The start of a new year is often the point at which we pause and set goals. For many of us the goals relate to unhealthy habits we want to kick or new ones we want to create. But parents shouldn’t have a monopoly on setting goals. If we share our approach with kids, they […]
READ MOREOrthodontist or dentist: Who is best for your orthodontic treatment?
If you think you or your child might need braces, a question that may cross your mind is: Orthodontist or dentist: Who is best for orthodontic treatment? I’m not surprised people feel confused about the difference between an orthodontist and dentist. If you’ve never given it much thought making a distinction between orthodontists and dentists […]
READ MOREAnswering big orthodontic questions: Do retainers work?
Here’s a scene I see every day. My lovely patient has just completed braces treatment and they’re smiling into the mirror, realising they’re finally free. Yay! Then I remind them: they need a retainer to keep those gorgeous teeth they’ve worked so hard for straight and in place. A question I’m commonly asked at this […]
READ MOREHelp my child is 8! Is it too early for their first visit to the orthodontist?
Recently I overheard one mum say to a friend I’ve booked Tayla* in for her first visit to an orthodontist. Now just to be clear, I wasn’t eavesdropping, but my ears did prick up, especially when her friend responded with, Isn’t that a little early? I mean she’s only eight! It’s a question I’m asked […]
READ MORESo Smile! Book of the week
Here you can listen to my radio interview where I discuss my new book, SO Smile!
READ MORESO Smile: Dr Sarah Dan launches the only orthodontic treatment book a parent needs to survive braces
I’m excited to announce that I’ve finally launched my book SO Smile: A guide to straightening the confusion, concern and catastrophes around orthodontic treatment. Order your copy of SO Smile now! And while this is good news (high five moment), I’m even more excited for the parents, teens and kids who’ll benefit from SO Smile. Why? Because […]
READ MOREManual v. electric toothbrush. Which is the best toothbrush to use during during orthodontic treatment?
Patients often ask me Which is the best manual or electric toothbrush to use during orthodontic treatment? I can relate to this question completely. Whenever I walk down the toothbrush aisle of any supermarket today, I can see why people find it confusing. There is such a wide variety of manual and electric toothbrushes to […]
READ MOREBraces Treatment: The Insider guide to how things have changed.
About to launch your braces treatment journey? Feeling dazed and confused? It’s completely understandable. Knowing all the braces treatment options can be a real challenge. This is especially true if you’ve heard of – or can only recall – the ‘bad old days’ when there weren’t many braces treatment options. Everybody has heard a braces […]
READ MOREThumb sucking: A sign your child might benefit from an early orthodontic assessment.
Thumb sucking is a common behaviour among babies and little kids. While we understand babies instinctively put just about anything in their mouth until around four months, thumb sucking isn’t instinctive. Actually, thumb sucking is thought to be reflexive, and more a technique used by a child to self-soothe. Many children simply grow out of […]
READ MOREThe Parent’s Playbook for surviving orthodontic treatment
It’s easy to think kids orthodontic treatment affects just one person. The child (or teenager) who’s been prescribed the treatment. The reality of kids orthodontic treatment, however, is vastly different. As a specialist orthodontist, and author of my soon to be released book So Smile, I’ve learnt a few things about orthodontics, including early interceptive […]
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