Story by Peter A. Roos
In January we suggested a local dentist, Silas E. Daniel III DDS to start the year off right and give yourself the gift of a healthy smile and better health. Now, Dr. Daniel is spreading that message himself, on behalf of a very qualified dentist who has practiced for over ten years, Dr. Rachel Caldwell.
With a beautiful, state-of-the-art office conveniently located right behind Spiro’s Restaurant & Deli in South Pasadena, patients have come to Dr. Daniel for over 30 years for innovated technology and the highest quality dental care.
As Dr. Daniel heads to retirement, he agrees he was incredibly lucky finding Rachel Caldwell, DMD, to take over his practice. “Dr. Caldwell has the same passion for learning and dedication as I do. I wanted to leave my patients and the practice that I made my life’s work in the hands of someone that had a similar philosophy for patient care and commitment to excellence. I wanted my patients to feel that they would be treated with the same respect and consideration that I had always given them. These days the practitioner-owned office has become a minority. My patients are used to being treated as individuals not just a chart number. Dr. Caldwell shares my beliefs that the patient’s needs rather than the business needs are paramount. I would have made more money selling to a big corporation but that was not in the best interest of my patients.”
In a city where you can throw a rock and hit three different dental offices, patien have a great opportunity to handpick a dental office that suits their needs base on location but also on their particular goals. So, what makes Dr. Caldwell stand out?
Many offices do a great job with the “bacterial” side of dentistry…cavities, gum disease, crowns to fix decayed teeth. But did you know there is a whole other side of dentistry that relates to the forces that we put on our teeth? Did you know that examining your mouth for signs and symptoms of unstable forces can prevent future breakage of teeth and crowns and save you time, money and the effort that goes into new dental work? This is one of the cornerstones of Dr. Caldwell’s dental philosophy. Each patient will get a very thorough exam that includes the “bacteria” side of dentistry as well as the “forces” aspect.
Another aspect of Dr. Caldwell’s unique philosophy is the fact that she spends a lot of time with her patients educating them about their particular problems and instead of giving a “one size fits all” solution, she works through many scenarios with the patient until they together have a plan that is ideal for the patient, their family and their budget. “This is a huge win for the patients,” states Dr. Caldwell, “because I know personally that if I were to need a medical procedure done, it would have to fit into my family budget as well as the time constraints I have with a business and children at home.
My approach considers the whole person, not just their teeth. I feel great about creating treatment plans together with my patients and being able to spend extra time so that they can be 100% comfortable with OUR plan, not MY plan.”
Also, Dr. Caldwell stands out as a leader among her profession. Dr. Caldwell may never tell you, but she is on faculty for two of the most prestigious and world-renowned organizations that teach other practicing dentists around the world. Dr. Caldwell’s skillset allows her to teach the principles of complex dentistry and how to consistently achieve predictable, long-lasting dentistry from simple fillings to whole-mouth reconstructions.
Before you choose a dental office for your a family member, you should be able to talk to the dentist and staff in person to ensure you would feel comfortable. “It is my goal to make sure that every patient that comes to our office feels welcome and that I am on their team when it comes to dealing with insurance or finances. We offer free ‘second opinions’ to possibly provide an alternative approach.
“I know that fear can keep people from seeing the dentist. Rest assured that we have innovative techniques, such as painless injections or the use of sedation for calming fears. Our staff is very under standing, and we all want this to be a great experience for everyone who walks in the door.”
“We have such a great team here. Angelynn, our hygienist, is praised for her gentle touch; she is amazing. Lora does a wonderful job of answering patient’s questions and setting their minds at ease. We communicate well together. We are like family and we are working for a doctor we love.”
“Dr. Caldwell’s patients love her too,” says Elizabeth the office manager her for several years.
Dr. Caldwell was raised in St. Petersburg. She attended Blessed Sacrament and St. Petersburg Catholic High School. After graduating from the University of Florida, she remained in Gainesville to earn her Degree of Dental Medicine from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. She was the owner of her own practice in Winter Springs for 7 years. Believing that there is nothing more important than the love and support of family, Dr. Caldwell sold her practice and moved back to St. Petersburg to fulfill her vision of “Family First.”
They keep convenient hours:
Mon – Wed 8 am – 6 pm and Thursday 8 am – 2 pm at their office located a933 Oleander Way South, Suite 6, South Pasadena, FL 33707. They file insurance claims for patient’s convenience and accept Care Credit and major credit cards.
“My staff and I welcome the opportunity to take care of your dental needs,” Rachel Caldwell told Paradise NEWS recently. If you would like to schedule an appointment or have any questions, please call Elizabeth at 727-343-9134. PN