Prescott getting new dentist
PRESCOTT – A new dentist is coming to Prescott.
An agreement was recently finalized between the city and Smiles of Arkansas to locate a dentist’s office in Prescott. The office will be at the former Nevada County Health Office on Hwy. 67 and be Smiles Family Dentistry.
The official announcement was made Thursday morning at the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office with Mary Godwin, EDO director, Dr. Robee Carter, DDS, Reese Shuffield, chief financial officer of Smiles, Prescott Mayor Terry Oliver and Bank of Prescott President John Brannon on hand.
Godwin said the project began around 18 months ago. Prescott had lost its only dentist, Dr. Darrell Fain, who passed away, and the citizenry had to go elsewhere for its dental needs. The city and EDO, she said, realized the void Fain’s death left and began working to get a new dentist to locate here. “Prescott needs to provide basic services, such as dentists, doctors, fire and police. We started searching and recruiting dentists or looking for a company that would provide one.” Eventually a deal was made with Dr. Carter and Smiles. Smiles has offices in Hope, Texarkana, Magnolia and De Queen, and, shortly after the first of the year, Prescott will be added to the list. Dr. Carter also has a second, private practice in Hope.
“This will be family dentistry,” he said of the Prescott practice. “It will be Smiles Family Dentistry.”
The EDO and city began working to find an appropriate building for the offices and decided the former NCHU building would work, as it’s owned by the city. The city agreed to do some renovation work to the facility to help get the dentist’s office up and running.
“We’re excited to be here,” Carter said. He added, talks were held with the EDO, Mayor, Prescott City Council and Prescott School District, all asking him to come to Prescott. “I’ve been in Hope 15 years and am familiar with Prescott, and the pride the community has. I’ve always thought highly of Prescott. It’s hard to get dentists to locate in Southwest Arkansas, but we found one with experience.”
The dentist they found is Dr. Ted Zawislak, who currently lives and practices in Pennsylvania. Zawislak has agreed to move to Prescott and has been looking for some acreage where he and his wife can have horses. He also has children living in the Dallas area. Both Carter and Shuffield said Zawislak is excited to come to Prescott, having fell in love with the community after visiting it, and is looking forward to practicing in the area. Shuffield said Zawislak lives in the country and understands how small towns work.
However, there will be a transitional period as Zawislak is looking for temporary rental property while trying to sell his home in Pennsylvania, where his wife will remain until it sells. The area itself, Shuffield said, helped sell him on coming here. “He likes the Smiles culture and will make a lot of friends.” Part of the Smiles culture is taking care of the employees as well as those in the community.
“You’ve got to take care of your people,” Dr. Carter said. “They’re your family. It’s not about the money. We’ll only be as good as our weakest employee, but we want everyone to have a good experience (with us).”
Once fully staffed, the office will employee six people, including an oral hygienist. If business warrants, a second dentist will also be sought to help with the work load. Shuffield said they will recruit heavily in the area, or, if necessary, bring people on board from elsewhere. Dr. Carter said the goal is to hire locals as much as possible, with the first hire most likely to be an office manager.
Meanwhile, work has begun on getting the building ready. The sign will soon go up and it’s hoped all renovations will be done by the end of November, so the offices can be made ready for the dental equipment in December. Dr. Zawislak should be here by mid-December with the office to open in early Jan. 2019. Those interested in applying for a job there can visit the website www@smilesofarkansas.com and fill out an application. Anyone who may have a house available for short term rental can contact Godwin at the EDO.
“It’s important to take care of the community,” Dr. Carter said. “We’re humbled with everyone getting involved. We’ll take care of the community and this will be run like a small town dentist’s office.”
Godwin encourages local residents to use the new dentist’s office once it opens. She said people had to go elsewhere for their dental needs when Dr. Fain died, but will be able to use a local dentist from now own.
“It will be first class,” Dr. Carter said. “”We’ll be geared to do all the procedures people need. We’re big on oral hygiene and will have a great hygienist. We’ll be working with the school and have been told all students will be sent here. We’ll help keep small things from getting bigger.” The practice will be taking care of patients almost from birth to death. If a shot is needed, Dr. Carter added, a follow up call will be made to make sure the person injected is doing all right.
Office hours will be Monday through Friday. The hours Monday through Thursday will be 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., with Friday’s hours from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Most major insurance will be accepted as Smiles is a preferred provider for most insurance companies. It will also accept ARKids A&B.
“We thank the council for approving the money for the renovations,” Dr. Carter said. “It’ll be nice.”
Prescott Mayor Terry Oliver said he’s excited to get a new dentist in town and it will be beneficial to Prescott and the community as it will add new jobs.
“This wouldn’t have happened without Godwin, Oliver and the city board,” Dr. Carter said. “We’ve been talking to a lot of Prescott people and this has been a community effort.”
