PROFILES IN DENTISTRY - AUGUST 2022

2022

DENTISTRY PROFILES SPECIAL FEATURE PRESENTED BY

WORDS Dwain Hebda and Catherine Frederick some interviews have been edited for length and clarity

Do South® Magazine is proud to recognize the expertise and contributions of local dentists and orthodontists who set the bar for excellence and are committed to the best in care for their patients.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

2022

DENTISTRY PROFILES SPECIAL FEATURE PRESENTED BY

WORDS Dwain Hebda and Catherine Frederick some interviews have been edited for length and clarity

Do South® Magazine is proud to recognize the expertise and contributions of local dentists and orthodontists who set the bar for excellence and are committed to the best in care for their patients.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

Dr. HenRy Udouj, III

Returning home in 1999, he joined his father Henry Udouj Jr.,

Udouj Orthodontics

his father taught him. “ We stay up-to-date with the latest

who’d had a successful practice since 1972. The duo worked side by side until 2017 and today, Henry carries on the lessons advancements in the orthodontic world and constantly attend

Henry Udouj III, D.D.S. said exceeding

continuing education courses,” Henry says. “ We specialize in all

patients’ expectations, literally putting a

types of orthodontic cases from simple to complex procedures

smile on their faces, is the highest reward

that require jaw surgery. Our practice treats kids through seniors.”

of

providing

expert,

compassionate

orthodontia services. “I love orthodontics

The practice has expanded to include a location in Poteau,

because it is not monotonous,” he says.

Oklahoma, as well as the original Fort Smith clinic, employing ten.

“Every case is different and therefore must be treated differently.

There is no one way to treat case properly, therefore, it keeps me on

“Customer service is key to a great practice,” he says. “Our staff

my toes.”

is very friendly and greets all patients warmly. We take a special interest in all our patients’ lives and our office is fun and bright.

Henry graduated from Fort Smith High School in 1987 and earned a bachelor's degree from Trinity University in San Antonio. He

“In diagnosing and treating a case, I begin by saying, ‘What would

completed Baylor Dental School and holds a master's degree in

I do if this were my child?’ When you genuinely care about your

orthodontics from St. Louis University School of Orthodontics.

patients' lives, it shows."

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River Valley Smile Center Everywhere you look at the River Valley Smile Center, you’re made to feel like family and that’s not by accident. When Drs. Charlie Liggett and Cole Johnson decided they wanted to go into dentistry, it was with one overriding goal in mind – to set up a practice in Fort Smith that provided comprehensive dental care to the people of their hometown.

“I grew up here and see people that I know or who my family’s known every day,” Charlie says. “I never really thought I’d be doing anything else. This is just what I’ve always wanted to do.”

“It’s great to come back and take care of the people that you grew up with and see those families grow with yours,” Cole agrees. “You’re more tied to the community when your practice is made up of your friends and family.”

The family ties go much deeper than the current practice. Charlie and Cole grew up about a block from one another in Fort Smith and both had family in dental medicine. Charlie’s uncle and Cole’s father were both dentists in Fort Smith and both played a role in getting the two established following dental school. Today, the family ties continue as Charlie’s wife Heather is onboard with the business as a dental hygienist specializing in pediatric patients.

As for the two dentists themselves, both have had extensive training in various dental specialties, allowing them to perform even the most complex procedures up to and including full-mouth reconstruction. They are also one of the few area dental practices trained in use of IV sedation to help give their patients a stress-free, pain-free experience.

Combine this technical expertise with the clinic’s unmatched customer service and you have a recipe for total patient satisfaction.

“I don’t want to just treat a mouth. I want to treat the whole patient,” Cole says. “Sometimes that’s just listening to them talk about whatever’s going on in their world for a couple minutes before you get started doing what you need to do. It makes the patient much more comfortable with you in the chair if they like you. You can do the best dentistry in the world, but if you’re not a likable person, they’re not going to think you’re a very good dentist.”

“What’s most fun to me is when somebody looks in the mirror for the first time and sees the work that you have done to improve their smile,” Charlie says. “Sometimes just seeing that chokes them up a little bit. That’s one of the neatest things. You take somebody who hasn’t been able to eat well or chew well and they finally get their teeth fixed, they’re just elated.

That’s definitely what makes it all worthwhile.”

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Moore Dental Care As one of the most respected and knowledgeable dentists in the River Valley, Dr. Wes Moore has consistently added to his expertise in his chosen profession by completing a myriad of post-graduate training.

In fact, he’s attained Fellowship status in the Academy of General Dentistry; a Fellowship in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Diplomate status in the American Academy of Implant Dentistry; is a Bale-Doneen heart health provider and is well-versed in holistic dental care. His most recent work has centered on relieving TMJ pain, headaches, tinnitus, and associated ailments that accompany joint dysfunction.

But talk to him about what really sets his practice, Moore Dental Care, apart and he’ll tell you when it comes to patients, the personal touch is just as important as the professional credential.

“My team makes the difference; I have awesome team members who constantly look for ways to make our patients say ‘WOW!’” Dr. Wes says. “And I was fortunate to find an experienced dentist to team up with. Dr. Jan Nagrampa has been with us for two years and has expanded our capacity to provide great dentistry to great patients.

“Dentistry is not fun for a lot of people. But we try to make it very comfortable as we try to achieve their goals, whether that’s a prettier smile, a healthier smile, a better night’s sleep or to just make the pain go away. We have treatments that can improve in each of these areas and we apply that expertise with a kind and caring touch that puts people at ease.”

Dr. Wes, Dr. Jan and the clinic’s staff perform a wide range of procedures, from cleanings to dental implants, with the majority of procedures all completed in one location.

When not in the office, Dr. Wes likes to travel with his wife Staci, go fishing with his son Collin, and visit his daughter Kirby in New Orleans where she is in her residency program for pediatric dentistry. Dr. Jan loves to travel with her physician husband Roland, having visited Turkey, Dubai, Africa, Bhutan and other exotic destinations.

And of course, both doctors are especially committed to helping people attain healthy and beautiful smiles.

“Here at Moore Dental Care, we’re known for our kindness, compassion, and the desire to help,” Dr. Wes says. “It’s a wonderful responsibility to serve others and that’s why we treat each patient as if they are a member of our own family.”

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