Business
Dr. Gia Grannum Finds Her Calling as a Pediatric Dentist
Published
3 months agoon
Working with kids as a traveling dental hygienist had such a profound effect on Dr. Gia Grannum that she decided to make pediatric dentistry her specialty.
“My introduction into dentistry was as a registered dental hygienist. I also received a bachelor’s of dental hygiene education,” she said. “After I completed that training, I felt like there was more that I needed to learn, and I returned to school part-time for a master’s in public health while working full-time as a hygienist.”
When she earned her master’s degree, Grannum moved back to Atlanta and started a job as part of a traveling dental team.
“I was the pediatric dental hygienist while also taking classes for dental school,” she said. “And during that job where I traveled to different offices as the registered dental hygienist, I developed a love for working with kids.”
As she prepared for dental school, she knew that she would also specialize in pediatric dentistry.
“I met several female pediatric dentists who looked like me and inspired me to continue with my pursuit of pediatric dentistry,” she said. “I began to like it when kids would be afraid and then they would realize that they didn’t have to be. I realized that I had a way with them,” she explained.
“I was able to calm them or convince them to do things that they might have been afraid of. And because I was working with other pediatric dentists, I just decided to pursue that track,” Grannum added.
Grannum made her dream a reality by opening Agape Pediatric Dentistry, located at the Forum, earlier this year.
The importance of early dental care
Oral health in infancy and early childhood lays the foundation for good oral health in the later stages of life, according to a report from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research titled “Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges.”
The document delves into how the beliefs and behaviors of parents and caregivers, as well as societal, cultural and commercial factors, influence children’s health outcomes.
Risk assessment, early intervention, access to dental services, communication and education, as well as collaboration among health care providers, are important factors to improve oral health for all children it states.
Grannum agreed with those assessments.
“I always knew that people are probably afraid of the dentist from something that happened when they were a child. I wanted to try to change that. I wanted to show kids that they didn’t have to be afraid and maybe if things were done differently when they were kids, there would be fewer adults afraid of the dentist,” she said.
The relationship that children have with their oral health starts before they even have teeth.
“I think it’s important for kids to play around with the toothbrush and get used to having it in their mouth. But I also think it’s important that parents brush their kids’ teeth for them. They don’t know how to do it. It’s recommended that kids don’t brush alone until they can tie their shoes,” she said.
“They still need help because when kids are brushing, they’re not going to brush as thoroughly as they should because they may not know the correct sequence of brushing or where to hold a toothbrush. But if parents are doing it for them, they’re teaching them how it’s done and over time with practice it gets better,” Grannum described.
Changes in pediatric oral health needs
Dr. Grannum is in her 14th year as a pediatric dentist. She’s seen how children’s oral health needs have changed over the years.
“I’ve been in the dental field for 26 years. Kids are getting their teeth faster than they used to. Kids are losing their teeth faster than they used to. The shape of a lot of the kids’ jaws and faces are changing. So that means that there’s more [tooth] crowding than there used to be. Kids also don’t have the same diet that they used to have,” she noted.
“In general, their jaws are much wider than they are now. And that’s from changes in diet,” she said. “That’s from a lot of the kids sucking on pouches. They don’t chew like they used to chew on harder food.”
Several federal government-led medical studies show that using pouches too frequently for feeding children can negatively impact a child’s oral development. Sucking directly from a pouch keeps food in contact with teeth longer, which can increase the risk of tooth decay and erosion. Pouches can also be high in sugar, which can cause cavities. Also, sucking on a pouch doesn’t require much work, so it doesn’t help children develop oral motor skills like chewing and swallowing. These skills are important for speech development.
Grannum said she is seeing more parents shying away from dairy too.
“Kids have more allergies these days than they used to have. So, parents are staying away from dairy. More parents are vegan, or vegetarian and they want their kids to have more almond milk,” she said. “But all milk, regardless of which milk it is, has sugar in it. There’s definitely been a change in nutrition.”
Additionally, children eat out more now than in the past. Parents use pacifiers longer, which is also going to change the shape and the development of their face as they grow, making their jaws and their faces even more narrow and causing their teeth to be constricted, Grannum added.
“Kids aren’t getting their teeth at the same time that they used to because they don’t chew,” she said. “That chewing stimulates the periodontal ligament (the tissues in our mouth that support the teeth). It stimulates those fibers to cause tooth eruption. Now, I’m seeing a lot more kids that aren’t getting their first tooth until 12 or 13 months. Whereas in the past, it used to be that the kids would start getting their teeth around six months.”
Kids are also losing teeth earlier.
“I’ve noticed over the last several years that kids are losing their teeth much earlier than they used to. And I don’t know if that’s because of hormones in the food that we’re eating,” she said. “I see kids come in at three and a half or four or four and a half and they have a loose tooth. That was unheard of back when I started.”
Finding the right place for her practice
To support Grannum’s philosophy of helping patients achieve overall wellness, she lucked out in finding an office in a building with a pediatrician’s office, a general dentistry office and an eye doctor that specializes in treating children.
When Grannum first started looking for a space, her real estate agent happened to mention the location she’s at now. When they came to tour, Grannum stopped in to see what the general dentist’s office was like.
“I went to the front desk and asked to speak to the dentist,” she said. “He came out and when I said I was opening a pediatric dental office, he told me, ‘This is where you want to be.’”
With so many other medical services geared toward children in the same building, there is an opportunity for collaboration and taking a more holistic approach to caring for patients.
“I want to know the patients and I want to educate the families,” she said. “I can observe something affecting oral health that may have indications for the overall health. I want to let [parents] know that so that they can start asking the right questions when they go in for their pediatrician visit.”
Grannum has a lot of goals for her practice and believes that Peachtree Corners is the right place to make them happen.
“When I say holistic, I’m looking at all the needs of the patient when it comes to health. How are they sleeping? What is their diet and nutrition like? How is the mouth shaped? How is the pallet shaped? Are there any restrictions with tongue?” she said. “What can we do here to help them as they grow and get older?”
Right now, Grannum is a one-woman show. She does the cleanings and everything else but is looking to add staff such as hygienists, an orthodontist and perhaps another dentist.
“We pride ourselves in treating each patient individually based on what their needs are. Some patients need more time,” she said. “Because I am a newer office, we do have that time. We are patient with the kids. We also are set up where if a patient needs a private room as opposed to the open bay, it’s available. We use an open bay in pediatric dentistry as some kids do well with modeling the behavior of other kids.”
She added that she always wants to have options for patients.
“We have an open-door policy here. We pride ourselves on trying to be individualized and comprehensive and holistic in the sense of what the individual needs are, not just what their dental needs are,” she explained.
Learn more about Agape Pediatric Dentistry at agapepediatricdentistry.com.
Related
Arlinda Smith Broady is part of the Boomerang Generation of Blacks that moved back to the South after their ancestors moved North. With approximately three decades of journalism experience (she doesn't look it), she's worked in tiny, minority-based newsrooms to major metropolitans. At every endeavor she brings professionalism, passion, pluck, and the desire to spread the news to the people.
Business
TransPak Acquires Reid Packaging to Expand East Coast Presence
Published
2 weeks agoon
October 16, 2024The strategic acquisition strengthens TransPak’s Southeast presence and expands their capabilities in custom packaging for military, aerospace and high-value equipment.
TransPak, a global leader in logistics, packaging and crating services, recently announced the acquisition of Reid Packaging, a long-standing provider of custom packaging solutions based in Peachtree Corners. Both family-owned and operated companies share a deep-rooted commitment to quality craftsmanship, reliability and customer service, making the acquisition a natural fit.
Reid Packaging, founded in 1982, has distinguished itself as the go-to customer industrial packager in the metro Atlanta region, providing corrugated, foam and custom-engineered crating solutions, particularly in the military and aerospace industries.
Under the ownership of Ward Phillips since 2008, the company has grown to become one of the largest packaging facilities in the region, with a 60,000-square-foot site.
The acquisition will allow TransPak to expand its local manufacturing capabilities in the Southeast, while leveraging Reid Packaging’s expertise in specialized and heavy-duty custom crates.
Strategic Atlanta location and enhanced capabilities
The acquisition is part of TransPak’s strategic expansion into the Atlanta market, a critical logistics hub for both the renewable energy and semiconductor industries.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Reid Packaging into the TransPak family,” said Tomas Molet, executive vice president of East and Midwest Operations, TransPak. “With Reid Packaging’s prime location in Peachtree Corners, we are now able to serve customers throughout the Southeast, including direct routes to the Carolinas and beyond. This acquisition strengthens our ability to meet the needs of existing clients, especially those in the semiconductor and renewable energy sectors.”
In addition to the strategic location, the acquisition brings new manufacturing capabilities to TransPak’s East Coast operations. Reid Packaging’s facility is now the largest of TransPak’s locations in the region. Its offerings include enhanced services, such as heavy-duty and triple-wall corrugated packaging, which will enable TransPak to meet the growing demand for custom-designed packaging solutions for fragile, high-value equipment.
Commitment to employees and leadership appointments
A key focus of the acquisition was ensuring a smooth transition for Reid Packaging’s employees.
“We made a commitment to Ward Phillips to take care of the staff, and we’ve delivered on that promise,” said Molet. “All employees were retained, and we’ve introduced benefits they previously didn’t have as part of our commitment to making this a positive transition for everyone involved.”
Amanda Gautney, a longtime member of TransPak’s leadership team, has been appointed as the operations manager for the Peachtree Corners facility. “I’m excited to work with the team at Reid and continue the legacy of this respected company,” said Gautney.
Looking forward in Atlanta
TransPak plans to continue operating under the Reid Packaging name for the immediate future. However, the facility will gradually transition to full integration under the TransPak brand, reflecting the shared values and commitment to quality of both companies.
About TransPak
Headquartered in Silicon Valley, TransPak has been providing innovative and cost-effective design, crating, packaging and global logistics for over 70 years.
As a customer-focused, women- and family-owned company, TransPak combines the agility of a small business with the reliability of a global powerhouse. TransPak lives by the slogan, “We make it happen,” ensuring that high-value, fragile, and oversized goods reach their destinations safely and efficiently.
For more information about TransPak, visit transpak.com.
Related
Business
Lisa Anders Promoted to Chief Operating Officer of Explore Gwinnett
Published
1 month agoon
September 17, 2024Explore Gwinnett, the destination marketing organization for Gwinnett County, has announced the promotion of Lisa Anders from executive director to chief operating officer (COO). Since joining the organization in 1996, Anders has demonstrated outstanding leadership and has established a track record of developing partnerships essential to leading and expanding the evolving destination marketing organization. The creation and oversight of both the Gwinnett Film Commission and Gwinnett Creativity Fund are just two of her achievements.
“I am honored to step into the role of chief operating officer at Explore Gwinnett,” said Anders. “Over the past 13 years as executive director, I have had the privilege of witnessing remarkable growth for our destination. I am eager to enter this new chapter, and I’m looking forward to continuing to see how we expand.”
As COO, Anders will take on the additional responsibility of overseeing the Gwinnett Sports Commission. This division is dedicated to driving economic development through sports, managing a variety of events for youth, collegiate, amateur and professional athletic organizations. Ander’s innovative approach and extensive network of local and national connections will further support the commission’s overall mission to establish Gwinnett County as a premier sports destination.
“The Gwinnett Sports Commission team has excelled in attracting and managing a diverse array of sporting events over the past several years,” Anders added. “I look forward to working closely with this talented team to support their ongoing efforts and foster economic development for our community.”
For more information, visit exploregwinnett.org.
Related
Business
Peachtree Corners Resident Receives Entrepreneurial Spirit Award
Published
2 months agoon
September 2, 2024Leroy Hite, founder of Cutting Edge Firewood, was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award from Berry College in August
Berry College recently awarded its annual Distinguished Alumni Award for Entrepreneurial Spirit to Leroy Hite, founder of Cutting Edge Firewood (and Berry College graduate, class of 2008). The annual award recognizes and honors alumni who have demonstrated a range of positive entrepreneurial skills — including a commitment to turning a dream into a reality, the vision to create an enterprise, the courage to assume risks and the ability to make changes and take advantage of new opportunities.
“This award holds a special place in my heart, maybe more than any other I’ve ever received,” said Hite. “Being recognized by my alma mater is incredibly meaningful to me.
My entrepreneurial journey began at Berry College. It’s where that initial spark was ignited, and honestly, I’m not sure I’d be where I am today without it. Berry nurtured my curiosity, drive and resilience — the key ingredients to entrepreneurship.”
Innovative entrepreneurship
Berry College professor and leader of the school’s Entrepreneurship Program, Dr. Paula Englis, said that Hite took every class she offered. And when those ran out, he did directed studies with her.
“He always knew he wanted to run his own business, and the growth and success of his firewood enterprise has been a wonder to watch,” she said.
Hite was nominated by Berry alumni Alison Ritter, class of 1994. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also supported Hite’s nomination.
“As a small business owner myself, I have strong appreciation for and recognize the perseverance it takes to build a business from the ground up,” said Kemp. “Leroy’s innovative approach to the firewood industry, focusing on product quality and customer service, mirrors the entrepreneurial spirit that has long driven Georgia’s economic success.”
The company
When Hite founded Cutting Edge Firewood in 2013, he created the world’s first luxury firewood and cooking wood company. He reinvented everything about the firewood industry, from how firewood is dried and stored to how it’s packaged, shipped and delivered. When the company began, it was just Leroy with a one truck and a trailer. Now Cutting Edge Firewood employs 40, stocks enough inventory to fill its 40,000-square-foot Peachtree Corners warehouse and ships wood to all 50 states.
The wide variety of wood from Cutting Edge undergoes a special drying process to ensure that it’s free from unwanted pests, mold or fungus and provides an unmatched clean and bright burn with pleasant aroma. Their focus on process and the use of hardwoods such as oak, hickory, cherry, apple, pecan and maple ensures their customers receive the highest quality firewood, cooking wood and pizza wood possible.
For more information about Cutting Edge Firewood, visit cuttingedgefirewood.com.
To learn more about the Entrepreneurship Program at Berry College, visit berry.edu/academics/majors/entrepreneurship.
Related
Read the Digital Edition
Subscribe
Keep Up With Peachtree Corners News
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.
You have Successfully Subscribed!
TransPak Acquires Reid Packaging to Expand East Coast Presence
GCPL Accepting Applications for Next New Start Entrepreneurship Incubator
Ruwa Romman’s Re-Election Bid: Addressing Housing, Taxes and Transportation in Gwinnett [Podcast]
Councilmember Sadd to Host Town Hall Meeting on October 29
PTC Arts Inc. Furthers Mission to Provide Accessible Art
From Corporate to Sci-Fi Author: Jill Tew Discusses ‘The Dividing Sky’ [Podcast]
Concerned Citizens, County and City Officials Address Issues at Jones Bridge Park
Gama Sonic Collaborates with PTC and Curiosity Lab to Illuminate Public Spaces
Peachtree Corners Dedicates Memorial Garden to its First Lady
Concerned Citizens, County and City Officials Address Issues at Jones Bridge Park
Gama Sonic Collaborates with PTC and Curiosity Lab to Illuminate Public Spaces
From Corporate to Sci-Fi Author: Jill Tew Discusses ‘The Dividing Sky’ [Podcast]
PTC Arts Inc. Furthers Mission to Provide Accessible Art
Councilmember Sadd to Host Town Hall Meeting on October 29
Ruwa Romman’s Re-Election Bid: Addressing Housing, Taxes and Transportation in Gwinnett [Podcast]
GCPL Accepting Applications for Next New Start Entrepreneurship Incubator
Light up the Corners [Video]
Capitalist Sage: Business Leadership in Your Community [Podcast]
Cliff Bramble: A Culinary Adventure through Italy
Top 10 Brunch Places in Gwinnett County
A Hunger for Hospitality
THE CORNERS EPISODE 3 – BLAXICAN PART 1
Top 10 Indoor Things To Do This Winter
The ED Hour: What it takes to Remove Barriers from Education
Peachtree Corners Life
Topics and Categories
Trending
-
Peachtree Corners Life1 week ago
Ruwa Romman’s Re-Election Bid: Addressing Housing, Taxes and Transportation in Gwinnett [Podcast]
-
City Government1 week ago
Councilmember Sadd to Host Town Hall Meeting on October 29
-
Community7 days ago
PTC Arts Inc. Furthers Mission to Provide Accessible Art
-
Peachtree Corners Life6 days ago
From Corporate to Sci-Fi Author: Jill Tew Discusses ‘The Dividing Sky’ [Podcast]