Wendy Maple spends most of her days working in a tight space, often using a drill and a small mirror.
Her job requires a lot of hand-eye coordination, and at times she can see only the reflection of the object she is working on.
“I don’t think it’s that bad,” she said. “You have to be OK with it and get used to it.”
For the past five years, Maple has worked as a dentist, and she truly enjoys her work, even though the response from patients isn’t always positive.
“People come in and say, ‘Oh, no offense, I hate the dentist,’” she said. “You don’t take it personally. You get used to it.”
Maple said she doesn’t blame patients who aren’t enthusiastic about making the visit. She says she doesn’t like having her teeth worked on either.
Working as a dentist wasn’t something Maple originally planned to do with her life. She originally earned a degree in finance, but she eventually decided to pursue a career in medicine and a dental degree seemed a perfect fit.
She hasn’t regretted her decision.
“We really get to help a lot of people stay healthy and have a nice smile,” she said.
The dentist especially enjoys working with crowns for the front teeth. The crowns can make a great difference in a person’s smile, she said, and patients notice the change right away.
She also likes helping younger children enjoy their visits to the dentist. The dentist believes if someone has a good experience as a child, that will cut down on the fear as the person grows older.
“People are afraid of the dentist,” she said. “That’s one bad aspect. We just try to be as nice as we can be and explain things.”
She says it is important to explain to the patient what is going to happen, to be honest with them and make the experience as good as it can possibly be.
Monday is the busiest day of the week at the office. Maple explained she receives more emergency calls on Monday, often because of something that happened over the weekend.
“It makes it interesting when we get an emergency call with someone in pain,” she said. “We try to get them in as fast as we can.”
Her days consist of regular checkups with patients, once the hygienist completes the cleaning. Maple always checks for cavities and signs of oral cancer.
In addition, the dentist sees patients for fillings, crowns, dentures, partials, root canals and extractions.
“We pull teeth when we have to,” she said. “It depends on what the person wants.”
Maple works closely with dental assistant Kim Bowen, who has worked at the job for 25 years. She usually sets up the room, preps the patients and can place fillings too. Bowen also makes temporary crowns, takes impressions of teeth, sterilizes work tools and orders supplies.
Maple said she also has an assistant in the room with her during procedures.
“Sometimes you have to have four hands,” she said.
In addition to her work inside the office, Maple said she must also complete the required amount of training every two years. The sessions she attends helps her keep up to date and allows her to learn new techniques.
Maple said in order to do her job, a person would have to love it.
“You definitely have to want to be a dentist to do it,” she said. “There are a lot of skills involved.”
Denise Massie can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or via e-mail at denise.massie@pharostribune.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
ORAL EXAM: Dr. Wendy Maple works on the teeth of Barbara Cotner of Logansport. P-T photo | Arnold Ernest
-
TAKING A LOOK: Dr. Wendy Maple examines the X-rays of a patient. P-T photo | Arnold Ernest
-
OPEN WIDE: Dr. Wendy Maple checks Nellie Scott’s teeth after the hygienist has finished a routine cleaning. P-T photo | Arnold Ernest
Discussion
Maintaining smiles
<b>Dentist enjoys helping patients stay healthy</b>
- Local News
-
- Daddy/Daughter Valentine Dance
-
Victory worth celebrating: United Way raises more than $600,000 for area organizations
Joe Johnson stood at the front of the room where a “small army” of community leaders had just been recognized for their work in raising more than $600,000 for United Way of Cass County. “Woah,” said the incoming campaign chairman. “This is scary.”
-
Accused rapist charged with felony in Arizona
A Logansport man out on bail on multiple sex-related charges was arrested last week in Arizona after police say he tried to attack his dad with a pair of kitchen knives.
-
Jurors: Galveston man not guilty of molest
A jury took only an hour Wednesday to decide that a Galveston man was not guilty of molesting a 9-year-old girl a decade ago.
-
Sen. Head to run for re-election
State Sen. Randy Head announced Wednesday he will seek re-election.
-
Retired Navy chief, former judge announce bids for local office
A former Cass Superior Court judge and a retired senior chief with the Navy announced their candidacies for local seats Wednesday.
-
Snowless savings: Warm weather lowers expenses
The unseasonably warm temperatures have allowed state and local road crews to perform roadwork usually conducted in the fall, lowered Logansport Municipal Utilities electric usage and saved all departments overtime pay for employees.
-
Logansport sees jump in grad rate
Logansport High School saw its graduation rate jump four percentage points in numbers released this week by the Indiana Department of Education.
-
Officials break ground on $1.1M Eel River Run
Contractors are set to begin work on the mile-long Eel River Run trail in downtown Logansport — the result of more than eight years of planning.
-
Fifth candidate files for county council
A longtime Logansport Municipal Utilities worker and former business owner is the first Democrat to file for county office in the coming primary election.
- More Local News Headlines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
