Dr. Mullaney’s Blog

Ingredients
2 pounds potatoes, such as russet, peeled and cubed
2 tablespoons sour cream or softened cream cheese
1 large egg yolk
1/2 cup cream, for a lighter version substitute vegetable or chicken broth
salt and pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
1 3/4 pounds ground beef or ground lamb
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup beef stock or broth
2 teaspoons Worcestershire
1/2 cup frozen peas
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions
Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain potatoes and pour them into a bowl. Combine sour cream, egg yolk and cream. Add the cream mixture into potatoes and mash until potatoes are almost smooth.
While potatoes boil, preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil to hot pan with beef or lamb. Season meat with salt and pepper. Brown and crumble meat for 3-4 minutes. If you are using lamb and the pan is fatty, spoon away some of the drippings. Add chopped carrot and onion to meat. Cook veggies with meat 5 minutes, stirring frequently. In a second small skillet over medium heat cook butter and flour together 2 minutes. Whisk in broth and Worcestershire sauce. Thicken gravy 1 minute. Add gravy to meat and vegetables. Stir in peas.
Preheat broiler to high. Fill a small rectangular casserole with meat and vegetable misture. Spoon potatoes over meat evenly. Top with paprika and broil 6 to 8 inches from heat until evenly browned. Top casserole dish with parsley and serve.
Serves 4

It sure was a snowy week!  We have broken the all time snow totals for the Washington DC area and winter is not even done yet. I think all of us are looking forward to spring!

Our team were eager attendees and grateful participants in the Scientific session of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, held in San Diego, California, from May 15- May 20, 2006.  The event was inspiring – we were honored to learn from, and train side-by-side with, some of the world’s pre-eminent cosmetic dentists.

Tasha, our devoted dental hygienist, learned some further advanced periodontal therapies -  all designed to better serve our patients and to keep their teeth and gums even healthier over a lifetime.  She also visited many new product displays – demonstrating a discriminating eye in seeking out the very best and latest “tips of the trade” in home care intructions.  Tasha was also an enthusiastic participant in a team-building seminar and admirably showed her passion for dentistry during a high energy session with a leading motivational speaker.  Since returning, Tasha has put her new knowledge to great use and has shone even brighter. 

Jodi, our business assistant and the friendly voice you hear on the phone,  took several advanced cosmetic dental courses to gain increasing conversancy – for the benefit of patients-  in the many cosmetic options available in dentistry today.  From state-of-the-art whitening, to the newest techniques in porcelain veneers and tooth-colored restorations, Jodi can help you make informed decisions about your options for the latest cosmetic dentistry has to offer.  Jodi regularly displays a genuine passion for customer service.  Jodi is forever seeking ways to increase her already-impressive devotion to be the best “dental concierge” for our patient. 

 Juliette, our dental assistant, studied several advanced techniques in cosmetic dentistry and in patient comfort.  Juliette is committed to give our patients a “WOW” experience including the most beatiful dentistry delivered in a kind and gentle environment.  Juliette’s passion for dentistry comes through in everything that she does in our office.  She gets especially energized when we deliver beautiful porcelain veneers to a patient to help them to achieve the smile of their dreams.   Through advanced training in digital photography, she has been instrumental in capturing the beautiful before and after images of our patients who have received cosmetic dentistry.

My training at the cosmetic meeting included “hands-on” sessions with top clinicians to utilize the very latest techniques in porcelain veneers.  I had an opportunity to ”try out” the newest lasers for tooth and gum recontouring.  In Dr. Eubank’s course, we studied how to help patients who have an “aged smile” caused by wear and tear of the teeth, jaw joints, and muscles.   It is so exciting to help a patient like this to achieve their dream smile.   I took back to my practice lots of updates on new materials, technology, and techniques which I have already begun using to benefit the cosmetic treatment of my patients.

 We also found some time in the evenings to have a little fun!  One memorable evening, we found ourselves sipping margaritas at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Old Town, San Diego.  (This was a restaurant that I frequented in 1987 during my Navy dental residency at San Diego Hospital.)  We also dined on some terrific Italian fare in Little Italy.

 We all felt it was a very successful meeting.  Most importantly, we are all even more galvanized to give the very finest in cosmetic dentistry to our patients, for we realize…almost everyone is a candidate for cosmetic dentistry!                                                

Dr. Kathleen Mullaney welcomes you to her Old Town Alexandria practice and looks forward to helping you to achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of.

Dr. Mullaney is a high-energy and intensely focused professional with a passion and enthusiasm for dentistry that, in turn, inspires a total commitment of service excellence for her patients. She continually refines her skills in dental treatment and techniques and has completed advanced training in cosmetic dentistry and full mouth reconstruction. Dr. Mullaney regularly devotes many hours outside the office, in studying cutting-edge techniques and implementing the very latest technology available for patient care.

Dr. Mullaney has been awarded the prestigious Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD). A general dentist who is an FAGD has been recognized as a leader and example to other dentists of the importance of quality continuing education for dental care. Dr. Mullaney accomplished over 500 hours of continuing dental education and successfully completed a comprehensive 400-question examination!

Dr. Mullaney attended numerous graduate-level courses at the Dawson Center for Advanced Study, a prestigious institute, encompassing comprehensive course work to integrate occlusal (bite) knowledge with the latest techniques in cosmetic dentistry. She also completed many advanced level courses through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, with hands-on instruction from some of the pre-eminent cosmetic dentists in the world.

In 2004, 2005 and 2006, Dr. Mullaney earned America’s Top Dentists Award from the Consumers Research Council of America.

Dr. Mullaney graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1983, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree from the Medical College of Virginia in 1987.

Upon graduation, Dr. Mullaney completed a one-year general practice residency at the Naval Hospital in San Diego, California. This highly selective program meant demanding continuing education, an exacting regimen distinguished by rotations through all dental specialties. Dr. Mullaney then practiced for five years with the United States Navy, gaining skills in specialized dental procedures, and reaching Lieutenant Commander Rank. During her Navy assignment in Philadelphia, she gained local recognition for her organization of community programs promoting awareness of Dental Health.

Dr. Mullaney loved serving her Country as a Naval Officer and Dentist – and the appreciation seemed mutual. For this service, Dr. Mullaney was awarded two Navy Achievement Medals and a Navy Commendation Medal, each in recognition of sustained superior performance.

Dr. Mullaney has long been very active in the dental community and various local dental societies, as well as civic and professional organizations. She is currently involved with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Academy of General Dentistry, the American Dental Association, Northern Virginia Dental Society, Greater Washington Academy of Women Dentists, Alexandria Dental Society, Alexandria Implant Study Club, Rotary Club of Alexandria, the Alexandria Business Leadership Council, and the Alexandria Professional Women’s Network.

Dr. Mullaney also participates in many local charities and community functions, including corporate sponsorship since 2000 of the Alexandria Breast Cancer Benefit Walk, and as a Circle of 1000 member for Old Town’s Campagna Center, a not-for-profit human services organization serving families in need.

Dr. Mullaney has been in Private General Practice since 1993, and calls Old Town Alexandria home, alongside her husband and two daughters. She enjoys golf, tennis, reading, and most of all, spending time with her loved ones.