The Heart Behind the Smiles: Compassionate Care at Open Door Dental
Department Spotlight
Nearly half of all adults in the United States have some level of fear about going to the dentist. For some people, memories of childhood dental visits loom large. Others point to stories they’ve heard from people around them. Movies don’t help – they often portray dental work as always painful.
It’s all the more remarkable, then, that patients of the Open Door dental department report a different type of experience:
“They were so amazing! Very quick and easy appointment! Everyone was very kind and helped ease my nerves. Will definitely be returning.”
“I like to think I'm like most people that have a little anxiety about going to the dentist. My experience with the Open Door Dental Clinic was such a positive one! I would recommend anyone with a fear of dental work go there!”
“It's a blessing for people who don't have health insurance, like me. They're very kind and do everything they can to offer great help! Thank you so much!!”
Hollie Gindhart, Open Door’s dental practice manager, isn’t surprised by these comments, but each one still means a lot. After working in dental offices for 30 years, Hollie knows that positivity, communication, and care can make all the difference. “I love our team’s passion for listening to our patients and providing them with the very best care. We also have a lot of fun together! It’s great being in a community health center where so many services are available. If one of our patients needs their blood pressure checked, I can walk them down the hall.”
Easing Patient Anxieties
“We know that people don’t love coming to the dentist. People remind us of that all the time. But I don’t want them to dread their appointments,” said Kayla Laudenbacher, dental hygienist. “I never want them to feel judged or embarrassed. On anyone’s worst day, I have seen worse, and that is what I’m here for. I want patients to be assured that I will make their experience as pain-free as possible.”
Amber Meadows, a dental assistant, agreed. “I’ve been in [the patients’] shoes before. I know what it’s like to be anxious. I want my patients to feel comfortable and relaxed knowing that I can help them.”
Addressing Access
Dr. Ali Whitehair-Thomas
Another common deterrent to dental care is cost. A CDC study in 2008 found that among adults with an oral health problem, the top reason for avoiding the dentist was not being able to afford it.
Open Door offers a sliding fee scale based on income and household size, making quality dental care more accessible to more people. That’s a big reason why Dr. Whitehair-Thomas chose to practice at Open Door.
“A person’s oral health is such a big part of their overall health and wellbeing. But a lot of people don’t have dental insurance, so they don’t see the dentist regularly. Their children don’t get dental care, either,” said Whitehair-Thomas. “The sliding fee scale at Open Door is so important. It allows me to help people that I couldn’t see in private practice.”
Improving Whole-Person Health
The number of Open Door dental patients has increased dramatically over the last few years. The department served 895 patients in January 2025 alone. More patients mean more opportunities for Kayla and her colleague, dental hygienist Ariel Peckham, to talk about one of their favorite subjects – gum disease.
“It’s true. Kayla and I love to talk about it!” said Ariel. “Oral health is not only about teeth; it’s also about gums and bones. We see a lot of periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. If left untreated, it can spread to the bones and cause major health problems throughout the body. We are passionate about helping our patients understand it, prevent it, and catch it early. We also love treating it and seeing how much better our patients feel.”
Many dental problems like gum disease can be eliminated with tiny changes in daily lifestyle, like brushing regularly, Kayla said. “I want people to want better for themselves. Little habits can make a big difference.”
Inspiring Others
As a way to invest in the next generation of dental professionals, Open Door Dental offers internship opportunities for students of the Ivy Tech Dental Hygiene Program. The student interns receive mentoring and hands-on experience as they work alongside the team in a real clinical environment.
In December 2024, the department was recognized with the Open Door Team of the Year Award for their consistently high marks in patient care and quality measures. “Our success comes from supporting each other no matter what,” said Hollie. “We truly enjoy helping people and putting smiles back on their faces.”