When Loveland High School alumnus and Deerfield Township resident Dr. Jeffrey Wessel reflects on his undergraduate years at the University of North Carolina (UNC), he reminisces about biology class field trips and joining friends at basketball games to root for his beloved Tar Heels.
But his most essential experience occurred during his first year as a participant in a month-long externship giving students an opportunity to attain knowledge in their chosen field. Dr. Wessel returned to Cincinnati, where he was matched with Dr. Keith Lemmerman, a local periodontist.
“I observed Dr. Lemmerman and his staff and he sent me to practices of other periodontists, orthodontists, dentists and specialists,” Dr. Wessel says. “I also visited Procter & Gamble where they manufacture Scope® and Crest® and joined Dr. Lemmerman when he taught in the dental clinics at the University of Kentucky. This experience sold me on periodontics and dentistry.”
The area that caught Dr. Wessel’s interest, periodontics, is a dental speciality focused on treating inflammatory gum disease and other structures around the teeth as well as the placement of dental implants.
“I enjoyed learning about periodontics, particularly gum disease prevention and treatment. I like watching people make progress,” he says.
Now with 15 years as a practicing periodontist, Dr. Wessel is thankful for Dr. Lemmerman and others who mentored him in a profession he loves. After he earned his biology degree from UNC, Dr. Wessel was researching dental schools when his childhood dentist, an Air Force veteran, informed him of military scholarship opportunities. Students proceed to serve as dental officers after completing their education.
“A Navy recruiter interviewed me and I visited the University of Michigan. I was accepted into the program and was exposed to all facets of periodontics and dentistry,” he explains. “It was there that I fell in love with the surgical aspect of periodontics and watching patients heal.”
After receiving his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, he completed his postgraduate periodontics residency training and master’s degree in Oral Biology at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. Once he finished his training, Dr. Wessel began his active duty service in the US Navy with tours at Naval Base Norfolk, Naval Medical Center San Diego and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He served as the Periodontics Residency Program Director for the Naval Postgraduate Dental School during the latter assignment.
Dr. Wessel says he was thankful for an opportunity to serve his country. He describes it as, “an amazing experience that I will always cherish.”
He has put all of his experiences to good use, cultivating professional relationships and excellent patient experiences. A good friend and patient, Tom Canning, senior sales VP for Comey & Shepherd Realtors, consulted with Dr. Wessel on his dental implant and denture work. He agreed to his friend’s plan to install four implants to secure his new denture. Dr. Wessel also referred him to Loveland dentist, Dr. Drake Tollefson for additional expertise regarding comfort and fit of the denture.
“These two gentlemen teamed up to successfully accomplish what was needed for my teeth. It was a journey, but I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Wessel and his staff – the same can be said for Dr. Tollefson’s practice,” Tom shares. “Their concern and personal approach to my situation were so appreciated. Today, I have my smile back and no longer have to be self-conscious when dealing with my clients.”
“Anytime we receive a ‘thank you’ or hear that someone is comfortable smiling again or no longer in pain, it makes my day,” Dr. Wessel relates. “I feel fortunate to be in the field I am in. We are focused on patients and long-term oral health. They are family to us. Our team enjoys what we do and takes great pride in providing services to improve overall health in the Cincinnati community.”
Education is also an essential aspect of his practice. His team shares the importance of daily oral hygiene and its connection to overall health with patients and at local health fairs and open houses. They stay on the cutting edge of dental care through networking and membership in national organizations and incorporate laser technology into their practice.
Dr. Wessel benefited from the mentors in his life and now strives to be an advisor for those who follow in his footsteps by teaching dental students and periodontal residents at his alma mater, OSU. He says, “Education is important and our doors are always open to local students who want to learn.”
Wessel Periodontics, LLC
8221 Cornell Road, Suite 430, Cincinnati
513.891.3933 | WesselPerio.com
“We are focused on patients and long-term oral health. They are family to us. Our team enjoys what we do and takes great pride in providing services to improve overall health in the Cincinnati community.”