There is a framed quote at the dental office of Penterson & Booth that ends with, “Leave people better than you found them.”
These words have become a guiding motto for the office.
“That’s been on our wall for years,” said Dr. Lynn Penterson Booth, who owns the practice with her husband, Dr. Steve Booth. “We strive to live up to this.”
Their office is a family dental practice in every sense of the word. “We treat our patients like they are family,” Dr. Lynn said. “We take time to get to know them. We believe that we can better satisfy their dental needs comfortably, the more we understand them as people. We genuinely care for our patients and feel that it is an honor that they chose us to provide their dental care. "
The practice itself was founded on family. Dr. Lynn’s father, Dr. Robert Penterson, began the practice in 1981, with Dr. Steve joining in 2005 and Dr. Lynn following in 2007. The office, at 5954 Harbour Park Drive, includes a team of hygienists, dental assistants and front office staff. Dr. Penterson, now retired, still works when the Booths take time off and is helping during the COVID crisis.
The practice focuses on general dentistry – preventative care, dental cleanings, restorative fillings, crowns, bridges, tooth extractions, dentures, partials, TMD treatment, sleep apnea, dental implants, and emergency care. Cosmetic services include teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and Invisalign.
A major focus in their family dentistry model is on caring for their pediatric patients and making sure they always have a positive experience. Regardless of a patient's age, the entire staff is aware that many patients can be fearful of seeing the dentist, and that many of these fears begin in childhood. With that in mind, the staff strives to make every patient’s experience pleasant and pain-free, children included.
"We have small children of our own so we understand the importance of making sure that they have the best experience possible, " Dr. Booth said of her dental team. The staff has been known to sing songs, play "tooth music," and act silly in order to create a fun environment.
With a television in each treatment room, kids can be distracted by a favorite show and cuddled in a warm blanket with their favorite stuffed animal. Staff routinely gets down to a child’s level to interact and explain procedures, and Dr. Lynn wears a black lab coat, having found that for some patients across the age spectrum, a white coat can provoke anxiety.
“We help our patients understand that our goal is that they are always comfortable,” Dr. Lynn said. “We make sure they know they can talk to us at any time and we will be patient in answering any questions they might have. It is important that they know that they can trust us."
Samm Jocelyn has been coming to Penterson & Booth for 14 years – 11 as a patient and three as a hygienist. “We just fell in love with this office,” said Jocelyn, who began with the practice when her family moved from Northern Virginia. “Everyone really knew who you were. It got me interested in the dental field.”
Jocelyn spent a summer shadowing staff, then went to school to study hygiene. She interviewed for a hygiene position while still in school. “They held a spot for me, and I went right to work when I got my license,” Jocelyn said. “Now I’m part of the family and I help the patients feel that way too.”
At Penterson & Booth, the patient’s needs always come first.
“Be one who nurtures and builds,” says the quote on the office wall. “Be one who has an understanding and forgiving heart, who looks for the best. Leave people better than you found them."
That, they do.
To learn more: https://www.pbddssmiles.com/