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community outreach

Bleeding Gums After Your 6-Month Cleaning?

By community outreach, Cosmetic dentistry

bleeding gums

Regular check-ups and cleanings at Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover are essential for good dental health. But in some people their gums tend to bleed after a thorough cleaning, causing them concern.

Is this a problem? Well, it depends. If your gums bleed for a couple days after your dental cleaning, don’t worry about it. But, if the bleeding and tenderness last longer, you should be checked for the possibility of gum disease.

Gum disease arises when plaque builds up along the gum line. You might also see bad breath, painful chewing, and loose teeth.

It is a progressive condition and a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It is also treatable, but as with most conditions, the earlier it is diagnosed and the treatment begins, the better.

We treat gum disease at Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover. Patients from throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley know they can trust us with their dental health. They also come to our practice for restorative dentistry and much more. Schedule an appointment today!

Contact Future of Dentistry:

Locations (Tap Below To Open Your Office In Google Maps):

Future of Dentistry – Billerica
668 Boston Rd
Billerica, MA 01821
978-663-4303

Future of Dentistry – Dracut
149 Pleasant St
Dracut, MA 01826
978-957-1811

Future of Dentistry – North Andover/Willows Dental Group
795 Turnpike St
North Andover, MA 01845
978-685-8313

Future of Dentistry – Wakefield
968 Main St
Wakefield, MA 01880
781-245-2299

Future of Dentistry – Chelmsford
3 Courthouse Ln
Chelmsford, MA 01824
978-970-2089

December 28, 2023
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Hours & Updates on COVID-19

By announcements, community outreach, public healthNo Comments

As of today, March 16, 2020, we are rescheduling all non-emergency appointments until after April 6, 2020. This decision is made with careful consideration, in light of recent recommendations made by the Massachusetts Dental Society, along with State and Federal Agencies, and out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of our patients.

We will remain available as needed for dental emergency management and will have staff available to respond to your communications. Please call our office if you have an urgent dental matter. For non-emergencies, we recommend you text us or email us through our website at www.FutureOfDentistry.com.

By limiting our contact, we are doing our part to “Flatten the Curve.” Our decision to close is in part to support the frontline healthcare personnel who are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and to help preserve limited personal protection equipment for those treating patients in a more emergent environment.

This situation is evolving. We will continue to review our protocols as information is released and will provide updates as needed. We appreciate your cooperation during these times.

This is an unprecedented time. We wish you and your family continued health and safety. When we work together, we succeed together!

March 16, 2020
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Tasty Tribute: Candy Collection For The Troops!

By community outreach, just for funNo Comments
treats for troops

Dr. Casazza poses with the 668 pounds of candy just before it went out for shipment and drop-off to troops and veterans.

 

As the holiday season begins, Future of Dentistry and the local community are thankful for our troops, and excited to show it with 668 pounds of candy!

treats for troops scouts

Reading’s Cub Scout Pack 735 and their families were a big help again this year! Pack 735 thanked their helpers, Cuatico (Lockhart), Mrs. Demasse-Furrier and Grandpa Crosby.

Our Wakefield office teamed up with local schools, youth groups and families for our annual Treats For Troops program. Children are invited to donate some of their Halloween candy as a way to thank those who serve. This year, Future of Dentistry collected 668 pounds of candy from families all around Greater Boston and the North Shore!

“The most important part of the program is showing support for our troops and veterans,” says Dr. Gerry Casazza, our founder. “It’s a great chance for kids to learn about giving back. Of course, it’s also good for kids’ teeth to have a little less candy around the house!”

Schools and Scout groups play a major role in Treats For Troops every year, along with their parents and teachers. Donating between 100 and 200 pounds each were the Greenwood School of Wakefield, the Barrows School of Reading, and the Killam School of Reading in collaboration with Cub Scout Pack 735 of Reading. As always, Pack 735 demonstrated their community dedication by promoting the candy drive and organizing and transporting their school’s collection.

We love seeing kids learning about giving back, and all the hands-on effort they put in! It makes the Treats For Troops program extra special.

Some of the Greenwood students pose with candy they collected for the Treats For Troops program.

Many children provided personalized messages for the troops on special “Dear Hero” stationary that we provided. Some also included some adorable handmade cards! Along with all the treats and messages, Future of Dentistry also sent toothbrushes to the military.

Future of Dentistry ships the majority of the candy so it is received by U.S. military personnel all over the world, helped in part by Operation Gratitude. In addition, we work with several groups and supporters to ensure the treats reach local veterans and active-duty servicemen and -women from our local communities.

Future of Dentistry would like to thank these local partners, including: the Wakefield Veteran Services Office, Paula Berg of Wakefield, Helping Our Troops of Stoneham and Operation Troop Support of Danvers.

Thank you again to all the families and partners who made this possible! We are thrilled to see the Treats For Troops program succeed every year, and we hope the troops and veterans enjoy their candy!

To learn more about Treats For Troops, please visit our website to text, call or message us.

treats for troops candy collection

A few of the many volunteers from Future of Dentistry’s Wakefield team!

Messages from the kids put the “care” in care package!

November 27, 2019
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The Future Looks Bright In North Andover

By community outreach, dental educationNo Comments

There were smiles all around at Meritor Academy during a recent visit from Willows Dental, which is Future of Dentistry’s location in North Andover.

Elainy, one of our Dental Hygienists, visited the North Andover preschool and introduced the students to our Clean Teeth Club. Children’s smiles have to last their whole lives, so the goal is encouraging kids to adopt good dental health habits and skills at an early age. Meritor Academy, which has students brush their teeth as part of their school day, was a perfect fit for the visit.

Our Clean Teeth Club is a program that we adapt for each classroom’s age level. We make sure the presentation is interactive so it keeps kids’ attention. And since Elainy is a mom, she knew just how to do that!

Elainy covered topics like healthy eating and proper brushing— such as how to hold the brush correctly and how long to spend brushing. The class learned that many of the same foods that are unhealthy for your body, like soda and candy, can also be bad for your teeth. Demonstrations and activities helped make the program engaging and impactful for the children.

The children all received Future of Dentistry gift bags for the students and staff to take home. The goody bags included practical items like toothbrush, toothpaste and a 2-minute sand timer to help them brush the right amount of time, as well as some fun items for the kids.

To learn more or request a dental visit for your school, please visit our website at www.FutureOfDentistry.com. Click on the office nearest your school; you can message us directly or call us if you prefer.

 

October 1, 2019
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Local Preschoolers Brush Up On Dental Health

By community outreach, dental educationNo Comments

Kids are notorious for claiming to brush their teeth until confronted by a parent about their dry, unused toothbrush. The “wet toothbrush” ploy is also popular with kids, and although it does sometimes trick parents, it doesn’t fool the bacteria that causes tooth decay.

We laugh at these classic childhood antics, but it’s important to establish good dental health routines at an early age. That’s why our team regularly visits local schools and community events to talk about dental care. These smiles need to last a lifetime! 

The latest edition of our “Clean Teeth Club” was led by Danielle, a Dental Hygienist in Future of Dentistry’s Billerica and Wakefield offices. She visited Great Futures Preschool, which is based at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Billerica.

Assisted by Linda, Office Manager at the Billerica office, Danielle gave an interactive presentation to the preschool’s 4- and 5-year-olds.

Danielle covered topics like healthy eating and proper brushing technique — such as how to hold the brush correctly and how long to spend brushing.

The class learned that many of the same foods that are unhealthy for your body, like soda and candy, can also be bad for your teeth. Games, demonstrations and activities helped make the program engaging and impactful for the kids.

Danielle and Linda also passed out Future of Dentistry gift bags for the students and staff to take home. The children’s bags included practical items like toothbrush, toothpaste and a 2-minute sand timer to help them brush the right amount of time. Items like a “Tic Tac Tooth” game help kids develop a positive attitude about dental care. 

We’d like to thank the students and staff at Great Futures Preschool for giving us a wonderful, warm welcome! They were a great group, and the Future Looks Bright!

If you’d like Future of Dentistry to visit your school or community group, or to learn more, please call 978-663-4303, send a message through www.futureofdentistry.com, or email lisa.futureofdentistry@gmail.com.

January 26, 2019
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“Treats For Troops” Breaks Record at Future of Dentistry

By community outreachNo Comments

Halloween candy troops Future of Dentistry

Thank you to our patients and community for helping Future of Dentistry break its record for “Treats For Troops!” This is our annual Halloween candy collection, which benefits U.S. troops and veterans. We collected an amazing 796 pounds this year! 

Future of Dentistry began “Treats For Troops” several years ago. It’s a sweet way to show our troops and veterans we appreciate them. We hope it gives them something to smile about!

It’s also a great fit for us as a dental practice, since it reduces the amount of unhealthy snacks that kids consume. (At left is Roman Casazza, whose dad, Dr. Gerry Casazza, established the program at Future of Dentistry.)

The amount of candy collected for “Treats For Troops” has grown every year and local schools and youth groups are an essential part of why it is a success. Several hundred pounds of candy were collected this year by the Greenwood School of Wakefield; the Killam School of Reading in collaboration with Cub Scout Pack 735 of Reading; the Barrows School of Reading; and the Goddard School of Reading.

The Scouts played a major role in gathering, preparing and transporting the candy! (Some of the Pack participants are pictured below, right.) The rest of the candy was donated by numerous patients and families throughout the area. Cub Scout Pack 735 Treats for Troops

Thanks to all the kids and parents and teachers! With your help, we easily topped last year’s total of 625 pounds.

We’d also like to thank everyone who participated in our Facebook contest to guess how much candy we collected. Congratulations to the winners, Andrew D. (800 pounds) and Mark V. (783 pounds.) Those were the closest guesses to the real total of 796 pounds! 

Many local students submitted letters or cards for our troops and veterans. Future of Dentistry offers a printable “Dear Hero” stationary option for families and schools. The children’s messages are enclosed with the candy donations, along with toothbrushes from Future of Dentistry, because of course we want our troops to keep their smiles in great shape! (Many of the letters came from the Greenwood School, whose candy collection was spearheaded by Jeanine Campbell’s fourth grade class, pictured below. You can also view a couple of the letters further below. They’re as sweet as the candy!) Greenwood School Treats for Troops

The candy collection lasts for about a week. Then the Future of Dentistry team focuses on sorting and organizing to ensure the treats meet the U.S. Military’s standards for donation. After weighing and boxing and labeling, our team ships the majority to Operation Gratitude for care packages for active-duty troops.

We also keep things locally-focused by donating some to local organizations that support our veterans and troops. Our final thank-you is for the veterans organizations and local volunteer groups who make our donations possible and work so hard for our veterans and troops year-round. These include Paula Berg of Wakefield, Helping Our Troops of Stoneham, Operation Troop Support of Danvers, the Melrose-Wakefield-Saugus Veteran Services District, and many more.

If you’re interested in participating in “Treats for Troops” with Future of Dentistry next year, please contact the Wakefield office by mid-October 2019. Please call 781-245-2299 or email us at info@futureofdentistry.com.  

kids letter treats for troopskids letter treats for troops

December 3, 2018
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Haiti Mission Puts The CARE In Dental Care

By community outreach, public healthNo Comments

We are always proud of our team’s compassion, especially when they invest their time and resources in a good cause. Sara C. is the latest team member to take a hands-on approach to philanthropy. She’ll be part of a “mini mission” this month, helping provide dental care to disadvantaged communities in Haiti.

“When I heard about the Haiti trip, I was really excited to get involved and do something positive,” Sara says. “I love to travel. This mission is a great opportunity to experience the world, and at the same time, give something back to it.”

Sara’s trip takes place at a fitting time of year, Nov. 21-25, right during Thanksgiving. In the U.S., and perhaps especially in the Boston area, we are fortunate to have the best health care available. Haiti isn’t so lucky. The island nation suffers from extreme poverty and a shortage of trained dental professionals, especially outside of the capital city. As a Registered Dental Hygienist, Sara will be providing care to underserved Haitians in rural areas.

In addition to hands-on care, dental professionals like Sara work to raise public awareness about oral health. Periodontal disease and tooth decay are preventable, yet they can contribute to a variety of illnesses that affect the whole body.

The five-day mission is coordinated by International Medical Relief, a registered 501(c)(3) medical organization with NGO status.

Dedication is one of the cornerstones of Future of Dentistry’s philosophy. Dr. Casazza strives for a team that is committed to our patients, our fellow coworkers, and our community. Sara’s mission perfectly exemplifies her dedication to public health. Sara, we are proud of you, and wish you all the best on your trip!

To donate to Sara’s mission, or to learn more about International Medical Relief, visit www.internationalmedicalrelief.org/medical-relief-fundraising/sara-colvin_27103.

November 12, 2018
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Don’t Be Caught Off Guard!

By community outreach, dental educationNo Comments

We’ve just finished up mouth guard fittings for members of the Wakefield High School football team! The first round is ready for the players. 

This is an annual program in which Future of Dentistry works with the team, families and Boosters to provide custom-fit sports guards for the student athletes on the WHS football team.

Dracut cosmetic dentist

Why are custom-fit guards so important? You’re not just protecting against dental damage; studies show they’re the best defense against facial injuries and even concussions. Click here to learn more.

The students who participated will receive sports guards designed for the unique size, shape and contours of their mouth, teeth and tongue. The custom design helps ensure their safety. And, of course, the guards show red for the Wakefield Warriors color!

We’d like to thank the team, the Boosters, and the families who partnered with Future of Dentistry. A special “shout out” to Lori O’Keefe for all her efforts!

We also want to thank Billy and Michael for posing for a photo with their new guards. It probably wasn’t what a couple of teenage boys wanted to do on a summer morning, but they were good sports about it!

And finally, our sincere appreciation for New England Orthodontic Lab for helping make this program possible again this year.

We’re looking forward to a great school year and a great 2018-2019 season!

Custom sports guards can be designed for both adults and children. The procedure is fast and painless, and helps keep players safe. To learn more, please call us at 781-245-2299 or send us a message through our website. You can also email to info@futureofdentistry.com

August 13, 2018
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A Tasty Tribute For Our Troops!

By community outreachNo Comments

Many of our patients know about the “Treats For Troops” program at Future of Dentistry. We collect extra Halloween candy every year to donate to U.S. military and veterans. This year, we collected 625 pounds of candy for “Treats For Troops”!

625 pounds is a record-breaker for us! It’s about 15 pounds more than last year. You may be wondering, how did we end up with that huge amount of candy?

The answer is that we’re part of a wonderful community. Local families set aside some of the candy from their trick-or-treating, to donate to the troops. 

Kids make a small sacrifice by giving up some candy, and the troops receive a positive message of support along with the treats! Some children bring a card or drawing along with their candy. We love seeing the kids’ personalized messages, and we encourage families to include these items.

We’d like to thank all the families who contributed candy. Special recognition to the following the schools, which collected hundreds of pounds of candy: Greenwood School of Wakefield, Killam School of Reading, and Acera School of Winchester. The families at these schools did an AMAZING job.

The tasty treats will go to active-duty military serving overseas, as well as local troops and veterans. We also send some toothbrushes to the troops.

At Future of Dentistry, we love this program for two reasons:

  • It’s a great way to show our troops and veterans we appreciate them
  • It’s a chance for children to give back
  • Many families end up with tons of leftover candy from trick-or-treating. It’s usually a lot more sugar than parents want their children to consume! “Treats For Troops” means kids have a little less candy – which is great for their teeth and their overall health.

We’d also like to thank our partners in this program: Melrose Wakefield Saugus Veteran Services, Operation Gratitude, and Paula Berg.

December 11, 2017
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A Fond Farewell For Our Intern!

By community outreach, dental education, UncategorizedOne Comment

This week is bittersweet for the team at Future of Dentistry. We’ll be saying goodbye to our intern, Maria, who has been with us since the year began. We’re sad to see her go, but we’re looking forward to seeing her shine as she continues her career!

Future of Dentistry Northeast Metro Tech

From L-R at Future of Dentistry: Lead Dental Assistant Darlene, Dr. Gerry Casazza, and Northeast Metro Tech intern Maria Manfra.

Maria is a dental assisting student at Northeast Metro Tech, the technical-vocational school in Wakefield.

“Maria has been a welcome addition to our office,” said Dr. Casazza. “With her enthusiasm and upbeat personality, it has been a pleasure having her as an intern.”

During her internship, Maria worked with three of our dentists as well as our dental assistants. She gained experience in a variety of areas, from assisting the dentists to preparing the rooms for patients.

“I learned a lot of hands-on skills,” she says.

Although she’d done some dental assisting through Northeast Metro Tech’s program, Maria feels she acquired valuable on-the-job knowledge at our office. For example, a big part of a dental assistant’s job is handing the doctor the proper instruments during treatment.

Sound easy? It’s not! Future of Dentistry performs a wide range of services, using a variety of techniques and equipment. A good assistant needs to anticipate what the doctors need and have it ready before they even ask. This challenge was part of Maria’s learning process during her internship.

Darlene, our lead assistant, acted as a mentor to Maria. “Maria always has a smile on her face,” said Darlene. “She is eager to learn and she’s always warm and welcoming with our patients — two qualities we value highly at Future of Dentistry.”

As a senior, Maria is planning to attend Middlesex Community College and become a full-time dental assistant. She recommends Northeast to other students considering a career in the dental field. She feels that her internship at Future of Dentistry provided a head-start on her career — and she had fun doing it.

“I loved all of it,” Maria said. “Everyone was so nice, and I like interacting with the patients.”

May 4, 2017
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