HEATH – Crooked teeth? Broken teeth? Whom do you know who REALLY needs dental work done but can’t afford it?

Because Dr. Robyn Abramczyk at the new Smile Ranch Family Dentistry in Heath has teamed up with TheRockwallNews.com to offer $5,000 worth of dental services for no charge to one lucky area resident.

All you have to do to nominate someone is to email a photo and letter to:   jamie@smileranchdentistry.com. You can also call 972-772-SMILE (7645) for more info.

Dr. Abramczyk, who just opened Smile Ranch last July at 6700 Horizon Rd (next to Baylor Medical Center on FM549), will review the nominations with her staff and select the lucky winner soon. Nominations should be sent in right away for the best chance of being selected.

Smile Ranch is a new kind of dental office.

In its spa-like environment, featuring heated massage dental chairs, they use the latest state-of-the-art technology and tools to provide frequently pain-free dentistry, while achieving highly reliable results in far less time than in the offices of traditional dentists.

“We call it Zen Dentistry,” said Dr. Abramczyk. “Everything we do is meant to put our patients completely at ease.”

“At Smile Ranch we take advantage of the latest advances in dental technology – such as water laser dentistry to replace painful drilling – which often means anesthesia-free procedures and no pain.”

For those who prefer anesthesia, Dr. Abramczyk offers nitrous oxide, conscious sedation, and IV sedation for a soothing experience.

Dental fear is common. Studies estimate that 50% of Americans avoid regular dental visits because of anxiety.

Dr. Abramczyk’s fear of the dentist as a child fueled her desire to give her patients a decidedly different experience.

“Before I became a dentist, I was ‘dental phobic.’ I just hated to go to the dentist.”

Rather than to give in to that fear, she decided to do something about it – for herself and others

“Many people avoid going to the dentist simply out of fear. The first thing that comes to mind are sharp objects, the high whine of the drill and the pain of a needle. It doesn’t have to be like that, though,” she explained.

“Whether your anxiety stems from a past negative dental visit, fear of discomfort, or embarrassment about the condition of your smile, sedation will allow you to face dental visits with confidence and achieve the strong, healthy smile you deserve,” she said.

One of the most exciting advancements in dentistry is the use of lasers.

Dr. Abramczyk uses hard- and soft-tissue lasers to perform a variety of procedures that once required invasive, fear-inducing tools. Dentistry performed with a laser is said to deliver a more comfortable experience. Most patients don’t require anesthesia during laser surgery, making laser dentistry ideal for children and adults.

Lasers work by emitting a high-frequency stream of focused light energy. Using a laser, Dr. Abramczyk can treat a precise area without affecting surrounding tissue. The laser seals and sterilizes tissues as it goes, so bleeding is minimal and there’s no need for stitches. Lasers speed up treatment and recovery time, so patients spend less time in the office.

Some examples of laser dentistry include:

• Gum tissue sculpting to create an esthetically pleasing gum line
• Gum disease treatment
• Biopsy
• Tumor removal
• Cold sore treatment
• Cavity preparation (great for kids!)
• Teeth whitening

Besides family and pediatric dentistry, Smile Ranch offers cosmetic dentistry, including Invisalign clear braces, Lumineers veneers, Snap On Smile, Lumibrite whitening, EZLaze laser whitening, plus oral cancer detection.

Dr. Abramczyk graduated from Rockwall High School and graduated in 2006 as a doctor of dental surgery at Baylor College of Dentistry. She is a member of the North Texas Dental Society, American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry and Christian Medical and Dental Association.

Prior to becoming a dentist, she completed two years of clinical research at the Retina Foundation of the Southwest in Dallas, Texas where she studied retinal diseases in the retinal degeneration laboratory. She then earned a M.S. in Biomedical Sciences in the Human and Molecular Genetics from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. She has co-authored many publications during her research experiences.

Many insurance programs are accepted, plus flexible financing options are available through Chase Health Advance.

For info, call Smile Ranch Family Dentistry today at  972-772-SMILE (7645).

ROWLETT – The first baby born in 2012 at Lake Pointe Medical Center was Corey Bryland Blackshear, the third child of Shanitra Barton and Corey Blackshear of Garland.

He was born Jan. 3, at 8:13 am, and weighed 7 lbs. 9 oz. and was 20” long.

Presenting a basket of goodies to the family on behalf of the Lake Pointe Health Network are Sharon Groves, RN, Director of the NICU (left) and Debbie Moeller, RN, Chief Nursing Officer.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

(NBC5-TV News) WASHINGTON D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court said Thursday that Texas can’t enforce an abortion/sonogram law passed by the state legislature last summer while the measure is under appeal, the Texas Tribune reports.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Fifth Circut Court of Appeals refused to allow the law to go into effect while it was being appealed.

An Austin judge ruled that the parts of the law that required a doctor to display an ultrasound image, make the heartbeat audible and describe the fetus before terminating a pregnancy were unconstitutional.

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(Fox4 TV News) ROCKWALL – A family that recently moved to Rockwall from New York is still settling in. But they’ve already gotten to know the neighbors intimately thanks to their newest addition to the family.

When Anthony Harper got in the car Saturday to take his pregnant stepdaughter Teresa Critton to the hospital he assumed he had plenty of time. After all, Rockwall’s Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital was just a few miles away.

“I said, ‘Okay, my water broke before. I got a couple of hours,’” said Critton, who has two other children.

(By Kelsey McGonigle) DALLAS – Tom Thumb and the Muscular Dystrophy Association are teaming up for their annual “Send a Kid to Camp” in-store fundraising campaign, Aug. 1 through Sept. 5, to raise funds for MDA Summer Camp.

According to Tom Thumb, customers can purchase “Send a Kid to Camp” mobiles with a contribution of $1 or more to MDA as they check out at any North Texas store. One hundred percent of the donations will go toward sending children with neuromuscular disease to MDA Summer Camp.

Approximately 90 children with neuromuscular disease from across North Texas attend MDA Summer Camp at Camp John Marc in Meridian TX each year. Children ages 6 to 17 spend the “best week of the year” among friends where physical disabilities are the rule rather than the exception.

This year’s Summer Camp lasted June 19 through June 24, and campers enjoyed power hockey, blow darts, water games, arts & crafts, a ropes challenge course, Camp dances, horseback riding, swimming, talent shows, and more. MDA Summer Camp is free of charge to families thanks to corporations, groups and individuals who raise funds for the Association.

“Tom Thumb is proud to join forces with customers and associates to help send children to Summer Camp,” said Tom Thumb Director of Public Affairs Connie Yates. “It means so much for us to be involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association.”

Tom Thumb has a long tradition of assisting the Muscular Dystrophy Association with Camp and other signature MDA events. Each year at Camp, Tom Thumb presents a cooking class for campers. In addition, the grocer coordinates a group of employees to volunteer at the annual MDA Labor Day Telethon and donates gift cards for the Telethon Online Auction. During the Telethon, Tom Thumb presents a check from the “Send a Kid to Camp” fundraising campaign.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. MDA’s annual Labor Day Telethon will be broadcast in the Dallas/Fort Worth area Sunday, September 4 from 5 p.m. to midnight on TXA 21. Up-to-date information about MDA services and research can be found at www.MDA.org.

For more information, please contact Jim Brown or Kelsey McGonigle at 972-480-0070.

ROCKWALL – A group of local women raising funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society called Ethan’s Army is hosting a family-fun day dubbed “Operation Beat Cancer,” July 31^, 4:30-7:30 pm, at the Lofland Farms Community Center, 2400 Wagonwheel Dr. in Rockwall.

The event will include a bounce house and water slide, face painting, raffle prizes and burgers from Outback Steakhouse for $6 each.

Ethan’s Army was founded by Katrina Tate, mother of Ethan (shown above), who is currently in treatment for leukemia. Funds raised will support patients of blood cancers and their families as they face treatment and recovery.

For more information or advance tickets, call 214/674-2193 or visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/ethantate1.

(The Dallas Morning News) ROWLETT – A Rowlett woman says that she contracted a potentially deadly blood infection while waiting overnight at a hospital for doctors to remove a fetus that had died.

Because of what she calls negligent care, Mashell Darden says she receives dialysis three days a week, has had two strokes, brain surgery, blood clots, liver damage, a partial hysterectomy and heart surgery. The mother of four is on a waiting list for a kidney transplant.

Nearly three years after that emergency, Darden is in the midst of a lawsuit against Lake Pointe Medical Center in Rowlett and several members of its medical staff. The complaint, filed in Dallas County civil court, states that in the 16 hours Darden was at the hospital, doctors failed to properly examine her until she had contracted a blood infection called sepsis and it had progressed into septic shock, which is often fatal.

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ROCKWALL – A new healthcare assisted living community called “Autumn Leaves,” which cares exclusively for patients with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, broke ground May 17 behind Home Depot on Ralph Hall Pkwy. at Market Center.

Pictured in the groundbreaking photo are:

• John Barbee, Vice President, Lake Superior Construction
• Mitchell Warren, President, The LaSalle Group
• Brenda Brantley, CFO, The LaSalle Group
• Margie Hooper, President, Rockwall Chamber of Commerce
• Bill Cecil, Rockwall Mayor
• Glen Farris, Rockwall Mayor Pro-Tem
• Chad Anderson, President, Constant Care Family Management
• Stephen Straughan, Founder, RockwallNow.com

HEATH – The City of Heath’s Department of Public Safety received a donation of $5,558 from CRC Insurance Services and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company last month to purchase three automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

The check was presented to Heath officials April 5 at the City of Heath DPS headquarters.

(Michael Parks of CRC Insurance presents the check to Heath Public Safety Director Terry Garrett above.)

An AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses potentially life-threatening cardiac events and uses defibrillation to help the heart reestablish an effective rhythm. With this donation, AEDs will be onboard every Heath DPS fire apparatus.

“In an emergency, time is everything,” said Public Safety Director Terry Garrett, who added that the funds will also enable the DPS to purchase size adapters so that the AEDs can be used on infants.

“We are grateful for this donation that will allow us to provide the best care possible to every member our community.”

The City of Heath DPS is an integration of police, fire and emergency medical technician services with each officer certified in all three disciplines.

“That means when our officers arrive as the first responders to a call for help, they are able to immediately begin doing whatever is required to save lives or property,” said Chief Garrett.

The grant Heath DPS received is part of a nationwide philanthropic program funded by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. The program is designed to provide needed equipment, training and educational tools to local fire departments.

Since 2004, Fireman’s Fund has issued grants to more than 1,700 different departments totaling more than $27 million. Independent insurance agencies and brokers that sell Fireman’s Fund products, like CRC, are able to direct these grants to support the fire service.

To visit Fireman’s Fund’s “Supporting Firefighters” Facebook page, go to facebook.com/SupportingFirefighters.

For more information about the City of Heath or Heath DPS, visit www.heathtx.com.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

ROCKWALL – For the past two years, Rockwall real estate broker Lance Holland (above), the co-owner of Regal Realtors, has been battling cancer.

So have other well-known area residents, including Rockwall County Commissioner Dennis Bailey, former Fate Mayor David Hill and commercial real estate associate Jamie Chism Leonie – the wife of Assistant Attorney General Andrew Leonie.

The list goes on and on.

To raise funds for cancer research in hopes of someday bringing an end to cancer, hundreds of area residents are expected to join together tonight – all night long – to walk and run as teams and individuals at the annual Rockwall American Cancer Society “Relay For Life” at Cain Middle School, 6620 FM 3097/Horizon Rd. (at the intersection of State Highway 549).

It’s one of thousands of similar events hosted nationwide that brings together over 3.5 million people and raises millions of dollars annually.

The overnight Rockwall event begins at 7 pm and ends at 7 am tomorrow morning on the track around the Cain football field.

“The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease,” said event coordinator Carla Brooks.

“At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.”

“Although every Relay For Life is different, there are certain traditions at all Relays, no matter where they are held. These traditions help participants celebrate, remember, and fight back.”

The highlight of the traditions is called the Luminaria Ceremony.

“After dark, we honor people who have been touched by cancer and remember loved ones lost to the disease during the Luminaria Ceremony,” said Brooks. “Candles are lit inside bags filled with sand, each one bearing the name of a person touched by cancer, and participants often walk a lap in silence.”

According to the Rockwall event website, over $53,000 dollars have been raised, as of this morning.

Leading individual fund-raisers are Rockwall ISD Board member Leigh Plagens ($3,375), Justin Holland (the son of Lance Holland – $3,092) and Dwain Smith ($2,850).

Leading team fund-raisers are “Walkers of the Light” ($8,941), “Cure In Action” ($4,677) and “Presbyterian Pathfinders” ($4,297).

Leading local event sponsors include Tenet Healthcare, Applebee’s, Commerce Street Capital, Lake Pointe Medical Center, Lakeside Chevrolet, Nestle, TMG – Technology Media Group, Wal-Mart Foundation, Belfiore Salon & Day Spa, Bella Harbor Hilton, Chic-Fil-a, Chili’s Rockwall, Regal Realtors, Service King Collision Repair Services, Texas Health Resources / Presbyterian Hospital…and dozens more.

To register or for info, see the website or email Brooks at cbrooks_heath@sbcglobal.net.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher