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| The three dentists:
Timothy Knotek (right) who came on board
in 1988, Joshua Agrimson (middle) who joined
the staff this summer, and Stephen Schwalbach
who began the practice in 1972. Submitted
photo |
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Associated Dentists finished its 3,000-square foot
remodeling and expansion job about a month ago. Patients
apparently give the new look a thumb’s up.
Most of the added space is for patients and the front-office
staff. It features a huge reception area with a window-lined
wall, salt-water aquarium, small kids’ area, waterfall
feature in the foyer, many comfortable leather chairs
and artwork - lots of new artwork.
“We have some very loyal customers and wanted
to create a comfortable, soothing space for them,” said
Dr. Tim Knotek, who started at Associated Dentists in
1988 and is one of the three dentists who work there.
He said one patient told him they’d never felt
so relaxed in a dental office. Another simply said, “It’s
beautiful.”
Some people have stopped by just to see the inside.
Knotek said the salt-water aquarium requires intense
upkeep, but that everyone really likes it.
He takes care of it himself and said, “You have
to be careful It’s like a big chemistry project
in there.”
Space wasn’t the only thing the dentists added.
They upgraded technology, including new computers in
every room and digital x-rays that display on a screen.
Knotek said it’s great to be able to magnify the
tooth image to really tell what’s going on.
Most important, he said, the new x-ray technique makes
for about 90% less exposure to the patient than the
old way.
Notes in patients’ files are now on the computer
screen instead of scribbles in a file folder. Most of
the office was improved. Some treatment rooms were updated,
many walls got fresh paint and some of the flooring
was replaced.
Knotek said they used to run out of parking occasionally.
But during the expansion and remodeling project, the
office expanded parking and made it more user friendly.
He said, “There should be plenty for everyone
now.”
Some landscaping improvements will have to wait until
spring. The only outside work that might be done yet
this year is decorating the big evergreen out front
for the holidays.
For the most part, the space designed by Frisbie Architects
of River Falls is officially finished.
Dr. Stephen Schwalbach opened the practice in 1972,
and Knotek said it’s nice that the expansion makes
the office appear more modern. They expanded the back
side of the building in 1998, but it still had an old-style
roof.
Knotek acknowledges rapid growth locally and adds, “River
Falls is doing a great job maintaining that small-town
community even with all the development.”
“The bottom line is more comfort and relaxation
for the patients,” he said. “It’s
key to be able to welcome new patients and try to accommodate
everyone as quickly as possible.”
Accommodating everyone is a growing responsibility.
The office sports an entire wall of patient files, and
more space was needed not only for the patients, but
also for the growing staff that cares for them.
Associated Dentists’ Office Manager Zenda Moore
said they have a 26-person staff. It includes three
dentists plus hygienists, assistants and front-office
folks.
Knotek said it’s key that they maintain the ability
to take new patients and that the major motivation behind
the new comforts and technology is “to allow us
to provide better service to patients.”
He said the office will have an open house sometime
soon but hasn’t decided on a date yet. Meanwhile,
Associated Dentists welcomes everyone who may need them
for any number of services:
- Family dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Oral surgery
- Implants
- Dentures
- Whitening
- Bonding
- Emergencies
- TMJ treatment
The office is located at 650 South Main St. and is
open Monday through Friday. The staff usually finishes
by noon Friday but takes late appointments on Wednesdays.
People can stop by Associated Dentists or call 425-6732. |
