Bringing brilliant smiles to Oxford

Photo:

CLEANING – Jon Frothingham gets his teeth cleaned by his wife, Tamsyn. The couple recently built a dental hygienist office in Oxford.

Photo: Jackie Rybeck

CLEANING – Jon Frothingham gets his teeth cleaned by his wife, Tamsyn. The couple recently built a dental hygienist office in Oxford.

OXFORD – In 2009, the Maine legislature passed a law allowing qualified dental hygienists to practice independently without the supervision of a dentist, making preventative services more available to rural communities and underserved areas.

Tamsyn Frothingham of West Paris owns such a practice in Oxford, called Brilliant Smiles.

She is a 1996 graduate of Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School and attended the University of New England, where she studied dental hygiene. She has been practicing for 11 years; the past nine of which have been with Dr. Nancy Sargent in Falmouth.

How did she come to open her own independent office?

“In 2009 I visited my friend, who opened one of the state’s first independent practices in Dover Foxcroft and it made me realize how beneficial this concept could be to my community,” she said. “I applied for my license and opened my own office in October 2010.”

The office, located on 79 Roller Rink Road, was built by Tamsyn and her husband Jon, but walking in the building is far from what you would expect. With its white-washed wood flooring, oceanside-painted walls and large white rocking chairs, the beautifully-decorated office gives the ambiance of a peaceful cottage next to the sea.

“Our goal is to give people an alternative option for preventative dental care,” explained the hygienist. “We strive for a relaxed, calming atmosphere, where some of the traditional fears of a dental office can be forgotten.”

At Brilliant Smiles, patients can have an array preventative services performed.

“This includes cleanings for children and adults, fluoride treatments, sealant application, initial oral assessment, periodontal and restorative charting and oral hygiene instruction,” she said. “We also supply referrals as needed to other dental professionals.”

“We are not allowed to take x-rays, diagnose decay or do restorative work,” she added.

There are many benefits to seeing an independent hygienist.

“We are prevention specialists!” she smiled. “This is what we do. And because it’s my own practice I’m able to schedule as much time as I feel is necessary with each patient which gives me the opportunity to address their specific needs to the best of my ability.”

Brilliant Smiles accepts MaineCare and most all insurance forms.

Currently the office is open on Friday and Saturday from 7 am to 6 pm, but as patients increase, so will the hours.

“We hope to eventually be open Monday through Friday, offering some night and weekend hours as well.”

The hygienist is glad to have opened her practice.

“I’m just really excited to provide quality, affordable preventative dental care to our community!”

Frothingham and her husband live in West Paris with their two “fabulous” cats: Hank and Murrey.

For more information, call Brilliant Smiles at 539-8188.