Oceanside Family Dentist: Steven E. Wernick DDS

09/01/2025

"Dental assisting is an easy job." 😑

This is one of many myths that exist about the dental assisting profession. And while being a dental assistant is rewarding in many aspects, it's far from easy! The role requires specific experience and skills to perform well — not to mention the education involved in mastering the craft.

Check out the comments to read the full list of myths we debunked, and tell us about the misconceptions you hear most often about dental assistants. ✍️

09/01/2025

As a reminder, our office is closed for this Labor Day holiday. Be safe, enjoy this day and hope to see you soon.

08/18/2025

08/18/2025

We must take care of our bodies to ensure a healthy journey through life. Our office is here to take care of your teeth, but did you know that tooth problems can also cause heart and other health issues?

Get your blood pressure checked at least once a year and understand what the numbers mean. Severe high blood pressure combined with symptoms such as chest pain or trouble speaking may be a hypertensive emergency, according to the new high blood pressure guideline, and you should call 911 immediately.

07/29/2025

If it’s been a while since you stopped into the office for your checkup and dental care, then schedule your appointment now… and say “HI” to Dr. Fin! Our newest member (and honestly the cutest)!

07/29/2025

Shop the Colgate Store on Amazon to find deals and your favorite oral care products like toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, whitening kits, and kids products.

07/06/2025

✨ Happy Fourth of July! ✨

04/18/2025

Dentaltown - NoGag Science of fiction? How do you deal with gaggers? https://www.dentaltown.com/messageboard/thread.aspx?s=2&f=305&t=389929&g=1&st=Baggers%20gag%20gagging The Dentaltown thread “NoGag – Science or Fiction? How do you deal with gaggers?” explores whether the NoGag product is effective or just another gimmick in managing gag reflex. The conversation quickly broadens into a deep and practical exchange of methods used by dentists to manage gagging—ranging from psychological strategies to physical hacks, clinical techniques, and sedation.

Most agree that gagging is heavily psychological and often anxiety-driven. Salt on the tongue is the most commonly cited, low-cost, and effective trick. Many clinicians report success with having patients apply a bit of salt to the back of the tongue, often calling it a reliable go-to that works about 80–90% of the time. However, there’s skepticism around paying for NoGag packets when salt does the same thing for pennies.

Other popular approaches include Chloraseptic or Hurricane spray to numb the soft palate, nitrous oxide for relaxation, motion sickness wristbands, and distraction techniques like foot lifting or tapping the chin. Some use oral sedatives like Halcion, Xanax, or anti-nausea meds like Ondansetron or Phenergan, particularly for extreme cases.

The acupuncture trick—placing a #10 or #15 endo file 3–5 mm into the chin—was discussed with curiosity and mixed skepticism. A few dentists swear by its immediate effect, though others question its scientific basis and medico-legal safety.

Several dentists emphasized seating position (semi-upright), impression techniques like using smaller trays with minimal material, and giving patients a sense of control. Others resort to IV sedation, Isolite systems, or, if the gag reflex is severe and uncontrollable, referring out to a sedation specialist or prosthodontist.

Some cases are extreme—patients vomiting at tray try-in or unable to wear a denture. For those, desensitization training at home, medication, or even implants to avoid full palatal coverage were discussed.

04/17/2025

Congratulations to Dr Wernick and his wife! We welcome baby Wernick into the family!

04/15/2025

02/25/2025