“I believe dentistry is not only about giving people a great experience, but helping people be the best version of themselves,” says John Pastorek, D.M.D., or “Dr. P” as he’s known by his patients and staff. “It’s not just about your teeth, but your overall well-being. It’s a big part of why I’m so passionate about getting to know my patients and helping them build the confidence to thrive.”
John and his wife, Tara Pastorek, opened Monarch Valley Dental in April 2024, though John has been a dentist for more than a decade. “I wanted to do this differently. We're very comprehensive with our approach.”
From a young age, John says he knew he wanted to be a dentist, because he always has been passionate about people. Growing relationships with his patients and helping them build confidence is his favorite part of the job. “I’m chasing my vision of a dream practice,” he says.
John’s no stranger to chasing dreams. Born and raised in Chesterfield, he married his dream girl, Tara. The two have a daughter, Logan, another on the way, and a dog, Winston, who patients might just see around the office.
Winston is a 5-year old black Golden Doodle. “The first time we brought him to the office, it was just meant to be a fun one-time thing. But his positive impact was felt immediately. For instance, for years we just couldn’t get one of our patients to smile. Then I see this guy with Winston, melting over this dog with his paws on the counter,” John says. “It was endearing. Winston’s been a regular with me at work ever since.”
Monarch Valley Dental, in Chesterfield, is a 3,000-square-foot office with large open windows and natural lighting. They offer the latest technology in dentistry including:
- Digital Radiographs: All radiographs at this office are electronic. For situations where a more in-depth view is required, the office has a dental CT scanner as well.
- A digital scanner delivers 3D digital impressions without the necessity for the putty-like material used in traditional dental impressions. This is used for everything. “The most profound impact has been that we can almost always actually show you what’s going on with your mouth,” John says.
- An upgraded system to clean teeth: “EMS Guided Biofilm Therapy” involves a dye applied to teeth, which stains any plaque or gunk and shows how clean teeth are at home. Then an air-polishing technology is used to gently remove the plaque and build-up.
- Other technology includes a soft-tissue laser and an intraoral camera. John says the office soon will add a 3D printer and a mill with the goal of eventually being able to offer same-day permanent crowns.
While modern tech and an updated office environment were crucial to his vision, John is quick to point out: "The fancy equipment and chic optics are an awesome feature for our patients; but our secret sauce is really the emphasis on quality of care and the enhanced level of service we can provide."
Monarch Valley Dental offers services from regular cleanings and checkups to periodontal treatment and maintenance. Other treatments provided include root canals, crowns and fillings, fluoride treatments, sealants, porcelain veneers, orthodontic clear aligner therapy, tooth whitening and implant-based solutions.
John attended Chaminade College Preparatory School and went on to graduate from the University of Dayton with his bachelor’s degree in pre-dentistry and a minor in psychology. He earned a master's of business degree from Missouri Baptist University and his dental degree from Midwestern University in Arizona. He then completed his General Practice Residency at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. He also graduated from the Kois Center, a prestigious post-graduate continuing education program in Seattle.
Aside from dentistry, John has been active in both ice hockey and lacrosse. He played lacrosse at the University of Dayton and also, through his mother's bloodline, was proud to represent the Italian National team at the 2006 World Games. He also coached lacrosse at both the high school and collegiate levels for nine years, including being part of five-time state championship teams at Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School.
As an ambassador and part of the dental team for the nonprofit organization “Brace for Impact 46,” John says he provides help and dental care for underserved children in Haiti.
He adds that he makes it a priority to pursue higher level continuing education to perfect his craft. To that end, he's an active member of the Spear Study Club and the Academy of General Dentistry.
“We're creating something special here,” John says. “I didn’t want to look back at 85 years old and wonder ‘What if?’ We are continually evolving and pushing boundaries on how to improve what a dental experience should look and feel like. Our goal is that we want to be in the conversation, where if somebody just moved to town and needed a dentist, for the people that know us, they would have to say: ‘You have to go to see Dr. P.’”
636.777.8102
MonarchValleyDental.com
“I believe dentistry is not only about giving people a great experience, but helping people be the best version of themselves,”