Blake WeberDr. Blake H. Weber loves being a dentist, relieving pain both physical and psychological, and enjoying being part of his patients' lives, many of whom he has treated from their childhoods.
"I am very blessed to be able to enjoy what I do," Dr. Weber said. "I love what I do mostly because of the human contact. I see people from three to 93. A lot of patients I've been seeing since I started practice. These personal contacts are the great part about it.
"I've treated the children and watched the kids grow up. Seen them graduate from college and get married. It's been nice. It's really neat to be part of that and be connected to families."
Blake, who specializes in preventative and family dentistry, as well as cosmetic and implant restoration, has been in practice for 23 years.
His parents may have set him on the road to his profession with a joke. While other kids replied "policeman," "fireman" or "cowboy" to the question of what they wanted to be when they grew up, Blake's answer was a bit different.
"When I was a little kid, my parents thought it was a good laugh to teach me how to say 'orthodontist.' When anyone would ask what I wanted to be when I grew up, I'd say 'orthodontist.' I can't remember actually wanting to do anything else (except dentistry)."
John Novelle of Maumelle, owner of two drug and alcohol treatment centers for adolescents, said one thing he likes about Dr. Weber is the warm, welcoming atmosphere of his office.
"It's just kind of a family thing. I walk in, grab a cup of coffee, share pictures," Mr. Novelle said.
"Blake has been my dentist since 1989, something like that. He did my daughter Lauren's teeth when she was two years old. She's 23 now, and my granddaughter, Kristin, her daughter, who is five years old, goes there. She doesn't have a great need for work. We just put her in the chair and make her comfortable with it.
"I would trust no other. I would not go to another dentist."
The base of Blake's practice is family dentistry, but he does a good number of cosmetic procedures, too. This side of his practice is heartwarming, with his biggest reward often being "a big hug around the neck."
Not all patients are that emotive. Blake remembered a teenage boy who had brown and white splotchy teeth replaced with porcelain veneers. Clearly, the teen was pleased when he looked at the result in the mirror, but he said very little.
"I ran into his mother ... who said, 'I can't tell you how much you did for "Billy." Literally, his personality has changed. He interacts with people. And he laughs.' When someone tells me, "it literally changed my personality,' those are really the coolest moments of what I do."
Then there are those folks who are terrified of going to the dentist. Blake said he understands their fears and works to make visits less stressful.
"We handle it two or three different ways. We encourage parents to bring their children in with them, as early as two or three years old, when they get their teeth cleaned. So kids see it's no big deal. The ones that already are (afraid) ... we sit down and visit with them and let them know that their fears are not uncommon, that a lot of people feel like that. Also that dentistry has changed a lot. And that we are going to let them know exactly what we are going to do. And, that they are in complete control. All they have to do is raise their hand, and we'll stop immediately.
"And then, there's nitrous oxide."
The fact that dentistry has changed a lot with advances in technology helps patients in both physical and psychological ways. The digital x-rays Dr. Weber uses greatly reduce exposure to radiation. He gets an image almost immediately and pops it up on a video machine, so that not only he, but his assistants and the patient can see. Also, he utilizes oral cameras that can snap photographs the patients can see. Light-activated bleaching allows for tooth whitening in a couple of hours. And, far better materials than mercury amalgams are available.
In addition to his practice, Blake works with a group of dentists who volunteer their skills for the Harmony Health Clinic on East Roosevelt Road. The non-profit clinic opened in December 2008 offering free medical care, and its free dental clinic opened in March 2009. It serves local residents ages 13 to 64 whose income does not exceed 200% of the Federal poverty level.
Since opening, it has provided $369,731 in free medical services and $517,943 in free dental services. In addition, it has given out $739,238 in free medications and performed $643,021 worth of free lab tests.
"The people there are so incredibly thankful," Blake said. "I am touched by my patients in my office every day. But the patients at the clinic are so thankful, many of whom are homeless and very disadvantaged, and I am touched by that as much as anything."
Story by Bobbi Nesbitt, February 2012 Shoppe Talk.
