Family Dental Care of Oak Park
The Smile Connection
Where Compassionate Care Meets Lasting Relationships
June 2026 Newsletter
2026 FIFA World Cup
The last time you were at the office, did you notice the framed items on the wall down the hallway to the operatories? You will see Chicago baseball and football memorabilia, including pictures of Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, and the old Comiskey Park.
I love Chicago sports and am a fan of all the teams. If you follow baseball, you may be a Cubs fan or a White Sox fan. It is rare to be a fan of both, but I root for all Chicago teams. Because I treat fans of each team as patients, I remain agnostic about team loyalties. I enjoy them all.
We have entered another milestone moment in sports. For the first time, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be larger than ever before. The tournament will take place from June 11 through July 19 and will feature 48 teams rather than the traditional 32.
The tournament is being hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. There will be 104 matches played across 16 cities, promising to be the most dramatic World Cup in history. Unfortunately, Chicago is not one of the host cities. The closest host city is Kansas City.
Chicago was the site of the opening match of the 1994 World Cup, and many people assumed it would host matches again in 2026. Instead, the city chose not to participate, so one of the largest and most soccer-friendly cities in the world will be watching from the sidelines.
Competition, when approached with the right mindset, is one of the healthiest forces in life. It challenges us to improve, pushes us beyond our comfort zones, and inspires us to achieve more than we thought possible.
Whether in sports, business, academics, or personal goals, competition teaches discipline, resilience, and perseverance. It reminds us that success is not guaranteed and that growth often comes from effort, preparation, and learning from setbacks.
The World Cup showcases the highest level of competition on a global stage, where athletes strive for excellence while demonstrating respect for their opponents. At its best, competition can bring people together as much as it can drive them apart.
One of the greatest benefits of competition is that it raises our standards. It encourages us to work harder, prepare better, and continually improve. It also teaches the value of surrounding ourselves with people who strive for excellence.
I apply that same philosophy at Family Dental Care of Oak Park. Exceptional patient care begins by surrounding myself with exceptional people. Just as a World Cup team depends on every player performing at a high level, this practice relies on a dedicated team committed to serving patients with skill, compassion, and professionalism.
Dania, Wendy, Ivone, Dani, and Atziri each bring unique talents and strengths to the practice, and they share a common commitment to excellence. Together, they challenge one another to grow, learn, and continually raise the standard of care we provide.
Competition at its healthiest is not about defeating others. It is about pursuing excellence, holding ourselves accountable, and surrounding ourselves with people who inspire us to be better.
We would love to hear about what we have done well. One of the greatest compliments you can give us is referring friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors who value quality dental care. We are actively welcoming new patients.
Serving Our Community
Damos la Bienvenida a las Familias Hispanas
Family Dental Care of Oak Park has proudly served our community for more than 50 years. We have cared for multiple generations of families and built our practice on a simple belief: every person deserves to feel comfortable, respected, and understood when receiving dental care.
Our practice continues to welcome a growing number of Hispanic families from Oak Park and nearby communities. Communication is a fundamental part of quality care, and dental concerns, treatment options, financial questions, and family needs are easier to discuss in the language you prefer.
Dania, Ivone, Wendy, and Atziri speak fluent Spanish and are available to help patients throughout their visits. Whether you are scheduling an appointment, asking about treatment, checking insurance benefits, or getting to know our office, we want you to feel safe, comfortable, and well cared for.
If you know friends, family members, neighbors, or coworkers who would feel more comfortable receiving dental care where Spanish is spoken, we invite you to recommend our office.
A Message from Mr. Plaque
Mr. Plaque is not a fan of floss, toothpaste, mouthwash, Waterpiks, or other dental care products. He especially dislikes floss because it is one of the best tools for removing plaque from between teeth and along the gumline.
Freddie Floss and the Floss Friends are here to help. Traditional floss, interdental brushes, floss picks, kid flossers, and Stim-U-Dent cleaners all support healthier habits in different ways.
The right tool is the one you can use consistently. Ask our team which option fits your teeth, gums, dental work, and routine.
An Escape from the Office
We have been busy in the office, welcoming many new patients while the team has been working at a feverish pace.
Recently, we had the opportunity to get out for lunch together at Cooper’s Hawk in Oak Park. Time together outside the treatment rooms helps us reset, reconnect, and return ready to serve patients well.
Team Story
Ivone Loves Buc-ee’s
Have you visited Buc-ee’s? The Texas-based travel center chain is known for exceptionally clean restrooms, large convenience stores, fresh barbecue, homemade fudge, Beaver Nuggets snack mix, and its beaver mascot.
Occasionally, Ivone leaves the office wearing a Buc-ee’s T-shirt. One day, she and a patient struck up a conversation about their shared love of Buc-ee’s, and Ivone mentioned that she was collecting a T-shirt from every location she visits.
At a later six-month checkup, that same patient surprised Ivone with a special gift: a Buc-ee’s T-shirt from the Brunswick, Georgia location. It was a thoughtful gesture and another reminder of the wonderful relationships that develop between our team and the patients we serve.
