Ashtabula Dental Associates

By ELLEN KOLMAN - Staff Writer - ekolman@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

November 14, 2007 09:54 pm

— ASHTABULA — A tradition of providing the best in dental care is what Ashtabula Dental Associates is all about.
Ashtabula Dental Associates, located at 5005 State Road, is co-owned by Dr. Greg Seymour and Dr. Bill Sockman, and includes the services of three more full-time general dentists. They are Dr. Julius Bader, Dr. Michael DeBellis and Dr. Paul Sekulic.
“This practice began in the 1950s by Dr. Curtis Mertz,” Sockman said. “He had the idea of having a couple of dentists practicing together and a couple of specialists coming in, so his office would not have to refer out for oral surgery and orthodontics.”
Many specialized dental practices are also available at Ashtabula Dental Associates by five independent dental specialists. They are Dr. Michael Kolodychak and Dr. Timothy Armanini, oral surgery and maxillofacial surgery, Dr. Peter Maragos, periodontics and implants, Dr. Mark Gorman, endodontics, and Dr. C. Ted Forsberg, orthodontics.
Even before the days of high gas prices, Ashtabula Dental Associates was concerned about keeping services close to home.
“My brother, James Sockman, joined the practice in 1970 and built upon Dr. Mertz’s idea by adding more dentists and specialists including a periodontist and an endodonist,” Sockman said.
Murtz retired in 1985 and Bill Sockman came on board in 1986, and Seymour, after having a private practice for five years, joined the dental group in 1987.
“This is an excellent professional association,” Seymour said. “Our patient care is a real plus because the specialists enable the patients to stay here in the city.”
“Another great asset for our patients is the other professionals here to discuss special patient care and patient needs, as well as different treatment plans,” Stockman said.
The size of Ashtabula Dental Associates is very unique in the dental world.
“We are the second or third largest practice in the state. We often have dentists from other cities or states visit us and marvel at how we do this,” said Stockman.
“This is what drew me here, a chance to be a part of all this,” Seymour said.
The 7,000 square foot building at the State Road location was completed 10 years ago and offers 22 treatment rooms, an oral surgery suite, offices, storage rooms and a comfortable waiting area.
Ashtabula Dental Associates, at present, employs 42 people, including hygienists, dental assistants, and administrative and clerical personnel.
“We have doubled our staff since 1986 and the production for the practice has increased more than five-fold,” Stockman said.
“We have made a commitment to stay in Ashtabula City and we feel this is important to this area,” Seymour said.
What can a patient expect at Ashtabula Dental Associates?
General dentistry for all ages includes: check-ups, cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, partial dentures, veneers, bonding and bleaching.
Special dentistry includes oral surgery, implants, orthodontics, root canals, gums, maxillofacial surgery and more.
While most lab work is sent out, many things are made right in the office, such as denture repair work and a computer aided CEREC machine, which allows the dentists to take three dimensional pictures and then a milling unit creates the crown while patient waits.
“Our goal is to continue to maintain the stature we have achieved in the community and remain on the cutting edge of the changes that continuously occur in dentistry,” Stockman said. “We can do this because we have the greatest people here who are dedicated to providing the highest quality of dental care in our area.”
Call to make an appointment at Ashtabula Dental Associates at 440-992-3146.

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