 This is the mantra of the amazing ladies of Tioga Dental Associates.
It was just six years ago that Dr Cynthia Haug started her own practice in a 2000
sq foot space at Willow Walk in Jonesville. She employed one hygienist, June
Sonntag, who is still with her today, one dental assistant and a receptionist. Dr
Haug smiles as she recalls some of the heartwarming experiences that play like a
movie in her head. “We laughed, we cried and sometimes drove each other crazy
but we always believed in our hearts that we were making a difference, that we
were doing something good for our patients. Our goal was to make our patients feel
truly cared about as a person and as part of our little family”.
Well, it looks like they did something right because just six short years later
Willow Walk Family Dentistry out grew their space and increased their need for
additional staff and doctors to help with the growing practice. March 3rd, 2008 the
dream became reality and Tioga Dental Associates opened its doors
with 16 staff and three dentists. Dr Haug says, “I always knew that
one day I would love to share my practice with another dentist, one
that had the same passion for dentistry that I do, but they also would
need to be compassionate and have a caring personality.” Dr Haug
got her wish with not one, but two others dentists. She was thrilled to
welcome Dr. Michelle Orris in August, 2006 and Dr. Britt Bovio in
September, 2007. All three ladies are University of Florida College
of Dentistry graduates. “GO GATORS!”
Dr Cynthia Haug has two children, Payten, age 9, who is “shy and
loving”, while son Sim, age 6, “ is all boy…active, active, active!”
(she laughs heartily). She feels there is no better place than the
Gainesville area to raise her children. Dr Michelle Orris also agrees,
especially with the arrival of daughter Meilani. She is particularly
partial to “Gator Country” since her husband Steve is a strength and
conditioning coach for our UF Gators baseball and softball teams.
“We cherish the quality of life here in Gainesville and look forward
to many more years of wonderful experiences and memories.” Dr
Britt Bovio and her husband Dr Ian Bovio, a pathology resident at
Shands, have also made Gainesville home and thoroughly enjoy all
that our community has to offer especially the local fitness center. Dr
Bovio has spent the past couple of years giving back to our community
by providing dental care for underprivileged children at the Dixie/
Gilcrist County Health Departments. “I’m just a small part of
providing this much needed care, especially for our children”. It is
heartwarming to see such humility and genuine care in the face of
this professional young woman. You will find this spirit of
compassion and professionalism throughout the practice, with the
doctors as well as the staff that make up the Tioga Dental Team.
Each dentist brings a wonderful blend of experience and expertise
to this practice; together they encompass the skills necessary to address
a broad spectrum of dental needs and options. In their new facility
they have the opportunity to offer a number of dental specialty services,
such as a surgical suite for the placement of Dental Implants. Many
of these services were previously referred to outside practitioners. “We want to offer these benefits to our patients whenever possible”,
says Dr Haug.
Some of the other specialty services include Cosmetic Dentistry such
as tooth colored fillings, Lumineers (a very thin and durable veneer
that doesn’t require removal of the sensitive tooth structure) and Zoom
in office whitening. Within the past year they have also expanded their
treatment options to include Invisalign orthodontics. Tioga Dental
Associates’ priority is to always work with the patient to create effective
treatment plans with long-term results. “We are here to care for the
whole family, from age 3 to 103”.
Dental treatments are always designed with both mechanical and
scientific foundations. “We want to stay on the cutting edge (excuse
the pun), utilizing methods that aid in the treatment and prevention of
oral and dental diseases”. One such treatment, which has already been
proven effective in Europe, utilizes a prescription calcium/fluoride paste.
It is designed to control the destructive effects that cavity causing
bacteria has on the teeth.
In addition to the dentists and their valued dental assistants who assist
in the intimate details of patient treatment and care, there are 5 dental
hygienists on staff who welcome each patient with a warm friendly
smile. These ladies are experienced in regular preventive care as well
as specific periodontal needs. Then of course we must not forget the
receptionists and check out staff.
You’ve heard of the saying “first
impressions are lasting
impressions”, well your first
impression whether it is as you
walk through the front door or
hear the voice on the other side
of the phone will be a very
positive first and lasting
impression. These ladies keep the
day-to-day running of the practice smooth and seamless with their friendly personalities. Their diverse
knowledge and experience in dentistry is quite beneficial in helping
patients attain answers to a variety of dental issues and needs. Whether
you need to come in for regular preventive care, a toothache, or as a
new patient, Tioga Dental Associates pride themselves on trying to
accommodate their patients as quickly as possible, with particular value
given to everyone’s time and schedule.
With a new location there are many physical changes, but all of the
important qualities remain the same; their focus on alleviating patient
anxiety, and providing excellent comprehensive care for all your family
members. In addition to considerably more space, this beautiful new
office has an atmosphere more commonly associated with a spa, from
the water wall in the waiting area to the elemental themes of water,
earth and stone. The overall effect is a very “Zen” like setting. The
treatment areas offer soft leather massage chairs, music and even a flat
screen television suspended from the ceiling to aid in patient relaxation
and enjoyment. Even protective shaded eyewear is provided to create
a gentle effect on the eyes while the examining lamps are on. When
you think there couldn’t be more, just step behind the water wall in the
waiting area and you will find a “toothbrush station”. This area is
provided just in case the kids didn’t have time to brush between school
and their dental visit or in case you happen to stop for a quick snack on
the way.
It is also Dr. Haug’s hope that the new location will provide
opportunities for presentation of educational and instructional classes
for our areas dental students and professionals. We as dental
professionals want to continuously stay up to date with information
and techniques covering the newest advances in dental technology
treatment options.
“Our goal was and always will be that each and every patient
experiences what our original patients felt…cared about and part of
our family”.
Tioga Dental Associates
352-333-1946
www.tiogadental.com |
