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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (April 20, 2015)
8 Wednesday, May 20, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon New gallery opens on Hood Avenue Getting dental hygiene to seniors By Diane goble Correspondent As we age or become homebound due to ill- ness, one of the things that often get neglected is den- tal hygiene. Even being in a wheelchair, it’s next to impossible to get yourself to a dentist’s office, much less into a dental chair to have any work done on your teeth. To the rescue is Linda Robinson, a registered dental hygienist with an expanded practice permit, who pro- vides in-home dental hygiene care. She has 35 years expe- rience in dental hygiene, including the last 14 years in Bend. She recently branched out on her own seeing patients in Central Oregon from Prineville to La Pine to Sisters, and volunteers for the Kiwanis Dental Van with Medical Teams International. “I always loved work- ing with seniors,” Robinson says, “and what I found was that as their health declines, especially with dementia patients, they tend to brush less often and forget to make appointments for routine dental visits. I’m here to help fill that need.” Since 1998, dental clean- ing has been allowed in nursing homes, but now hygienists can go anywhere. Besides nursing homes, Robinson frequents memory care facilities, foster homes, residential care facilities and home-bound residents in pri- vate homes. She can work on a patient in their bed, sitting in a recliner or in a wheelchair. Dental hygiene services include: dental cleanings, full-mouth screenings and exams, oral cancer exams, and application of fluoride varnish to help prevent tooth decay. She also teaches oral hygiene care to patients and their caregivers. Early detection through screenings can deter prob- lems in the early stages. Over 95 percent of seniors have lost some gum tissue, exposing tooth root surfaces that are susceptible to decay. There are also some medi- cations and treatments, like radiation and chemotherapy, that reduce saliva, the body’s natural defense against cavi- ties, leaving the patient more susceptible to tooth decay. Known as “dry mouth,” it is the feeling there is not enough saliva in the mouth. Everyone has it once in a while — if they are nervous, upset or under stress. But By Jim Cornelius News Editor if you have it all or most of the time, it can be a sign of a serious health problem. It is not a normal part of aging and should be checked out. Studies show that bacte- ria causing decay and gum disease may also contribute to many systemic diseases including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, liver and kidney diseases and respira- tory infections. If something suspicious is seen, Robinson will recommend a dentist see the patient. If they do not have one, she refers to a dentist who will make house calls to provide an exam and limited treatment. For patients with den- tures, she recommends peri- odic exams. Dentures that are not properly cleaned daily can lead to several gum diseases, including yeast infections of the gums, sores due to improperly fit- ting dentures and some oral cancers. Denture clean- ing is included with an oral exam. Robinson is a provider for several insurance compa- nies and will bill insurance companies for qualifying patients. For more information, contact Linda Robinson at 541-312-3375 or lindar@ bendbroadband.com. The saying that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” has never been expressed more vividly than it is at Grizzly Ridge Upcycle. The new gallery, located at the corner of Hood Avenue and Elm Street, features art that is crafted out of materials that others have discarded. “All our items are hand- made from what they call ‘upcycled materials,’” said owner Rhonda Barney. “Peo- ple are just being creative with things that most people throw away.” Grizzly Ridge Upcycle features art from jewelry to whimsical sculpture, from wearable art to art you would hang on your wall. Iraienah Garoutte of Eugene took home a hanging sculpture made of cookie tins and old oil-can spouts made to look like a bull’s horns. “It’s so crazy,” she said. “It makes me laugh. It makes me happy — that’s what I like about it.” She plans to hang it by her front door so that everyone who visits her home will enter with a smile. Though she’s only been open for a couple of weeks, and the gallery is far from full, Barney has already seen a lot of that kind of reaction to the art. “That’s the best thing about Check out our new outdoor walk-up bar this weekend! Breakfast 6-11 | Soup 11-2 daily | Buy coffee at SistersCoffee.com 541-549-0527 • 273 W. Hood Ave. THE GALLERY R E S TA U R A N T A N D B A R Thank you to all our veterans — The Gallery Staff Breakfast & Lunch 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Full-service dining in the bar nightly until 10 p.m. (21 & over) — Orders to go always welcome — Connect with us on Facebook for daily soups and other great specials! 171 W. Cascade Ave., Sisters • 541-549-2631 photo by Jim Cornelius Iraienah garoutte purchased an upcycled wall sculpture from rhonda Barney at grizzly ridge Upcycle. this — it’s awesome,” said Prineville, but decided it was Barney. “It’s just surprise after worth a commute to open her surprise after surprise when gallery in the thriving gallery they see this stuff.” district that Hood Avenue has Barney is actively seeking become in Sisters. artists to consign their wares “I think this type of art will in the gallery — and is look- be appreciated here,” she said. ing forward to more surprises. “I don’t know that every town “My goal or my vision for would be receptive to this type this is that people will have to of stuff.” come back … and see what Sisters has certainly been kind of craziness is here,” she welcoming. Barney said that says. many people have stopped by Barney herself creates to check out the gallery and to painted, upcycled furniture, wish her the best in her new which is what led her into the endeavor. gallery business. She wanted “It made me know that I to sell her own work. She made the right choice,” she didn’t realize that she was rid- said. ing a growing trend toward To inquire about consign- this kind of artistic expression. ment, call 541-588-3070 or “I didn’t realize it was so email grizzlyridgeupcycle@ huge already in bigger cities,” gmail.com. Grizzly Ridge she said. “I knew I liked it.” Upcycle is located at 123 E. Barney lives north of Hood Ave. in Sisters. Gordon’s Last Touch Cleaning Specialists For… 541-549-3008 Carpets • Upholstery Windows Accepting VISA & MasterCard! Snow Removal! Member of the vetter vusiness vureau Serving Central Oregon Since 1980 vonded & Insured