What’s Michael Up To?

January 2015

For nearly 40 years, I’ve been dedicated to giving my all and my best to my patients and my profession.  I’ve worked diligently to earn and keep your trust.  Don’t worry, I am NOT retiring.

I intend to practice dentistry as long as my abilities allow me to help others. Helping others, whether through my practice, my social and professional network or through my work with the DVI clinic in Jerusalem, is what makes me happy. I receive more than I give. For allowing me the privilege of helping you, I thank you.

As you know, our current office is in a once beautiful building. Developers have decided that they want to build something larger on the site and have demanded that I vacate by March 1, 2015 so they can knock it down.

While I am not happy with the need to move, I have no choice and as I always do, will make lemonade from lemons. In fact, I’ve found a new home that will be even better.

My primary concern is always how a new office would impact YOU. I explored many opportunities over the past 10 months and finally chose one that fulfills all the requirements. It’s a few blocks from where I am now, across the street from the office I practiced in when I ran Columbia’s Faculty Practice on E. 60th Street. I’m able to bring along our entire staff as well as all the technology I now have, plus  I will be adding some new ones as well.

Perhaps best of all, I am sharing this new office with another world-class Practice. Dr. Harold Gelb was perhaps the world’s leading TMJ diagnostician and therapist. He founded the Gelb Center at 635 Madison Avenue (59th St.) that his son Michael, who was a student of mine at Columbia now runs. Dr. Michael Gelb has built upon his father’s legacy and has included Dental Sleep Medicine in his practice as well. This practice focuses on the entire person and not just treating the mouth as a stand-alone system is in perfect harmony with my philosophy.

For years, you’ve listened to me, read my blogs, book and newsletters about how the mouth is attached to the rest of your body. I’ve helped many reduce inflammation, relieve pain, sleep better, regain digestive function, thereby improving length and quality of life. As Manhattan Dental Health relocates, our commitment to comprehensive care will continue. We will work with the rest of your healthcare team to provide the ultimate, personalized, technologically advanced care for you and those you love and care for.

I thank you for your trust, confidence and loyalty. We never take these for granted.

Over the next few months you’ll receive more communications about the new office at 635 Madison Avenue, at 59th Street. Like March, it’s just around the corner.

To everyone’s health and wellness,

Michael

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August 2014

I just came back from Las Vegas, where I delivered a lecture to several hundred dental entrepreneurs. The trend in dentistry is away from traditional, solo practices and towards multi-doctor, multi-specialty, multi-office practices. What does that mean for you as a patient?

It means a lot. It means that the traditional doctor-patient relationship will change. It means that more than ever, you’ll have to be educated and proactive about your care. It means that the information in “What The Tooth Fairy Didn’t Tell You” is more relevant than ever.

Michael

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May 2013

I’ve had a very busy May. I went to Israel to work on the DVI (Dental Volunteers for Israel) clinic. I said “work on” because I only worked on children 1 day. The rest was spent in meetings to figure out how we can raise more money. This 501 (C) 3 charity is in desperate financial trouble. We can’t meet our obligation to the indigent children who desperately need the help of our international volunteers.
www.americanfriendsofdvi.org

This short trip also included spending time with my friend and fellow Board member, Dr. Scott Dubowsky with whom I spoke about DVI and dentistry too. Scott is also active in the Academy of General Dentistry and so we shared stories, thoughts and complaints about organized dentistry and how it’s not fulfilling its role in protecting the public (at least to our liking).

I came home to attend 2 DVI fund raisers, one a lecture by one of Implant Dentistry’s innovators, Dr, Gerald Niznick and the other by a Dental Practice that teamed up with an artist-patient to help raise money for DVI and Operation Smile, both wonderful and worthy causes. People, when given the opportunity want to help and do good things.

Last weekend I went up to Boston to visit with a company who has a great technology that I recently purchased. It’s been around a while and after learning it’s capabilities, I was shocked, amazed and disheartened that I hadn’t been exposed to it sooner. So, I also consulted with their marketing department to see how I can help the get the word out. The technology is called TScan and if you haven’t heard of it….you will ( if I have anything to say about it). It helps evaluate Oral Stress, a topic I’ll be writing about a lot.

I have a lot planned for the summer. Some conferences, lectures and searching for a partner-in-training for my practice. There’s so much I want to do and so little time.

Michael


April 2013

Since January, my team and I have been busy studying a new system for relieving headaches, migraines, TMD and other facial pain. TruDenta is a new way of looking at these seemingly disparate problems. It uses time-tested and proven technology and techniques in a new combination to achieve remarkable results.

You might ask, why is a dentist treating headaches and migraines? It’s because everything in the head, neck and shoulders are connected and Dentists can do what other health professionals can but no one can treat the mouth but Dentists. what we now know is that the mouth, teeth and associated muscles have a lot to do with headaches and migraines because their nerves all go to the same place, the trigeminal nucleus on the brain.

We’ve been using the system on a limited basis with great success and are now ready to care for people who suffer from these sometimes debilitating problems.

I’ve created a new website just for this new and revolutionary healing process.
Www.manhattanheadaches.com

Michael


February 2013

Every 5 years, for our anniversary, my wife and I go on a ‘significant’ trip. We just love to travel. This year we’re celebrating our 40th anniversary? OMG, I can’t be that old?

We spent 2 weeks in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. We had a great time, saw a lot and met a lot of wonderful people.

Of course, I spent a good deal of time reading up on health-related issues. I get 3, health-related newsletters daily. It helps me keep up with the latest information and it personally promotes healthy habits.

I love reading Mark Hyman, MD on integrative medicine, Isabel De Los Rios on nutrition and The Cleveland Clinic on everything.

I’ve been asked to write a bi-monthly column for dLife.com, an online resource for people with diabetes.

Diabetes is epidemic in our society and the effects on your mouth and your mouth’s effect on diabetes is extremely important. Since Dental School, I’ve been focused on the mouth as an integral part of the body and not just some unattached, unrelated piece. It’s why I taught and ultimately ran a hospital-based teaching program that taught graduate dentists how to deal with people with medical issues.

You’ll see my first column in March.

I’m looking for an associate/partner for my Manhattan Practice. It’s the chance of a lifetime for the right person, as my practice is the envy of my colleagues. Finding the right person, someone I would trust with my own care is proving to be quite a challenge. I’ll let you know how the search goes.

Michael


January 2013

It’s a New Year and like most people I’m organizing and planning.   Actually, I do this all the time.   Now, I’m just doing it more intensely.   I believe that strategizing and planning are important for success.

Here are some of my projects for the upcoming year.

I’m starting a new headache/migraine/TMJ program in the office.   Our staff is currently training and I hope to have the program up and running by March 1.

80 million Americans suffer from headaches and we know that most of these impulses travel through the trigeminal ganglion, the same one that all the sensations from the mouth do.   So, as a Dentist, I’m in a great position to help de-stress that circuit system.  And, we hope to do it without drugs.

I’m also writing a bi-monthly column for DLife.com, a TV and Web program that deals with issues related to Diabetes.   Diabetes is an epidemic in our Country with over 27% of Americans over 65 suffering the effects.

And guess what?   Your mouth’s health is really important to preventing and treating diabetes!

So with 80 million headache sufferers and nearly 30 million people with Diabetes, I guess I’m looking to help over 100 Million Americans.   Ambitious?

I’m going to lecture in Israel in April on “ The Oral-Systemic Dental Practice”.   You won’t believe it but in 2013 most dentists still believe in the “drill and fill” model of practice.   I think that’s crazy and my lecture is aimed at showing how ‘wellness’ is the way to go.

I have a lot planned for 2013.   How about you?


December 2012

November was an interesting month.   Sandy hit New York and New Jersey very hard.  The News outlets are NOT telling the story.   Thousands are still affected and the effects will last years.

I’m not sure why the story is being suppressed.  Perhaps its because no one wants the tourist business to be affected.  Perhaps some of it is political.  In any case, the suffering is real.

Lower Manhattan is still a disaster area with the hum of generators drowning out even traffic.  People won’t be able to live in many buildings there for a long, long time.

Our practice, Manhattan Dental Health was right in the thick of things as we’re just a block away from the dangling crane that was featured so prominently in the news.  It took 2 weeks for things to get back to normal.

Thanksgiving time is when the Greater New York Dental Meeting occurs.   It’s the largest dental meeting of the year.

I met with many of DVI’s supporters during the meeting.  Everyone agrees that DVI’s model of international support for caring for children of all religions and ethnicities is wonderful.  My job is to get enough money so we can expand it.

You can help by donating.   http://www.americanfriendsofdvi.org/donate/

The proceeds from the book go to support the children of Jerusalem as well.

Michael


November 2012

Our prayers go to all those affected by Hurricane Sandy.   We were fortunate.   No loss of life and just some minor property damage.  We’ve gotten power, internet and cable back.   The crane on 57th Street is secure and not threatening to fall on our heads and traffic around my area of the City has returned to abnormal.

We still have gas rationing, which brings me back to the 70’s while I was up in Boston during the Jimmy Carter era.  Boston holds good memories.   Carter…not so much.

During the storm and its aftermath, while I was without power, internet and TV, I had plenty of time to read by candle and flashlight.  I really enjoyed not having the distractions, though I don’t want to live through another Hurricane any time soon.

I reviewed my notes from The Cleveland Clinic Symposium I attended this summer and now have a great report for you.

15 things you can do to help reduce inflammation, prolong your life and avoid cardiac and brain deterioration.

We’ll be happy to send this to you.

 

To your health and wellness,

Michael

 


October 2012

Three times a year I meet with successful Dentists from all over the Country.  Last weekend we met in Richmond, Va.  It was a great weekend and I learned a lot, as I always do.

One dentist, an Orthodontist from Kansas City continues to impress me.  The care he gives his patients and the care he gives his referring doctors is at a level I hope to emulate.

What has he done?  He’s automated the process so no one gets left behind.   Leaving things to humans is wrought with challenges.   Computers, once programmed can really help maintain communications as well as remind humans to do what they’re supposed to do.

Does this make the process less “personal”?  It doesn’t have to, if it’s done properly.   Ultimately, Dentistry is a very personal and hands on profession.   That won’t change in the near future.   What should change is the level of communication you receive from your Dental Office.  That’s what I’m working on.

To your health,

Michaels


September seemed to fly by.   While celebrating the Jewish Holy days, I had the opportunity to spend a great deal of time with my family.   I am fortunate to have my children and grandchildren with me this year as well as my wife’s parents who are 88 and 94.  The combination of 4 generations give one perspective.

I wish everyone a happy, healthy and peaceful 5773.

With the Chinese year at 4710 (depending on when you count) the question has always been asked;  What did Jews do for over 1000 years without Chinese food?

I’ve actually started writing another book.   This one is about smiling as we get older, a topic that interests me more and more.   I realize that an aging smile contributes a great deal to our overall appearance of age.

What can be done to make us look younger?

A lot can be done with your smile.

Keep tuned and stay healthy.

Michael


June 2012

June has been a really busy month.   Aren’t they all?  I attended a conference in Richmond Virginia and learned about a truly remarkable system to treat headaches, migraines and TMD.  I intend to pursue advanced training in this as it is a “Wholistic”  approach to a problem that has been treated by 6 or more different specialties.

Treating people as an entire entity has always been a goal.   That’s one reason I was a founding member of The American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH).   In June, we had our second annual conference at the world famous The Cleveland Clinic.    Physicians, Dentists, Nurses and Hygienists all getting together to hear about the affect inflammation has on oral disease and systemic disease.

It seems obvious that your mouth is part of your body.   Why is it treated as a totally separate entity, requiring a totally separate schooling process?

Why should a Physician say “stick your tongue out” and totally ignore your teeth?   Why should a Dentist not ask you about ALL the medications you take, know what your blood pressure is and your family history of diabetes?

If you’ve read the book, you know how integral your overall health is to your mouth and visa versa.  The Cleveland Clinic Doctors went even further than I’ve previously heard.   Fighting Inflammation, they say is one of the keys to Wellness.  It can help prevent everything from cardiovascular disease to Altzheimer’s and from Erectile Dysfunction to wrinkles!   It’s all about our immune system and blood flow!

It’s a New World and The Cleveland Clinic and AAOSH are leading the way.  I’m proud to be along for the ride.   You can hear more about the conference in my Blog.


April/May 2012

In April I gave a lecture to a group of dental students from Columbia University and University of Pennsylvania at Chelsea Piers.   The title of the lecture was “What got you here…Won’t get you there.”  It’s about the bad habits dental students pick up and how to avoid them.  I’ve already been invited to go to Philadelphia to give the lecture again.

I went to an excellent lecture on Invisalign. Continuing to learn is not just a professional obligation…it’s a passion.

This month, I’m focusing on the DVI Jerusalem Children’s Clinic. I’m meeting with Dr. Joel Berg the new Dean of the University of Washington School of Dentistry and then going to San Diego for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry meeting. I’m trying to raise awareness for the program amongst Pediatric dentists.

I’m also preparing for a fundraising lecture on Sleep Medicine that we (AFDVI) are sponsoring in June. Sleep medicine is a special interest of mine since it’s implicated in many systemic diseases and since as a Dentist, I can help overcome the disease.

June looks to be really busy too. Stay tuned!


March 2012

I want to share three great experiences regarding my trip to Israel on behalf of DVI.   The first involved a young Palestinian dentist with whom I had dinner.   As a child, Dr. Alayyan was a patient in the clinic and now volunteers his time whenever needed.   His story is so inspiring and we shared a great dinner in East Jerusalem.

I also met a doctor from Queens, New York, Dr. Fred Khalili, who was volunteering at the clinic.   This was his first trip and he was truly enjoying his experience.   While his wife was home with their children, she was no stranger to the DVI Clinic.   As a child who grew up in a poor neighborhood of Jerusalem, she too went to the clinic for care.   Now her husband is giving his time to care for others.

My friend Judy, a photographer, came along on this trip.   She was there to document the experience for use on our new website. While at the clinic, she sat next to one of the mothers who was waiting as her son was being cared for by Dr. Khalili.  The mother, who spoke English, said to Judy, while pointing to the clinic, “this is the way the whole World should be.”  I couldn’t agree more.   There in this small little corner of Jerusalem where Jews, Moslems, Americans, Palestinians, Iranians all come together to help one another.

There is hope.  It’s what keeps me involved and going back.