Omnicam, milling unit and speedfire, upgraded digital x-ray sensors, and transitioned our instrument packaging system over to cassettes for a more streamlined process and better safety to my employees. I renovated the reception area first as thank you to the patients and to provide them a more welcoming and homey space to enjoy while wait- ing to be brought back to their appointment.
During COVID-19, I made structural changes to the inside of the build- ing, such as closing off the operatories so patients would feel safer and more personal and not overhear other patient-doctor/staff conversa- tions. I had new digital nitrous systems installed and a new central sterilization area placed with touch-free cabinets and faucets. I also had two of our main restorative rooms completely gutted and placed new chairs, floors and cabinetry. I was so pleased with the results, and did these renovations with Patterson Dental and A-DEC. They were a huge help! My next plan is to slowly redo the remaining three operatories to match these new rooms.
Renovating an older, established practice is definitely a challenge and must be done slowly. I never wanted patients to feel uncomfortable or fearful of these upgrades and have them think this automatically meant costs of services would increase. I feel I have been making this space my own, with the right timeline, and patients have been thank- ing us for introducing upgrades and technological advancements. They absolutely love watching a crown be made! Digital dentistry is fun not only for my staff and myself, but for the patients as well! I would tell other new dentists that it is OK to be nervous and scared of taking on your own practice. But when you start renovating and making changes, you are spending money on a smart investment as you are investing in your practice, in your patients and in yourself. This investment will turn around and reward you tenfold. So, my advice to young dentists in similar shoes would be to go for it and start to create your dream practice one step at a time.
As you continue being a leader in organized dentistry, what is something you’d like to be involved in or see accomplished within the Association (at the local, state and/or national level) you feel could really be of value to dentists? I would like to see our membership numbers continue to increase at all tripartite levels. Staying involved in all three levels is going to help keep our profession strong and will allow us to maintain autonomy. I know the MDA and ADA have been advocating for a while on the insurance downcoding, and I would love to see something actually happen with this. Dental insurance companies are hindering the small private practice, and this in turn keeps some of our patients from selecting the treatment they need.
You’re a second-generation dentist, and of note, your dad won this same award in 1994. Tell us about the benefits and challenges of following in his
footsteps.My dad, Dr. Thomas Meyer, has always been my hero and is my No. 1 mentor and role model. I am completely honored to follow in his footsteps, and never once have I seen this as a challenge; rather, I have viewed being a second-generation dentist a privilege. He is a superb clinician, and we collaborate on difficult cases. He also has helped me a lot with the business side of owning a private practice. It is great having someone you trust to ask questions. Also, having a father as a dentist was extremely helpful during dental school. I remember bringing temporaries home on the weekends and he would help show me tips and tricks, and his dental assistants let me practice taking radiographs and impressions on them. I can remember another time when I was setting denture teeth at 1 or 2am, and I FaceTimed
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my dad for help! That memory makes me smile. It makes me smile knowing my father received this same award back in 1994. I like to think with his and Dr. Hume’s level of involvement with GSDS and MDA, I am making both of them proud, receiving this award.
Of interest, you were a college athlete and captain on both the Women’s Cross Country and Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field teams at Lynchburg College, where you completed your undergrad. Has that experience shaped and served you as a dentist and volunteer leader? Being a collegiate athlete forces you to develop good time management skills. Time management skills 100 percent helped me get into and succeed within dental school. I also believe these time management skills are something I carried over into running a business and being involved in various community groups. Cross Country and Track and Field were year-round sports, and with that and honors academia programs in undergrad, I had to be smart with my spare time. Being a captain also helped me to encourage my teammates to try their best every day. I carry this through into my private practice, as we have daily huddles with the team, and I am always trying to lift up the team and encourage us to try our best daily.
Of all your current activities—dental, civic, personal—is there something you are particularly excited about being a part of? As previously mentioned, I am excited about the upcoming Smiles from the Heart event on February 25, 2022. This truly is my favorite dental event, and I love planning a fun social event/party! I am recently involved in an organization called The Pearls. This is a group of professional women here in Springfield, and our mission is to support each other in our business endeavors, lift each other up, and be a woman of great strength, worth and rarity. I am excited about being a member in this group, as each woman is unique and has something valuable to bring to the table. I look forward to our quarterly meetings and connecting with each of them on a deeper level. It can be difficult as we get older and busy with our personal lives to meet new people and make meaningful and lasting friendships. This group of women, The Pearls, is a genuine group where these lasting friendships already are developing. And how cool that everyone in the group are professional women and some small business owners! I’m looking forward to the future possibilities with this group.
Tell us about yourself outside of dentistry … family, hobbies, favorite way to spend free time, what recharges you outside of dentistry? Outside of dentistry I love spending time with my family, boyfriend and friends. My mom and dad, Susan and Tom, have gone from being my parents to my best friends. We hang out often and still go on vacation together! It is cool seeing the transition over the last 10 or so years. My only sibling is my older sister, Nikki Collier. She is married to Matt and they have my one and only and favorite nephew, Cash. He seriously has been the shining beacon in our family. Cash brightens up your worst day and his smile is contagious. He is the sweetest and smartest two and half year old I know, although I may be slightly biased. I love being his auntie and am looking forward to watching him grow up. My boyfriend Scott Gutshall is one of the most patient and kindest humans I know, and we have made many memories together this year. I enjoy spending time at both Table Rock Lake with my family and at Lake of the Ozarks with Scott. I love to travel, and my favorite place to visit is Napa Valley, California. I have made a lot of good friends in the Valley, so it is fun to revisit the area and connect with all of them. I am also a foodie and enjoy trying new restaurants and interesting dishes. I would say that travel and trying new food and
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