Good morning!

Why am I writing to you out of the blue?

Yes, I know that a letter from me is both unusual and unexpected because we both know that in the past I probably have not been the best of correspondents.

And that's the reason I'm writing.

Quite simply I have decided to turn over a new leaf and do a better job of staying in touch with my patients. You see, in the past, it's always been a pretty major job to get a relevant, interesting and timely message to all of you. In fact, it was a major operation.

But, with the advent of a new computer system that even I can now understand (kids had long since given up on me) and better still the amazing software you can get nowadays, it has become a breeze to stay in touch.

So that's what I have resolved to do. Very simply to be in touch from time-to-time just to keep you up-to-date with happenings, ideas and information that may be of interest and value to you. So that's the reason I'm writing to you out of the blue. I'll let you be the judge of how well I keep to my promise.

Family Thoughts

Firstly on the home front saw our first experience of having a year 12. Elise had an extremely busy year, as expected balancing all of her hockey - U 18 Australian Tournament in Darwin at Easter and Adelaide Premier League all winter, being a clan leader at school and her year 12 studies of course.

" - Jake had a great year also. He captained the U 15 hockey team for both club and state. He just keeps growing, I suppose that's what happens when we feed them. I have lost the arm wrestling for good now and do not even try! He is changing schools this year to complete year 11 and 12.

Olivia, well she just keeps on loving life. At 13 she seems to have grown up faster than the other two. She also loves her hockey and is achieving well. Played in Newcastle in the U13 tournament and came back with the "Player of the Tournament" trophy.

So What's Happening In Dentistry Today?

I believe we have entered the most exhilarating time dentistry has ever had. What an exciting age we live in today... and the dental world is riding the wave also. Technology is contributing to dentistry more and more. Not only do people now expect to keep all their teeth for life, but are demanding the replacement of lost teeth and the creation of beautiful smiles.

At Smilecare we are determined to keep up and have added a lot already, our new computer system, ZOOM whitening and a computer we use to replace old metal (mercury) fillings with beautiful, strong, longer lasting, white porcelain in one visit... more on this later.

Tooth Whitening: Does It Work?

You have probably seen the Extreme Makeover show on television where they start with a grain of sand and turn it into a pearl. Many people have asked me whether it is possible to do that makeover for a "normal person" and, in particular, make their teeth look so good.

There are basically three ways of whitening teeth and, as with everything, you get what you pay for. The cheapest system is where you purchase a take-home kit over the counter and try doing it at home until your patience is exhausted.

Then there's the moderately priced tray system in which the dentist custom makes the mouthguard type trays to accurately fit your teeth. Then you fill the trays with whitening gel and wear them for at home for a couple of hours every day for a week or two. Results are reasonable but many people give up!

The investment is somewhat more for the third system, known as ZOOM, but it only takes about 90 minutes sitting comfortably in the dentist's chair whilst we use a light to activate the teeth whitening gel. It gives by far the best result in the minimum amount of time.

The ZOOM system is what is used on all the makeover shows and that's simply because it works really well. We have ZOOM to give you whiter teeth faster because quite simply we believe it is currently the best, easiest to use method available today. If you're planning to have your teeth whitened then it's certainly the system to go for.

The Year Ahead

Finally, may I take this opportunity on behalf of all the team at Smilecare to thank you for your valued support in 2004 and to wish you all that you could possibly wish yourself for a year that already is speeding past. With all that is going on in our world today, it is easy to forget what a fantastic place Adelaide is to live, work and bring up our families.

At Smilecare we are looking forward to an exciting year and are ready to provide the very best that dentistry can offer today!

Yours sincerely

Phillip Stacy

P.S. If you would like to know more about tooth whitening just call Tania who can tell you all about it and answer a11 your questions.

P.P.S. And, as a bonus as a special introductory offer, if you have your teeth whitened during March, we will give you a $100 shopping voucher to buy a new outfit to go with your brilliant pearly white teeth!