African Gray Parrot looks forward to new toothbrushes from Dr. Presley-Nelson's office!

Long time dental patient's Siobhan and Bill Ruck (Siobhan actually painted Doc's name on the glass door 30 years ago!) sent our office this great photo.  They have a parrot who likes to get his new toothbrush every few months, from Dr. Presley-Nelson's office...AND USE IT ON HIS BEAK!

Siobhan writes:

"Harlan is an African Grey Parrot, hatched in April 2011. He came to us at three and a half months. He shares his room (but not his cage!) with Kodachrome, a Sun Conure who is 23 years old and has been with us since she was six months old. The humans in the house are Bill, a broadcast engineer, and Siobhan, a bookkeeper (and one of Dr. Presley-Nelson's very first patients! ).

Because Harlan came to us when he was fairly young - still being hand-fed - we started teaching him good habits from the start. He was potty-trained within a couple of months, something that's important for a bird that's going to spend a lot of time on your shoulder. He developed a fascination with toothbrushes so I gave him one of his own. He likes to brush his beak. Beaks don't need the same kind of care as teeth, of course; they are made of keratin like your nails, and grow throughout the birds life. But it's a good example for kids, so why not?

And now his beak will be extra shiny for his next singing performance. He likes improvising vocals with the classical station - maybe he can get a combo together with Doc's boys!"

Kodachrome and Harlan meet:

 The first time Siobhan sent this picture to her family, her youngest brother said they should name the new bird in keeping with the theme - Monochrome. Not exactly accurate - his tail is bright red. (A safe light for the darkroom.)

Famous Clarinetist from San Francisco Symphony has Teeth Adjusted to Aid in Playing His Instrument

Luis has been a patient of Dr. Presley-Nelson's for many years. She has worked with him to keep his smile healthy and attractive, yet shaped in such as way as to assist him in playing the clarinet.  Here you see one of their "adjusting sessions".  Other patients and all the staff benefit from Luis' beautiful playing during these sessions.  There is always something enjoyable and unique going on in Dr. Presley-Nelson's dental office.

Luis Baez earned a B.M. from the Peabody Conservatory of Music. His teachers include Robert Marcellus, Larry Combs and Roger Hiller. Mr. Baez is the associate principal and E-flat clarinetist of the San Francisco Symphony, where he began his tenure in 1990, and acted as principal clarinetist from 2004 to 2007. His numerous solo appearances include San Francisco Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, Chautauqua Festival Orchestra, New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and the United States Navy Band. Baez has also performed chamber music extensively throughout the Bay Area and at the Telluride Chamber Music Festival. He has performed on many critically acclaimed recordings with the San Francisco Symphony as well as film scores and various recording projects and was featured on the Symphony's "Keeping Score" videos. A sought after clinician, Baez has presented master classes throughout California, at the University of Michigan, Manhattan School of Music, New World Symphony and at the Eastman School of Music.

Luis recently heard some symphonic music played on the dental office Ipod prepared by Doc's sons, and noticed it was not by the San Francisco Symphony.  He took immediate action and is preparing a flash drive to replace the pieces with music from our City's wonderful orchestra! Thank you Luis!