MAKING A NEW FRIEND Tina De Crisci photo pune Duran gets up close and personal with an alpaca curing Duran Place for Kids dinner and lerit ly 28. The alpacas were from Triple C rn aa sanctuary and the event served as a fundraiser ‘or the Oakville and Milton Humane Society. COMMUNITY OAKVILLE WOMAN VYING FOR MISS UNIVERSE CANADA TITLE Nneka Eleh has always been intrigued by the world of pageantry. “My favorite aspect of the competition is the Q&A segment. I followed pag- tions with confidence and grace.” And this, said the 27- year-old tech industry pro- verse Cana competition that she is “most excited about." nt 10 also has a flourishing acting and writing career, will re- present Oakville in the Tand crowning of the new Miss Universe Canada in Van- couver AUR 19. The process to become 0 's representative involved several rounds of interviews, which included Miss Universe Canada photo A big fan of the world of pageantry, Nneka Eleh is now one of more than 50 contestants competing for the Miss Universe Canada title in Vancouver Aug. 19. personality as well as cur- rent affairs questions. After receiving confir- mation that she had been selected as a national dele- gate, she said she began interview skills, as well as charity work with one of Miss Universe Canada's chosen charities: SOS Chil- dren's Foundation. "The process has helped grow as a woman, which has been one of the greatest parts of this learn- ing experience.” Her involvement has al- so improved her confi- dence and fine-tuned many other skills she said she'll use long after the pageant is over. It has also given her insight into how much preparation is involved. "Through this experi- ence I have learned that this is not just public speaking, itis learning how to think fast on your feet in order to deliver an answer that is well-rounded and authentic. It is not just walking, but it is walking with confidence and learn- ing how to take up space." The winner of the pag- eant willrepresent Canada at the Miss Universe pag- int. g 5 "My goal is to have fun, enjoy the process and show all the hard work that went into my preparation. I know this will be an experi- ence ofa lifetime at the end of the day.” Dr. Vineet Bhandari dentist Healthy teeth — healthy life Having healthy teeth and gums contributes to our overall health, according to Dr. Vineet Bhandari, Bhandari Dental in Oakville. “What that means is taking care of teeth should be a priority for everyone,” he says. your teeth — and your body — as healthy as possible. healthy lifestyle: Stay physically ac- tive and make healthy food choices. The vi- tamins and minerals that come from eating a healthy, varied diet help fight oral diseases. Avoid too much added sugar because sugar can cause cavities. “Anddon’t smoke or chew tobacco.” Practice good oral hygiene: Brush two to three times a day, and floss teeth as least once a day. address oral health problems: Pain or problems in your mouth should be diagnosed and treated in order to prevent progression and further infection. Typically, acute infec- tions cause pain, bleeding, pus and swelling but even mild symptoms should not be ig- nored. Oral disease is associated with many health conditionsincluding diabetes and heart disease. Signs of cancer: Early diagnosis of oral cancer is critical, says Dr. Bhandari. The signs are sores that do not heal within two weeks, white or red patches, numbness or tin- gling, and small lumps and thickening of the tongue, the mouth, the inside of cheeks or the gums. Find the right dentist: It is important that patients feel comfortable with their dentist and the dental care they receive. The dentist should always explain oral health recommen- dations and procedures. The dental office it- self should be friendly and efficient and pro- vide the best and latest care for patients. Schedule regular checkups. Your dentist will recommend a checkup schedule based on your oral health history and habits. Bhandari Dental offers a full range of fam- ily dental services from regular preventive care and treatments such as fillings, bonding and porcelain veneers to providing implants, whitening services and specialty care such as laser treatment for cold sores. “It is always about wanting onlythe best for your smile and your health,” says Dr. Bhandari. 2525 Old Bronte Rd. Ste. 470 Oakville 289-813-8239 €70Z ‘LL isnBny ‘Aepsiny, | seneeg etayeo | ZL woo'uo}!eyepisul