2021
PROFILES in
DENTISTRY PRESENTED BY
WORDS Dwain Hebda and Catherine Frederick some interviews have been edited for length and clarity
Do South® is proud to recognize the expertise and contributions of local dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, and other dental professionals, who set the bar for excellence and are committed to providing the best in care for their patients. Join us as we bring attention to their expertise and discover how they improve the health of their dental patients!
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
2021
PROFILES in
DENTISTRY PRESENTED BY
WORDS Dwain Hebda and Catherine Frederick some interviews have been edited for length and clarity
Do South® is proud to recognize the expertise and contributions of local dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, and other dental professionals, who set the bar for excellence and are committed to providing the best in care for their patients. Join us as we bring attention to their expertise and discover how they improve the health of their dental patients!
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
Dr. HenRy Udouj, III Udouj Orthodontics Henry Udouj III, D.D.S. said exceeding patients’ expectations, literally putting a smile on their faces, is the highest reward of providing expert, compassionate orthodontia services.
Returning home in 1999, he joined his father Henry Udouj Jr., who’d had a successful practice since 1972. The duo worked side by side until 2017 and today, Henry carries on the lessons his father taught him. “We stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in the orthodontic world and constantly attend continuing education courses,” Henry says. “We specialize in all types of orthodontic cases from simple to complex procedures that require jaw surgery. Our practice treats kids through seniors.” The practice has expanded to include a location in Poteau, Oklahoma, as well as the original Fort Smith clinic, employing ten.
“I love orthodontics because it is not monotonous,” he says. “Every case is different and therefore must be treated differently. There is no one way to treat case properly, therefore, it keeps me on my toes.” Henry graduated from Fort Smith Northside High School in 1987 and earned a bachelor's degree from Trinity University in San Antonio. He completed Baylor Dental School and holds a master's degree in orthodontics from St. Louis University School of Orthodontics.
“Customer service is key to a great practice,” he says. “Our staff is very friendly and greets all patients warmly. We take a special interest in all our patient's lives and our office is fun and bright.” “In diagnosing and treating a case, I begin by saying, ‘What would I do if this were my child?’ When you genuinely care about your patients' lives, it shows.”
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
Dr. Brooks Fiser Fiser Family Dental Fiser Family Dental dates back nearly forty years, serving multiple generations of patients in the River Valley. And under the skilled care of Drs. Brooks Fiser, Doug Brittain and Hannah Cabe, that legacy of expert, compassionate dental care is in very good hands. “I love that dentistry gives me the opportunity to help people, whether that is helping them out of pain or helping them feel comfortable smiling again,” Brooks says. “To do that well, I take every opportunity to keep up with new techniques as they are developed and to refine my technique on existing skills. I also strive to do my treatment as effectively and efficiently as possible, because I understand that my patients' time is just as valuable to them.” Brooks holds a degree in biology from the University of the Ozarks, graduating magna cum laude in 2010. He completed his dental training in 2014 from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Ever since he started in practice in Fort Smith, Brooks has constantly looked for ways to provide value and convenience for patients. Fiser Family Dental treats patients of all ages and offers comprehensive care including cleanings, fillings, crowns and bridges, dentures and partials, dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, Botox and Xeomin injections and dermal fillers. “One of our specialty offerings is same-day crown and bridge restorations using CEREC chairside technology,” Brooks says. “Previously, getting a crown meant a first appointment to prepare and have a temporary crown made. That was followed by two to three weeks of wearing the temporary followed by a second appointment to permanently cement the crown in place. With CEREC, we can complete the crown or bridge in a single two- or three-hour appointment, no temporary needed and no messy impressions.” Brooks says another thing that sets his practice apart is the level of customer service all patients receive. “Even though we do have a healthy patient population of seniors and young kids, the bulk of our practice is families,” he says. “That’s fitting, because good customer service to us means treating each patient like they are close family.” “Many of our staff have decades of experience at our office, so they know many of our patients very well. At the chairside, I plan and perform treatment on each patient to the same level as I would for my mother or father. As a result, the majority of our new patients come from internal referrals by existing patients. That’s the highest compliment we can receive.” DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
Kim Skelton Dental Compliance Solutions Kimberly Skelton knows what it takes to run an efficient, safe and effective dental practice. She’s combined her on-the-job experience with specialized training to create Dental Compliance Solutions, a consultancy that helps clients provide safe work environments for employees and patients simultaneously. “I saw firsthand the need for employee safety and proper infection control management, which is what led me to provide expertise on these subjects,” she says. “We’re the first in the area to fill this niche.” Kimberly began her career in 1990 as an expanded functions dental assistant working in oral surgery as well as in general and cosmetic dentistry in Northwest Arkansas. Noticing the persistent need for staffing in such practices, she launched the first temporary dental staffing company in the Northwest and River Valley regions of Arkansas. As time went on, she also saw the need for employee and patient safety/compliance consulting, so she expanded the company to provide clients help in meeting mandates and recommendations by various regulatory agencies. Among these are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Dental Association (ADA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). “I’ve earned the nicknames ‘The OSHA Lady’ and ‘OSHA Kim,’” she says with a chuckle. “It’s an area of expertise I am very passionate about and I'm very proud to have that title.” Kimberly has also become a sought-after trainer and public speaker on the topics of safety and infection control, providing site-specific education for dental team members. Her multimedia educational programs engage attendees and encourage audience participation with an immersive combination of lecture, audio-visual resources and hands-on demonstrations using the most current infection prevention products and protocols. "With the ever-changing guidance and mandates addressing the pandemic situation and its impact on the dental field, ensuring adherence to these requirements in the field is paramount," she says. "It is my goal to assist every dental practice in achieving their compliance goals with as little transitional stress as possible.” Over the years, Kimberly has earned numerous certifications and accreditations, including as an OSHA authorized consultant and trainer in health care employee safety and health, bloodborne pathogens and hazardous communication. She’s also a certified CPR/BLS instructor through the American Heart Association. Her expertise, impartiality and clear communication style make her an invaluable partner to companies in their continuing efforts to maintain employee and public safety. “Our company's goals for our clients are simple,” she says. “Reduce incident rates, boost morale among staff and provide the confidence of knowing patients are receiving the best, safest care available." DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM