ISSUE 02 / OCTOBER 2026 / No Tricks - Just Smiles

SMILE & THRIVE

The Maris Dental Studio Journal

Good stories, healthy living, and Southwest Florida life.

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The Scariest Things We Hear in the Dental Chair

October is the month for scary stories, and we hear some good ones around here.


"It doesn't hurt, so I figured it was fine."


Terrifying.


"I thought I'd wait until it started bothering me."


Even scarier.


"It broke a while ago, but it stopped hurting."


Now we're in horror movie territory.


Teeth can be very quiet even when something is going wrong. Cavities don't always hurt. Cracks can hide. Gum problems can creep along for years without much warning.


Sometimes the silence is what gets you.


Then one day, that quiet little tooth decides it has waited long enough, usually on a Friday night or the first day of vacation.


The good news is that most of what we find is a lot less frightening when we catch it early.


So enjoy the scary movies and Halloween candy this month.


And if you really want to frighten your dentist, lean back in the chair and say: "It's been doing that for a couple of years."


Happy Halloween!

Dr. Mat


P.S. Keep reading for something close to home. We’re sharing the work F.I.S.H. of SanCap is doing in our community and a few ways you can be part of it.

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The people, passions and stories behind the smiles.


Meet Bill Hayles

Sometimes the people in our dental chairs have the best stories.


Bill Hayles is one of them.

On Sanibel and Captiva, when a neighbor needs groceries, emergency help or support in their later years, there's a good chance F.I.S.H. of SanCap is part of the answer. And there's a good chance Bill is somewhere behind it.


He serves as the organization's Vice Chair.


His path to F.I.S.H. started with something he knew well: building things. Bill spent his career running hotels, casinos and horse-racing facilities, and overseeing plenty of construction along the way. So when F.I.S.H. began planning an expansion, a friend recommended him to chair the Construction Committee.


Then Hurricane Ian hit.


The storm severely damaged the F.I.S.H. facilities, and necessitated a brand-new building. Bill has been guiding that project ever since, and what began as a chance to lend his expertise has grown into a deep personal commitment to the people F.I.S.H. serves.


In 2027, F.I.S.H. will break ground on its new home.

There's a lot more to Bill's story, including the moment at F.I.S.H. that stayed with him and his answer when we asked what makes him smile.

Read Bill's story → More Here

Learn more about F.I.S.H → Fish of Sancap

Here's a Scary Fact:


1 in 5 children in Lee County experiences food insecurity.



Hunger is closer to home than many of us realize. That’s one more reason we’re happy to shine a light on organizations helping our Southwest Florida neighbors.

 

LOCAL LIFE

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BILL INSPIRED US. NOW WE’RE LACING UP.


After hearing about Bill’s work with F.I.S.H. of SanCap, we wanted to do a little more than tell his story.


On November 7, F.I.S.H. is holding its annual Jog N Jam 10K, 5K & Kids Fun Run on Sanibel. Walk it, run it or come out and cheer. It’s a fun morning for a pretty great cause. JOIN THE 5K/10K → Register for Jog N Jam


WANT TO HELP ANOTHER WAY?

You don’t have to put on running shoes to support F.I.S.H. Donations help the organization continue providing food assistance, emergency help and other services to people who live and work on Sanibel and Captiva. SUPPORT F.I.S.H. → Make a Donation

Enjoy October in Southwest Florida.


October gives us plenty of reasons to get out and have a little fun. From haunted trails and Oktoberfest to local fall favorites, here are a few things happening around Southwest Florida this month.


Fall Festival

October 31 | Edison & Ford Winter Estates

Spend Halloween day at Edison & Ford with local vendors, food, music, pumpkins and plenty of fall fun. There’s even a chance to climb the historic banyan tree, which might be worth the trip all by itself.

Event link: Edison & Ford Fall Festival


Haunted Walk

October 9–31 | Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium

Ready for a good scare? The Haunted Walk is back, turning the trails at Calusa Nature Center into a spooky nighttime adventure.

Event link: Haunted Walk at Calusa Nature Center

Cape Coral Oktoberfest

October 16–18 & 23–25 | German American Social Club

Two weekends of German food, live music, dancing and plenty of Oktoberfest fun. It’s one of Cape Coral’s biggest fall traditions and a pretty good excuse to break out the lederhosen.

Event link: Cape Coral Oktoberfest


Wicked Walk: Frightening Fairy Tales

October 22–23 | Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center

Fairy tales take a spooky turn at this walk-through experience featuring art, theater, dance and music created with more than 300 Lee County students. A fun way to support local young artists while getting into the Halloween spirit.

Event link: Wicked Walk


Airing of the Quilts

October 24 | Edison & Ford Winter Estates

Hundreds of colorful quilts will be displayed throughout the beautiful grounds of Edison & Ford for this annual outdoor show. Stroll the gardens, admire the quilts and enjoy a fall morning along the river. Even if you’re not a quilter, this sounds like a pretty nice way to spend an October morning.

Event link: Airing of the Quilts

Kayla’s Pumpkin Fluff Dip


This month’s recipe comes from Kayla, one of our amazing dental assistants, and it’s an easy one to save for your next fall get-together. Kayla says she always makes it when the fall weather finally rolls into Florida. Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long!


Thanks for sharing one of your fall favorites with us, Kayla!

INGREDIENTS


1 can pumpkin purée

1 package cream cheese, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice


DIRECTIONS


Beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth. Mix in the pumpkin purée and pumpkin pie spice until fluffy.

Serve it with:

Apple slices, graham crackers, vanilla wafers and pretzels. Or just put out a little of everything and let everyone pick their favorite.

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TRUE OR FALSE?


A dentist will tell you to skip the Halloween candy.


False. Well, at least this dentist won’t.


Go ahead and enjoy some Halloween candy. Your teeth can handle a treat.


What matters is how often you’re eating it and making sure you brush right after. Picking at candy throughout the day means your teeth are exposed to sugar over and over again.


So choose your favorites, enjoy them, and then brush.



And yes, you can have the Reese’s. Dr. Mat approves.

 
 

Something Sweet Is Coming…


We’re planning a little something to celebrate one of our favorite people... you!


Mark your calendar for February 13th - 11am-2pm - and stay tuned. We’ll be sharing all the sweet details soon.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you. ❤️

 
 
 
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