Christina M. Lawrence, DMD, makes it her business to know every patient on a personal basis. This year she celebrates 20 years in the Lehigh Valley, where she brings small-town values to her busy dental practice. “I’ve always tried to keep things neighborly,” she says, “and provide excellent customer care in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.”
Dr. Lawrence and her team know all the state-of-the-art techniques and products, but never fail to educate patients on the basics of good oral hygiene. “I cannot stress enough the importance of the mouth’s role in overall health,” she says. Forgetting to brush and floss leads to more than cavities: oral infections can have serious consequences, including cardiovascular disease, worsening of diabetes symptoms, preterm labor—even dementia.
On the flip side, the mouth is the body’s early warning system: It’s where signs of systemic illnesses such as diabetes first appear. Dr. Lawrence is her patients’ ally in the defense of illness. And she will advise everyone to straighten up: Poor posture can lead to oral pain!
