The Foutz family has deep roots in the area dating back to the 1890s. Those years produced four generations of Foutz dental practitioners who have been integral to the community and its health.
Dr. Barton H. Foutz is proud of his family legacy and his uncommon status as a Fourth-Generation dentist.
“I guess you could say that dentistry is in my genes,” says Dr. Foutz, who has maintained a successful dental practice in Henderson since 1986.
After graduating with honors from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, Dr. Foutz made a point to be active in his community. As a young man, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and currently serves on the Las Vegas area council executive board of the Boy Scouts of America.
"I believe in organizations that teach young people to serve others and live a moral life. They are our future, and we need to help them succeed in every way possible.”
Married for 35 years to wife JoAnne, Barton is the father of five children. His eldest daughter’s LDS mission to El Salvador inspired him to join ‘Smiles for Central America’—a humanitarian group offering free dental and medical services to thousands of young patients in El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.
“It is a highlight every year I volunteer for the ‘Smiles for Central America’ team and can be part of enriching the lives of these deserving young people.”
Through his volunteer work as well as his practice here at home, Dr. Foutz is always gratified to witness the life-changing difference dental care can make in people’s lives.
Evidence points to a strong link between oral health and overall health. Your mouth acts as a barometer for your health status. Gum disease and other mouth infections may lead to or indicate more serious problems such as diabetes or heart issues.
Dental hygiene is not only vital for optimal health, but having a beautiful smile contributes to one’s confidence and personal well-being.
Foutz Family Dentistry provides a wide range of dental services from preventative to cosmetic to restorative.
“My great-grandfather would be astounded by today’s technology,” Dr. Foutz said. “When he began his practice in the late 1890s, dental drills were pedal-operated, and the only anesthetic available was whiskey.”
“By the thirties (my grandfather’s era), nitrous oxide and x-rays were in general use, and when my father started his practice in the sixties, the high-speed, air-driven drill was the latest invention.”
However, according to Dr. Foutz, the most high-tech dental advances have occurred in just the past several years.
“Keeping abreast of dental innovations requires continual study and commitment,” Foutz explained. “By the time training is completed for a new piece of equipment, there is already a newer model being introduced to take its place.”
And the pace is just as rapid for cosmetic procedures thanks to advances in space-age resins, ceramics, and adhesives.
“These durable, tooth-colored materials have caused a revolution in cosmetic restorations,” Foutz said. “Porcelain veneers are all the rage, and silver fillings have become practically obsolete.”
“These days, a person who comes in with a cavity,” Dr. Foutz said, “will likely be treated with a water-assisted dental laser that replaces the conventional drill. It produces no heat, no vibrations and, in many cases, eliminates the need for needles and anesthesia.”
Another innovation in dentistry is the digital x-ray. It uses less than 20 percent of the radiation needed by traditional film-based x-rays. The images are viewed on a computer screen and can be e-mailed to the patient’s home or to the insurance provider.
Foutz Family Dentistry also offers Invisalign® invisible braces, Botox, and dermal fillers to complement individuals' smiles and visibly turn back the clock.
Dentist, father, and family man, Barton Foutz leads by example, giving his time and energy to both his family and patients while fulfilling a lifelong mission to help promote health and serve others.
And, yes, there will soon be a fifth-generation Foutz dentist.