Our Blog

WELCOME TO THE NEWEST member of our team, Ashley! We thought that our patients might like to get to know Ashley a little better.

So, We Asked Ashley A Few Questions

The questions are found below—along with her candid answers! Enjoy!

Where are you originally from?

“I am originally from Antioch, California. My parents moved here from the Philippines before I was born. My Dad was in the Navy. We moved around a lot until I was ten years old. Antioch is where we have lived the longest. In 2006, we moved to Brentwood, and then in 2011 we moved to Oakley.”

What made you decide that you wanted to become a dental assistant?

“After I had my braces, I realized how much I really liked the way nice teeth look. I love perfect teeth! I decided that I would like to make this part of my professional career.

“I was an orthodontic patient at Gorczyca Orthodontics. What I really loved as a patient was that everyone at the office was very friendly and familiar with who I was. I remember that the gloves were flavored and always tasted good! It was really fun to see what flavor I would get at my next appointment!”

When you started as a dental assistant was there something funny that happened? Do you dare tell us that story?

“I remember putting teeth in the typodont model when I started dental assisting school. It looks easy, but I remember putting a few teeth in the wrong way. Since then, I have learned the minor details of dental anatomy.”

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?

“When I'm not at work, I love pizza! Usually my friends and I go to Round Table in Antioch and have a fun time.”

What do you enjoy most about being a dental assistant?

“I love talking to the patients and getting to know them on a personal level. Everyone has something interesting to say and this makes the work day pass very quickly.”

We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Ashley a little better. Here at our practice we feel really fortunate to have her as a member of our awesome team.

Do YOU Have A Question For Ashley?

If so, please enter it in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to pass it along to her for an answer! Also, as you know, you can always send us private questions or comments on our Facebook page.

Thanks for the trust you place in us!

HERE AT GORCZYCA ORTHODONTICS, WE LOVE THE FOURTH OF JULY!

Independence Day is coming up, and it’s a great time to reflect on—and express gratitude for—all of the precious freedoms we enjoy every day.

It’s also a great holiday for enjoying time with friends and family. We enjoy being part of the community too!

We Asked Our Team, “What Are Your 4th Of July Plans?”

Ashley

“I can’t wait for the 4th of July to hang out with my family and friends. Our BBQ includes ribs and oysters.”

Monica

“On the 4th of July I plan to do as little as possible. We will be staying indoors to avoid the sparks and noise of fireworks!”

Veronica

“We plan to live it up on the 4th of July at Six Flags amusement park. Our girls are also going to be in a 4th of July parade. They will look so cute!”

Jolene

“We do not leave our house on the 4th of July to avoid crazy people! We can see the fireworks over the Delta from our house!”

Lyndsay

“I will be at Lake Tahoe on the 4th of July with 30 other family members. We are planning a barbeque on the beach.”

Dr. Gorczyca

“We will be in the peace and quiet of The Sea Ranch on the 4th of July. Since this is an ecologically conscious, nature community, fireworks have been banned because they scare the nesting birds! We are planning a backyard cook-out with friends.

“The 4th of July will always be very special to me because my parents were married on the 4th of July. My parents are no longer with me, but when they were my Dad would say ‘I lost my independence on Independence Day!’”

Now Let’s Hear From You!

What are YOUR plans? Do you have suggestions for all of us? We look forward to hearing from YOU!

From all of us here, we wish you a wonderful holiday. Be safe, brush your teeth, and we’ll see you the next time you visit us.

Thanks for being our valued patients and friends.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our blog. Please check back often for weekly updates on fun and exciting events happening at our office, important and interesting information about orthodontics and the dental industry, and the latest news about our practice. Feel free to leave a comment or question for our doctor and staff – we hope this will be a valuable resource for our patients, their families, and friends!

DID YOU KNOW THAT THE MAJORITY OF US experience SOME level of dental anxiety? As much as 80%, in fact. Despite our best efforts we know that there’s something that feels inherently vulnerable about lying back in a chair while we examine your mouth. We’ve been patients too.

Communication Can Make You More Comfortable

We want you to feel confident during your visits with us. We believe that one key is open communication between our team and you—our valued patient! Whether you’re extremely nervous during dental appointments, or just slightly uncomfortable, communication helps. However, it’s hard to know exactly how, or what, to communicate sometimes.

If you’d really like to explore the reasons you feel nervous about dental visits, here’s a handy questionnaire developed by J.H. Clarke and S. Rustvold at the Oregon Health Sciences University School of Dentistry. If you’d like, look over the first four questions and let us know where you fall on the scale. It’s a simple way to tell us how you’re feeling.

Simple Understanding Can Make A Huge Difference

Once we understand a little bit about your triggers and your reaction to dental-related situations, we can do a lot to make you feel comfortable. Some techniques we use include:

• Taking adequate time so you don’t feel rushed or harried.
• Carefully explaining everything before we do it.
• Establishing signals so that you can let us know if you need a break.

There’s Nothing To Be Worried About From The Orthodontic Office

It’s good to know that orthodontists do not give shots. Orthodontists don’t need to give shots because nothing that an orthodontist does causes pain.

Patients often ask Dr. Gorczyca at the initial exam, “What do braces feel like?” Dr. Gorczyca replies “Put your finger on your front teeth and push. That’s what braces feel like. They feel fine. There is nothing to worry about.”

Patients usually love coming to the orthodontist. Orthodontic offices are fun. If you are an anxious patient, Dr. Gorczyca invites you to just come and visit us and visit the office. Look around. Spend some time with us at the office and especially with our other patients. We encourage you to ask our current patients questions about the treatment they are receiving so that you can answer your own questions about what is causing your anxiety.

We Want You To Feel Comfortable And In-Control

If you are someone anxious about impressions, Dr. Gorczyca will give you an impression tray to take home so you can practice having the tray in your mouth ahead of the impression taking procedure. Once you know what to expect from the feeling of an impression tray in your mouth, anxiety about this procedure is eliminated, and you will be at ease.

Once in the orthodontic chair receiving orthodontic treatment at Gorczyca Orthodontics, all you have to do is raise your hand to have a comfort break. When you raise your hand, whatever procedure we are doing will stop. This helps you realize that you are in total control. Being in control at the orthodontic office will give you a sense of happiness, comfort, and inner peace. We proceed at your rate, not ours.

If You Have Anxiety, We Can Help

If you are someone with dental anxiety, Gorczyca Orthodontics can help. Please visit our office for a complimentary orthodontic evaluation. If need be, we can also refer you to an excellent dentist who is just right for you.

Don’t let dental anxiety keep you from attaining oral health and a beautiful smile. The hardest step is just calling. (925) 757-9000.

We’re looking forward to seeing you at Gorczyca Orthodontics.