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B6 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday July 26, 2000 Business To reach this section call 845-3824 Fax:337-5567 Sff Dr. Anil Ralhan shows patient some information on dental procedure at his Oakville offices. Photo by Peter C. McCusker Dentist strives to make patients comfortable with dental experience Mary-Louise Langlois SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Dentistry in the 21st century is very, very different from dentistry 100 years ago. And, for many in the 40-plus age bracket, it has changed immeasurably, especially so in the last 30 years, when many youngsters were taken by their parents more than a little reluctantly to their ‘family’ dentists. Life in the dentists’ office has certainly changed. Dentists have at their disposal high tech equipment to make patient care safer, easier and more efficient. But some things haven’t changed. Many people are still a little nervous about ‘going to the dentist.’ Dr. Anil Ralhan is doing his best to change that. A very important part of dentistry for Dr. Ralhan are his patients. He wants his patients to be relaxed and comfortable with the idea of going to the dentist â€" so much so that he offers consultations to people who want to come and meet with him before actually becoming his patients. "One of the reasons I chose to go into dentistry is because I like working with people.” said Ralhan. Ralhan, who opened the Oak Park Dental Practice in December 1999, specifically chose the Oak Park area because there was a need for more dentists in that area. Ralhan grew up in nearby Mississauga. He and his wife Sutapa, also chose to live in Oakville because it was the kind of community in whiclj they wanted to raise their future family. Achieving his B.Sc. from the University of Toronto, Ralhan chose the University of Michigan for his dental schooling. While Ralhan does provide patients with what he refers to as “limited ortho-donture,” he made the choice to work in general dentistry because it gave him the opportunity to work with patients from a cross section of ages. “We have a lot of young families in our practice. Our youngest patient is two-and-a-half and our oldest patient is 85, with everyone in between,” says Ralhan. Ralhan is very interested in working with people who have a fear of dentists, “dental phobics” as he refers to them. His goal is to put people at ease and make them feel comfortable. He has developed a graduated approach to dentistry for those who have fears and anxiety. He believes that it is necessary to inform and educate patients â€" after that everything falls into place. The first appointment is very casual. He goes over the patient’s history and spends time talking to them about a treatment plan and his approach to dentistry. The second visit involves a dental cleaning. Following visits deal with any dental work that may be necessary. Prior to establishing his own practice, Ralhan was an associate in practices in Burlington, Toronto and Mississauga. Along the way, he discovered things in other practices that he liked and wanted to integrate into his practice. He also noticed some things he didn’t want to do. “I want a warm, friendly environment. I want people to come to my office and feel like they aren’t going to a dentist.” That is why it was important to him to make the office a warm and welcoming setting. Importantly, he believes that the patient should always be treated with respect. When choosing staff, he selected individuals not only good at their job, but those with strong people skills. Dr. Ralhan is a member of the Ontario Dental Association and the American Dental Association. His office is located at 2530 Sixth Line in the Oak Park Plaza. Ontario Child Core Supplement for Working families • You may be eligible to receive payments for some of your child care costs under this recently enhanced Ontario Government program. • Low-to-middle-income families can get up to $1,100 annually for each child under age seven. • Single-parent families with low-to-middle incomes can now receive up to $1,310 annually for each child under age seven. • Designed for parents who work, go to school or when one parent stays at home to provide child care. When you receive your pre-printed application in the mail, please complete and return it promptly to the Ministry of Finance to be eligible to receive payments. You must apply each year for the Ontario Child Care Supplement. Ontario Helping Working Families Lasting Impressions 1 Hot weather wardrobe shouldn’t appear too casual Dear Shannon: I am amazed (and frankly appalled) at how some of my staff dress for work. How do I approach the subject of what is appropriate summer wear for business and what isn’t? Tank tops, jeans, high top running shoes, mini skirts, dots and stripes, dirty T-shirts!! I can’t take it! fneed some help. Hot and Bothered Dear H&B: Tank tops, jeans and high top runners have their place. So do sweat pants â€" (they were made to sweat in) and that’s all â€" none are acceptable in the workplace. Unfortunately, people don’t seem to get it. QU AMKIOkl The new business casual dress code takes a OnMI llivl I bit of savvy, and from where I sit (and what mr â-  ITU I do) is assist my client to land squarely in I M that point of appropriateness. How to create v that balance of professionalism while maintaining comfort and neatness no matter where you work or what you do is an art and a huge challenge for all of us. Its summertime and yes. it may seem more relaxed at the office, but it doesn’t mean “non professional." “Dress down” does not mean “dress down sloppy.” Needless to say, an individual's appearance must be impeccable at all times â€" hair, grooming, clothing as well as be wrinkle free as much as possible. Here are a few general guidelines we use in our sessions on Casual Business Attire. Hope they help! DO’S AND DON’TS FOR SUMMER BUSINESS ATTIRE! MEN The blue suit still has its place and that will never change. One of my male clients recently asked me Why. The answer â€" the blue suit is “appropriate” attire for many occasions â€" weddings, funerals, job interviews, dinner with the boss or standing in for the one who was supposed to deliver that speech but can’t. Alter all, even the folks at Nike sit in the boardroom in sweat pants. 1. FOOTWEAR DO wear comfortable, soft soled slip-on shoes with socks (yes, socks and preferably above the knee). DON’T wear sandals of any kind to the office. Sandals are not a pan of appropriate business attire and they should NEVER be worn with socks even on vacation. 2. COLOUR DO choose colours and patterns carefully. Colour coordinate your attire to look professional and crisp at all times. DON’T miss-match colours or fabncs when getting dressed. A heavy, winter weight wool blazer does not “suit” a fight weight, cotton pair of slacks. 3. DO change your shirt daily â€" make sure it is clean and pressed (even it it is a polo shirt). DON’T wear shirts of any kind for two or three days as they absorb too much perspiration and body odour. You DON T want to be the one avoided at the water cooler. 4. DO wear Bermuda wool, linen, silk/cotton blend jackets with a pair of slacks in matching fabrics and open neck shirts if appro-pnate for the office climate or casual dining. DON'T wear a “winter weight suit” for summer business or social gatherings. You’ll look totally out of place. After all â€" you do want to FITIN. 5. DO show “good taste” while dining out and leave your jacket ON. DON’T carry the casual look too far by taking off your jacket and rolling up your sleeves during dinner. 6. DO study the “levels” of appropriate attire â€" when and where to wear what is critical to your personal career and social success. DON’T dress inappropriately when invited out It is perfectly correct to call the person who is'hosting the event and ask what the dress code is. If it s a Hawaiian theme, you certainly would be out of place dressed in western garb. 7. DO make sure that your clothes are current, in style, well-maintained and carefree. You’ll be seen and treated like a professional. DON’T wear clothes that are pilled, puckered, stained, wrinkled. 8. DO wear neatly pressed, clean pants in appropriate materials for warm weather. Low maintenance fabrics like the micro fibres, synthetic blends, wool and silk blends, khakis will work well. AND always buy the best you can afford. DON’T wear old ragged snorts, sweat pants of any kind, tom jeans, or leather to work. They are totally unacceptable and unprofessional in any profession or industry. WOMEN The message (and power) sent by women’s clothing are more subject to interpretation than ever. The way in which our clothes "speak” has not diminished. The basic rule is still Dress Professionally to be taken seriously. If you want to be perceived as a competent, polished, professional, here are some tips to adhere to... 1. FOOTWEAR DO wear simple pumps or sling-back shoes that are of a medium height in neutral colours. DON’T wear spiked heels, fru fru sandals, anything with bows, j'thing multi-coloured runners or boots. DON’T wear socks with sandals of any kind. 2. GROOMING DO maintainyour hands and feet by having and pedii NAILS S DON’T wear garish, bizarre coloured nail polish or nail designs on nails or toes. It s a must to keeping your feet well-groomed and free of callouses especially for sandal wearing. 3. The fashion magazines may be showing a lot of “skin” this season â€" that doesn’t mean that you should. DO wear attire and styles that are professional, demure, conservative, covered, and in good taste. AND this doesn’t mean boring. Choose well-fitted, appropriate dress styles such as the princess line that compliments almost all figure types and flaws. It s available in every piece of clothing from swimwear to dresses and suits. DON’T wear anything see-through, low cut, plunging, backless, strapless, skimpy, capri or bikers pants, blue jeans, chiffon, satin, leather, long T-shirt dresses, slits of any kind or improper undergarments showing through your clothing at any time. 4. DO wear hose for business â€" it’s still a must â€" even casual business attire demands it in most industries such as banking, investing, sales. In some industries (where you are not seen by the public), it is acceptable to go stockingless. However, make sure that your legs are evenly tanned and well-maintained and groomed. DON’T ever, ever go stockingless (no hose) if your legs show bruises, veins, bumps, etc. For more information call toll free: 1-800-263-7965 (teletypewriter: 1-800-263-7776) manicures 5. DO wear skirts that are appropriate for your figure type and just above or at the knee. Remember, the shorter the skirt, the less credible you appear. If you have heavy legs, no matter what your age â€" the mini will not be attractive on you and won’t work. DON’T wear skirts that are clinging, slit from here to there, are mini or in unbecoming styles that do not suit your figure type. 6. DO wear pants in appropriate styles and fabrics if your industry permits it. DON’T wear pants if you work in a conservative business or are in sales. 7. DO choose accessories appropriate for your ensemble. Simple and understated are always in good taste. One gold chain, medium sized earrings to suit your face shape, a good quality, conservative watch will be all you need for every day business. DON’T go overboard in the choice of accessories. Ankle bracelets, multiple bracelets, dangling earrings just distract from the business at hand. Keep it simple and keep it business-like. Nose rings, eyebrow studs, toe rings, mu"' ' (anywhere) might be the current rage for the; Nose rings, eyebrow studs, toe rings, multiple earrings, tatoos (anywhere) might be the current rage for the younger set. They are totally inappropriate for any work-"arena Not only that, think of what it will be like to have all those scars when the fad is over â€" or having to remove them â€" which will cause even more scarring! 8. DO choose three or four basic colours in neutral tones that enhance your skin tone, hair and eye colour. It’s all in the mix â€" the coordination. The summer is so short. Paying attention to all of the above will definitely save time, money and enerey. REMEMBER: “The clothes are the background the frame, if you like: they don’t make success but they are a huge part of it.” Edith Wharton (The House of Mirth) Shannon Smith is president of Premiere Image International Inc. â€" Canada's leading image Institute offering business/personal training, image mastery, presentation skills, manners, business/social etiquette, dining. If you would like information on the Executive Style Makeover Contest or The Personal Style Symposium At Sea aboard the Norwegian Majesty, call 416-324-8955, www.premiereimageint.com.