The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), a professional association of more than 35,000 general dentists who are dedicated to staying up to date in the profession through continuing education, is pleased to announce that J. Robert Donnelly DDS, MAGD has earned the 2012 Lifelong Learning & Service Recognition (LSSR) for his commitment to lifelong learning, volunteering his services to communities in need, mentoring associates and new dentists, and participating in organized dentistry.

The LLSR is presented only to AGD members who have gone above and beyond earning the association’s highest honor of Mastership.  To accomplish this recognition, Dr. Donnelly completed at least 1,600 hours of continuing dental education in 16 different dental disciplines.  In addition, recipients must complete at least 100 hours of dental-related community/volunteer service.

“Recipients of the LLSR are true leaders among our organization and wholly embrace the AGD’s core principles and ideals,” says AGD President David F. Halpern, DMD, FAGD.  Since its inception in 2005, less than 200 of the AGD’s 35,000-plus members have received the prestigious LLSR recognition.  The AGD was founded in 1952 and has grown to become the second-largest dental association in the United States, and it is the only association that exclusively represents the needs and interests of general dentists.

Dr. Donnelly received his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M and after graduating he served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps.  He attended Dental School at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.  After receiving his dental degree, Dr. Donnelly established his dental practice in San Marcos where he began his many years of service to patients in the Texas Hill Country providing preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry.  Dr. Donnelly offers a full range of dental services to his patients including cosmetic dentistry, implants, dentures, teeth whitening, Invisalign, root canals, wisdom teeth removal and extractions, laser care for gum problems, and sedation dentistry.  One of the biggest advantages of being a patient of Dr. Donnelly’s is the state of the art dental technology at his office including ICAT 3D imaging, all digital X-rays with 90% less radiation than traditional x-rays, laser dentistry and gum treatment, Whisper Jet decay removal: that allows no drill restorations, Diagnodent laser decay detection system along with music and nitrous oxide in all treatment rooms.

Dr. Donnelly adds, “I’m so fortunate to be part of a wonderful profession where we continually learn, improve, build relationships, and help people regain and maintain their health.  With all the advancements in dental procedures and technology, the field is even more exciting and fulfilling than it has ever been.  I look forward to many more years of learning, practicing, and serving my patients and the field of dentistry.”  He welcomes all new patients and you can learn more about Dr. Donnelly and the services he offers by visiting his website at SanMarcosDental.com or calling his office directly at (512)396-5225.

J. Robert Donnelly, DDS, MAGD, was recently named as a 2012 Texas Super Dentist in Texas Monthly magazine. This is the seventh time Dr. Donnelly has received this honor in recent years.

Texas Monthly publishes an annual list of Super Dentists in the December issue of the regional magazine.  The list identifies dentists who are considered by their peers to be the best in their field and is a genuine measure of recognition by Texas-area dentists.  The process of being named as a Super Dentist begins with peer nominations from local dental professionals.  Dentists are asked to consider the following question: “If you needed dental care, which dentist would you choose in the following categories?” 

Key Professional Media, the company responsible for polling, researching and selecting the elite list of Super Dentists each year, sends out thousands of ballots to dentists asking them to submit their nominations for outstanding dental professionals.  In addition to peer nominations, they also conduct independent research and interviews, evaluate professional achievements, verify data and ensure that nominated candidates are active and in good standing before completing the selection process.

Dr. Donnelly established his dental practice in San Marcos where he began his many years of service to patients in the Texas Hill Country providing preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry.  Dr. Donnelly offers a full range of dental services to his patients including cosmetic dentistry, implants, dentures, teeth whitening, Invisalign, root canals, wisdom teeth removal and extractions, laser care for gum problems, and sedation dentistry.  One of the biggest advantages of being a patient of Dr. Donnelly’s is the state of the art dental technology at his office including ICAT 3D imaging, all digital X-rays with 90% less radiation than traditional x-rays, laser dentistry and gum treatment, Whisper Jet decay removal: that allows no drill restorations, Diagnodent laser decay detection system along with music and nitrous oxide in all treatment rooms.

Dr. Donnelly welcomes all new patients and you can learn more about Dr. Donnelly and the services he offers by visiting his website at SanMarcosDental.com or calling his office directly at (512)396-5225.

If you are hiding your smile, suffering with pain, or putting off going to the dentist because you are afraid or too busy, conscious sedation dentistry will change your life!  Imagine having years of needed dental care done in just 1 or 2 appointments while you rest comfortably through your visit.  With sedation dentistry, patients are able to have a comfortable, anxiety-free experience while having their dental work performed. It’s not only for people who have anxiety before their dental appointments, but also those who need extensive treatment completed in a limited amount of time and number of appointments, or just want to be completely relaxed during their procedures.   You’re in a relaxed state before, during, and after your entire treatment and will have little to no memory of the procedure once completed.  Dr. Donnelly has been helping his patients have anxiety free dental experiences for years.

When you get to the dental office for your procedure, you’ll be given a combination of sedative drugs and nitrous oxide, which will put your body in an extremely relaxed state of reduced perception.  A local anesthetic will then be administered to eliminate pain.  You won’t feel pain or even remember the numbing when the procedure is complete, due to the sedative.  We’ll be monitoring your vital signs during the entire procedure and help to keep you comfortable and relaxed.  While you may fall asleep during the procedure, you’re not completely put under as with general anesthesia, but remain in a responsive state and all body functions stay normal.  You may be very drowsy after the treatment because of the sedative, therefore it’s necessary to have someone drive you to and from the office on the day of your treatment, and supervise you afterwards. 

Oral hygiene and dental care are essential to your body’s health.  Dr. Donnelly wants to ensure that you get the treatment you need-without the anxiety you may normally feel during a visit.  If sedation dentistry sounds like something you’re interested in, please call Dr. Donnelly’s office at (512) 396-5225 to see for yourself how comfortable dentistry can be.

Many physicians are taking a more holistic approach to their patients’ overall health.  As we study the relationship between oral health and its relationship with certain types of diseases it becomes clear that your oral hygiene can have direct effects on your entire body.  Bacteria that build up on teeth make gums become inflamed.  Over time, the inflammation and the chemicals it releases eat away at the gums and bone structure that hold teeth in place.  The result is severe gum disease, known as periodontitis, which can negatively impact the rest of your body.

The working relationship between diabetes and gum disease may be the strongest of all the connections between the mouth and body.  Inflammation that starts in the mouth seems to weaken the body’s ability to control blood sugar.  To further complicate matters, high blood sugar provides ideal conditions for infection to grow, including gum infections.

Though the reasons are not fully understood, it’s clear that gum disease and heart disease often go hand in hand.  Up to 91% of patients with heart disease have periodontitis, compared to 66% with no heart disease.  The two conditions have several risk factors in common, such as unhealthy diet and excess weight.  The plaque-causing bacteria activate the release of harmful clotting elements and enzymes which contribute to heart disease as well as stroke.

Studies show a direct relationship between oral disease and pre-term birth for expectant mothers.  Also, pregnancy is a time when the mouth becomes more acidic as a result of blood chemistry and hormonal changes.  With so much risk, the oral health of every mother should be evaluated before, during and after pregnancy.

At your visit, we will examine your palate, gums, and other oral tissues, looking for growths that can indicate cancer-particularly important for those who smoke or chew tobacco.  When you come in for your regular dental exam, we’re checking more than just your teeth.  We have your whole health in mind, too. 

Ancient Tooth Care Products:

Brushing our teeth with a toothpaste that tastes good and feels good in the mouth is something we take for granted; but several thousand years ago, flavor was an afterthought.  The Egyptians began brushing their teeth as long ago as 3,000-5,000 BC.  Their toothpaste probably tasted fairly nasty.  Imagine scrubbing your teeth with a cream made of oxen hooves ground up into ashes, myrrh (a dried tree sap that was used in perfumes and incense), burned egg shells, pumice (a lightweight, porous volcanic stone that was used as an abrasive), and water.

Many thousand years later, around 1780, one toothpaste was made from burnt bread; another was made from dragon’s blood (Someone had a good imagination.), cinnamon and burnt alum.  In the 1800’s ground charcoal was common in tooth powder.  The tooth powder was to clean the teeth and to freshen the breath-just like today.

Contemporary Tooth Care:

Nearly one hundred years later, in 1873, one of today’s most popular tooth care products, Colgate, sold its first toothpaste.  In our lifetime, toothpastes have become very popular.  Even though its ingredients have changed dramatically from what the Egyptians used, all of today’s toothpastes contain nearly the same ingredients.  Many contain baking soda to help scrub the tarter from teeth, and flavoring to ensure a minty clean.  Most contain types of fluoride to protect your teeth so that bacteria have a more difficult time causing tooth decay.

The Best Toothpaste for You:

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you buy toothpaste that contains fluoride and that is ADA approved because there is not much difference between toothpastes.  The ADA thoroughly reviews laboratory studies and scientific data on toothpastes; so you can be sure that any toothpaste that has the ADA seal is safe to use and is effective.