CLEARWATER, FL—(Marketwired – November 20, 2015) – Clearwater Dental Associates, a leading family dental office, has brought back a former employee and added a new position to its growing practice.
The Clearwater dental practice hired Gale Decker as a hygiene coordinator, and Karen Garrett will rejoin the practice as dental insurance coordinator. Both Decker and Garrett joined the team earlier this year.
Garrett worked with the practice for more than 15 years as a dental assistant and returned to the practice in an administrative role. She is the practice's first insurance coordinator.
“Having Karen as our dedicated insurance coordinator will benefit our patients by making sure all claims and predeterminations are paid in a timely manner,” said Matthew Burton, of Clearwater Dental Associates. “We have never had a dedicated insurance coordinator before, and we are hoping having someone in this position will improve our efficiency even more.”
Decker began with Clearwater Dental Associates in the summer and oversees all aspects of the hygiene scheduling department.
“Having Gail as our hygiene coordinator will help reactivate our overdue patients and oversee that patients on our 'call list' are contacted when an appointment becomes available,” Dr. Burton said.
Clearwater Dental Associates, 2226 Druid Rd. E., provides implant dentistry, general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. The office offers single and All–on–4 dental implants, implant–supported and removable dentures, Invisalign, veneers, ceramic crowns, at–home Zoom! whitening treatments, oral appliances for snoring and sleep apnea, extractions for wisdom teeth, gum surgery, root canals and three forms of sedation dentistry (IV, oral conscious and nitrous oxide).
Clearwater Dental Associates has five general dentists and visiting specialists, making it a comprehensive dental practice. Dr. Burton is a partner in the practice alongside Dr. James Hayslett and Dr. Nolan Allen.
Dr. Burton joined Clearwater Dental Associates in 2003. He and his family were patients at Clearwater Dental Associates before he joined the team. Dr. Burton, a Clearwater native, said he got interested in dentistry after spending five years wearing metal braces as a teenager. He received his undergraduate degree from Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., and then earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Alabama. He has received continuing education from The Pankey Institute and The Dawson Academy, and he has enrolled in a comprehensive implant course to expand his services. He is also active in the Academy of General Dentistry.
Dr. Burton gives back to his community by volunteering at two local dental clinics.
Dr. Hayslett has lived in Clearwater for 30 years. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Indiana University School of Dentistry. He has a long tradition of public service, having recently traveled to Africa twice to provide dental services to young students.
Dr. Allen graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry. He served as a captain in the U.S. Army Dental Corps for two years before co–founding Clearwater Dental Associates. Dr. Allen has been the president of the West Coast District Dental Association, Florida Dental Association and Upper Pinellas County Dental Association. He is a Delegate of the American Dental Association House of Delegates and serves on the National Elder Care Advisory Committee and ADA Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations.
Dr. Maria C. Hernandez, a fourth dentist in the practice, graduated from the University of Miami and the University of Florida College of Dentistry. In 1992, she joined Clearwater Dental Associates and completed her General Dentistry Residency and Advanced Education at the University of Florida. Dr. Hernandez focuses on cosmetic dentistry, oral surgery and preventive care.
Dr. Keith Kiskaddon, the practice's newest associate dentist, is a Pinellas County native who joined the Clearwater Dental Associates staff in late July. Dr. Kiskaddon earned his undergraduate degree in pre–medicine and minors in Bible studies and chemistry from Clearwater Christian College, graduating magna cum laude. He received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. Dr. Kiskaddon has advanced training in oral surgery, endodontics and implant dentistry, as well as dental occlusion and its relation to TMJ disorders.
Clearwater Dental Associates opened in 1978 and was renovated in 2008. It now includes 17 state–of–the–art operatories. Some of the professional staff of dental hygienists and dental assistants have been with the practice for more than 20 years.
For more information about how Clearwater Dental Associates provides some of the best Clearwater family dentistry, visit the website at www.cdadental.com or call 727–373–6628.
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