The Smile Connection

Family Dental Care of Oak Park * 708-406-9984 * www.Family DentalCareofOakPark/com

March 2026

Tradition and culture is important to me, personally and professionally. I often struggle with how I operate as a dentist and that of others in my profession. For me, it is not a practice, it has been a calling, so tradition is important. Every month brings some kind of celebration tradition in almost all cultures. From my heritage, this month St. Joseph’s Day is celebrated.

In Italian traditions it is referred to as The Sicilian

Famine and a Promise. St. Joseph’s Day traces back to the Middle Ages, particularly in Sicily, which experienced a severe drought and famine. According to tradition, the people prayed to St. Joseph, asking for relief. They promised that if he intervened and ended the famine, they would prepare a great feast in his honor. When the rain returned and crops grew again, especially fava beans, which became a symbol of survival, the people kept their promise. They built large tables filled with food and invited the poor to share in the abundance.

This became known as La Tavola di San Giuseppe, the St. Joseph’s Table.

Why St. Joseph? In Catholic tradition, St. Joseph represents:

• Humility
• Hard work
• Protection of family
• Quiet strength

He is often referred to as the Patron Saint of workers and fathers.

In January, I shared my mother’s New Year’s recipe for Banga Cauda, which was a New Year’s tradition. Growing up Italian, a lot revolves around food and tradition. I remember, for the St. Joseph Day’s celebration a big meal took over several floors of homes. On the first floor were all the entrees. On the second floor there were desserts. It became the heart of the celebration. Traditional St. Joseph Day celebration food includes:

• Elaborate breads shaped like crosses, staffs, fish, or carpenter’s tools
• Pasta dishes (often meatless, since the day falls during Lent)
• Pastries such as zeppole, which are light, airy balls or rings of dough that are either fried or baked, then filled or topped with something sweet.
• Fava beans, symbolizing gratitude and providence.

St. Joseph’s Day is celebrated on March 19th. Interestingly, it is celebrated as Father’s Day in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and some Latin American countries. Why? St. Joseph represents: quiet strength, protection of the family, faithfulness in responsibility, work ethic and humility. In countries where Catholic tradition remains culturally influential, honoring fathers on his feast day reflects the idea that fatherhood is less about celebration and more about steady presence. What are your family or cultural traditions. I would love to hear yours and share with our readers. Email Dania at info@familydentalcareofoakpark.com.

Dr. James Scapillato

Prayer to St. Joseph

Blessed Joseph, husband of Mary, be with us this day. You protected and cherished the Virgin; loving the child Jesus as your son, you rescued him from the danger of death. Defend the Church, the household of God, purchased by the blood of Christ. Guardian of the Holy Family, be with us in our trials. May your prayers obtain for us the strength to flee from error and wrestle with the powers of corruption so that in life we may grow in holiness and in death rejoice in the crown of victory. Amen

Local Kid Does Good!

If you follow football, our Chicago Bears’ season could be summed up as “emotionally familiar”: hope in September, belief in October, frustration in November, excitement in December, and reflection in January. Despite the rocky road season for Chicagoans, there is a bright spot. A local kid from Nazareth Academy High School has a reason to celebrate. Justin Love,

cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks, and former Fighting Irish, has his Super Bowl ring. He played a key role in Seattle’s victory over the New England Patriots (29-13). He made a key interception of Patriots’ quarterback Drake Maye in the fourth quarter, returning it 35 yards to set up a field goal extending the Seahawks’ lead to 22-7; considered a ‘game-sealing’ play. Analysts dubbed he and the Seattle defense as the “Dark Side”, responsible for six quarterback sacks and forced three turnovers.

A Message from Your Dental Floss

"Hi… it’s me. Your dental floss. I just wanted to say… I miss you. Remember when Dr. Scapillato gave me to you? He handed me over so nicely, like, “Take good care of this.” I thought we were going to be best friends. I was so excited! I even practiced being extra smooth and gentle. But every morning I just sit in the drawer. I hear you come in. Shower. Brush your teeth. Comb your hair. Get dressed. And out the door you go."

"Each day I think, “This is it! Today’s the day!” I get all ready… and then… nope. You open the drawer to grab your toothpaste, and I see the light for one tiny second. I try to look helpful. I try to look important. But then the drawer closes again. I know I can help you. I’m small, but I’m mighty! I can sneak between your teeth where your toothbrush can’t go. I can help keep your gums happy. I can even help stop that yucky gingivitis Dr. Scapillato talks about. Dani and Wendy have mentioned me too. They believe in us. I don’t want to feel forgotten. I don’t need to be used every day… just a few times a week. Pull out a little piece of me. Let me stretch my legs. I promise to be gentle. We could be so good together."

How Can You Be Neighborly and Help Someone, while Helping Us Too?

How long have you lived in the Oak Park area? I’ve been here over fifty years. Wow! It sounds odd to write that. I have seen a lot of local businesses come and go. There are several who have stood the test of time. Some short, some long, but still, local none the less. I like to patronize local business when and where I can. I encourage you to do the same. It is easy to get stuck in a rut always going to the same places. Go and watch the new video I filmed, which,

I might add, was not the most comfortable thing for me to do. Check out the video and take note of the places you may not have yet tried. I think you will be surprised how many businesses in different categories we have in the area. Did you know there are more than 12 local coffee shops and only three Starbucks? And, if you have a neighbor who is new to the area, I would appreciate it if you shared this newsletter and the link to the video. If we had more patients just like you, we would never need to advertise.

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