Welcome to Dr. Tejas Patel's Blog

Give us a call at 512-263-8337 and schedule your appointment today. Visit us on our main Austin Cosmetic Dentistry website or if you have snoring problems visit Stop Snoring Austin
Powered By Blogger

Friday, September 28, 2012

Pecan Street Festival



This weekend, September 29th & 30th,  kick off fall with the Austin’s 31st Bi-Annual Pecan Street Festival.  Over 600 artisans and performing artists will be showcased at the festival displaying and selling homemade art and 
craft work. The event is free and hosts games for the kids along with local musicians taking the stage at noon!  Kid’s activities include carnival rides, face painting, and a petting zoo. As the oldest and largest art festival in Central Texas, over 300,000 people attend each year.  Located on 6th street in the heart of Austin, the festival combines a diverse group of people and promotes community in Central Texas. Be sure to come out and show your support.

For more information about vendors and events, visit 
http://www.oldpecanstreetfestival.com

Monday, September 24, 2012

Dr. Patel Awarded Fellowship from ICOI



This week, Dr. Patel was in Orlando, FL for the ICOI World Congress meeting where he was awarded a Fellowship from the organization for his achievements in Implant Dentistry. Founded in 1972, the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) is an association of general dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists, prosthodontists, endodontists, orthodontists, laboratory technicians, auxiliaries, industry representatives, researchers, faculty members, pre and post doctoral graduate dental students as well as the general public (
www.icoi.org). The ICOI strives to provide high quality education to their members in order for them to better serve their patients.

Dr. Patel received Fellowship from the ICOI by achieving the following credentials:
-Completion of 20 implant cases all of which are at least 12 months old.
-Providing documentation of completion of 75 hours or more of implant education (either attending in person or completing courses on-line) in the preceding 5 years.
-Providing a letter of recommendation from a current ICOI Fellow, IPS Master, ICOI Diplomate or member of ICOI's Advanced Credentials Committee.

-Submission of a current Curriculum Vitae

Upon receiving the award, Dr. Patel said: “It was so cool to see and meet so many dentists from around the world! The presenters and speakers were top notch and it’s awesome to learn about all the advancements and trends in implant dentistry."
Congratulations to Dr. Patel on achieving this milestone and pursuing the visions of the ICOI.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Dr. Patel visits Africa!



 One of the most rewarding experiences in life is being able to give back to others while doing what you love to do. Dr. Patel recently was able to combine his love for dentistry, giving back, and travel into a volunteer trip to Africa in August. Dr. Patel and his family traveled to Tswalu Kalhari in Southern Africa and Livingstone Town in Zambia.


On his trip, Dr. Patel began by volunteering at the Tswalu Dental Clinic which is a part of the Tswalu Foundation created by Johnathan Oppenheim. The foundation’s mission is to develop a platform where visitors can get involved in the community and contribute in various ways. Dental professionals can volunteer to treat patients and educated them on oral health. Actively involved in this foundation, Dr. Patel with the help of Carey Barrs of Benco Dental Supplies, donated over 150 toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss. He also helped treat many patients and donated much needed dental supplies and equipment to the community. Dr. Patel and his family also visited the local school in Tswalu where they donated school supplies to the children and teachers. It was truly an amazing experience for Dr. Patel and the residents were extremely welcoming and exited to meet him and his family.

Dr. Patel also had the opportunity to visit Zambia where he traveled to the Nakatindi village and community school located outside of Livingstone town. With an estimated population of 3000 people and average household income of $80 per month, Sanctuary Retreats (a philanthropy project) works to help these communities improve their general well-being. This includes the areas of infrastructure, skill development, education, future welfare, and most importantly health and dental care. The Nakatindi village has 500 children of which 2/3 are orphaned. Seventy-five percent of residents are affected by HIV. Dr. Patel and his family are strong supporters of this cause and financially donated to help improve the village and its community school. There are several community projects that are working to improve the village including a feeding program to provide lunch to the children, a vegetable garden, and future hopes to build a medical clinic to provide healthcare.


Reflecting on his trip and the memories and experiences he has received, Dr. Patel says, “Visiting this village was an extremely profound experience. It was a mix of sorrow and happiness. The happiness came from seeing the smiles and enthusiasm and excitement of all of the children within the community. They were so joyful and content, even though they have so little and even with the alarming conditions that they live in. The sorrow comes from knowing that they are not only orphaned, and barely get one meal a day, but also that many of them are affected by HIV and that don't have access to healthcare or medicines that could improve their health. I’m so grateful to have had such an experience for myself and for my family to be able to see how many others live on the other side of the world. It definitely reinforced the appreciation and gratitude for all that we are so fortunate to have. Seeing the world, the entire volunteer experience, and being able to give back to others is a truly rewarding experience”.


With plans to return to these villages, Dr. Patel will continue to pursue his passions of dentistry and giving back by supporting these causes both now and in the future. He cannot place a value on this trip and knows his experiences and memories will always be priceless. Dr. Patel has traveled internationally as a volunteer dentist to Nicaragua, Brazil, Peru, and now Africa and hopes to continue to educate and treat children and adults in underprivileged communities.


Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Austin Teen Book Festival


As the largest teen book festival in the country, Austin hosts the 4thannual Teen Book Festival at the Palmer Events Center September 29th from 9:30 a.m – 5 p.m! Thirty-six of the most popular and acclaimed young adult fiction authors will be there along with 6 panels and 4 opportunities to listen to the authors speak about their books. The keynote speakers will include award-winners Neal Shusterman and Libba Bray. Shusterman is widely known for hisUnwind trilogy and Texas’ own Libba Bray is the author of 6 young adult novels, most notably Beauty Queens which was listed as Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Books 2011.

Other authors include Marissa Meyer, Leigh Bardugo, Scott Speer, Jesse Andrews, Ally Condie and many more! And the best part of the festival? It’s absolutely free! For more information including authors and the full schedule visit www.austinteenbookfestival.com

Monday, September 10, 2012

Tony Bennett Comes to Austin


You can watch and listen to a true legend perform at the Moody Theater, Wednesday September 12th at 8:00pm. ACL Live presents legend Tony Bennett and tickets are still available.

With a career that began in the late 1930s, Bennett has had dozens of platinum and gold albums, has received 15 Grammy Awards, and has had two dozen songs in the Top 40.  With this truly impressive resume, his performance in Austin guarantees rave reviews.

To purchase tickets, visit 
http://www.acl-live.com/calendar/2012/9/tony-bennett-2012