Meet exceptional providers of health care and dentistry.
Sierra Smiles
For more than 15 years, Dr. John Bocchi and the experienced team at Sierra Smiles in Reno and Lake Tahoe have provided the highest-quality care using state-of-the-art technology and techniques with a non-invasive, preventative care approach.
With cold and flu season coupled with COVID-19 and the hustle of the holidays upon us, it’s important to avoid inflammation in the body, which can cause greater susceptibility to sickness. Airway issues and sleep apnea are big triggers of inflammation. Many people are mouth breathers when they sleep, which decreases the amount of oxygen they take in as well as introduces unfiltered, poorly humidified air in the lungs. Nasal breathing is important to your immune system because it prevents the common cold, flu, allergic reactions, hay fever, and irritable coughing.
“There are varying levels of airway issues, and they can happen very early on,” Dr. Bocchi explains. “Catching children during development is key. Along with weakening the immune system, airway obstruction can lead to sleep disorders, problems concentrating, and fatigue. It’s important to get regular dental checkups, during which we screen for abnormalities in the airway.”
In addition to concentrating on healthy teeth and gums, the professionals at Sierra Smiles observe the throat, tongue, and formation of the skull and airway space as well. While they cannot diagnose an airway issue, they do refer and work with professionals who can help treat breathing problems such as obstructive sleep apnea. In addition, Sierra Smiles offers dental appliances for mild to moderate cases. Now is the time to schedule an appointment at one of three locally owned and operated Sierra Smiles locations in Reno and Lake Tahoe.
For details, visit Sierrasmiles.com.
Saint Mary’s Center for Cancer
What was intended to be a routine dental visit for Gilles Pronovost turned out to be the start of an unexpected journey.
According to Pronovost, “I was at the doctor to get my teeth cleaned, and they noticed a mass at the top of my palate. After a biopsy, it came back as cancer.”
Next came an array of tests, scans, and appointments from a team of providers. The type of cancer found was very complex and demanded a team-based approach to provide proper care. With this in mind, a board of specialists reviewed his case and recommended surgery followed by radiation.
“I went through an 11-hour surgery,” Pronovost explains. “Part of my maxilla was removed and was replaced with part of my fibula. Also, titanium was added to both my fibula and maxilla for support.”
After a six-day hospital stay for recovery, Pronovost began radiation therapy with Dr. Jaime Shuff and her radiation oncology team at the Saint Mary’s Center for Cancer in Reno. Provonost’s treatment involved a technique called intensity-modulated radiation therapy. IMRT is a high-precision radiation delivery method that allows the physician and planning team to target the tumor (or remaining at-risk area if the tumor has been removed), sparing the healthy tissues surrounding the radiation site. Given the number of critical nerves, blood vessels, and other structures in the head and neck, IMRT allows the physician to treat cancers effectively and safely.
Dr. Jamie Shuff and the Cyberknife at Saint Mary’s Center for Cancer
Pronovost received IMRT Monday through Friday for six straight weeks, successfully completing each stage of treatment.
Looking back on his therapeutic journey, Pronovost says, “I would like to express my highest level of thanks to the radiation oncology team at Saint Mary’s. They were all extremely professional, very friendly, very personable, and made the process of going through radiation therapy a lot more bearable. I have nothing but the highest praise for all of them, from Dr. Shuff to the receptionist … I looked forward to seeing them every day.”
Pronovost and his team of providers will continue monitoring him to ensure the cancer does not return, but both are encouraged by what the future holds. And how is Pronovost’s recovery going?
“Overall, I’m feeling great,” he says.
The spirit and message of this story are at the heart of Saint Mary’s mission to deliver compassionate, quality care to patients and better health care to communities. For details, visit Saintmarysreno.com.
