Adella Miesner

Alaska dentist, Seth Lookhart, who extracted a patient’s tooth on a hoverboard sentenced to 12 years in jail

By Adella Miesner 17 mins ago

Seth Lookhart, 35, was convicted on 46 felony and misdemeanor counts in January, including medical assistance fraud, scheme to defraud, illegal practice of dentistry and reckless endangerment.

Anchorage Superior Court Judge Michael Wolverton sentenced Lookhart on Monday to serve 20 years in jail with eight years suspended, the statement said. That means Lookhart will serve 12 years behind bars. He also cannot practice dentistry during his 10 years of probation.

Lookhart apologized for his actions while reading from a prepared statement.

“Looking back, I can’t say exactly when I began to go off course,” he said, CNN affiliate KTUU reported. “While I do not doubt that I was able to render care and alleviate the pain to many people who were in dire need, I also know that I could have and should have maintained better discipline and focus while serving a patient base I came to love.”

He also

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Dentist who extracted tooth on hoverboard gets 12 years

By Adella Miesner 1 day ago

An Alaska dentist who extracted a patient’s tooth while riding on a hoverboard has been sentenced to 12 years behind bars for that stunt and other wheel-y bad crimes.

Seth Lookhart was sentenced Monday in Anchorage Superior Court on dozens of charges that stemmed from his scooting antics to Medicaid fraud and removing a patient’s teeth without their permission, the Anchorage Daily News reported.

He was convicted back in January on charges of reckless endangerment, illegally practicing dentistry and medical assistance fraud.

“In reviewing all this over and over again, I have this visceral response — you darn near killed some people,” Judge Michael Wolverton said in handing down the sentence.

Seth Lookhart
Seth Lookhart on the hoverboard during the procedure.

The court heard testimony at his trial from patient Veronica Wilhelm, who was sedated when he was recorded performing her tooth extraction on a hoverboard in July 2016.

In the cellphone

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Visits to the dentist can evoke memories of traumatic sexual abuse

By Adella Miesner 2 days ago

dentist
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

The defencelessness experienced while sitting in the dentist’s chair can prompt memories of sexual abuse, finds endodontist Eva Wolf in her new study.

She has interviewed 13 people, who had such experiences, and found many are scared and avoid going to the dentist, do not show up for scheduled appointments, or leave ongoing treatment.

“It is very clear that the situation at the dentist is reminiscent of abuse previously experienced. It is the same defencelessness and powerlessness that arises in situations of abuse. By recognizing these reactions, dental care can contribute to the disclosure of abuse,” says Wolf, associate professor of endodontics at Malmö University.

She points out that dental education and dental hygienist education are among the programs that, according to the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance, must educate students about men’s violence against women, and violence in close relationships.

“Healthcare professionals must be attentive and

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Is it safe to go to the dentist right now? What to know before you go

By Adella Miesner 3 days ago

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Deciding if you should go to the dentist now is a personal choice — here’s what the WHO and the ADA have to say.


Getty Images
For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO website.

If you’ve never been a fan of going to the dentist, then you may have an excuse to skip your routine visit this year — depending on your views about COVID-19 safety. Dental cleanings and check-ups are important to keep your mouth healthy and avoid costly procedures, like a root canal, down the line. But because of the coronavirus pandemic, there is conflicting guidance out there about whether or not you should still go to the dentist for non-emergency appointments.

The WHO released a statement in August recommending that people skip routine dental check ups and cleaning during the COVID-19 pandemic. It said you should only visit the

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This toothless Chihuahua is comforting scared patients at a California dentist office

By Adella Miesner 5 days ago

Want more inspiring, positive news? Sign up for The Good Stuff, a newsletter for the good in life. It will brighten your inbox every Saturday morning.

Kismet, a 13-year-old Chihuahua and a big fan of treats and back scratches, spends her days at Corte Madera Family Dentistry, where she offers cuddles to patients who could use a little stress relief while having their teeth worked on.

Dr. Cameron Garrett, the office’s dentist, and his wife, Debra Garrett, the dental hygienist, adopted Kismet in July. Since then, she’s been a great addition to their family practice in Corte Madera.

“After working so long in the industry you begin to understand quickly you’re just as much of a psychiatrist as you are a dentist,” Cameron Garrett told CNN. “Everybody brings some anxiety or baggage into the dental environment, and the science is very clear. Interacting with an animal, having physical contact with … Read More

How to safely go to the dentist during the pandemic

By Adella Miesner 6 days ago

My tongue first detected the problem when it caught a sharp edge on my teeth: A hefty hunk of my back right molar was missing. I’m not sure how it happened, but it meant that after months of avoiding any sort of physical closeness with other people, I needed to brave the dentist’s chair.

With the pandemic raging across the United States, the office I entered in Alexandria, Virginia, looked very different from the one I had visited months before. Two cups of pens sat on the receptionist’s desk, one for “clean” writing utensils and the other for those recently used. A plexiglass partition divided me from the rest of the office behind, and everyone—myself included—donned a mask.

Dental work is a uniquely risky environment for spreading SARS-CoV-2, since medical practitioners work face-to-face with open-mouthed patients for extended periods of time. “We, unfortunately, work in a danger zone,” says Mark

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Shaun Weiss’ dentist, Dr. Gabe Rosenthal, opens up about treatment

By Adella Miesner 1 week ago

The dentist behind Shaun Weiss’ brand-new smile is opening up about the “Mighty Ducks” actor’s total transformation.

LA-based Dr. Gabe Rosenthal offered his dental services free of charge when he heard of 42-year-old Weiss’ struggles through a friend, former “Salute Your Shorts” star Michael Ray Bower (“Donkeylips”), and after having read the news about Weiss’ arrest.

“He’s just a great guy,” Dr. Gabe told Page Six of Weiss over the phone Thursday. “We mesh really well.”

Dr. Gabe began his treatments with Weiss, who played Goldberg in the Disney movies, earlier this summer, but his journey isn’t over, in terms of both his dental work and his physical health.

“He’s such a good guy, such a sweetheart. He’s putting his weight back on. He is so much more confident,” Dr. Gabe shared of Weiss’ recovery from drug addiction. “He’s ready to go. He feels better. Every time I see him

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A Dentist Sees More Cracked Teeth. What’s Going On?

By Adella Miesner 1 week ago

So what can we do?

You’d be surprised how many people are unaware that they’re clenching and grinding. Even patients who come into the office complaining of pain and sensitivity are often incredulous when I point it out. “Oh, no. I don’t grind my teeth,” is a refrain I hear over and over again, despite the fact that I’m often watching them do it.

Awareness is key. Are your teeth currently touching? Even as you read this article? If so, that’s a sure sign that you’re doing some damage — your teeth shouldn’t actually touch throughout the day at all unless you’re actively eating and chewing your food. Instead, your jaw should be relaxed, with a bit of space between the teeth when the lips are closed. Be mindful, and try to stop yourself from grinding when you catch yourself doing it.

If you have a night guard or retainer,

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Dentist Houston TX | Cosmetic & Family Dentist in Houston TX

By Adella Miesner 2 weeks ago