Our Blog

Greetings from Kanawha City Pediatric Dentistry. We’ve officially made it to September! The changes of the season are upon us and we are starting to notice the crisp air in the morning and the changing color of leaves. When the seasons change, it also brings us a chance for renewal: maybe starting a new hobby or exercise routine, trying a new recipe, enjoying the outdoors and different plants more, trying a new seasonal fruit (fall is great for lots of different apple varieties). Life is still different during the pandemic and we will sure miss attending football games with fall.

We are celebrating Dr. Don's birthday this month! He will celebrate at home with his family. His wife Nancy has promised to cook some of his favorites for dinner: chicken piccata and Texas sheet cake. We’ve gone ahead and shared the recipe with you so you can try it for your next dinner! Like the name suggests it’s quick pan-fried chicken breasts smothered in a simple pan sauce made with capers, butter, and lemon juice. So much yum!

Ingredient Checklist

-4 eaches skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
-1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
-1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
-¼ cup all-purpose flour for dredging
-2 tablespoons olive oil
-1 tablespoon capers, drained
-¼ cup fresh lemon juice
-¼ cup water
-3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut in 1/4-inch slices
-2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped

Instructions

-Place chicken breasts between 2 layers of plastic wrap and pound to about 1/2-inch thick.
-Season both sides of chicken breasts with cayenne, salt, and black pepper; dredge lightly in flour and shake off any excess.
-Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken in the pan, reduce heat to medium, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side; remove to a plate.
-Cook capers in reserved oil, smashing them lightly to release brine, until warmed through, about 30 seconds.
-Scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Cook until reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
-Stir lemon juice, water, and butter into the reduced mixture; cook and stir continuously to form a thick sauce, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir parsley through the sauce.
-Return chicken breasts to the pan, cook until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve with sauce spooned over the top.
Since we’ve reopened with our new safety procedures our office has run very smoothly and efficiently. We continue to keep up with the latest CDC, ADA, and WVDA guidance for appropriate PPE. Our patients have shared with us that they greatly appreciate the care we have taken to keep both them and our team safe during this pandemic. They have also been so helpful in following our recommendations for safety in the office such as mask-wearing, pre-screening questions, temperature checks, and limiting the number of people. Thank you to everyone who helps make this all easier!
COVID has been in the center of everyone's thoughts and actions for several months now. We finally feel comfortable with our new normal and can again begin to concentrate on the positives of what our team loves to deliver: making every patient feel at home and providing top-notch dental care for them when they visit us.
We still have numerous patients who had to cancel their appointments during the COVID quarantine. We are working hard to contact and reschedule these patients because we realize the importance of routine care, especially during these challenging times. If any patients have missed a check-up, please feel free to call or text us at 304-926-9260 or email us at pediatric-dentistry@donskaffdds.com. We miss you and would love to see you again soon!

Molars are made up of canyons, caves, pits, and seemingly endless caverns that are a breeding ground for decay. The protective solution is a sealant. When done correctly, a sealant from Drs. Don and Mindy of Kanawha City Pediatric Dentistry can be most effective in preventing cavities.

A sealant is made up of composite (a plastic-like) material that contains bonding agents to seal to the edge of the tooth. Sealants placed on the chewing surfaces of back teeth block food from being trapped. The process in which a sealant is placed is quite precise and painless.

First the tooth is cleaned with a sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) spray. Then an acid etch is applied to “roughen up” the surface. No saliva is to touch the tooth. This will re-mineralize the area, then a repeat etching is needed. An alcohol-based liquid then dries out the area and it must remain completely dry. The sealant is placed and guided through all the caverns, pits, fissures, and grooves. It is then cured with a special light, which makes it a hard, plastic-like material.

Sealants can last for several years. It is wise to have them examined on a semi-annual basis. If there is a break in the sealant, a high risk for decay is common. If a sealant is damaged, repair is simple, painless, and quick to complete.

Who can benefit from sealants? Anyone! Children often receive sealants as routine preventive care. Adults with deep canyons with stained grooves on their teeth can also benefit from a sealant. The process is quick, painless, and does not require any anesthesia. It is an effective way to lower dental restorative costs.

An investment in dental sealants can reap great benefits as properly cared for teeth will remain cavity free. Our Charleston location is available to answer your questions so give us a call today!

Sealants offer many benefits, but the best is their ability to protect your molars. Molars are full of small caverns that can be the perfect breeding ground for tooth decay and plaque buildup.

Use of protective sealants prevents this buildup from happening. Although children often receive sealants for routine preventive care, they aren’t the only ones who can benefit from this treatment. Sealants can also help adults who have deep canyons or grooves in their teeth.

They are commonly placed on the rear molars that tend to suffer the most decay. Because your molars are used substantially as grinding surfaces, food is more likely to be trapped among them.

Sealant solution consists a composite material that contains bonding agents that seal the top of your teeth. The process is quick and painless, which makes it a great solution for both children and adults who have had trouble with cavities and tooth decay. Sealants also last for several years, and repair is a simple process that can be completed by Drs. Don and Mindy.

The process of putting sealants on teeth starts with the tooth getting cleaned. We clean it with a type of baking soda spray called sodium bicarbonate. Then acid is etched onto the teeth to rough up the surface.

We apply an alcohol-based liquid to dry the area where the sealant is supposed to go. After it completely covers the surface of the treated teeth, the sealant is cured with a light that makes it hard and long-lasting.

Getting sealants can prevent the possible restorative costs that come from cavities. Sealants help to protect your tooth’s enamel from harmful acids and prevent decay, which can be an investment in itself. The whole process is quick, so it should be easy to schedule an appointment at Kanawha City Pediatric Dentistry.

Feel free to call our Charleston location and we can answer any questions you have about this service.

Happy National Dog Day to all you dog lovers out there! At Kanawha City Pediatric we love animals and most of our staff have dogs in as part of their families. Today we want to celebrate Dr. Don’s three adorable pooches; meet Auggie, Baxter, and Bella! 

Dr. Don and his family have three adorable puppies: Baxter is a 4-year-old golden retriever who loves Dr. Don’s kitties, Auggie is a three-year-old wirehaired dachshund who loves to cuddle, and Bella is a playful nine-month-old retriever, lab, hound mix who makes the most hilarious expressions. Dr. Don had always wanted a dog but never thought he’d have three! 

Life with three dogs is far from boring. All three of them love to run around Dr. Don’s backyard while his family sits around our firepit. One funny incident that occurred is when Dr. Don put Auggie to bed in his crate but didn't know that one of the cats was resting in there! They had a sleepover! Besides the silliness and entertainment, Dr. Don’s three dogs provide so much love and joy every day. They are always happy to see him and his family. 

To celebrate Baxter, Auggie, and Bella Dr. Don plans on giving them lots of love and treats! They love bones and chew toys!

If you are considering introducing a dog into your family Dr. Don highly encourages you to do so because of the love and companionship they offer. Though first, he advises you to consider the amount of commitment and work a dog can be. Dogs require a tremendous amount of attention and effort but are always worth it. 

We hope everyone has a great day celebrating their dogs!