Balancing Smiles and Family Life: Dr. Amber Rowe's Journey in Dentistry
Jun 03, 2024
Jay Lawrence
Ever wondered how a dentist balances the demands of a thriving practice with the joys and challenges of family life? Join us on "You Need to Know" where we chat with Dr. Amber Rowe from Smiles on Hampton in Claremont, Florida. Dr. Rowe takes us through her inspiring journey into dentistry, revealing the striking parallels between medical and dental studies, and the unique approach she takes to create a relaxing, beach-themed office atmosphere. She also shares her innovative membership plan aimed at making dental care more accessible for retirees and those without insurance, underlining the critical importance of preventive care.
The episode goes beyond the dental chair to explore the juggling act of professional and family life. Hear personal stories about the joys and demands of parenting young children and the transformative journey of enhancing a spouse's smile with Invisalign and veneers. Dr. Rowe opens up about how this emotional journey helped build confidence and encouraged more smiles within her own family. Whether you're curious about maintaining work-life balance or looking to understand the emotional impact of dental care, this episode is brimming with actionable insights and heartwarming stories.
Ever wondered how a dentist balances the demands of a thriving practice with the joys and challenges of family life? Join us on "You Need to Know" where we chat with Dr. Amber Rowe from Smiles on Hampton in Claremont, Florida. Dr. Rowe takes us through her inspiring journey into dentistry, revealing the striking parallels between medical and dental studies, and the unique approach she takes to create a relaxing, beach-themed office atmosphere. She also shares her innovative membership plan aimed at making dental care more accessible for retirees and those without insurance, underlining the critical importance of preventive care.
The episode goes beyond the dental chair to explore the juggling act of professional and family life. Hear personal stories about the joys and demands of parenting young children and the transformative journey of enhancing a spouse's smile with Invisalign and veneers. Dr. Rowe opens up about how this emotional journey helped build confidence and encouraged more smiles within her own family. Whether you're curious about maintaining work-life balance or looking to understand the emotional impact of dental care, this episode is brimming with actionable insights and heartwarming stories.
Speaker 1:
Hi and welcome to you Need to Know. This is Jay Lawrence, your host. You Need to Know was created by Collage Travel Media Network to bring you information that may not be obvious, to get you in the know about the subjects like medical topics, topics like legal information, something that everybody wants, odds about politics, and that should make the show a little interesting and fun. And there's so much more like things you may have been afraid to ask. Well, here we are. This is you Need to Know. Oh, and I'm so glad because today in the studio we have with us Dr Amber Rowe from Smiles on Hampton here in Claremont, florida, and the doctor got her degree at West Virginia University and she studied biology and she's a dental person and we're going to learn all about dentistry today. So welcome, doctor.
Speaker 2:
Thank you.
Speaker 1:
Can you tell me a little bit more on how you got started in dentistry?
Speaker 2:
So actually when I was an undergrad I was kind of undecided if I wanted to go in the medical field and I babysat for two doctors and I was pretty much raising their one and two-year-old because they were never home.
Speaker 1:
This is a dentist story.
Speaker 2:
No, sorry, two doctors like two medical doctors.
Speaker 1:
It was a doctor story.
Speaker 2:
I know, I know, I know but see, this is where the lights came through and I realized that I also wanted to have a family and be a professional and I did not want to have someone else raising my kids and hardly be at home. And so while I was, you know, going to undergrad, I saw the dental students there too and kind of I thought, hmm, that might be interesting. So I started to shadow some dentists and I was like this is perfect, I get to work with my hands, still be in the medical field, have a nice work-life balance, and the rest is history.
Speaker 1:
Now is there a much difference between medical and dental. I mean the physical.
Speaker 2:
Not so much, especially in undergrad. And the prerequisites? They're pretty much the same A lot of biology, chemistry, physics, science, some math. So we shared a lot of the same core classes.
Speaker 1:
Now with us in the studio today is Zee Michelson, Zee welcome.
Speaker 3:
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love to be here. I love to talk dental with Dr Rowe.
Speaker 1:
You do, I do, I really do.
Speaker 3:
She said that she was looking and studying and shadowing the dentists and then decided to go into the dental field because it gave you a life balance which sounds kind of nice, and you know you are a doctor. People have to realize dentists are doctors.
Speaker 1:
Well, I've got to admit that Dr Rowe is my dentist. Well, I've got to admit that Dr Rowe is my dentist. Oh yes, and it's amazing how relaxed and comfortable I feel when you have your hands in my mouth.
Speaker 2:
Awesome, that makes me happy to hear.
Speaker 1:
Because you know well, you know, you have my chart in front of you. You were filling a tooth that needed filling and it seemed like she took forever to put okay, put that in. Then she was sculpting the tooth.
Speaker 2:
Yes.
Speaker 1:
It was just amazing In artistry what you have to do.
Speaker 3:
Well, she said she likes to work with her hands, so that's like perfect.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, so how long did it take you to get that skill?
Speaker 2:
I would say it took. You know, dental school was the four years after the four years of undergrad and by the time I graduated I was feeling pretty comfortable. But it did take a few more years to really refine that skill. You know, I've had a few jobs and I did a lot of continuing education to really try to perfect my art. So I feel way more comfortable and it's just second nature to me.
Speaker 1:
Boy. I know a lot of people like to skip the dentist because they're afraid of what would happen. And again you make me feel so relaxed. What have you done in the office to relax people?
Speaker 2:
So I really tried to change the atmosphere there and make things very light and airy. So we've got light, blue, we've got the ocean coastal theme. It's very nice and laid back. We've got nice music in the background, a lot of friendly faces, but it's just. I just love it. I love the beach, I'm a beach person, and so I really brought that theme to the office.
Speaker 3:
It really does show. When I went and visited you that day, it looks like we were at the beach that day. Yeah, all you just need is the sand on the floor.
Speaker 1:
I was going to say I forgot my towel.
Speaker 2:
I. All you just need is the sand on the floor Right.
Speaker 1:
I was going to say I forgot my towel. I know Now also, making people feel comfortable is today making dentistry affordable, and you've done something to help with that. You have a membership plan.
Speaker 2:
I do because a lot of my patients do not have dental insurance. That's pretty common, and especially a lot of my patients are retired as well, and so I made an office membership plan. That for one flat yearly fee and includes two regular cleanings a year, checkups, any necessary x-rays, two fluoride treatments, an emergency exam and a discount off any dental work that they may need.
Speaker 1:
Wow, that's a good idea. Yeah, and that's helped the practice.
Speaker 2:
Oh yeah, definitely. I have a lot of patients that are on that plan and it makes them feel more comfortable and want to keep coming back because they know that, hey, I've already paid this one time, I'm good, I can get my two checkups, get my teeth clean. Stay on top of things, because that's prevention is key. So when people stay on top of it, you avoid a lot of the more costly treatments.
Speaker 1:
Well, I can identify to that, because many years ago I had a major problem with one tooth and it was killing me and killing, and finally a dentist this was in lincoln nebraska suggested I do this every six months, come in and see you. And that's what you're doing. You're creating a way of preventing. That's, that's the answer yes, preventative care yeah, now what do you have technically to help this, preventing the equipment that you have, that you've installed or you use?
Speaker 2:
So we utilize digital x-rays. So I know previously x-rays used to be a pain for people, but now we have the digital x-rays with a little handheld x-ray unit and we can literally take them within a couple seconds and they instantly show up on the screen. And I also have the panoramic x-ray digital x-ray machine. That way it goes all the way around your head. We can see the upper and lower jaws, sinus area, all your teeth and even some of the spine. So it's really important for even checking for tumors, dizziness, any issues with the sinus, cancer, cancerous lesions and just any dental infections.
Speaker 1:
Now one of the things that when I'm sitting in your chair, someone came in and took pictures.
Speaker 2:
Yeah.
Speaker 1:
Now, what is that? How does that work?
Speaker 2:
So you know the phrase a picture is worth a thousand words. So sometimes if I tell people you've got a big filling in the tooth, there's a couple cracks around it, you know, and it's not really easy to picture or imagine until you see a picture of it. So we have an intraoral camera that will literally just take a little picture inside your mouth and then we can put it on the screen and show you exactly what I'm seeing and help point out everything and make it make sense so when?
Speaker 3:
when you talk about all of the digital X-raying so we don't have to look at those what are they? Two-by-two films, yes, yes, the old days and actually that was a lot more radiation.
Speaker 2:
Now this is so minimal Because I know that used to be a fear for people. I don't want any extra radiation and I totally understand, but with the invention of the digital x-rays it's equivalent to standing outside the sunlight that you get up there. Even eating a banana, you get a little bit of radiation from that From a banana, yes.
Speaker 1:
Can I tell my wife that yes.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, and for people that like to fly on planes, the amount of radiation you get from going through the screenings. Yes, and flying from, like you know, coast to coast.
Speaker 3:
That's way more than any dental X-ray Right and I know that I have issues with the films because and I always forget the name of it because, instead of having this palette, mine comes down.
Speaker 2:
OK.
Speaker 3:
So, and every time I go to the dentist I say, oh, you have blah, blah, blah, blah blah, and it's like okay, but trying to get that x-ray thing in there, you know, rips it up. Yes, yeah, yes. So that sounds much more comfortable to me.
Speaker 1:
Yes, you've made dentistry comfortable.
Speaker 2:
Yes.
Speaker 1:
That's my goal.
Speaker 2:
So comfortable for yes, that's my goal. So comfortable for adults. What about for children? Yes, we like to see children too. We like to see the whole family. We really keep it fun and pleasant for the kids. Of course, we have our little treasure chest at the end to make them happy.
Speaker 1:
What.
Speaker 3:
I knew that. I know you didn't get your toy. That's right.
Speaker 1:
So when should a parent take their child to a dentist? What's the first step?
Speaker 2:
Ideally when their first tooth comes in their mouth, which could be as young as six months. It's best to make the first visit and I know it sounds foreign, but mainly it's more so for education for the parent and just to get a check and also help familiarize the kid with being in the dental office. You know, having someone look in your mouth. Um, we keep it very short and sweet, but the more they come, and pretty much just learning about prevention, because some people will put a baby to sleep with a bottle and that's where the baby bottle carries and that can literally decay all of the little baby's teeth oh, wow, right, I've heard, I've heard that.
Speaker 3:
Now the other, the other question that people are always pondering are, uh, thumb sucking and pacifiers does that? Actually cause buck teeth it does.
Speaker 2:
And pacifiers, does that actually cause buck teeth? It does, and pacifier use is you know, okay, but after a certain time, yeah, it's time to you know. Try to transition out of that, because if you use it long term, it can cause issues with how the teeth the permanent teeth erupt into place. And the development of the baby teeth.
Speaker 3:
So what age would you say they should start weaning them off the pacifiers and the thumb sucking I would say around one, definitely by age two.
Speaker 1:
Yeah now, baby teeth come out pretty easily, don't? They should we be pulling them at home or should we bring them to you?
Speaker 2:
if they can come out naturally on their own at home, um, that's what they should do. We don't want to try to yank on them, but when they're ready the root will have resorbed enough. That way, when they take it out, there's pretty much no root to it, just a little baby tooth. So by the time that a little kid can take it out on their own at home, perfectly fine. But if it's staying in place or there's an an infection or the other adult tooth is coming in around it and it's just not budging, then it's time to give me a call.
Speaker 3:
Okay, so we've gone from young to middle age to seniors. Let's talk about seniors' mouths. You know, you're talking about dentures and what else do they have Dentures partials? Implants, implants. Now do you do all of that as well?
Speaker 2:
I do. I restore the implants. So I have I send to an oral surgeon who will place the implants. But we work together and then I will either put the teeth on top of the implants, where it be a crown or a denture that will snap into place over top of the implant.
Speaker 1:
How does that happen? I'm afraid of getting screwed into my mouth. Frankly, Frankly.
Speaker 2:
I know it sounds scary, but it really is. It's not any more painful than a dental extraction, really.
Speaker 3:
Yes.
Speaker 2:
It's not any more painful than a dental extraction, really yes, and even my mom who, lover you know, is not a super big fan of dentistry I mean people in your mouth, I mean who is really Right and she's had two implants placed so far Not any fault of her own, but so did you get her guided in that direction?
Speaker 3:
Yes, she doesn't introduce you, as here's my daughter, the dentist.
Speaker 2:
She took one for the team. I did a lot of work on her in dental school. She helped me graduate. My whole family did Shout out to my aunt and uncle back in West Virginia and my dad and my mom.
Speaker 3:
They were your guinea pigs.
Speaker 1:
Yep Good guinea pigs, yep, good guinea pigs.
Speaker 3:
Well, that's why she's so gentle at what she does because she knew she would be excommunicated out of her family Right.
Speaker 2:
I worked on a lot of friends and family.
Speaker 3:
Yeah, so when you're working on people and you know your office, like we already said, is gorgeous, you know you feel like you're at the beach. It's very relaxing. What are your office hours?
Speaker 2:
So on Monday and Tuesday we work from 8 to 4. Wednesday we are at 7 to 2, and we work straight through that day. Thursday is 7 to 4. And then about every other Friday we do 7 to 1.
Speaker 3:
Every other Friday. That seems to be a trend with a lot of dentists. They're not in on Friday, right, we're not going to be there on Friday, yep.
Speaker 2:
That work-life balance I was talking about, remember, right, because you do have two small children. Yes, I have a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old.
Speaker 3:
Wow, yes, I have a one-year-old and a three-year-old. Wow yeah, yes, a one-year-old and a three-year-old, so you had a lot on your plate.
Speaker 1:
Has the one-year-old got the tooth yet?
Speaker 2:
He has six teeth.
Speaker 1:
Oh, my goodness. Yes, and he's very proud of them. Can you share what you did for your husband?
Speaker 2:
Yes.
Speaker 3:
So my husband we've been together 11 years now this month.
Speaker 2:
Actually. He always had crooked teeth, he had what we call an anterior crossbite. He had nice, healthy teeth, so that's all I cared about. You know, his teeth were healthy, gums healthy, but he did not like the appearance of the crowding and the spacing as well.
Speaker 1:
So he wasn't smiling.
Speaker 2:
Right, he never smiled. I have no pictures of him smiling for probably the first. You know, eight, nine years, which is sad. He wants a smile, he's a goofy guy.
Speaker 3:
Did he smile in the wedding pictures?
Speaker 2:
No, oh my.
Speaker 3:
Nope.
Speaker 2:
And so he kept telling me I want veneers, I want veneers, I want veneers.
Speaker 1:
And I said what is a veneer A?
Speaker 2:
veneer is a porcelain covering to the front of your tooth to either whiten, enhance the aesthetics, change the shape. So it's more of a cosmetic thing to give you that perfect look. So I told him, in order to prevent reducing too much of his tooth structure by placing the veneers, I needed him to get his teeth aligned first with. Invisalign.
Speaker 3:
Oh, okay.
Speaker 2:
And he refused to believe me because you know he has more knowledge than me in dentistry right, you know. It's a husband-wife thing, exactly, and finally it got to the point where he's Now, what did you say you're going to use?
Speaker 1:
What did you say you need to use? Invisalign. What is that?
Speaker 2:
Invisalign uses clear aligners to help shift and move the teeth, just like traditional braces. You know where there's metal. Invisalign utilizes the clear aligners.
Speaker 1:
Wow, Is that so you don't see it actually as it's happening? Yeah?
Speaker 2:
it's very minimal. I mean only if you look super, super close you might see the shininess on people's teeth, but the clear aligners which we do at the office.
Speaker 3:
Oh, you do those as well. Yes, oh and so, and those adjust as the teeth are moving. Correct, you have to read Okay?
Speaker 2:
About every two weeks, we'll switch out to a next tray and move to the next one. And then after, normally within six months or so we can really get some nice results. So you put your husband in these. Yes, yes, actually I helped. I had an orthodontist at this time. Help me because I needed another professional to help convince him right. So because he was almost to the point where he was talking to these other, uh, celebrity dentists and was about to get veneers and I said no way, jose.
Speaker 1:
I'm not paying for that.
Speaker 2:
I know I can do this. This is what I do. So he finally agreed and did the Invisalign for about like nine months. This is a little bit longer.
Speaker 3:
That wasn't too long to begin with. I mean, that's not bad at all.
Speaker 2:
And it was a very nice result.
Speaker 3:
You hear about braces being on teeth for like three to five years, right? Yes, yeah.
Speaker 2:
So after that I did a little gum level correctioning to set up the framework and then I did about. Let's see, I think I did 28 porcelain veneers total. I did upper and lower and they are gorgeous. And now he can't stop smiling.
Speaker 3:
Okay, Now we have to let her everybody know her husband's occupation.
Speaker 2:
Yes, so he is a UFC fighter.
Speaker 3:
And that is.
Speaker 2:
So it's a professional mixed martial artist, and so he's, you know, punching, kicking, fighting, grappling wrestling and do you say every time he's in a meet like oh, don't touch the teeth. Yes, seriously, and I'm constantly on him about wearing his mouth guard. Wear your mouth guard, wear your mouth guard. And shout out to another one of my dental colleagues. She just made him five nice new mouth guards and they just came in yesterday.
Speaker 3:
Oh good.
Speaker 2:
Constantly have to keep him wearing them and protecting his so he can keep smiling. Yes, yes, so it was very rewarding, super rewarding.
Speaker 1:
Well, it's amazing all the things that you do at the office and we're glad that you're with us here on. You Need to Know. I understand you're going to be coming back for another edition and we're going to be talking about technology and the cosmetic procedures that you talk about.
Speaker 2:
Yes.
Speaker 1:
And so tell us how we could book an appointment with you. What do we go through? How is it hard? Is it hard to get a hold of you?
Speaker 2:
No, it's super easy, and actually that's what I love about being a privately owned dental office. You can call my office and you will get to talk to a real person, and it's either Patty or Marilyn they are both of my my office manager and my receptionist and you will. It's very easy to schedule an appointment. You can also reach out through my website, smilesonhamptoncom, and you can use the contact form and that will shoot me an email and we can help get you scheduled. That way it's very easy to get scheduled.
Speaker 3:
Sounds great.
Speaker 1:
I want to thank you for being our guest today on you Need to Know. I know we'll be talking again soon. This is Jay Lawrence bringing you. You Need to Know.
