“I had dental anxiety as a child pretty severely, and even now, I really don't like having work done on myself,” Dr. Davis said. “I think that really helps patients feel like I'm not judging them, because I've dealt with it too.”
Helping patients overcome anxiety
Dr. Davis didn’t necessarily set out to be the go-to provider for patients with dental anxiety, but over the years, her approach has made her office a refuge for those who need extra reassurance and support. Patients are encouraged to move at their own pace, while Dr. Davis and her team check-in on how much information someone wants, how fast they’d like to proceed and what they need to feel at ease.
To make patients more comfortable, the practice offers sedation dentistry, with a number of patient comfort options, including:
- Nitrous, or laughing gas
- Conscious sedation
- IV sedation
“We've had several patients who, when they first started coming to see us, would cry every time they sat in the chair and we would have to do IV sedation,” Dr. Davis said. “Then we could do some conscious sedation as they became more comfortable, and now they need no sedation. A lot of it is trying to overcome what has happened in the past and make them comfortable now.”
A dedicated, passionate team
One of the aspects of the practice that make it stand out is its people. Dr. Davis has built a tight-knit, long-standing team. Several staff members have been with her for all eight years she’s been in practice in Richardson. She said turnover is rare due to the culture of respect, flexibility and mutual care.
“One of my hygienists only works four hours a week, and while I would love for her to be there more, that's what she needed for her kids, and I was willing to be patient with her until she was ready to work more again,” Dr. Davis said. “I want my team to know that they matter more than just what they produce in the office. They matter as people, just like the patients.”
That inclusive, nonjudgmental environment has fueled the practice’s growth and built patient loyalty.
“Our team is really good at caring for patients,” she said. “We are curious about their lives. We don't just want to know about them from a dental perspective. We want to know them as people. Knowing them as people and not just as a set of teeth in a chair, helps us treat them better.”
Experience the difference
Whether it has been years since a patient’s last dental visit or they need a more compassionate approach, Dr. Meredith G. Davis and her caring team are prepared to meet each patient with understanding and care.
The practice is located at 819 W. Arapaho Road, Ste. 58A, Richardson. Visit www.meredithdavisdds.com or call 972-231-4876 to schedule an appointment today.
The above story was produced by Multi-platform Journalist Mary Katherine Shapiro with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
