Behind the Scenes at Southern Smiles
Thank you for taking the time to learn about our practice. My name is Dr. Shakally, and this is my practice, Southern Smiles. I would like to show you around our practice, so when you do come in, it won't be your first time learning about it. Come on back.
Waiting Room
This is our waiting room. It's nothing really special. The goal is that you don't wait here very long, but if you do, we have something significant to me: a painting from Damascus, where I grew up in Syria, brought by my parents.
We also have a stand with all the materials and products we regularly give to our patients. I'm sure you've seen some of our toothbrushes and floss. If you haven't, come by and grab one. We also have a wall featuring times I've been mentioned in newspapers and articles.
Our Technology at Southern Smiles
Let me show you the rest of our practice and what makes us unique. I'll show you some of our favorite technology and how it helps our patients.
Intraoral Scanner
The first part is our intraoral scanner. We use this daily. Essentially, it means you don't need to take those gooey impressions. It's very comfortable and highly accurate. If someone wants to see what their teeth used to look like or if they had a crown fracture, we don't have to redo the whole thing. The lab can remake it based on the previous impression.
3D Printer
Another component that is becoming a favorite is our 3D printer, something not many offices have. If you can think of it, we can print it in-office. For example, we had a patient interested in veneers but unsure about the look. We scanned them with our intraoral scanner and printed a model of what they could look like. They could snap it on their smile and see it before committing.
Dental Services
This is the rest of our office and what we can do here. We offer everything from dentures to all-on-fours, snap-in dentures, implants, and crowns. I like to show our patients what we're discussing. I prefer seeing and holding something before committing to it. This approach helps us. Recently, I printed a full-size implant because I was bored.
Patient Comfort
Another aspect that brings in patients is addressing fear and anxiety related to dental visits. Laughing gas is something we use frequently. It's very safe, and you don't need a driver afterward. We flush your lungs with oxygen for five minutes, and you can walk around comfortably. We also offer sedation and can bring in an anesthesiologist if needed. If comfort is important to you, this is the best place to be.
3D X-ray Machine
Another part of our practice that I'm proud of is our 3D X-ray machine. It took me a long time to afford it. It provides a 3D image of your mouth, which helps us understand the relationship between different areas. For example, when placing an implant, we know exactly where it should go in relation to nerves and blood supplies, making procedures safe and predictable. It allows us to see things we otherwise couldn't, helping diagnose problems accurately.
Operatories/ Surgery Suites
This is where the magic happens. We have three operatories, all set up the same way. We primarily do cleanings here. If you're getting a cleaning and we discover a filling is needed, we can do it in the same room. This setup allows us to take care of you efficiently, minimizing your time here.
This is the second room, similar to the first. Our third room is reserved for more extensive procedures. There's no natural light, so patients needing an anesthesiologist or sedation can fall asleep comfortably. It serves as a surgery suite for us.
Photography
My favorite piece of equipment in the office is our camera. If you've visited our website, you can see how much I love taking pictures. If you've been a patient, I've probably taken many pictures to show before and afters. We make you pose in front of our backdrop. Sometimes patients bring loved ones for photos they can use in their personal lives.
Break Room
This is our break room. We rarely have time for lunch because we're always working, but if we can take a break, this is where we do it. Our practice is designed to be small, with a family practice feel, not a corporate one. We want you to know who you'll see, from me to the front desk. Everyone treats you well, knows your name, your family, and takes good care of you.
Thank you for taking the time to look at our practice. I hope to see you soon. If you have any questions, feel free to call us at (480) 530-0755, and we will be happy to assist you. Thank you.