Category: Business

WHILE a number of studies already link poor oral health to compromised overall health, recently published research also suggests a possible correlation between gum disease and the risk of respiratory infections, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia. These serious infections can be instigated when bacteria from the upper throat are inhaled into the…

TOO many times, I encounter relatives or friends going through the dilemma of not being able to handle an elderly relative’s financial, legal, and medical affairs after such relative becomes incompetent or disabled. Often understated and unrealized is the paramount importance of a Power of Attorney. Most people recognize the need for it when it…

FOR quite a few taxpayers who have deferred on filing their 2010 income tax returns, the deadline is just by the corner. The most prudent action would be to file your income tax return before the October 17th deadline to avoid additional penalties and interest owed. Remember, your tax payments would have been due on…

THE fact that a lot of existing Living Trusts are not properly funded is a scare to behold. Once your Living Trust was drafted and finalized, you think your assets and loved ones are safe and protected from the dreadful process of probate. Absolutely not at this point! Not until you have funded the trust….

While we endeavor to help our patients avoid tooth problems, the reality is that by the time many people get to the dentist, they are already experiencing symptoms of dental distress. Many common dental complaints – both physical and cosmetic – can be traced back to enamel damage. Tooth enamel is the hard, outer layer…

LAST week, Ana (not her real name), approached me regarding her situation. She has “loaned or invested” $182,000 to someone who is now missing with the lure of extremely high investment return. So many times I have been personally offered these sales pitches myself. My simple and easy answer, “If it sounds too good to…

GOING to college is a good thing as it can open greater opportunities for employment and has the potential to transform someone to higher level of success. There are various ways to finance a college education, one of which, and maybe the most popular means, is by obtaining student loans. It might seem overwhelming as…

TOO many times, taxpayers receive a surprise letter from the IRS, and even the Franchise Tax Board, on taxes owed from a cancelled debt acquired through debt settlement or debt consolidation. The general notion that once a debt has been reduced by a lender, the debtor is absolved of any other financial obligation has kept…

A LOT of patients share your concern about bad breath. As a social embarrassment, it’s surely near the top of the list. Since mouthwashes won’t eliminate the problem, let us have a look at some possible reasons for the condition. Bacteria, plain and simple, are the culprit. Bacteria do their work in the mouth, lungs,…

LEE-CHUA, (1997) defined a successful family business as “one that has existed for at least 10 years, is still existing, and has made a name for itself in its field. The founder may still be alive and thinking of succession, the second generation may already be in charge, or the third generation may even be…

WE ALL have opinions and sometimes we hold very divergent views, as you would imagine when you bring together a group of people who are active within different industry spheres and in different geographical locations. That ability to see the industry from many different perspectives is actually a great advantage, because although you might believe…

Cosmetic dentists understand that communication with the patient over what they expect, what they want their teeth to look like, is critical to their success. In order for you to be happy with the result, you need to have strong input into the artistic planning of your smile. To help you accomplish that, I’d like…

The legendary David is back. He is back in the Philippines, battling the giants in the petroleum industry. Slowly but surely, he is creating a niche in an industry dominated by multinational oil companies. Our modern David goes by the name of Dennis Uy, founder and president of public listed Phoenix Petroleum Philippines. If you…

FAMILY businesses have both strengths and weaknesses. The overwhelming strength of the family business is the different atmosphere and feel that a family concern has. There can be a sense of belonging and common purpose, leading to improved performance. Furthermore, a family firm has greater flexibility, since the unity of management and shareholders provides the…

LENT prepares the Christian for the yearly commemoration of Christ’s Death and Resurrection.   Forty weekdays – hence the term ‘Cuaresma’ in Spanish, are given over to prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and abstinence from meat. Christ’s forty-day retreat in the desert and His success in resisting the devil’s temptation to wealth, power, and glory inspires the Christian…

You’ve probable heard us talk about the “mouth-body connection” and how periodontal (gum) disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke and diabetes, in addition to pregnant women’s chances of giving birth to pre-term, low-weight babies.  Did you know, however, about the correlation between gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, and even certain cancers?…

IN A family business, it’s the third generation that presents the big problems. The first generation founds the company and has the drive and the dedication to move it forward. The second generation rides that wave. The third generation wants to do their own thing. They’ve seen Broadway; they’ve had all the advantages. – Gale…

STARTING a family business presents unique challenges over and above the usual problems a start-up faces.   That’s why only one in three family businesses survives to the next generation.  Less than 1/3 survive the transition from 1st to 2nd generation ownership. Of those that do, about 1/2 do not survive the transition from 2nd to…

“NEVER underestimate small people with big dreams,” was the favorite quote of one inspiring lady from Iloilo who pioneered the spa business in the province in 2000, back at the time when the wellness industry in the country was at its infancy. At the time Anna “Babes” Rivera, owner of Spa Riviera, was also taking…

FAMILY Businesses are the cornerstone of the economy. They are all around us –from neighborhood mom-and-pop stores and the millions of small and midsize companies that underpin many economies to household names such as BMW, Samsung, and Wal-Mart Stores. One-third of all companies in the S&P 500 index and 40 percent of the 250 largest…

The common toothpick, usually made from wood, is primarily used to remove food stuck in–between teeth. Most wooden toothpicks in the United States come from birch trees in Maine, where the tree trunks are sliced into thin sheets and then cut and milled into individual toothpicks. While toothpicks work well to remove food trapped between…

I WOULD like to share with you teeth tips for teens from the Academy of General Dentistry. 1. Limit soda drinking. Whether at school, home or on the weekends, teens are drinking more soda that they have in the past. In 1977, 12- to 19-year-olds drank 16 ounces of soda a day. In 1996, this…

YOUR personal home care plays an important role in maintaining healthy smile. Your personal home care starts by eating balanced meals, reducing the number of snacks you eat, and correctly using the various dental aids that help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease. Tooth brushing. Brush your teeth at least twice a…

Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells of ceramic material, which are bonded to the front of teeth. They can be the ideal choice for improving the appearance of the front teeth. Porcelain veneers are placed to mask discolorations, to brighten teeth, and to improve a smile. Highly resistant to permanent staining from coffee, tea, or even…

You may not have considered the impact prescription medications and even over-the-counter drugs can have on your oral health, and on the dental treatment you receive. Informing us about your medication history and what drugs you are currently taking is essential because of dental health effects, potential side effects and possible interactions with drugs the…

Today’sdental patient demands a better look in addition to healthy teeth. Thanks to advances in technology, today’s dentists are better equipped that ever to meet the public’s high expectations. An area which has shown great advancement with direct results for patients who seek a more natural looking smile is that of composites or natural tooth…

Started in 1987, Dental Careers is the oldest and most experienced dental assisting program of its kind . You will be taught in an actual practicing dental office and learn from dental professionals who practice and teach the most current up-to-date methods. There are several dental assisting programs to choose from in the area. Some…