“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.” – Henry Ward Beecher
The DCO Team is treating our fabulous patients to our 2nd annual DCO Patient Appreciation Event. All patients, families, siblings, and friends are welcome! The more, the merrier! The event will be at Merrymead Farm and attendees can join us in the DCO tent for refreshments, fun, and tickets to all of the farm's fall festivities. This includes hayrides, a cornfield maze, pumpkin painting, apple slinging, and much, much more! We hope to see you there. If you are planning to attend, please RSVP to jen@dco-ortho.com to help us get an accurate headcount.
"Never put the referee in a position to determine the outcome." -Coach Keith Maurer
The first step into the wrestling world for a beginning wrestler involves a soft, cushioned step as his toe hits the mat for the first time in the wrestling room. This brief comfort is quickly countered by a rush of warm air that hits the lungs and instantaneously conveys the level of intensity that will change the life and viewpoint of that young wrestler forever. The wrestling room becomes the arena in which the mind and body will be tested, pushed, and challenged in ways the new wrestler never thought possible. Most athletes quickly realize the value of sports like wrestling in teaching the important ideals of goal-setting, determination, tenacity, leadership, and teamwork. Coaches, teammates, practices, pressure, success, and failure forever change the athlete who experiences them in the arena of competitive sports.
The most important lesson a wrestler learns is the power of self-determination, a sentiment of which is encapsulated in the opening quote by Coach Keith Maurer (current Hazleton Area High School Head Coach and Penn State Wrestling alumnus). In fact, every coach who sat in my corner (my father, Chris Shaud, Joe DeLuca, Jeff Sweda, Dave Shafer, Joe Clifford, and many others) reinforced this value. When a match is won or lost, it is typically very clear which wrestler was able to impose his will during that match. In the very rare instances when a match is close and lost as a perceived result of a bad call by the referee, Coach Maurer's quote taught us that only one person is, in fact, responsible for allowing the match to be close in the first place.
The brand of self-determination crafted on the wrestling mat includes personal responsibility, ownership of success and failure, avoidance of excuses, and inspiration to never consider yourself a victim of circumstance. Continuous learning, focus on improvement, relentless hard work, reliance on teammates and mentors for support, and wrestling hard until the final whistle are powerful habits that are easily transferred and applied to the wrestling match of life.
Wrestling will teach the beginning wrestler mentioned previously many lessons but none more powerful than the art form of self-determination. In the art of wrestling as in the art of life, when the artist paints a masterpiece, each brush stroke represents a decision made by the person holding the brush in front of the canvas. The freedom and the clarity that result from owning all of our outcomes are very powerful. Thank you to my wrestling coaches, teammates, and mentors for teaching me this life-changing lesson.
"Never put the referee in a position to determine the outcome." -Coach Keith Maurer
When you thank a veteran, be sure to also thank his or her family...for all of their service to our country. –Sheila Marcelo, CEO Care.com
In her article, A Veterans Day Thank You To Military Families, Care.com CEO Sheila Marcelo underscores the importance of recognizing the profound sacrifices that military families make. This sacrifice includes children, spouses, siblings and parents and extends well beyond the length of a specific military deployment, especially for those Veterans who are wounded in service to our country.
2. Great Veterans Day activities for kids:
Attending parades, reading books, visiting a VA hospital, raising money for wounded warriors, talking about freedom and sacrifice, and saying thank you to a veteran you know are great ways to teach the importance of Veterans Day to your children.
3. Learn some facts you may not know about military families:
The average military family moves every 2-3 years
Both parents can be deployed simultaneously
Average military children change schools 6-9 times
Military families often have to give up their beloved pets- but programs exist to voluteer to foster these animals until they can be reconnected with their families
There are 5.5 million military caregivers providing support and care to wounded military family members or spouses
Lastly, a tribute to DCO's favorite veteran, Dr. Cassarella's father and biggest hero who served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He earned two Bronze Stars for his bravery in service to our country. This is a small excerpt from a 1992 interview in which he talks about his experience in Vietnam.
Thank you to all of our Veterans and their families!
(Blue Bell, PA) Nearly all adult DCO patients treated with Invisalign share a common regret: “I wish I had done this sooner.” For many working professionals, lack of time is the key deterrent to reaching the smile and healthy bite they have long been seeking. Because time is your most precious resource, we have optimized our treatment systems to allow for a flexible, efficient treatment process for all of our adult patients. We have designed our processes to utilize high-level technology to drastically reduce your number of appointments while achieving the best outcome. This makes treatment more convenient for you. We have strategically harnessed the power of innovative technology and careful patient-specific treatment planning and staging. We set the exceptionally high target of having your decision to be treated with Invisalign at DCO be the best decision you have ever made. Below are four ways we deliver this to our patients:
Treatment experience: We prioritize personalization and customization to specifically accommodate your needs. Travel out of the country for work? No problem. Busy schedule? No problem. Going on an extended vacation? No problem. Our Experience Concierge will ensure that your needs are being met, every step of the way.
State-of-the-art technology and facility: DCO was designed from scratch to specifically give privacy and comfort to adult patients. Read more details about the DCO Digital Experience and how we have selected technologies to enhance your treatment results and make the process more streamlined for you.
Exceptional clinical care: Dr. Cassarella is highly trained and skilled orthodontic specialist with over 10 years of experience practicing orthodontics exclusively. He is a graduate of the Penn State Schreyer Honors College and trained at Harvard University (4-year DMD degree) and UCLA (3-year Orthodontics Residency). Dr. Cassarella also holds an appointment as a clinical orthodontic faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania.
We begin by listening: Our most important source of information throughout your treatment is YOU. Our most important metric for success is your happiness.
The pathway to your perfect smile in a manner that fits your lifestyle is clear. We can’t wait to meet you!
That service is the noblest which is rendered for its own sake. -Mahatma Gandhi
Last month, Dr. Jeffrey Watson, colleague and close friend of Dr. Cassarella, took part in his 4th annual trip to Guatemala with the F.I.N.N. Foundation team. During his time in Guatemala, Dr. Watson was able to provide care to those who need it most but are in circumstances that allow no access to the highly specialized care that is required. Over the course of several years, this team has performed close to 200 surgeries, profoundly impacting the lives of each patient. This year, his team screened and provided treatment for patients with cleft lip and palate as well as victims of domestic violence (see images below). In a week full of long days, they changed the course of countless futures by using their skills in a powerful way. We are so proud to share the stories of those like Dr. Watson who utilize rare skills, education and talents to touch those who need it most. Dr. Jeffrey Watson is in private practice as a facial plastic surgeon in Carlsbad, California.
Before and after photos of a cleft lip repair surgery performed by Dr. Watson and his team.
Dr. Watson pictured with a patient who was an unfortunate victim of domestic violence, which is prevalent in Guatemala.
Busy Operating Room schedule created by Dr. Watson's team after conducting screenings on their first day in Guatemala. Each post-it note is a life to be changed.
Dr. Watson is a shining example of a highly trained, educated and skilled medical specialist placing a high priority on giving back. Over the past 16 years, Dr. Watson has performed philanthropic medical work in Papua New Guinea, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and East Africa.
Published in the Fall 2016 UCLA Orthodontics Newsletter
Harmony, balance and rhythm. Author Daniel James Brown observed that the oarsman obtains these qualities from rowing and carries them throughout his life. These traits provide the oarsman with the ability to take on life’s challenges with ease. A rich legacy of friendship, loyalty and consistency is what Dr. Eric Loberg leaves behind. For decades, the residents at UCLA had the opportunity to observe the habits and qualities of Dr. Loberg, an eight-time US National Champion oarsman.
Harmony, balance, and rhythm- those were his greatest lessons which he so aptly applied on dry land and incorporated into his artful craft as a teacher. He mentored and played a pivotal role in the development of hundreds of UCLA Orthodontic Alumni during his career as a member of the faculty of the UCLA Section of Orthodontics. The impact on the lives of the residents he mentored is truly incalculable.
Residents remember a father-figure who was a personal and professional role model. Members of the Bruin orthodontic alumni family share in the same fond feeling that to know him was to love him. Dr. Loberg had a unique way of approaching life with a compelling combination of kindness, levity, strength, intellectual curiosity and grace. Although we have lost an extraordinary teacher and friend, we were fortunate to have all been touched by such a wonderful human being. We now have the honor and privilege of bearing the bright torch of his rich legacy, always remembering the personal and professional lessons he instilled.
He taught us to strongly follow our convictions, to defy the status quo, and to be true to our own cadence as individuals and as professionals. In a commencement address to Stanford University of 2005, Steve Jobs said the following:
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma—which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
This quote sums up Dr. Loberg’s profound impact perfectly. We will miss him, and we will NEVER forget him. Harmony, balance and rhythm.
Our dogs can be our greatest teachers. Personal and professional lives are often crafted around service and making a positive impact on the lives of others. Many volunteer their time and efforts in service to others for the immense reward of knowing they made a difference. Some also see service as a means by which they are answering a higher calling and fulfilling a greater mission larger than any one person. Ask a member of our military or those of faith and they will tell you. At DCO Orthodontic Specialists, we continually ask the question- “How do we best serve our patients?” We always dig deep to look in unconventional places to find innovative and unconventional answers.
My wife Sarah and I are animal lovers and we have two rescue dogs named Genco and Riley who are at the beginning and end of their life journeys at ages 1 and 15, respectively. Dogs are extraordinary animals and their core ability to instinctively love and to feel is remarkable. One day, I was walking Genco and saw his tail beginning to wag and felt subtle tension on the leash as he gazed across the street. In the distance, he spotted a young child holding a balloon walking with her parents. He was so excited to cross the street to say hello, he sensed the child’s energy and curiosity that matched his own and was also excited to try to play with the balloon she was holding. This small moment gave way to the profound realization that there is a great deal that we can learn from our dogs about serving others. Below are three lessons that our four-legged little friends teach us on a daily basis.
The Beauty of Simplicity
William Martin’s poem entitled Make the Ordinary Come Alive illustrates the beauty in teaching children to unlock the magic that exists in ordinary life instead of encouraging them to search for that which is extraordinary. Here is an excerpt:
“Help them instead to find wonder
and the marvel of an ordinary life.
Show them the joy of tasting
tomatoes, apples and pears…”
A dog teaches us to appreciate the powerful joy that can be delivered by the mere sight of a person- whether that be a loved one or a new person to meet. They illustrate the beauty of nature, the wonderful smells of leaves on a crisp fall day, and the great fun that can be had by bounding through an open field. They show us the art of digging one’s nose into fresh snow and then sneezing and rolling around in it just before eating a few mouthfuls. For us humans, dogs show us the beauty that lies in the simple things we often take for granted. They make the ordinary truly come alive. If we can learn this lesson, we can serve others by showing them something incredible and powerful that lies within them that they may have previously assigned as simple or ordinary. By doing so, we may also turn simple aspects of our own nature into superpowers.
Unconditional Love
Unconditional is defined as that which is not limited by conditions; absolute. In a dog, we find the lesson of a truly unconditional bond. A dog sees you at your absolute best at all times and wastes no time in the contemplation of your flaws. You are a companion, a friend and somebody who is deeply missed the moment when you leave the room. If you have a bad day or are down on your luck, a dog will respond by making you instantaneously feel treasured and important. If we can demonstrate that we feel this way, we can provide an uplifting positive spark to others.
Energetic Greetings
The art of the greeting has been perfected by our four-legged friends. Although dogs lack the opposable thumb required for a firm handshake, they make up for this and more. Dogs miss you when you are gone and put that sentiment on full display when you return. Your value to a dog is expressed in the energy and enthusiasm that is shown when you enter the door after being away. We have all heard stories of dogs walking for miles to navigate back home to reunite with their owner. The same phenomenon exists when a dog explodes with excitement to meet a new friend. How we greet each other can set an uplifting tone for a positive relationship. A dog can teach us much about the value of enthusiastically greeting customers, friends, family and new acquaintances in a manner that truly brightens their day.
In Closing...
At DCO, we believe that gratitude is reciprocal and we tirelessly strive to make our patients feel valued. We seek to learn the lessons our dogs can teach us to continually improve in being supporters of our patients and their families. We hope to demonstrate to each of patients how much we value all the simple things that make them an extraordinary, unique individual to us. At the recommendation of an orthodontist colleague, I recently read a book entitled The Art of Racing in the Rain. It is story completely told from the perspective of the family dog Enzo and it seamlessly mixes observations ranging from the mundane to the deeply philosophical. One of Enzo’s most memorable observations in the book is:
