Local dentist visits area schools during National Children's Dental Health Month

WESTFIELD--February is national Children's Dental Health Month (NCDHM), a month-long celebration sponsored by the American Dental Association to promote dental education and awareness for all children.

The annual celebration focuses on oral hygiene care, nutritional concerns, prevention, and the importance of regular dental visits.

"By helping children develop a positive attitude and healthy habits, we will provide the tools they need to maintain good oral health throughout their lives and to keep their smiles healthy and beautiful," said Dr. Scott Gersch.

In observance of NCDHM, Dr. Scott Gersch, and his dental team from Gersch Orthodontics, visited a number of elementary schools in Westfield, Cranford, Garwood and Linden and spoke to grades one through four about dental health and maintaining a beautiful smile.

For more information, or to schedule Dr. Gersch to visit your school or organization, contact Gersch Orthodontics at (908) 233-8668 or Scott@GerschOrthodontics.com.

New source : Local dentist visits area schools during National Children's Dental Health Month

Panthers owner recovering after heart transplant

The Associated PressPublished: February 2, 2009

CHARLOTTE, N.C.: Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson was recovering Monday after a heart transplant.

The team issued a statement that said the 72-year-old Richardson underwent the overnight five-hour procedure at Carolinas Medical Center. He had been on a heart transplant list since December.

Team officials said Richardson was resting comfortably Monday morning in the hospital's post-operative cardiovascular recovery unit.

Dr. Mark Stiegel, one of the doctors who performed the surgery, said "the donor heart was working well." The normal recovery time is 3-6 months, the team said.

Richardson was told he needed the transplant during a hospital stay related to the installation of a pacemaker. He then was placed on a donor waiting list.

He attended the Panthers' game against Denver in December.

A former receiver for the Baltimore Colts, Richardson caught the winning touchdown pass from Johnny Unitas in the 1959 NFL championship game. He was awarded the expansion Panthers in 1993, becoming the first former player to own an NFL team since George Halas, the longtime owner of the Chicago Bears.