Q. What is your earliest dentist memory?

Dr. Elrod: My earliest memories of the dentist were not very pleasant. I remember that going to the dentist was not an enjoyable experience. The office I visited was cold and the atmosphere was unappealing. The dentist was not very friendly or caring and there was usually pain, discomfort and bad news. The highlight was getting a free toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss at the end of the visit.

Q. What was your inspiration for becoming a dentist? Or What was your inspiration for joining Aspen Dental?

Dr. Elrod: My inspiration for becoming a dentist was my fear — I wanted to overcome it and become the type of dentist that my patients would enjoy visiting. I wanted to create an atmosphere of trust, mutual respect and -with a friendly staff- create a fun environment. I felt that there had to be a better way to keep a healthy mouth and I wanted to be a part of creating that “better way.” I am proud to say that I have achieved this dream!

Q. Is there a specific event in your career or patient that is most memorable or meaningful?

Dr. Elrod: My most memorable event in dentistry involved a mission trip in Cusco, Peru. Two of my colleagues and I worked from a dental clinic in Cusco, treating mostly children from a local orphanage during our three-week stay there. The poverty in this area was something I had never witnessed before. Oral health was way down on the list of important things to get done, when their primary needs of food and shelter were barely being met. We were able to save a majority of the teeth of the children we saw, but the adults were mostly all extraction cases. We even worked with a lab nearby to fabricate dentures for those without teeth. The level of respect and gratitude we received for taking care of the people of Cusco was indescribable. I do not speak Spanish well, so communication was limited but the smiles and the hugs were universally understood. I look forward to volunteering my skills again sometime soon.

Q. What’s the one thing you wish all dental patients would know?

Dr. Elrod: That good oral health is a team effort between the health care professional and the patient. Good home care is critical in the battle against mouth diseases. We can only do so much while the patient is in the office. Our opportunity lies in educating them and prepping them for success between the time they walk out of our door and walk back in again.

Q. What’s your area of expertise? Do you have a favorite procedure?

Dr. Elrod: Although I consider myself an artist when it comes to restorations or fillings, my passion is oral surgery.
I feel especially proficient at being able to extract teeth as quickly and painlessly as possible, and with as
little trauma as possible to the surrounding tissue. I also pride myself in my competency in those procedures not normally performed by general dentists, such as extractions of difficultly-positioned teeth.

Q. How are you involved in the community outside of the office?

Dr. Elrod: In my free time, I try to attend every charity event I am made aware of to try to give back to my community, monetarily. I recently made a promise to myself and my team to become even more involved in the giving of our time to help out those in need. I am ordering Aspen Dental t-shirts for us to wear the next opportunity we have to show our spirit in our community.

Q. What’s your favorite toothpaste flavor?

Dr. Elrod: I am not super picky about toothpaste flavors. If I had to pick a favorite, I would have to say cinnamon.

© 2013, Amanda H.. All rights reserved.