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| Granted, your teeth aren’t what most people think of when they decide to get fit, but healthy teeth are an important part of wellness. Did you know that by brushing your teeth twice a day it can help prevent heart disease? According to an article in the Los Angeles Times dated May 28, 2010, researchers have made a connection between inflammation of the gums and inflammation in other areas of the body, including the heart. Besides the health benefits of taking care of your teeth, the teeth can tell a lot about a person. People with straight white teeth tend to smile more, while people in need of dental care often avoid smiling. A smile is a small thing that reflects how you’re feeling. It can be bright, shiny, toothy, brilliant, lopsided, goofy, or crooked. It signals to the world that you’re having a good day. The lack of a smile gives a signal too. Salespeople understand the value of a smile. They often make a conscious effort to do so, even when speaking on the phone. The thinking is that their smile radiates through their tone of voice, making the listener more receptive. It’s easy to say that all you need to do is brush and floss daily and see your dentist for regular checkups, but many people have an aversion to going to the dentist. In severe cases, it’s a phobia from actual or imagined fear of pain in the past. Modern dentistry is now virtually painless, and regular checkups and cleanings help eliminate the need for more invasive dental care, says Dr. B.J. Foust of Foust Family Dental Care. Dr. Foust started practicing as a dentist 12 years ago with a dental group in Fort Dodge. He eventually became part of a large group of dentists in West Des Moines, and practiced with them for eight years. Two years ago, he opened his own practice. Foust Family Dental Care is now located at 475 S. 50th St, Suite 300 in West Des Moines. Dr. Foust is active in the American Dental Association, Iowa Dental Association, and the Des Moines District Dental Association. As he started his education at the University of Iowa, he soon realized that dental medicine appealed to him more than the medical field because he is results-oriented and likes to feel a sense of accomplishment in a shorter time period, he says. He adds that he prefers a hands-on approach and likes to get to know his patients. He strives to deliver personalized service because everyone’s needs are different, he says. Dr. Foust practices both traditional and cosmetic dentistry for adults and children. His services include crowns, cleanings, implants, dentures, extractions, root canals, partial dentures, silver and white fillings, and periodontal gum care. A.J., a patient of three years, says, “There isn’t a part of my mouth that Dr. Foust hasn’t probed.” A.J. says that he has had both extractions and plates, and he now comes in for maintenance. He says, “The whole ordeal has been painless.” He adds that he appreciates that Dr. Foust keeps up with the newest techniques. He has since referred both his family members and friends. Dr. Foust says that he likes the actual dentistry part of his work with his patients, but he finds the paperwork less to his liking. Luckily, that’s where Office Manager Carla Hinrichs comes in. She greets everyone as they walk in, and she files all the claims. She helps provide a warm and comfortable atmosphere to help take the edge away for nervous patients, Dr. Foust says. Carla says that they also provide televisions in each patient room to help relieve tension. She likes working at the practice because the staff treats the patients like family. They make an effort to see emergencies on the same day, with minimal waiting times in general, she adds. Besides Carla, Dr. Foust has three assistants and a hygienist. All of the staff members have several years of experience, and they are exceptional caregivers, he comments. Dr. Foust likes the fact that his staff visits with his patients while he prepares things in the background, and he appreciates their willingness to answer patients’ questions. Dr. Foust grew up in Cedar Rapids, and attended the University of Iowa. He has been married to his wife, Sharon, for 12 years, and they have three sons, Kyle, Ryan, and Eric. When he is not working, he spends time with his family watching his sons participate in sports. As you walk into his office, Dr. Foust’s philosophy in life is obvious. Front and center on his uncluttered desk sit two picture frames: one of his family and the other of a cross. He is a faith-based provider who has chosen to put faith first, then family, and then work, he says. His faith helps him to stay focused on the important things in life, including treating his patients first as people and then as patients, and striving to meet their expectations. Dr. Foust says his reward is witnessing a patient as they flash a smile that they had previously hidden. He says he can’t think of anything else he’d rather be doing. He’s his own boss, and he spends his days with what he says are wonderful patients and a wonderful staff. Though it is rewarding now, it hasn’t always been easy. Dr. Foust’s advice to a new dentist starting out is to have both patience and patients. First be patient, because it takes time to grow a business, he advises. He says he started from zero and has worked his way up. Some days it’s still slow, and some days he is constantly busy. He believes it takes three years to grow a business, and he can tell that he is almost where he wants to be. Two years ago, he had just one examination room; after six months, he added a second; and he now has three. Though it has been a bit of a roller coaster, he feels blessed to be where he is now. Like his patients, he says he is happy to go home frequently with a smile on his face. As the Web site, www.foustfamilydentalcare.com, says, most forms of insurance are accepted. If you don’t have insurance, you might want to ask about CareCredit, which is a special form of financing that offers interest free monthly payment options without any upfront costs or prepayment penalties. If you’ve been hiding behind neglected teeth, this might be a good time to invest in yourself. Sometimes the little things we do for ourselves can give us the confidence to do more. Foust Family Dental Care is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 440-1395 for an appointment. |
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