Shields Dental in Demotte

08/18/2023

07/13/2023

It is with a heavy heart I announce we have retired the Demotte practice and will no longer be seeing patients at this location. To my many loyal patients, I appreciate you and am eternally grateful to you.
~~~~Dr. Brian Shields, DDS

07/16/2022

We always look forward to this time of year. Thank you for sharing your child's lovely milestone with us.

07/15/2022

Mid-summer smiles are happening at the dental office. Reservations recommended. 219-987-3111

02/05/2022

"My daughter's smile will last a lifetime. That's why we enjoy our visits with Dr. Shields."

Children's Dental Health Month begins with healthy smiles. Call today to reserve your seats. (219) 987-3111

10/31/2021

Enjoy your treats, buy a new toothbrush,…

09/21/2021

4 REASONS WATER IS THE BEST DRINK FOR YOUR TEETH

It doesn’t matter if your glass is half-empty or half-full: Drinking water is always good for your health. Sipping water is also one of the best things you can do for your teeth – especially if it’s fluoridated. Read on to find out why water is always a winner for your dental health.

1. It Strengthens Your Teeth

Drinking water with fluoride (called “nature’s cavity fighter”) is one of the easiest and most beneficial things you can do to help prevent cavities. Studies show that children in cities with fluoridated tap water have less tooth decay than children in cities that don’t add fluoride to the water.

2. It Keeps Your Mouth Clean

Drinks like juice, soda or sports drinks can leave unwanted sugar behind on your teeth, which the cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth love to eat. These bacteria produce acid that that wears away enamel – the outer shell of your teeth.

Water, however, washes away leftover food and residue that cavity-causing bacteria are looking for. It also dilutes the acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth. You’ll still need to brush twice a day for two minutes and clean between your teeth, but drinking water through the day will go a long way toward keeping your smile cavity-free.

3. It Fights Dry Mouth

Saliva is your mouth’s first defense against tooth decay. It washes away leftover food, helps you swallow with ease and keeps your teeth strong by washing them with calcium, phosphate and fluoride. When your saliva supply runs low, dry mouth may put you at risk for tooth decay. Drinking water can help cut your risk as you and your dentist work to find the best long-term solution for you.

4. It’s Calorie-Free

Sweetened drinks that are high in sugar and calories, create a perfect storm that puts you at risk for cavities and other unhealthy consequences like weight gain. In fact, studies have shown that drinking water can actually help you lose weight. So the next time you need a drink, go guilt-free with water to take care of your body and your smile.

Find more tips for healthy teeth at MouthHealthy.org.

MouthHealthy, part of the American Dental Association, is the patient's guide to dental health. Learn about dental health topics, preventive oral care, common dental symptoms such as toothaches and mouth sores, and search for a new dentist. Learn how to brush your teeth properly, floss for healthy g...

07/09/2021

This is a different dental office, but it’s worth a share here. Kindness comes in all shapes and sizes. May you find and share a little along the way.

05/21/2020

We are proud of our team and grateful for our prized patients!

05/02/2020

We hope this finds you and your family in good health. The Governor of Indiana signed an executive order allowing dental practices to reopen for routine care. Since that time, we have been working hard behind the scenes in preparation. We are pleased to announce that, beginning on Monday, May 4th, we will resume patient care.

While many things will change, our uncompromising commitment to your safety will remain the same. Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice. Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up to date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. We do this to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agencies’ recommendations.

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff:

• Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You will be asked those same questions again when you arrive for your appointment.
• When you arrive at the office, we will ask you to immediately sanitize your hands with hand-sanitizer we provide.
• Every individual that enters the office, including staff, will have their temperature taken. Anyone with a temperature at or exceeding 100.4 F will not be permitted in the office.
• To minimize the number of people in the office at one time, we will move to a virtual waiting room. Patients will call us upon arrival and wait in the parking lot until a team member escorts you into the office.
• We will be restricting the office to patients and staff only. If it is absolutely necessary, the patient may be accompanied by one adult. No siblings or friends will be allowed in the office.
• Temporarily, we will not offer magazines or children’s toys since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.
• Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you are offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at 987-3111.

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.

Sincerely,
Dr Shields and Your Dental Team

03/23/2020

Dear valued patient:

In an effort to support national efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, our practice is taking the following steps to help assure your health and well-being and that of our community:

• We are following directives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Dental Assiciation(ADA) as a way to limit patient and staff exposure to this virus.

• Your health, and the health of our dedicated staff, matters to us, so going forward we will suspend all care until we get the all clear from the CDC and ADA.

The safety and well-being of our patients continues to be our primary concern. We will continue to monitor the status of COVID-19 nationally and within our community and keep you up-to-date regarding our plans to reopen for business as usual.

I urge you to contact us via private message if you have any questions or concerns. We will respond as soon as we can.

Healthy Wishes,
Dr. Shields and Your Dental Team