Meet Parks and Schmit Team Member, Nikki Wegmann

Why did you choose this career?  What brought you to it and what do you like most about it?    I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after high school.  My cousin was a dental assistant and that interested me so I thought I would try it and loved it.

Why Parks and Schmit?  What is different about this office for you?

I like Parks and Schmit because it is a fast-paced and fun office.  The office is different because we as assistants are really involved with our patients treatment.

What’s your favorite dental hygiene tip for keeping your smile looking great?
A tip I give my patients is to use a timer and brush for 2-3 minutes each time.

What do you do in your free time that allows you to share your smile?
I enjoy doing anything outdoors and spending time with my family.

Meet Parks and Schmit Orthodontics Team Member, Kelly Huffman

Why did you choose this career?  What brought you to it and what do you like most about it?    
I have been a dental assistant for 10 years in general dentistry and felt I needed a change.  Orthodontics has always been very interesting to me.  I love to see the changes we do for our patients and the connection we have with them.  I also work with the best group of people. 

Why Parks and Schmit?  What is different about this office for you?
Parks and Schmit was the change I needed.  They have been very helpful and willing to teach me about orthodontics.  They have taught me the importance of people’s smiles and how much we care about them and their appearance.  
 
What’s your favorite dental hygiene tip for keeping your smile looking great? 

I know everyone knows how to brush and floss but I also believe that if you have braces, using a mouth rinse is a must.  I feel it helps out in every way.  

What do you do in your free time that allows you to share your smile? 

In my free time I spend a lot of time with my family; husband, Chris, 6 year old daughter, Addison, and 2 year old son, Ethan.  I also enjoy camping, boating, swimming and Iowa football games. 

Meet Parks and Schmit Team Member, Nicole Bindi

Why did you choose this career?  What brought you to it and what do you like most about it?    
I had to get braces for a 2nd time my senior year of high school.  As you can imagine, I wasn't excited about starting college with braces, but I  had the option of wearing clear brackets and my classmates just thought I was wearing a retainer.  Despite initially dreading the whole situation, I ended up looking forward to my visits to Parks and Schmit.  I  loved that the doctors and staff always seemed to be having fun and enjoying what they were doing.  That is when I decided I wanted to work at Parks and Schmit!

Why Parks and Schmit?  What is different about this office for you? 

There is no other office like ours!  We provide fun, comfortable, state -of-the-art orthodontics in a professional setting.  We treat our patients like friends and deliver the best results around!

What’s your favorite dental hygiene tip for keeping your smile looking great? 

I am a HUGE flossing advocate and I believe that it's all about technique.  Once you pass the floss through your teeth, you're not done! You have to wrap the floss around each tooth and scrape up and down to remove the bacteria under your gums.

What do you do in your free time that allows you to share your smile? 

I love spending time with my family and friends.  I like anything outdoors-y... biking, hiking, boating, camping and live music.  I have a 5 year old Chihuahua/rat terrier mix that loves to go anywhere she can with me and I spoil her every chance I get!

Meet Parks and Schmit Team Member, Janell Baldwin

Why did you choose this career?  What brought you to it and what do you like most about it?    
I chose to be a Dental Assistant, because of the assistant at the dental office where I went as a child.  Her name was Maria, and she was great!  She inspired me to want to help people with their fears of dentistry, and take care of people's teeth for their health..

Why Parks and Schmit?  What is different about this office for you? 

Great Doctors!  I truly enjoy seeing the excellent results our patients get when they are finished with treatment.  Their teeth look awesome and the self-confidence that comes with it.  This is what I love about my job.... and, helping others!!

What’s your favorite dental hygiene tip for keeping your smile looking great? 

Eating healthy, brushing 3x times a day and flossing daily.

What do you do in your free time that allows you to share your smile? 

Spending time with my family and friends always makes me smile.  I love to bike ride, hike, walk, fish, read, movies and photography! (Nature photos are my favorite to take!)

Meet Parks and Schmit Staff Member, Lois Bowman

Why did you choose this career?  What brought you to it and what do you like most about it?    
I'm a lab tech so I enjoy making retainers and the different appliances that people need throughout their orthodontic treatment.

Why Parks and Schmit?  What is different about this office for you? 

Drs. Parks and Schmit are very caring people, but they are also the most intelligent and innovative doctors that I have ever worked for.  They have included digital x-rays, computer software, Invisalign and the indirect method of braces placement into their everyday practice.

What’s your favorite dental hygiene tip for keeping your smile looking great? 

I brush my teeth a lot so I use a soft bristled brush.  I subscribe to the rule of; don't brush hard, brush thorough!

What do you do in your free time that allows you to share your smile? 

I ride a Harley in my free time.  A lot of my rides are benefit rides that raise money for many deserving charities.  When I'm on my bike I keep my mouth closed but when I stop, I have a constant smile:)

Meet Parks and Schmit Orthodontics Staff Member, Sharon Lauterwasser!

Why did you choose this career?  What brought you to it and what do you like most about it?    
When I was a little girl, I went to a "bad" dentist.  I had cavities all the time despite brushing religiously.  The dentist never used Novocain and drilled away.  I knew that when I grew up, if I could make just one kid not hate going to the dentist, then I would have successful days.  So, I became a dental assistant! 

Why Parks and Schmit?  What is different about this office for you? 

I actually did my dental assisting internship with Dr. Gerald Eganhouse.  There was an opening in the office and he offered me the job!  That was in 1978.  Drs. Parks and Schmit took over the practice in 2000, and I’m still here!  Initially, I was a dental assistant for ten years and then I took a position submitting insurance and now I am a scheduling coordinator.  I have seen many changes over the years at Eganhouse, DeKock, Purdie and Parks and Schmit, and I feel that the patient really does come first.  If we are able to make their experience here a positive one, then we have done our job! 

What’s your favorite dental hygiene tip for keeping your smile looking great? 

Always make time in your life to brush and floss.  Every day! 

What do you do in your free time that allows you to share your smile? 

Getting together with friends and family!

April Fools at Parks and Schmit Orthodontics

A patient's husband recently teamed up with the team at Parks and Schmit to fool his wife into thinking she had to wear head gear.  Watch him surprise her!