way towards easing any fears before the next little tooth starts to wiggle. Establish healthy habits for life With a little help from the Tooth Fairy,...