As we head into the new year, many will establish resolutions again — maybe to get that promotion or to finally go on that vacation. Traditionally, one of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to “be healthier.” But what does “healthy” actually mean? 

Contrary to what we see most often, “healthy” does not end at physical fitness. Many other factors, including dental and eye health, contribute to one’s overall well-being. Two local providers — Dr. Amanda Stott and Dr. Shayna Pearson — share their thoughts on why these two areas are critical for maintaining your health. 

Healthy Vision in 2023

“Eye health is critical to the quality of life. If you’re not seeing well, how do you function?”

Dr. Amanda Stott has been in practice since 2005 and bought Monroe Family Eyecare in April 2020

“I like the fact that I get to know people really well. Over the years, you build relationships with your patient base. And I like the fact that we improve quality of life for patients every day.”

While she focuses on helping patients achieve good vision through eyewear, Dr. Stott also concentrates heavily on eye health, whether patients wear glasses or not. 

“Prevention is really, really important when it comes to eye health,” she says.

Dr. Stott compares her role as primary eye care to that of someone’s primary doctor. While you may need to visit a specialist for things like cataract or retina surgeries, Dr. Stott handles everything from eye infections to glaucoma and even “that piece of metal you got in your eye at work.”

Monroe Family Eyecare maintains an optical facility with around 600 frames in stock. Eye care does not stop at getting glasses and heading home, though — it’s an ongoing partnership of maintenance and prevention. If you don’t wear glasses or contacts, Dr. Stott says you should still get an eye exam every few years to check for symptoms of disease or other potential issues. Children are typically seen every year. 

“If you don’t have good eye health, you don’t have good vision,” she says. “Plain and simple.”

Dr. Stott’s top tips for maintaining good eye health:

●  Maintain good overall health (i.e. exercise and a healthy diet)

●  Wear a quality pair of sunglasses

●  Get your glasses aligned and adjusted periodically

●  Don’t smoke — this can increase the risk of macular degeneration and dry eye issues

●  Follow doctor’s orders, including for things like how frequently to change out contacts

A Healthy Smile

Dr. Shayna Pearson, who has Minnesota roots, has called Green County home for nearly a decade. She is the owner and dental provider of Green Valley Dental, with locations in both Monroe and Monticello. 

Her office provides general dental services for people of all ages, including preventative care (like cleanings, x-rays and fillings), crowns/bridges and periodontal therapy. 

“The preventative care I encourage is always having a dental provider and getting the routine cleaning and X-rays done at least once a year,” she says — though every six months is even better. 

Pearson says the most common conditions she sees from patients are tooth decay and periodontal disease. Of course, she says, there are also the instances of tooth trauma like kids who have fallen at playgrounds or injuries from biting into something at dinner.

Pearson’s top tips for maintaining a healthy smile:

●  Brush and floss daily (brushing 2x a day)

●  Limit sweets/sugary foods

Both Green Valley Dental and Monroe Family Eyecare are currently accepting new patients. 

— This story is part of a six-part series highlighting local services that can help readers be the best version of themselves in the new year. This story focuses on the topic of general health.