The Nugget Newspaper's Partners in Health & Well-Being 2025 // 2025-08-20

in Health & Well-Being

One of the great draws of Sisters Country is the opportunity to live in a healthful environment that promotes a sense of well-being. Many people in Sisters live active lives, out in the garden or on the trail on a bike, on foot, or on horseback. We engage in all kinds of sporting activities.

Central Oregon is full of providers of services that enhance health and well-being. They’re here for the same reasons, and they understand the need to help their clients and patients stay on the path of adventure — or get back on it when injury takes them down. Whether it’s healing from an injury or maintaining good health from head to toe, these

providers seek to work in partnership with their patients and clients — because health care is most efficient and effective when we are proactive and engaged.

No matter what is ailing or troubling us, we do better when we act early, before problems become acute. And each of the providers profiled in Partners in Health and WellBeing make it easy and comfortable to act.

Whether we need help with our oral health or our mental health, a banged up shoulder or a serious health crisis, there are caring people in this community who can help directly or by pointing us in the direction of appropriate resources.

Staying healthy and fit can be fun or relaxing — or both — and many providers make getting and staying well interesting and fun. Even the hard stuff can be pretty much painless when we’re in the hands of professionals who truly care and who stay at the very forefront of their practice.

With experienced and expert professionals to help us, we can optimize our health and well-being to enjoy the best of the Sisters Country way of life.

Seniors find a good life at The Lodge

Tillie Hollar has been living at The Lodge Retirement Community for as long as it’s been here in Sisters.

“I came here the week it opened,” she recalled. “It was my 85th birthday, and I’ve lived here into my 90s.”

Tillie has seen a lot of change in her years at The Lodge — friends coming and going, the tough times during the COVID-19 pandemic, and The Lodge’s transition from an assisted living to a solely independent living community. Through it all, she has felt at home.

For that, she credits Executive Director Jeni Sturdivant and Activities Director Alea Schliep. She recalls that, during COVID, the only thing that saved this place was Jen and Alea. They held this place together… “they knock themselves out to make us happy.”

Sturdivant is shepherding The Lodge through change, re-branding as a 55+ independent living community. The Lodge offers an alternative for people downsizing from their previous home, looking to have their housekeeping and meal needs met.

“It’s a low-maintenance lifestyle,” she said. “It’s all-inclusive.”

There will be some physical changes to accommodate the independent living focus.

“We’re looking at upgrading some of our apartments,” she said.

That will include adding stovetops in some of the units for those who want to cook for themselves. And a new phase of 20 independent living cottages is in the works on the property.

“Those will likely be built next year,” Sturdivant said.

While infrastructure improvements are important, Sturdivant and her staff remain focused on quality of life for the residents.

“We’re ramping up our activities and events,” she noted.

That includes Sunday brunches with a structured menu and mimosas.

“It’s open to anyone who wants to come,” Sturdivant said.

There is a full calendar of activities, from exercise classes

and games to shopping excursions and field trips, creatively organized by Schliep.

“We just want them to have fun,” Sturdivant said.

Hollar fills her days with fun.

“I enjoy the physical things and the small-table things like bridge… things like that.” And, she says, “I don’t do half of the things they have here.”

Dave Sikes was a civil engineer in Arizona and had retired to Cortez, Colorado, when health issues required that he move closer to his son in Oregon. He landed at a place in Sherwood — and he didn’t like it at all. It felt institutional, and he missed ponderosa pines. By chance, he overheard people talking about The Lodge, and he told his son he wanted to check it out.

“The more I looked, the more I thought, this is it,” he said.

In fact, he wanted to move in the day he visited.

“I’ve started to think of this place as home,” he said. “I was talking with my son, and I realized I was talking about it as home.”

Sikes chuckled as he waxed effusive about living at The Lodge; a clean, well-cared-for place with great food, and great staff. He thrives on field trips.

“I sound like I’m doing a commercial,” he said.

But his appreciation is genuine, even as things have changed. He acknowledged that the fallout from the change from assisted living to independent living-only was jarring.

“We lost a lot of friends, and it upset us for a while,” he said. “The owner made a business decision, and we have to live with it. And it’s been good.”

School-based health center keeps care close for kids

Nestled between Sisters High School, Sisters Middle School, and Sisters Elementary School, Mosaic’s School-Based Health Center (SBHC) offers convenient access to pediatric care for the whole community. The center is one of Mosaic’s seven SBHCs in Central Oregon, working in partnership with schools and other health agencies to provide comprehensive care right where students and families need it.

Provider Sarah Leet, PA-C, specializes in providing pediatric care at SBHCs and has been working at the Sisters site since it opened two years ago. Being so close to the Sisters schools has allowed her to provide outreach directly to students and share health talks when requested by teachers. Older students can visit the center on their lunch break or on their way home from school for everything from sports physicals and injuries to mental health support. Teachers, sports coaches, and school nurses can also refer students directly across the street to be seen, often the same day. For younger students and children, families can bring them to a place that is already familiar and convenient to get care.

“That’s the beauty of schoolbased health,” said Leet.

Word is growing with families too — whether they have newborn babies or teenagers, the SBHC provides comprehensive pediatric care. Patients don’t have to be students in the Sisters school system and do not need to be established with Mosaic to be seen. Lack of insurance or financial constraints are not a barrier to care.

Leet hopes that more families will come to know the SBHC as a resource for urgent visits also. They can see patients with non-life-threatening injuries like broken bones and wounds. For families in Sisters who enjoy an active lifestyle, this is a welcome resource.

“Every day I hear how grateful families are to not have to drive to Bend or wait in the ER,” said Leet.

Another vital area of care for school-aged children and youth is mental health support: an evergrowing need in the community, according to Leet. She works closely with on-site Pediatric Behavioral Health Specialist Lindsey Overstreet to ensure that all patients get the support they need, whether it be shortterm counseling or arranging

longer-term therapy. Wellness visits are also used as an opportunity to talk about factors beyond physical health, such as mental health.

“A lot of kiddos, unfortunately, are having a hard time functioning because of anxiety and depression,” said Leet. “We want to get them well so that they feel like they can continue school and create the best opportunities for themselves.”

The team-based care model at Mosaic also means that patients are screened for social and environmental factors that may be affecting their health.

“We want to treat the whole person,” said Leet. “We know that where they live, how they live, if they have food and shelter, if they have parental support and adults they can turn to…makes a huge difference in their health as a

whole,” said Leet.

The SBHC provides care for a wide range of needs, from managing chronic conditions like autism and diabetes to treating everyday illnesses like colds, flu, and strep throat. They also offer blood work and dental fluoride treatments — and even partner with Deschutes County Library and the Reach Out and Read program to give free books to children of all ages at their well visits.

Open year-round, even during school breaks, the center accepts walk-in patients as well as appointments, helping to ensure that any child or teen can receive care when they need it, at a time and place convenient for their busy lives.

For information on Mosaic’s School-Based Health Centers, visit MosaicCh.org/Locations/SBHCs.

Getting a difficult diagnosis poses all kinds of challenges for individuals and families. Partners in Care’s Transitions program helps people navigate questions of care and treatment.

Transitions is a no-cost, nonclinical case management program for medically fragile individuals with a limited prognosis, including those who may not qualify for home health or hospice. Transitions Coordinators work with each client to help identify questions, concerns, and areas of need for a personalized plan.

“We help the clients and families navigate different resources that are available in the community,” said Transitions Coordinator Bethany Benefield. “Making sure that clients and families have accurate information so they can make informed decisions about their care.”

Importantly, Transitions has no stake in a particular service or provider, and is an objective provider of information.

There are four full time coordinators across Central Oregon. Benefield herself covers Sisters.

For people and families dealing with a progressive or incurable diagnosis, the activities of daily living can be tricky. Sometimes challenges can be physical, sometimes cognitive, sometimes both. Transitions provides peace of mind for family

Transitions program reaches out to Sisters

members trying to ensure that a parent is getting what they need.

“Adult children can be really concerned,” Benefield said. “‘We don’t know how mom and dad are managing...’”

Figuring out who does what in the medical world of Central Oregon can be confusing.

“Transitions is always a good place to start,” Benefield said.

Benefield noted that in “Sisters for the longest time it was

• A REFERRAL TO TRANSITIONS TYPICALLY RESULTS IN A HOME VISIT to address any initial resource needs and evaluate the need for ongoing Transitions support. Patients and Coordinators will create an understanding as to the frequency of their check-ins. Most Transitions clients receive monthly phone calls to determine if there are any new needs or changes, and additional home visits can be scheduled as needed.

• TRANSITIONS IS A NON-MEDICAL, RESOURCE-BASED PROGRAM. Transitions Coordinators and Volunteers are not able to provide any hands-on physical care. They do not provide respite or caregiving and are not a substitute for seeking appropriate medical attention.

• TRANSITIONS SUPPORT IS OFFERED AT NO COST to clients as part of the ongoing mission of Partners In Care.

transportation — the lack of it” that posed the biggest challenge for people dealing with long-term health issues. It was just hard to get to medical appointments.

“Having people who are comfortable in these kinds of situations is invaluable. There are so many ways that volunteers can use their time.”

Benefield noted the work of STARS in providing transportation to medical appointments is an important resource that Transitions points people to regularly.

“I refer folks to them a whole lot,” she said.

Supporting people being able to stay in their homes is an important aspect of the work, and finding the resources to make that possible can be a challenge.

“Caregiving comes into play a whole lot,” Benefield said.

Transitions is offered to individuals in any care setting, such as private homes, assisted living and memory care facilities, adult foster homes, rehab facilities, as well as the hospital.

It’s common for Transitions Coordinators to work with clients over several months or even years. While they aim to be an excellent point of contact for any resource needs, they also develop relationships with clients and their loved ones. Transistions is available at any time to address needs as they arise, but also offer friendly check-ins either over the phone or in person. In some instances, they also offer friendly volunteer visits, in addition to ongoing Transitions case management.

“A lot of it is really building

— Bethany Benefield

relationships,” Benefield said. She noted that those relationships evolve into “deep friendships in a lot of cases.”

The program is always in need of volunteers.

“Having people who are comfortable in these kinds of situations is invaluable,” said Benefield.

Partners in Care offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities. All of them ultimately support programs and missions.

“There are so many ways that volunteers can use their time,” Benefield said.

Benefield said that it is important that people let Transitions know if they know someone with a need.

Anyone can refer to the Transitions program, from the patient themselves to medical providers, community members, and family members. For more information about the Transitions program or to make a referral, call the Transitions team Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 541-322-1289 or the main number outside those hours at 541-382-5882; a Transitions team member will call you back by the next business day.

Orthodontics improves well-being for people of all ages

For Brian Rosenzweig, orthodontics has been a passion for his entire adult life.

It started with him in the chair.

“My orthodontist in Atlanta, he was kind of a legend in the field of orthodontics,” he recalled. “His name was Mike Stewart. He made quite an impression on me.”

When Rosenzweig was in college, he came to the realization that he wanted to pursue a career in the field.

He moved from Georgia to Bend and has established a thriving practice — which is now coming to Sisters.

On August 15 Rosenzweig Orthodontics started serving Sisters patients in the offices at Pine Desert Dental, located at 304 W. Adams Ave., Suite 101.

Dr. Rosenzweig notes that his practice sees a lot of patients

from Sisters.

“It’ll be nice to come to them,” he said.

Rosenzweig Orthodontics is a leader in a field that has evolved significantly in recent years.

“We do the easiest to the most complex cases,” he said. “Our practice is very well positioned for complex cases.”

Dr. Rosenzweig is the leader of the Central Oregon Chapter of the Seattle Study Club, which meets to discuss complex cases, and he maintains memberships in a variety of professional organizations that enable him to stay on the cutting edge of orthodontic advances and technology, and allows the Rosenzweig Team to deliver upto-date quality care.

That quality of care is not based entirely on technology and professional training.

“I’m a relationship person,” Dr. Rosenzweig said.

Having grown up in Georgia, that’s bred into his bones.

“I like to think I bring Southern hospitality to our patients,” he said with a grin.

Unlike many forms of medicine, where a practitioner might see a patient once or twice in a year, orthodontists work consistently with their patients through the course of their treatment.

“Our job is unique because we spend a lot of time with our patients,’” Dr. Rosenzweig said. “We see them a lot.”

This suits Dr. Rosenzweig to a tee. Building relationships with entire families — sometimes providing orthodontics for multiple members of those families — is one of the aspects of his work that matters most to Dr. Rosenzweig.

Orthodontics are key to oral health

“Orthodontics really set the foundation for healthy mouths,” says Dr. Brian Rosenzweig. Good alignment is critical to avoiding premature wear and breakdown of teeth.

Fortunately, orthodontics has evolved in recent decades to make it much easier for everyone from children to adults to “get their teeth fixed.”

• Improved practices make orthodontics:

– More efficient. You’ll spend less time in braces.

– Less painful.

• Rosenzweig Orthodontics was an earlyadopter of, and the sole Central Oregon provider for, the SureSmile system, which is engineered to maximize therapeutic efficiency of each wire, which significantly reduces the number of adjustments needed. This means fewer episodes of discomfort over the course of your treatment.

• Clear aligner technology minimizes the appearance of braces. “That’s brought in a lot of older people who would never have considered braces,” Dr. Rosenzweig said.

In fact, adult orthodontics have “exploded” in popularity.

“It’s much more normalized,” Dr. Rosenzweig said. “Even with adults, it’s much more accepted.”

• Aesthetics are an important motivation for orthodontics; everyone wants a good smile. But there are significant health benefits, which dentists now recognize more fully. Dentists take a more holistic view of their patients and their bites, and orthodontics plays an important interdisciplinary role in function-based oral care.

• Dr. Rosenzweig offers a personal consultation after a full set of images.

“I do it myself, which is pretty unusual,” he said.

And relationships are also critical in creating a team that genuinely cares about their patients. The staff fosters a family atmosphere — aided by the fact that many of them have been with the practice for decades.

“There’s not that many teams that have that kind of tenure anymore,” Dr. Rosenzweig said. “We have fun, we do good work — I like to think they like to work for me.”

Dr. Rosenzweig grew up visiting Bend in his childhood, and knew by middle school that Central Oregon is where he wanted to live. He has connections in Sisters; his son plays on a club basketball team here, and they have many friends in the community. He is looking forward to serving patients here.

All of the staff there put their best foot forward to care for your specific needs. They are all very knowledgeable and trained for each individual patient’s treatment process. Very clean but comfortable. Thank you all! I love my new smile!

– Branda

Full

Dr. Brian Rosenzweig provides highquality, personalized orthodontic care in a friendly, caring, and comfortable environment. Your orthodontic care is an all-encompassing experience, and we aim to provide the most enjoyable atmosphere and exceptional treatments.

Sisters Grand Opening Special: $500 OFF

Orthodontic Treatment

Schedule your complimentary consultation and office tour with Dr. Rosenzweig. Call today! 541-382-6822

NEW! Sisters: 304 W. Adams Ave. • Bend: 502 NE 4th St. Redmond: 646 SW Rimrock Dr. • Burns: 240 N Egan Ave.

Offer expires 12-31-25. Not valid with any other offers, cannot be applied to existing patients accounts. Please provide Nugget coupon.

Dr. Rosenzweig is Central Oregon’s leader in offering cutting-edge treatment technologies and digital innovations. Our practice was the first in Central Oregon to offer Invisalign® clear aligners, self-ligating brackets (Damon™ Smile and In-Ovation®), and the revolutionary SureSmile® customized treatment technique.

•

Dr. Brian is in our experience, the best orthodontist we have had the pleasure of doing business with. He has by far gone above and beyond his paid obligation to ensure my teenage children received the care they needed to ensure the wellbeing of their teeth.

– Kent S.

All of the staff are friendly, helpful, and great at what they do. The entire team works together for the best results possible. Our entire family has been through braces with Dr. Rosenzweig and we couldn’t be happier. I recommend his team to everyone I can!

– Kelley A.

I have had three children treated by Dr. Brian and he is truly an amazing doctor. He is a true perfectionist, caring, and always makes the patient feel at ease. Along with the doctor, all his staff makes the whole experience wonderful! We highly recommend Dr. Rosenzweig!

– Heidi

Clinic helps Sisters folks stay in the game

Folks of all ages and stages and ability levels enjoy their hiking, sports, fitness activities, horseback riding... They also get hurt.

Therapeutic Associates makes a point of getting patients back in the game as quickly as possible. Being well staffed means patients can get in quickly and get back on the road to recovery.

“Generally, we can get people in within 48 hours of referral,” said physical therapist Matt Kirchoff.

Patients can also come to Therapeutic Associates directly, and that’s also usually just a couple of days wait.

Steven Dobson is an orthopedic clinical specialist and David Emerson is a physical therapy assistant. Their knowledge and expertise help restore strength and function when too much fun — or an accident — puts us in the hurt locker.

Therapeutic Associates therapists are well versed in the kind of injuries found in active folks.

Right now, many of the injuries that Therapeutic Associates sees come from the pickleball

court and the golf course — both popular summer activities. Neither is notoriously hard on the body, but injuries do occur. Like any racket sport, pickleball has stops and starts that can cause strains, and that big golf swing can put the hurt on your back.

Therapeutic Associates specializes in getting people back to their game quickly and in good condition. But we have to act early. Trying to tough out a nagging injury often makes things worse, more complicated, and delays recovering to full capacity.

“The sooner we catch these, the easier they are to treat,” Kirchoff said.

Therapeutic Associates can also work proactively to prevent injury and work on balance to prevent falls.

Keep an eye out for a fall class on foam rolling, and the clinic will host a Chamber of Commerce gathering on Friday, September 5.

Therapeutic Associates also offers aquatic therapy, and a unique step-down program in partnership with the adjacent Sisters Athletic Club.

Combining breath and movement for health

Sisters is an active community. Many people pursue serious athletic endeavors; others just enjoy getting out and enjoying their hobbies. Sweat PNW offers the opportunity to build strength and capability, whether you are an athlete or just want to enjoy feeling good in an active life.

Sweat PNW originated from the idea that breathwork and movement are intertwined and work most powerfully when used together.

The small group class size allows the coaches to work with individual client needs and modifications. Each class is designed to build strength from the stabilizing muscles, increase mobility, and improve breath rate and recovery.

The motto at this gym is: Breathe. Sweat. Stretch. Each class begins with breathwork to prepare the mind and lungs, followed by a blend of cardio and strength training, transitioning into a guided stretch at the end.

At Sweat PNW, classes and clinics are focused on strength,

balance, stabilization, flexibility, wellbeing, and bodyweight exercises. The blend of Pilates and weight training is designed to complement proper form and awareness of each individual’s body and its unique design. The coaches are highly qualified and motivational. Sweat PNW’s primary objective is to help each member meet their own health and fitness goals in a fun and safe way supported by an encouraging community. Sweat PNW also offers personal training, fascial stretch therapy, and clinics to improve skills in running, pull ups, pelvic floor strength, skiing, pickleball, mobility, and more.

“The experience at Sweat PNW will leave you feeling stronger, more empowered, and more confident,” said proprietor Ashlee Francis. “Whatever your goals may be, Sweat PNW is ready to help you achieve them.” If you would like to learn more about joining this supportive, welcoming community, check out the Sweat PNW website or email hello@sweatpnw.com.

Workouts designed to keep you strong in the gym as well as the real world.

stretch

Counseling can help people get unstuck

When stress, anxiety, trauma, or disconnection go unaddressed, they can keep you feeling alone and overwhelmed.

It doesn’t have to stay this way. Taking one step toward support can change the direction of your life — and your relationships.

That step can be scheduling a session with a therapist at Aspen Counseling.

Tim Moore, the founder of the group practice, says that Aspen Counseling’s work is “very much trauma-informed care. In the last 10 years, it’s become the standard of care.”

Aspen Counseling offers a safe place for individuals, couples, and families to go to discuss issues, a place to be vulnerable.

“People, a lot of times, think of being vulnerable as a weakness — but I think it can be a strength as well,” Moore said.

From couples counseling and family therapy to trauma and PTSD support to anxiety and depression management, Aspen Counseling offers clients

a holistic approach to mitigating and overcoming issues that are leaving them feeling stuck and “just not feeling right.”

“Things that are getting in the way of living and thriving — those are things we talk about in counseling a lot,” Moore said.

Moore has more than 30 years of experience in the field in virtually every capacity the field offers, including work in wilderness therapy. He was inspired by a traumatic fatal mountain climbing incident that occurred when he was in school.

“I really saw the power in people coming together to heal,” he reflected.

People coming together is a critical aspect of Aspen Counseling’s practice. Trauma “tends to feel a lot less when you don’t feel alone,” Moore said. “That’s one of the fundamental reasons that therapy works.”

Detailed information on Aspen Counseling’s services and approach can be found at www. aspencounseling.info/services.

Promoting fitness activities in Sisters

Sisters Park & Recreation District’s recent move into an expansive new community center at the former site of Sisters Elementary School has boosted their ability to serve the Sisters community in many ways.

“We’ve seen an increase in all our fitness classes,” said Jared Lustig, who runs programs for SPRD.

The most popular class is Better Bones and Balance, and SPRD is working on expanding that offering. That class is especially popular among older folks who are striving to remain active to enjoy the Sisters way of life.

“Our fitness studio that we opened as part of our facility renovation is available,” Lustig said.

That studio offers dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine balls and other fitness equipment to allow drop-in visitors a full workout. There are two indoor pickleball courts available and four basketball hoops.

There’s a lot more to come.

The Sisters Park & Recreation District Community Park on the

“We’ve

site is slated to open this fall, with eight pickleball courts and a walking path that will provide a safe space to walk with strollers, and ample green space for spontaneous activities. There will also be outdoor basketball, with some shorter hoops for kids, and a playground structure (the preschool playground structure is available when preschool is not in session.

It’s not all just activities. Sisters Park & Recreation District will also host Cooking for One classes in the fall, and is hosting a Council on Aging program on chronic conditions. It’s all part of an enhanced role in serving the health and well-being of the Sisters community.

STARS Partners for rides that heal

STARS is more than a ride to a medical appointment — it’s a lifeline and a community connection. Supporting health, independence, and peace of mind, STARS partners with medical providers to help keep Sisters healthy.

“It is always difficult to tell a patient that they should not drive for medical reasons, even if it is only short-term,” says Dr. May Fan. “What makes this discussion so much easier is being able to offer a local resource in town that can help them get transportation… What a treasure!”

STARS began as an idea, sketched out on paper by local people who saw a need for medical transportation services in Sisters. The founders and volunteers built the project under the umbrella of Age Friendly Sisters and evolved into an independent nonprofit. And their work has markedly enhanced the well-being of hundreds of people in their community. STARS provides transportation — and also an important social connection.

To learn more or volunteer, visit StarsRide. org. Driving for STARS is easy and rewarding.

Providers understand the importance of the resource.

“Many patients access physical therapy services at our clinic using STARS,” said Matt Kirchoff at Therapeutic Associates. “It’s a great resource for our patients and provides a critical access to medical care.”

Self-care is more than a luxury

Wellness and self-care are a necessity, not a luxury. It’s time to prioritize you! Life is hectic, busy and full of constant demands. Simply setting aside “you time” at least once a month is so restorative. Molly Rova with Bare & Beautiful focuses on customized facials and full body hair removal. Her customized facials are tailored to each individual and their specific skin concerns. What is happening in an individual’s life determines products selected and techniques used to provide the most relaxing, rejuvenated experience. Facials are more than lotions and potions. They promote relaxation, reduce stress, improve circulation, promote cell turnover, eliminate toxins, enhance product absorption, and lead to an overall cleaner, healthier complexion. Which in turn builds confidence with radiant results. A professional esthetician can provide guidance on proper skincare routines and product recommendations based on each individual’s skincare need. Additionally, taking time to be well groomed boosts confidence. With the use of wax or sugar paste, whether it’s tidying up eyebrows, cleaning up hairs playing “peek-a-boo” from the edges of your nose and/or ears, smooth underarms, legs, arms, back, chest, bikini or Brazilian hair removal, it’s wonderful to face the world feeling Bare & Beautiful.

Dance: a fun way to achieve fitness

There is nothing more important to longterm health and wellness than movement. And there is no more enjoyable way of getting in your required dose of movement than through dance.

That’s exactly what Cindy Miskowiec set out to provide when she started Inspire Dance & Fitness Studio in Sisters.

“I started Inspire Dance & Fitness to bring quality, affordable dance and fitness instruction to the people of Sisters,” she said.

Inspire Dance & Fitness offers adult dance, barre, and yoga classes that are open to people of any skill level — newcomers and beginners are always welcome. Classes are welcoming and non-judgmental. Everything in the classes is scalable to your experience and ability.

“It’s just a nice, social environment. We have a huge age range as well in our classes,” Miskowiec said. “I say, come try it out. You can always try a class for free.”

There are multiple barre classes. There is also a range of yoga classes, along with ballet, tap, jazz, and cardio/strength fusion.

Dance can improve mobility, help maintain muscle mass — and it’s fun and social group exercise. Miskowiec loves seeing the results, which manifest quickly.

Google Bare & Beautiful, West Washington Avenue, Sisters, OR for online booking options or text Molly directly to request services.

“It’s just nice to see them improve their physical fitness over the past few months,” she said.

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There is nothing more important to our overall health and wellbeing. Gum disease (periodontal disease) can lead to loss of bone and ultimately tooth loss. Gum disease is associated with 60 or more other medical conditions; there is correlation with inflammation and even, potentially, heart problems and early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Some 50 percent of people in the U.S. aged 30 or over have some level of periodontal disease, and the number climbs to 70 percent of those over 65. And the impact can be severe. Gum health and bone health are fundamental to dental health.

“It’s the foundation of the house,” said Dr. Trevor Frideres. “If you have a weak foundation, the whole house can crumble.”

Sisters Dental is at the forefront of the fight against gum disease, bone loss, and tooth loss.

“Periodontal disease is a real passion for a lot of people in our office,” said Dr. Frideres. “We often don’t diagnose it early enough.”

Sisters Dental recommends saliva testing to determine what risk factors might be present. A lab can give a risk assessment based on bacteria presence and genetics. Diabetes, stress, poor dental hygiene practice, smoking, and some cancer medications can all contribute to the development of gum disease. A history of tooth loss in your family can be an indicator of risk.

The condition its also increasingly being seen around implants — putting an expensive investment at risk of loss through peri-implantitis.

Symptoms of moderate to

PATIENTS LOVE SISTERS DENTAL !

Jill M., Bend If I could add an extra star I would, I love Trevor and his whole team! I look for ward to my dental appointments every six months and choose to drive from northeast Bend to come to my favorite dental practice. Great team and always amazing care!

Joe B., Sisters — I’ve been going to Sisters Dental since 2019. e doctors and sta express a genuine care to see that their patients are not in pain. Dr Trevor Frideres and Dr. Kellie Kawasaki have both treated me for root canals and crowns. e experience was quick, compassionate, and mostly painless. I’ve called them when I was in a lot of pain and they were able to see me that day ey reduced my pain and expedited a procedure I desperately needed. Dr. Frideres even called me personally, later in the week to see how I was doing. Whether I go in for a cleaning or something more I’m greeted by name and I feel like I’m with family ank you so much for the exceptional care Sisters Dental owners and sta !

advanced gum disease include:

• Red, swollen gums that bleed easily

• Gums pulling away from teeth

• Bad breath

• Puss between teeth and gums

• Loose teeth

• Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.

Sometimes there can be no symptoms at all.

Sisters Dental has seen tremendous success in treatment over the past three years from using the LANAP protocol — surgical deep cleaning with the use of a minimally invasive laser the width of about three human hairs.

Laser periodontal surgery has proven highly effective in eliminating bacteria. The more bacteria that can be eradicated, the more effective and long-lasting the treatment is.

According to Dr. Frideres, there is a success rate of 87 percent over seven years — provided the patient does regular standard cleanings to follow up. Many teeth and implants have been saved, and there is a body of evidence that supports the belief that some bone loss can reversed be through use of the laser.

“It’s amazing to see the results on my side,” Dr. Frideres said. “We’ve had great success with a lot of patients.”

LANAP periodontal treatment is a full-mouth procedure, usually done in two separate visits.

“There’s no cutting, there’s no sutures, so it’s a lot less invasive using the laser,” Dr. Frideres said.

Regular check-ups, a saliva test, and treatment where necessary can ensure long-lasting oral health — that protects your overall well-being.

Mandi C., Sisters From a very young age I have su ered from extreme dental anxiety. I avoided any dental work for years because of my fears and past negative experiences. I decided to try Sisters Dental and I could not be more thankful. Dr Trevor takes the time to explain things, as well as listens to concerns. He truly cares for his patients. My whole family has had wonderful experiences with Dr Trevor and his sta We are so thankful to have such wonderful care and service in our special community ank you, Dr Trevor, and sta , for the amazing work you do We appreciate you!

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A personal trainer can help you reach fitness goals

By Andrew Loscutoff

A personal trainer can be the missing piece to your health and fitness goals.

Personal trainers work in fitness centers in order to help people focus their exercise strategy towards their particular needs. If anyone reading this has struggled with knowing what to do, how to do it, or when to fit it all into a busy schedule you’d be a candidate for personal training. Anyone can benefit from a coach personally teasing out all the different aspects of exercise and tailoring the plan directly towards the person in need.

Most seasoned personal trainers are certified by a national accreditation body, they sometimes studied exercise physiology, kinesiology, physical education, etc. They likely work with everyday people with everyday challenges. Some specialize in different methodology or take particular care in certain areas of work like obesity, injury rehabilitation, or sports performance. A trainer is an exercise expert, through all stages of fitness training — they don’t just work with athletes and people who are already fit.

Some think they aren’t fit enough, and harbor embarrassment over their physical ability or appearance. Others are timid because of age gaps between them and the trainer. These views are only superficial; a trainer is most helpful for people just like this. A good trainer will be able to adapt, plan, and teach exercise scaled to any ability level.

Personal trainers offer a variety of training programs. It can be solely in person, it can be infrequent meetings, it may even be online correspondence (however I recommend seeking out someone to meet personally). The key

“I have had every surgery and health problem known to man. I have been coming to the Sisters Athletic Club for 12 years and I truly believe it’s the reason I am still here. I appreciate the club and the friendliness of everyone.”

— Jerry Schoof

perspectives on the current exercise knowledge can help someone come out of a rut. They may make exercise sessions simplified, getting the most out of each training session and reducing time or physical effort for better results. Specialists will be able to work through aches and pains and restore function. Even the camaraderie and encouragement will be a huge help. Trainers are not drill sergeants, they are not mean, they wish to be helpful and want someone to feel comfortable (if they aren’t, try someone else!).

being that they can adapt to meet a person’s budget and constraints. Usually, they keep their eyes on exercises as you perform them to make sure safety and proper techniques are followed. They coach with verbal cues, visual demonstrations, or learn-by-doing mini exercise lessons. They may sit down with a client and go over previous weeks; whether it’s a diet reflection for weight loss, activity logging, or measurement tracking and go over the next several weeks plan.

Trainers help in ways not always recognized. Even a pro can benefit from training. New

“I joke that SAC is the reason we moved to Sisters in 2020! We have become daily regulars. Whether it’s an early morning lift, a circuit class, or swimming with the kids, we thrive in the rhythm of movement and community.”

— Ginger Kretschmer

Personal trainers are in the gym to be helpful. They can help provide structure, program, and establish consistency. They can help overcome injury, constraints, and apply appropriate exercise for any ability. A person can get a diet and nutrition coach for weight loss, muscle gain, or healthy lifestyle. They can help establish goals and a timeline. If any of these have been a struggle, look toward your local exercise establishment for a qualified trainer! It will help you get the most out of your time in the gym.

Andrew Loscutoff is a longtime personal trainer at Sisters Athletic Club.

member and employee of the Sisters Athletic Club since 2020.

“I love the personal interactions and friendships that members as well as sta share with each other.”

— Nick Coplin