When Dr. Brian Shepanski, DMD, joined the Oxford Dental Associates office in August of this year, one of the things that he appreciated the most is the emphasis that is placed on providing patients with comprehensive and convenient dental care in a comfortable environment.

“We’re a family-oriented practice—we treat everybody from children to seniors,” Shepanski explained. “The staff is great. The patients are wonderful.”

Those patients of all ages can come to Oxford Dental Associates for general, cosmetic, and restorative dental care and know that they are receiving treatment from a well-trained staff that is utilizing state-of-the-art equipment.

“We can do everything, including extractions and implants, all under one roof,” explained Dr. Peter Patellis, DMD. For the last 26 years, Dr. Patellis has built up his practice at the Kennett Center for Advanced Dentistry by providing the highest level of care for patients. When Dr. Patellis learned that Dr. Robert Strong was planning on retiring from his practice in Oxford, he decided that he would expand to a second location. They opened Oxford Dental Associates and moved Dr. Strong’s patients to the new office, providing them with the same level of care that is expected at the Kennett Center for Advanced Dentistry.

Dr. Patellis explained the mission of the professionals in his dental offices. “People both seek and avoid dental treatment for a variety of reasons,” he explained. “We will not judge you based on your current oral health, past treatment decisions, or current desires. Our mission is simply to help you understand what it takes to have a healthy mouth and a beautiful, confident smile.”

Assembling a talented team of dentists and dental hygienists was an essential part of opening a second office. Adding Dr. Shepanski to the practice four months ago increased the number of dentists to four in the office.

“We’ve been looking for someone to be here on a full-time basis,” Patellis explained, noting that the Kennett Square and Oxford offices work collaboratively to ensure that patients are receiving the best level of treatment.

Dr. Shepanski grew up in nearby Glen Mills, so he was familiar with the area before he joined Oxford Dental Associates. He did his undergraduate work at the University of Delaware before graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine in 2007. He worked in a dental office in Broomall, Pa. for the next nine years before deciding to accept an offer to work at Oxford Dental Associates earlier in 2016.

“It was a unique opportunity with a lot of potential,” Shepanski explained.

The Oxford Dental Associates office itself boasts of modern, comfortable rooms and state-of-the-art equipment that are designed with patients in mind.

The office has a digital panograph X-ray machine that produces images that enables the staff to get a good look at a patient’s mouth. Utilizing digital radiography dramatically reduces the level of radiation that would be used by conventional film X-rays. The digital images can now be sent directly to the computer screen for the dentist to make a diagnosis and determine what may be needed to provide the patient with the best treatment possible.

Oxford Dental Associates also has a Cerec machine that allows a permanent crown to be built and placed during the same visit—a tremendous convenience for patients who are saved the extra appointment to the dental office. A digital 3D camera creates a digital image of the prepared tooth. The computer-aided design (CAD) software enables the staff to design and create precise restorations that are specific to the patient's dental needs. These highly durable restorations can also be color-matched for a more natural looking smile. This technology eliminates the need for messy impressions, a temporary crown, and in most cases, can be completed in one visit.

“That’s a huge shift in technology,” Dr. Shepanski explained. “Everyone loves fewer appointments.”

Technology has certainly changed—and improved—the level of dental care over the years, but there is no substitute for a professional and caring staff. Dr. Shepanski noted that the staff at Oxford Dental Associates is very involved in the community and they provide a very family-friendly environment for the patients.

“Our staff knows the patients well,” Dr. Shepanski said. “It’s nice to be a part of that.”

The staff at Oxford Dental Associates pursues continuing education opportunities to stay informed about the latest technologies and treatments.

The staff is well-trained in cosmetic dentistry, which can range from more simple procedures like teeth whitening, to more complex procedures, like a complete smile makeover that improves both appearance and function. Cosmetic dentistry can improve stained, chipped, or misshapen teeth. Patients can also seek whitening treatments and veneers at the office. Dr. Shepanski has been trained in the Invisalign orthodontic treatment system, and will be offering that to patients as well.

Oxford Dental Associates is located at 102 Conner Road in Oxford. For more information, visit www.oxfordsmiles.com or call 610-932-3388.