Happy New Year – Highlights of 2025 – Part 4 – October to December

Blog Series – Team Miroma / Wairoa Runs – Part 1 – Team Wairoa

Blog Series – Team Miroma / Wairoa Runs – Part 2 – Team Miroma – We Did It!

Blog Series – Team Miroma / Wairoa Runs – Part 3 – The Covid Years and Beyond

November

We continue on with Blog Series – Team Miroma / Wairoa Runs – Part 4 – Recent Times

The only constant is change. The Bridge run was originally run by Blackmores as a 10km run. Then it grew to include a 3km walk, Wheelchair section and a half and full marathon. Then ASIC took over. The 10km run was a marathon too. The start changed from an 8am to arriving before dawn with floodlights showing us the way to the start.

The Harbour Bridge “Marathon” Team Miroma 2023 – We made it!

Well before that, the notable events of the 17^th September 2023 are:

• 5:2am – sunrise at Milson’s Point @ Luna Park
• 6:00am – 16 degrees at said point
• 6:05am – The start of The Harbour Bridge “Marathon” Team Miroma 23
  (Yes, it’s OMG early, but we finish when 18 degrees).

The day started with making sure we got the 5am first light rail from Juniors Kingsford, change at Central (hoping the App was correct and public transport was working) and then Milsons point @ 5:35am.

Now for something completely different – Changing Teeth Without Braces – Peg Laterals & the Diastema (Curious?) – A Case Study

We are all not born the same. Unfortunately, we are beholden to genetics, where we can blame mum and dad and the family tree. This is all too evident in the shape of teeth in particular the upper lateral incisors. These are the teeth next to the very front “central” incisors. The genetics can cause these teeth to be smaller and pointier than the normal flat edge variety.

They are also called peg laterals. Funny looking pegs. Anyway, it’s not the best look and can lead to “photoitis”. (First world problems).

Now some first world problems – Upgrading Tech – OMG

We live in a world so dependent on computers, internet and gadget that when we get a first world problem, we could ultimately lose our identity and even not exist.

So, problem one – we are totally reliant on the internet – for our phones, eftpos, hicaps payments, banking, sending and receiving and backing up clinical information and so on. (We do have 5G back-ups internet and apps for phone calls and payments).

Now, problem two – security – well everything is working great until Windows 11 came along. Why, because no more security updates for Windows 10.

Hence the upgrading of tech. It’s not the nice new features, greater speed, funny emojis or wild games… it’s security from the cyber wolves.

Everyone wants to steal from us as we become a commodity for the dark web. It could mean being held to ransom or blackmailed. It’s the wild west! Who do you trust with so much fake news and liars in the millions.

Thank goodness for online support… oh, you need the internet for that. It was working but the NBN has its moments…

Something interesting but vitally important- Mastication – Fancy word for chewing – Doing it long enough? Part 1

If you didn’t already know it, eating is important to life. But how important, is very complex with an interplay with enzymes, pH, hormones, nerves, psychology, and oral, digestive, brain, and frankly, the whole-body function. Improper chewing has a role to play in diabetes. obesity, lung disease, dementia, oral/teeth/gum/swallowing conditions.

So, the importance of chewing begins with:

• Mastication and nutrition
• then its effect on appetite
• and onto its impact on cerebral blood flow and the development of dementia.

December

We kept Chewing – Doing it long enough? Part 2 – Hormones and enzymes

Chewing is a powerful stimulant to the production of saliva from the major salivary glands especially the parotid glands found within the cheeks. The duct where the saliva is released is opposite the upper molar teeth. The other gland is the sub mandibular gland found under the lower jaw and whose ducts are found under the tongue.

As a result, as the flow increases through the structure of the glands, altered resorption of ions occur. There is a dramatic shift in the production of bicarbonate ions and as a result there is an increase in the pH. Now a pH of 7 is neutral, the saliva, at rest, is normally slightly acidic at 6.5. Stimulated saliva is 8.0-8.5 pH causing a 100-fold reduction in hydrogen ions – i.e. reduction in acidity, big time!!!

Keep Chewing – Doing it long enough? Part 3 – Full body implications

There is evidence of the loss of teeth with a reduction of cognitive ability. Chewing increases cerebral blood flow in the brain. So, loss of teeth increases the risk of dementia.

Now the future is upon us with AI in Dentistry – The beginning…

In dentistry, AI (artificial intelligence) is considered as a medical device which the dentist is responsible for its use. Great… You see, you can test other equipment to see if it’s working properly, either myself or an expert. The expert may even certify that it’s functioning properly and ok to use it.

AI is different.

I asked the lecturer “How do you test AI if I am responsible for it?”

You see the experts in the field don’t always know how AI works.

The answer… “I don’t know.”

Wow, that’s great.

A basis to AI is machine learning. The AI learns to recognise patterns in the data and then performs functions without definitive instructions.

The issue is the data. AI is a “hungry beast” wanting data. The issue is what is the data its consuming? Is it good enough quality and enough quantity? Are the conclusions correct?

We come to the end of another year at the Hill of Dulwich and Merry Christmas 2025

We have had staff changes over this year. Wonderful Sue still remotes into work four hours a week to help with stock and other matters and to keep in touch with patients.

A new dental student Angela has joined us. Kevin, our present dental student, is about to graduate.  We wish him all the best for his start in life as a dentist call Dr Kevin Wu.

Demi, is continuing to attended university and is doing great as our casual dental nurse.

Thanks again to Yvette our back up casual nurse.

These wonderful nurses continue to be with Seymour Dental and I am truly blessed. Thank you Sue, Renee, Roni, Maggy, for all that you have done.

Aisha, our media expert, has been amazing with Facebook, Social and Digital Media part of the practice.

Volt Creative needs to be thanked for the maintaining the website and for making these blogs look so good!

I would not be able to achieve anything without my very supportive wife Eva, who has always done so much for the family.

Thanks, Dr Chris, for your friendship, however he has moved on.

We would like to welcome Dr Sara Lassemillante to Seymour Dental as a part-time dentist. She has a gentle and empathetic approach to patient care. With 20 years of experience in dentistry, Dr Sara has built a reputation for not only her clinical expertise but also her dedication to making dental visits a more comfortable and less stressful experience for her patients.