The relationship between children's health, safety and nutrition is very important relationship. Understanding certain guidelines, and potential hazardous conditions can help prevent incidents emocionales.Algunas physical and preventive health practices of care that people can take are to avoid the smoke and abuse of substances like drugs and alcohol, eat a low fat healthy diet, exercising regularly, brush your teeth regularly and frequently washing hands. To help promote good health, people must realize that to some extent, which can prevent certain health problems. Instilling healthy habits and practices in children can help prevent accidents due to lack of proper nutrition all the way to make sure to wear a safety helmet when riding your bike. It has been documented by the World Health Organization health is a state or quality of the total physical, mental and social well-being. Some factors that may affect the health of children are the heritage and the environment. Through inheritance, this is when the child's characteristics are passed from parents to their children at the time of conception to determine genetic traits. Understanding a child's inheritance can help determine the readiness of health problems like heart disease, cancer, allergies, etc. Environment can play an equally important role in child development. The environment includes physical, social, economic and cultural rights. These factors often influence how children think, perceive, and act in certain situations in their environment. There are some positive environmental factors that can affect children as healthy eating, recreation, regular exercise and adequate rest, access to health care and dental care, limited stress and a clean and safe for children, the opportunities for a stable and friendly relations. For child safety is very important. Safety is the behavior and practices that protect children from risk or injury. The control of safe environments for children, such as having the right equipment for development, help prevent accidents. Even minor accidents have immediate effects on children's health. It is imperative that adults scan the area from which children are going to remove and store hazardous materials out of reach of young children. Strict control that is needed. Another form of protection is to establish the rules and limitations. Rules help children learn what is expected, and ensures safety. Nutrition is defined as all the processes used by a child to take in food and to digest, absorb, transport, utilize and excrete food substances. The substances found in food are called nutrients. Eating is a very important component of life. Eating the right foods to ensure good nutrients increases a child's energy, growth and development, normal behavior, resistance to disease and infection, and tissue repair. Nutrient intake affects the behavior of children. A well fed child is more alert and attentive, and has had experience better physical and learning disabilities. The way the child responds to disease resistance, proper nutrition plays an important role. Well nourished children are less likely to get sick, and when patients recover faster. However, the health, safety and nutrition play a relevant role with others. The way a child feels in each function depends on the other. Each part affects the other. If a child is physically injured, they may lose interest in eating. When this happens, they begin to lack of certain nutrients causing harm to last longer. Therefore, good nutrition plays an important role in preventing accidents. There may even be cases in which children lack the nutrients are increasingly prone to accidents due to hypoglycemia. Maintain a safe and healthy weight can also prevent accidents. Through regular exercise, eating, and safety precautions, children can avoid many diseases.

Above Ground Pools – Essential Care Tips Soon spring will be here and it will be time to undergo the task of opening your above ground swimming pool. Planning will make your job a whole lot easier. There is nothing worse than realizing you’re short one bag of shock when you are in the middle of prepping the pool. So first, you need to make a list of chemicals that are needed.

The needs will vary depending upon the type of pool you own. Therefore, this article will talk about it in general. You should always refer to your pool and pump instructions for additional information. Things you will likely need are liquid or powder shock, bromine, chlorine powder or tablets, sanitizing cartridge for the cartridge filters, pH increase or decrease and a test kit to test the chemical levels.

Do not take off just yet and run to the local pool supply store for chemicals. Stop and take a few minutes to check out all of your hoses, skimmer baskets, clamps, gaskets and o-rings. If any of the parts look like they might need replaced, take them with you to the pool supply store. It is a lot easier to match replacement parts if you have the old part with you.

Now that you have the easy part finished, it is time to begin the fun. The first thing required taking the cover off. You will want to enlist help for this, because you want to avoid getting any top water into the pool water. In an above ground pool, you should siphon the water off with a hose.

To get a good siphon started, hook up the hose to the spigot and put the other end of the hose into the top water. Turn the hose on for a minute to fill it. Next crimp the hose a foot or two away from the faucet, and with your other hand, disconnect the hose from the spigot. Position the hose at a downspout drain to discharge then let go of the crimp. The water will reverse and start to drain.
Once you have the water cleared, use a leaf rake to remove as many leaves and twigs as possible. Next, remove your cover weights or springs. At this time a few people positioned around the pool will help to keep the cover out of the water. Try to fold your cover like a blanket keeping the crud in the middle then remove the cover. You need to scrub the cover thoroughly so it is dry for summer storage.

Now it is time to attach all the pump hoses. Remember to lube plugs, fittings, valves, and o-rings with petroleum jelly. Also, be sure to remove any freeze plugs that were used to cover the hose openings. You will most likely need to add water to the pool. It needs to be filled to the skimmer halfway point.

At this point you should start re-circulating the water and check for any leaks around the pump and hoses. Once your pool is leak and drip free, skim off as much floating debris as you can with your skimmer net. Open all your valves to flood the hoses and prime the pool pump. Most manufacturers recommend constant recirculation of the pool water for at least three days. Any crud and debris on the sides and bottom of the pool will need to be scrubbed off. Use the broom attachment of your pool vacuum for this.

After all debris has been removed and the pool has been scrubbed, check your filter for cleaning. Some pumps have removable filters; others are back-flushed, so clean as directed. Once the filter is cleaned, you can now super shock the water as per your manufacturer’s instructions. If you start with green water, you will need a lot more shock. It may take a few days of recirculation to clear the water. Once the water has cleared, test your water or take a sample to your pool supply store and have it analyzed. Adjust the water as required and keep the recirculation going. All that is now left to do now is to wait for the water to warm up so you can start enjoying your pool.

Ethan K. Roberts writes on a variety of topics not limited to . Also available are more articles about and .

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Sex can make you feel good, but it seems that even apart from the initial euphoria, and other health benefits, can make you feel good to relieve pain. Hormones and chemicals endorphins are analgesic. Endorphins are a type of neurotransmitter produced in the body and used as a natural painkiller. They have many positive effects in other, including lowering blood pressure, improving immune system, slowing the aging process and reducing anxiety. Scientists have found that certain endorphins that help activate cells directly to the illness of the immune system to fight and kill cancer cells. Oxytocin is a hormone in the body and released into an increase during and after orgasm. Seems to have many functions, not fully understood, but as a link partner, conception, birth and lactation. Apparently, people relax so they can respond sexually, and part of this action is to kill for mild to moderate pain that sex can take place. Dr. Jeffrey Kaufman, the American Association of Clinical Urologists confirms "There is a certain relation to the perception of pain, but do not know exactly what it is." rheumatologist Carter V. Multz believe that sex reduces pain in patients precisely because of the release of oxytocin and endorphins. In his book "How to treat arthritis," says that sex can reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritic joints (headache and menstrual pain) because the results of an orgasm in a wave of chemicals blunt the pain of being released into the bloodstream. The only drawback is that the analgesic effect is short lived. Kaufman also: "There is not endorphin release with orgasm, but no elevation [continue] endorphin levels, as seen in someone who exercises vigorously every week." The conclusion is that no one could have sex sex just enough to keep the chemicals at very effective analgesic. That is the scientific point of view anyway. You can try and prove them wrong.

Doing Internet Business to Succeed and Not Fail These days, doing internet business is getting more and more competitive. Many individuals are looking to capitalize on the internet through various products and services from the comfort of their own homes. Most people who get involved are looking to find a way to make a very healthy income while working whenever and wherever they choose.

However, doing internet business isn’t always an easy path for many who give it a try. Statistics show that over 90% of those who try doing internet business end up failing. Why is the failure rate so high? There are several factors that may contribute to the high failure rate. The good news is that there are ways to beat the odds and profit massively online.

To have any success from your early days doing business online it’s very important to learn from others mistakes and not repeat them! Understanding the vital components for doing internet business successfully will put you ahead of most of the others out there. Let’s call it the getting started checklist.

First, make sure you’re marketing real products or services backed by a reputable company. Next, seek out advice from a few different sources already involved in that particular business or one that is similar to the one you are interested in. All successful people doing internet business seek advice and build relationships with others in the industry. It’s also a very good idea to find a mentor who is excited about helping you create the same success that he or she has.

Keep in mind that doing internet business is about continually learning new trends online and building your knowledge on what works and what to avoid. Make sure you can get your hands on training and tools that will help you along the way.

The most important component to success is to NEVER give up. With every adversity comes an opportunity, doing internet business for the first time is about having a positive attitude and the determination to keep trying until you get it right!

Sean Weaver is a professional internet marketer who coaches aspiring entrepreneuers on the skills and techniques needed to profit from the internet at:
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In short, natural health means maintaining good health naturally through the air we breathe, the water we drink, food and fluids we consume, our daily physical movement and activities, rest and sleep, and interactions with others . In short, how they live in our bodies on a daily basis.Natural healing involves moving from a state of non-health health natural means alone. If we fast to cleanse the body of mucous, seek massage therapy to relieve muscle pain, or take herbal formulas to soothe a sore throat, we are using a natural healing method. Natural health modalities such as homeopathy, herbal medicine, iridology, bioenergetic methods, and nutrition are non-invasive methods of health practice that are designed to stimulate and maintain the body's intrinsic self-healing processes. Let's take a brief look at each of these modalities. Homeopathy – Homeopathy, as founded by Samuel Hahnemann, is based on the concept of "like cures like", with the idea that the remedies and symptoms sharing certain similar characteristics work together to help the healing process. Iridology – Iridology is the study of the colored part of eye, the iris. According to iridology, iris contains fibers and pigments, possibly indicating the states of physical and psychological health. In determining the placement of the fibers and changes in iris pigmentation, physical strengths and weaknesses due to reactions of the environment, beyond the physical reactions, emotional patterns, and inherited physiological qualities can be used to maintain and improve overall health. Herbology – This is a health practice that uses therapeutic applications of herbs and other vegetable substances, such as roots, leaves, bark or fruit of plants. These substances can be made into various forms of tablets, capsules, teas, pills, or poultices, and are usually sold over the counter in health food stores and neighborhood pharmacies. Holistic Nutrition – Holistic Nutrition is the science of using natural foods, whole food supplements to detoxify, rebuild, and balance the whole person, with knowledge of how these dietary habits are related to the condition of our body, emotions, spirit and environment. Energy – Energy work is a general term that includes several healing modalities, including Reiki, Therapeutic Touch, Healing Touch, and other similar methods. Commonly known as "laying on of hands" in some traditions, energy work can be used to help balance the energies of physical, emotional and spiritual. You can help the body as it balances and heals the challenges of everyday life, stress and disease, and strives to maintain a healthy homeostasis. Our bodies are imbued with life energy, life force, chi, ki or prana, which connects us to universal life force or energy of divine life. Energy work can also be used as a way to help us stay more connected with ourselves, our spirit, and support us in our growth, healing, and ways of transformation as we evolve physically, mentally and spiritually. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) are treatments considered by conventional Western medicine used nontraditional measures as a complement to allopathic (conventional) medicine. Traditional Western medicine excels in treating infectious diseases, acute illnesses and trauma. However, this system does not respond adequately to the prevention, optimal wellness, and chronic diseases. Some systems of complementary and alternative medicine such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine exceed conventional medicine in these areas. Other systems address the energy of our body in a gentle manner, such as homeopathy, instead of harsh energy medicine and radiation oncology. Adopts CAM and mind / body techniques such as hypnotherapy, yoga, and biofeedback. Acupuncture is an example of a system of healing that nonbiomedical has few complications or adverse reactions. We live in a fast-paced society full of stress and environmental pollution. We have been conditioned to expect quick results and said it was acceptable for a pill every time we have the least amount of hassle. Marketing companies have spent billions on advertising to convince to eat junk food. The incorporation of natural health modalities in your life can help in achieving radiant health, body balance, and emotional stability, but the internal and external changes to be made. Good health begins with the acquisition and application of knowledge. You can take charge of your health and start living a healthy life.

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Banfield Pet Hospitals can be found in most PetSmart stores around the nation. Convenient locations, extended hours, and drop-off options attract many clients to these clinics. Above all, Banfield touts its Optimum Wellness Plans as great opportunities for customers to save money. But is a Wellness Plan the right choice for your pet?

Before you sign the dotted line for a Banfield Wellness Plan, make sure you’ve educated yourself about what the plans offer, and what they do not.

When a Banfield employee pitches a Wellness Plan, one of the first things they will state is that the Wellness Plan is a binding contract that lasts for one year. If you’re in a rush, or if your mind is focused on your ailing pet, it’s to zone out while someone recites the Wellness Plan’s details. But this particular detail bears repeating: When you sign up for a Wellness Plan, you are responsible for a year of payments, even if your pet becomes lost, is stolen, is given away, or dies. In the event that you sell or give your pet to someone else, the Wellness Plan payments are non-transferable.

Banfield employees will also inform you that Wellness Plans are not pet insurance. This is true, though many customers mistake them for such. Wellness Plans are a pre-paid bundle of services. You will pay a sign-up fee, plus your monthly charges, and your pet will receive the pre-paid veterinary services throughout the year-long contract period. You end up paying less than you would if you paid for all of the services individually throughout the year.

Puppy and kitten Wellness Plans include all the vaccines that young pets require, as well as a spay or neuter. The spay or neuter option is a real selling point, but keep in mind that you are responsible for the price of medications associated with these procedures. Pain management and antibiotics are common.

The financial value of the vaccines is less clear. Certainly, there are some very necessary vaccines that your pet should have. But Banfield’s vaccination policy is somewhat controversial. Most veterinarians combine vaccines in order to spare pets the pain of multiple injections, and to spare clients the cost of paying for each shot individually. Banfield does not; your pet can be injected up to seven times in one sitting, depending on their size and species. Private veterinarians also contend that Banfield uses vaccines that aren’t necessary for certain animals. While Lyme’s Disease and Leptospirosis are real diseases, it is unlikely that they would be contracted by city-dwelling pets that seldom leave their homes. Do some research with local veterinarians who use fewer vaccines, and who combine many of the ones they do administer. You may find that you would pay a significantly lower amount of money at a private practice.

Some levels of Wellness Plans offer one free dental cleaning per year. This does not include extractions; if the veterinarian discovers loose or broken teeth that need removal, you will be responsible for the charge of extraction, plus necessary medications.

The Wellness Plans for young pets might be the value of all, but all Wellness Plans cover the cost of office visits, which is significant. They also give a small discount on medicines and services that are not covered outright. In addition, they promote vaccination, dental care, spaying and neutering to clients who might not otherwise acknowledge the value of these procedures. Finally, Wellness Plans can be used at any Banfield location, so they are convenient for those who relocate or travel with their pets.

The choice to put your pet on a Wellness Plan is yours to make. Show your pets the love they deserve by making an informed decision that is right for their needs.

Get More Storage for a Tiny Bathroom in Six Steps If you have a small bathroom, chances are it’s frequently cluttered. From trying to cater for storing all your shower and bathroom products, to finding that extra bit of space to dry your laundry on wet afternoons – and don’t forget the hairdryer, shaver and weighing scales! So before the pressure of trying to accommodate so much in such a small space, here are six ways to get the most storage space possible in a small bathroom.

Use corners. Buy or build a corner storage unit that stretches from floor to ceiling.

Build shelves. If there’s not much room on the floor but you’ve got some blank wall space, consider installing a set of shelves there.

Hang pegs. Hanging a row of pegs or hooks on the inside of your bathroom door can give you much needed space to store towels, bathrobes, or even hanging baskets.

Hang some baskets. Those wire baskets you hang from the ceiling in the kitchen aren’t just good for produce. They’re also great for shampoos, soaps, and bath toys.

Get rid of bulky items. Don’t keep every roll of toilet paper or towel you own in your bathroom.

Clean out your bathroom. Throw away empty bottles, expired medicine, expired makeup, and shampoo and soap. Combine bottles that are partially full.

Even if you have a tiny bathroom, it doesn’t have to be cluttered. Follow these tips, and your bathroom is sure to look spacious and well-planned—even if it’s barely bigger than a closet.

R Dobson is director of the online ECommerce business WD Bathrooms – for a wide range of bathroom and shower related products visit http://www.wdbathrooms.co.uk/acatalog/Shower_Cubicles.html

College is getting a bad rap these days. Despite the fact that research repeatedly shows that people with college degrees earn more and face lower unemployment rates compared to people without college degrees, more people are questioning the value of the degree—and whether it’s really worth the staggering cost of tuition.

Businessman and philanthropist Peter Thiel offers young people fellowships to their own businesses instead of going to college; one of the first recipients is Dale Stephens, founder of the website uncollege.org.

Even Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion, two 22-year-old indie-pop musicians, take a shot at the institution this week in New York magazine, summing up many of their peers’ frustrations: “A lot of my friends who are college graduates are not doing so hot right now. We had an opportunity to start our own business, and we had to take it.” (For author Daniel Pink’s more traditional take on the college question, see How to Create a Career in the New Economy.)

Michael Ellsberg, author of the new book The Education of Millionaires, also argues that for many people, self-employment in lieu of college is the ticket to success today. US News spoke with Ellsberg, who attended Brown, about why he thinks college is such a waste of time. Excerpts:

Why did you feel like you needed to write this book?

I had two reasons. One was personal. When I was 32, two years ago, I was taking stock of my life. Everything I liked about my life came from me having learned it in the real world. I was in a wonderful relationship, my health was in good shape, my career and money were coming together. All of this happened because I learned to bring those things into my life. I started to think, “Why do we place so much emphasis on young people learning abstract academic stuff, and then don’t give them any way to learn real world things?”

The second reason is that my wife did not complete college. She dropped out her junior year and became a successful entrepreneur. She feels a lot of guilt and shame about her educational status, and I thought that was crazy. I wanted to tell the story of people like her so that people like her, including her, would not feel shame.

Do you want to discourage people from going to college?

It’s not my place to tell people whether they should or shouldn’t go to college. They have to make that decision themselves. Young people get exposed to no substitute view other than to go to college, and I want to open up the dialogue. There are so many other ways to educate yourself, and to have this be the single option that we give kids is crazy. If you want to go into law, medicine, or become an engineer, accountant, or dentist, it makes sense. But for the typical kid like I was, who isn’t really sure what they want to do and is trying to figure it out, and just wants a general introduction to becoming an adult, $50,000 a year is a very expensive price to pay for that.

Did Brown really do nothing for you?

Zippo. Zero. I had a great time there, but we should be asking more of our than did they have a great time. Brown actually me as a writer. It thought me to write in a very academic way.

Didn’t it instruct you skills such as critical thought?

I was a very passionate reader starting at age 16. College forced me to do reading I didn’t want to do. My message applies more to kids who are highly motivated. Being in such an extremely structured environment can actually hold you back. There are kids who don’t have a lot of motivation, and they should probably be in a more structured environment. The people who are going to found major companies and make major innovations in business, technology, and art—those are the kind of people who will probably do that no matter what, and college could be holding them back from making those contributions earlier, especially if they have to pay off a lot of debt to go there.

What about all the research that suggests the unemployment rate is lower among college grads, and they earn higher salaries?

There is a huge problem with those statistics. Correlation is different from causation. The fact that people who do superior tend to also have college degrees doesn’t necessarily mean that [the degrees] caused their success, it just means that smarter and more ambitious people tend to go to college. So if one of those people, you should question whether you need to spend $200,000…What if instead, you begin a business? Then you could have a whole portfolio to show potential employees.

Are you saying that having a college degree doesn’t help you get a job?

It does in specific areas. Obviously if you want to be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. The question is, can [a college degree] help you as much as going out and getting work experience, instead of spending four years racking up debt and writing papers on Shakespeare. About 80 percent of the job market happens informally…. through networking. You don’t need to go to college to build up a great network.

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New York, new York  (Profitable.com)  October is National Dental Hygiene Month and Celebrity Dentist and author Dr. Catrise Austin of VIP Smiles in new York City is launching a local consumer awareness campaign to alert residents of the new York/Tri-State community about the potential risks of postponing dental appointments and neglecting their oral health.

Dr. Austin’s Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait™ Campaign is a local component of a national awareness initiative sponsored by The Dental Trade Alliance (DTA), a nonprofit trade association representing leading dental manufacturers, distributors, and laboratories.

According to Dr. Catrise Austin, “There’s no denying that the last 3 years have been tough financially for many Americans across the nation including new York residents. The current economic climate is causing many people to either postpone the dental treatment plans recommended by their dentists, or to put off dental visits altogether. unfortunately, there are long-term health risks associated with postponing oral care.”

Some of the health risks that Dr. Austin is referring to include the following:

• Tooth decay is a progressive disease. Postponing treatment can lead to more complex, more invasive, and more high-priced treatment, such as root canals or extractions.

• According to everydayhealth.com, one study in the Australian Dental Journal pegged tooth decay as one of the most common infectious oral diseases. these bacterial infections can be contagious     and passed along.

• The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) warns that the mouth is the gateway to the body and is challenged by invasions by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. There are 120 diseases, including early signs of HIV infection, oral herpes virus, and oral cancer that can be detected while sitting in the dental chair. some of these diseases can be asymptomatic. Postponing your dental checkup could prevent the opportunity for early detection and treatment that could prolong or even save your life.

• Recent studies that have been reviewed by The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) have linked undiagnosed and untreated gum disease with a negative impact on patients’ heart health, diabetes, pregnancy, and other systemic health conditions.

• Chronic bad breath is usually due to conditions that may be easily prevented by regular oral hygiene appointments and consultation.

“With so many people looking for jobs or worried about their job security, it must be noted that having bad breath and discolored, damaged, or missing teeth are the kiss of death in today’s competitive job market,” explains Dr. Catrise Austin. “Your smile is the first thing employers, managers, and co-workers notice.”

Is the Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait Campaign just a way for dentists to make during tough times? Absolutely not, states Dr. Austin. “If more people truly comprehended the connection between oral health with the rest of the body and its overall health, I believe they would prioritize their discretionary spending accordingly. Choosing between undergoing gum disease or cavity treatment versus buying a new cell phone, wireless personal pad, weekly professional hair and nail grooming, or taking costly vacations would become a no-brainer.”

Here are some options to consider during your next dental visit:

• Dental professionals are primarily focused on prevention when their patients allow them to do so. In addition, many patients are not taking full advantage of the scope of services covered by their dental insurance. Ask your dentist what can be done to prevent cavities such as dental sealants for permanent molars as well as fluoride treatment for adults.

• Most dentists are very flexible when it comes to paying out-of-pocket expenses. Ask about alternative payment options like 0% interest financing, using a credit card, or working out an in-office payment plan.

• Talk to your dentist about prioritizing your treatment plan. Ask what needs to be done immediately and what can wait until you have more discretionary income.

Dr. Austin shares 5 tips that can give consumers a healthy white smile at home throughout the year:

1.  Follow this smile workout at least twice daily:Brush, Floss, Rinse, and Scrape (or Brush) your tongue to keep your gums and teeth healthy and your breath fresh.

2.  Drink fluoridated tap water or use a fluoride mouthwash to fight cavities

3.  Read the nutritional facts on packaged food/beverage labels:Pay special attention to the hidden sugar in your food and drinks to avoid cavities.

4.  Need to rejuvenate your dull smile? try teeth whitening!consider refreshing your look using the Crest 3D White Collection (less than $100)! Brush for 2 minutes daily with the Oral B 3D Pulsar Toothbrush and Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste, then rinse daily with the Crest 3D White Multicare Whitening Mouthrinse, then add that dazzle and by using the Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips (the most effective of all Crest Whitestrips) once daily for 30 minutes (for 3-7 days). if you want to quickly whiten your smile try Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips ($54.99, 4 whitening strips) deliver a noticeably whiter smile in just 2 hours. Apply once for 2 hours and get noticeable results that last for three months. Each kit contains 4 treatments so you can keep your smile bright for a whole year.

5.  Never say to yourself, “My teeth don’t hurt. I don’t need to see a dentist.”You can’t have a great smile without the help of your dental team. although there are many tools available to maintain your smile in the comforts of your own home, nothing replaces visiting your dental team every 6 months for your gum evaluation, professional cleaning, and cavity check.

“Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait is a very important national initiative with the ultimate goal of sustaining and improving oral health in America,” explained Dr. Catrise Austin. “I’m very proud to do my part and spread the message with my new York City local community.” Dr. Austin will be kicking off her local Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait campaign in honor of October’s National Dental Hygiene Month with a series of free dental health lectures for the public (all ages welcome) where Dr. Austin will be discussing some of the top dental issues that our community should be concerned with such as the importance of prevention, free and low cost access to dental care, what dental products are safe and work best, and do-it yourself tips to maintain optimum oral health at home between dental visits.

Dr. Catrise Austin will lecturing for free, providing Q & A’s, giving away valuable prizes, and signing copies of her book 5 Steps to the Hollywood A-List Smile in new York City on the following dates:

Monday October 10th, 2011 6-8 PM (Columbus Day): Hue Man Bookstore, HarlemSaturday October 22nd, 2011 1PM: new York Public Library 96th Street Branch

About Dr. Catrise Austin

As the first private practice dentist in the nation certified to offer HIV testing to patients while in the dental chair, Dr. Catrise Lynette Austin is a trailblazing expert in the field of dentistry. she is an author, professional speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of VIP Smiles-a modern dental practice in new York City. Notable celebrities such as X-Factor Judge Paula Abdul; Dancing With The Stars dancers Karina Smirnoff and Maksim Chmerkovskiy; Apprentice Diva Omarosa; HBO’s Entourage Actor Rex Lee; Songstress Toni Braxton; show host Wendy Williams; Food Network Chef Sunny Anderson; Dallas Cowboy tight end Martellus Bennett, 2010 Olympic gold medalist Ashleigh McIvor, and Grammy Award-winning rapper/actor/author Common (to name a few) have all placed their teeth in her capable hands. Austin is an award-winning dentist and columnist who has solidified her reputation in her field with national radio as well as national television appearances on The Discovery Health Channel, Today show, and good Morning America, among others. Dr. Austin is available for local and national interviews, as well as speaking engagements on dental health, HIV testing in the dental office, entrepreneurship, careers in dentistry, and improving your image with your smile. for more information about dental health or for booking information contact Dr. Catrise Austin at 212-262-6054 or visit vipsmiles.com

About the Dental Trade Alliance

The Dental Trade Alliance is an association of companies that provide dental equipment, supplies, materials, and services to dentists and other oral care professionals. Its member companies are distributors, dental laboratories, and manufacturers located in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. by providing the best equipment, materials, and services to dentists and oral care professionals, they are partners in improving the oral health of everyone. for more information, visit dentaltradealliance.org

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October is National Dental Hygiene Month: New York City Celebrity Dentist and Author Dr. Catrise Austin Says, Despite the Economy, ‘Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait’

Medical billers and coders are in high demand among the allied health occupations. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), health information technicians are one of the 10 fastest-growing allied health occupations. It is a challenging, interesting career where you are compensated according to your level of skills and how effectively you use them.

Medical billers and coders know this and feel good about the support they provide to physicians, clinics, hospitals, and patients. They know they play an important role in the business office where they are employed. Their work consists of submitting the proper documentation to a number of insurance companies and federal agencies for reimbursement in order for their employer to financially succeed and avoid fraud charges. Their specialized training and expertise lets them find work any place, any time. Numerous opportunities for trained individuals exist in medical offices, clinics, hospitals, insurance companies, and in form of freelance home-based businesses. Advancement opportunities are unlimited!

The U.S. Department of Labor states that continued employment growth for medical coders and billers is spurred by the increased medical needs of an aging population and the number of health practitioners. The Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that earnings vary widely and pay levels are governed chiefly by experience and qualifications.

Healthcare Careers Offer Job Security, Personal Satisfaction, Challenges, and Rewarding Experiences

Many interested in a career in the healthcare field decide to specialize in the medical billing and coding profession. Medical billers and coders are no longer restricted to only the doctor’s or dentist’s office but are now working in hospitals, pharmacies, nursing homes, mental healthcare facilities, rehabilitation centers, insurance companies, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), consulting firms, and health data organizations, or even from home.

These highly skilled professionals are earning impressive wages everywhere they are. Typical duties of medical billers and coders include:

• Explaining insurance benefits to patients and clients
• Office bookkeeping and other administrative duties
• Accurately completing claim forms
• Explaining insurance benefits to patients
• Handling day to day medical billing procedures
• Adhering to each insurance carrier’s policies and procedures
• Prompt billing of insurance companies
• Documenting all activities using correct medical terminology
• Scheduling appointments

Other job opportunities for medical billers and coders include:

• Billing Specialist
• Patient Account Representative
• Electronic Claims Processor
• Billing Coordinator
• Coding Specialist
• Claims Analyst
• Reimbursement Specialist
• Claims Assistant Professional
• Medical Collector
• Claims Processor
• Claims Reviewer

What is Medical Billing?

Medical billing is better described as medical practice management and a doctor’s key to getting paid. Although most doctor’s offices request that payment be made at the time a medical service is provided in order to minimize billing, every medical office has a need to maintain patient financial accounts and for collecting money.

In a small family practice or suburban clinic this task may be simple and assigned to the medical assistant or nurse but in bigger practices and clinics this is the medical biller’s job!

Medical billers and coders usually work forty regular office hours from Monday through Friday on a desk in the billing office or billing department of the professional healthcare office. They must know the different methods of billing patients, understand various collection methods, ethical and legal implications, have a good working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, medical billing and claims form completion, and coding. They also must understand database management, spreadsheets, electronic mail, and possess state-of-the-art word processing and accounting skills, be proficient in bookkeeping, and be able to type at a speed of at least 45 words-per-minute.

The work area of medical billers and coders usually is in a separate area away from the patients and public eye. However, even though they are not involved in the actual process of doctors and healthcare professionals providing medical care they need to possess excellent customer service skills when it comes to making contact with clients, insurance companies, and often patients. Medical billers must know how to explain charges, deal with criticism, give and receive feedback, be assertive, and communicate effectively without becoming confused as the person is asking questions. Patients can quickly become frustrated when trying to deal with healthcare providers and bills over the phone.

While an increasing amount of patient care is being funded through HMO related insurance, where the patient makes a small copayment at the time of service and the doctor bills the managed care company for the balance, a number of patients still need to make arrangements to pay for their medical services over a period of time. Part of the medical biller and coder’s job is to contact some of these patients from time to time regarding a past due bill. Incoming calls from patients who have questions regarding a bill are also directed to the medical biller’s office. The way s/he communicates over the phone can make or break business relationships.

Other specialties closely related to the medical billing and coding profession are:

• Medical Coders/Coding Specialists
• Patient Account Representatives
• Electronic Claims Processors
• Billing Coordinators
• Reimbursement Specialists
• Claims Assistant Professionals
• Medical Claims Analysts
• Medical Claims Processors
• Medical Claims Reviewers
• Medical Collectors

What is Medical Coding?

Every healthcare provider that delivers a service receives money for these services by filing a claim with the patient’s health insurance provider or managed care organization. This is also referred to as an encounter. An encounter is defined as “a face-to-face contact between a healthcare professional and an eligible beneficiary.”

Codes exist for all types of encounters, services, tests, treatments, and procedures provided in a medical office, clinic, or hospital. Even patient complaints such as headache, upset stomach, etc. have codes which consist of a set of numbers and combinations of sets of numbers. The combination of these codes tells the payer (health insurance companies or government entities) what was wrong with the patient and what services were performed. This makes it easier to handle these claims and to identify the provider on a predetermined basis. In addition, the services rendered (CPT) codes have to match the diagnosis (ICD) codes to justify medical necessity.

To do this correctly for each third party payer choices have to be made from a combination of 3 coding systems totaling over 10000 codes, and which change annually. In addition, a completely new coding system, ICD-10, is proposed for reimbursement purposes in the near future.

Tools of the Trade

CPT books provide all the procedural terminology and ICD-9-CM code books have the most up-to-date information on medical diagnosis coding. The medical coder must stay current on any new ICD-9 code changes that would impact code accuracy and claims submission. HCPCS books contain the complete lists of HCPCS Level II codes with descriptions. They will guide the medical coder through current modifiers, code changes, additions and deletions. HIPAA books help to develop an effective HIPAA compliance plan and DRG books are needed for Medicare’s classification of inpatient hospital services based on principal diagnosis, secondary diagnosis, surgical procedures, age, sex, and presence of complications.

Training

Training of the medical billers and coders can range from two to four years of college, a technical school diploma, certificates from correspondence courses, to simple home study programs. Upon completion of such training many coders may seek professional certification.

Though not necessary, it is recommended and national associations are available for the certification processes.

Vocational Training

Professional medical billers and coders are in very high demand. Billing for services in healthcare is more complicated than in other industries. Government and private payers vary in payment for the same services and healthcare providers and organizations provide services to beneficiaries of several insurance companies at any one time.

Therefore, to reach proficiency in this business, basic training, clinical supervision and continued professional development is essential!

Typical Course Requirements are:

• Medical Office Procedures
• Medical Keyboarding
• Medical Terminology
• Health Structure and Function
• Health Care Records Management
• Medical Insurance
• Survey of Pathology
• CPT-4 HCPCS II, III
• Healthcare Laws and Ethics
• Basic Coding ICD-9-CM
• Basic Pharmacology
• Medical Transcription
• Externship
• National Exam
• General Education Requirements

Professional Advancement Opportunities

A recent American Hospital Association survey showed that about 18% of billing and coding positions remain unfilled due to a lack of qualified candidates. Most companies and practices are looking for schooling and experience mostly because of the legal ramifications of incorrect billing practices.

However, medical billers and coders are also able to work independently out of their homes where they established a home based billing office. There are plenty of electronic billing programs available that can be set up through home office computers. Also, there is the possibility to become an independent insurance specialist or consultant who helps patients understand their insurance bills and what they should be paying.

Opportunities also exist as patient account managers, physician office supervisors and management, various types of personnel managers in the healthcare industry, health claims examiners, and medial billing and coding instructors. The more education the individual has, the more employment options are available and advancement opportunities become virtually unlimited!

Professional Certification

As in so many healthcare professions certification in the medical billing and coding field is not required but highly recommended. The days of the single family practice medical assistant or nurse typing out an invoice after office hours are history. Even the smallest offices and clinics have changed to computer billing because it offers greater coding accuracy, saves time, and can be used by administrators and auditors to ensure that visits are being coded to the appropriate levels which increases revenues.

Understandably, these offices and companies are looking for individuals who are certified in their field to ensure the employer that the individual whom they hire is competent and proficient.

There are numerous well known and well respected organizations sponsoring these types of examinations. Intersted candidates should research each one and find the one that most suits your needs: American Association of Medical Billers (AAMB) offers Certified Medical Biller (CMB) and Certified Medical Billing Specialist (CMBS) examinations. The National Association of Claims Assistant Professionals (NACAP) offer Certified Claims Assistance Professional (CCAP) and Certified Electronic Claims Professional (CECP). The examinations for Certified Procedural Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CPS), Accredited Record Technician (ART), and Registered Record Administrator (RRA), are administered through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The National Healthcareer Assosciation (NHA) is offering their Medical Billing and Coding (CBCS) credential.

If your objective is to work for a medical office, group practice, healthcare provision network, or hospital as the medical billing and coding specialist keep in mind that most private practices, organizations and hospitals throughout the country not only prefer but often require national certification as a competency standard.

To learn more about this very rewarding career visit the Medical Billing and Coding Net web site at

© 2003 Danni R. of the Medical Billing & Coding Net. Reprint permission available by request.

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