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Feeling apprehensive or guilty for not visiting a dentist in over a year is common, but coming back to receive dental care is easier than you may think. Our dental team at Rick Johns Dental provides caring, non-judgmental, personalized service, and knowing this you can truly feel at ease making your first appointment back.

During your first appointment back, we will focus on three prominent dental issues including gum disease, cavities, and wear and tear by utilizing a full mouth series of X-rays, a hygiene appointment, and a comprehensive exam.

The full mouth series of X-rays are taken every three to five years, or as needed. A full mouth series may be a panoramic X-ray and bitewings (a set of four that checks for cavities) or a set of X-rays that views the entire anatomy of every tooth. The set of X-rays will depend on your individual needs.

Your hygiene appointment will begin with a review of your medical history, personal concerns and questions, and an evaluation checking for any infection. After any necessary diagnoses are made, the appropriate level of cleaning is proposed and completed if time allows.

A comprehensive exam serves as a review of what the hygienist has already covered. Dr. Rick Johns will again review your medical history and dental concerns, and confirm any periodontal diagnosis. An evaluation of any decay, breakdown or broken fillings, or areas that are at risk for future problems will also be reviewed.

After the appointment, a team member at Rick Johns Dental will review any recommended treatments, payment options, insurance coverage, and scheduling. The time spent at your first visit back is an important step in the right direction, and we are committed to making this visit as comfortable and easy as possible! Come see us in Highland, IN.

Are you as excited for the 4th of July as we are here at Rick Johns Dental? We love the fireworks, the BBQ, and of course a day full of friends and family! And what's a 4th of July celebrating without some patriotic themed snacks?

Kelly is a dental hygienist on our team, and we highly recommend you try out her 4th of July cake. It's as easy to make as it is to eat, so enjoy it while you watch the fireworks!

Ingredients:

• Two pound cakes
• Sliced banana
• Cool Whip
• 1 pint blueberries
• 2 quarts of strawberries

Directions:

1. Take two pound cakes and slice them each in half.
2. Place side by side on a plate or in a pan.
3. Put a layer of sliced banana on top of the cakes and then spread a layer of cool whip topping over the top of the bananas and cake.
4. Decorate in the theme of the American Flag using 1 pint of blueberries and  2 quarts of strawberries.
5. Enjoy!

Every year, Americans all over the world celebrate the birth of the country and its independence on the Fourth of July. There are countless ways that people celebrate and they range from community parades and large scale gatherings to concerts, fireworks displays, and smaller scale celebrations among family and friends. For some people, July 4th is synonymous with baseball, while for others it is all about the beach of barbecues. However you celebrate, you can be sure that red, white, and blue is visible everywhere throughout the area.

The Beginnings of Fourth of July Celebrations

Although it wasn't officially designated as a federal holiday until 1941, the actual tradition of celebrating Independence Day goes back to the time of the American Revolution (1775 – 1783). At the time of the American Revolution, representatives from the 13 colonies penned the resolution that ultimately declared their independence from Great Britain. The continental congress voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence on July 2nd of 1776. Two days later, Thomas Jefferson's famous document that is now known as the Declaration of Independence, was adopted by delegates representing the 13 colonies.

First States to Recognize the Fourth of July

In 1781, Massachusetts became the first state (or commonwealth) whose legislature resolved to designate July 4th as the date on which to celebrate the country's independence. Two years later, Boston became the first city to make an official designation to honor the country's birth with a holiday on July 4th. In that same year, North Carolina's governor, Alexander Martin, became the first governor to issue an official state order stipulating that July 4th was the day on which North Carolinians would celebrate the country's independence.

Fun Facts About the Fourth of July

• The reason the stars on the original flag were arranged in a circle is because it was believed that would indicate that all of the colonies were equal.
• Americans eat over 150 million hot dogs on July 4th.
• Imports of fireworks each year totals over $211 million.
• The first “official” Fourth of July party took place at the White House in 1801.
• Benjamin Franklin didn't want the national bird to be the bald eagle. He believed that the turkey was better suited to the coveted distinction. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson disagreed with him, and he was outvoted, so the bald eagle became the official bird of the United States.

For many, the tradition is something entirely different. Along the coastal areas of the United States, people may haul out huge pots to have lobster or other types of seafood boils. Others may spend the day in the bleachers at a baseball game, or at a park, cooking a great traditional meal over an open fire. No matter how or where you celebrate, one thing is certain: all Americans celebrate July 4th as the birth and independence of our country.

Dr. Rick Johns and our team at Rick Johns Dental wish you a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Now that the 4th of July has came and went, we're excited for the next part of summer. You've heard of The Dog Days of Summer, right?! Here are Rick Johns Dental love our canine companions, and our next recipe spotlight offers up some tasty treats for the four legged friends in your life!

Many of you know Kim, who works as both a dental assistant and a general office assistant, but did you know she has a very special birthday tradition!? Let her tell you all about it:

I love my 4 sweet and lovable dogs Peanut, Slim, Daisy, & Marshall.  I do not have any kids of my own yet, so when one of my pups has a birthday, I like to make it very special.  What is more fun and special than cupcakes!?  Every year when they turn a year older, I make a cake, cupcakes, or cookies for them.  Today, I am going to share with you cupcakes I made for my oldest Peanut.  It is very simple to make them, not many ingredients, and most of them I already had at home!

We think the pups deserve a little spoiling during the dog days of summer, enjoy the recipe below!

Pupcake Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/8 cup peanut butter
• 1/8 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup shredded carrot
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/8 cup honey
• 1 egg

Directions: Bake pupcakes at 350 degrees for 15-18 mins or until toothpicked clean.

Pupcake Icing:

• 12 oz. nonfat cream cheese, room temp
• 2 tsp honey
• 1tsp vanilla
• 3 tsp cinnamon
• Mix food coloring in for fun!

And here's an extra special tip from Kim:

At the end, I take small treats my pups love and put them on top followed by crunched up milkbones! They love these fun treats and I love to think they feel just that much more special on their birthdays!!