By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
Transforming lives, one smile at a time.
That’s the goal of Dr. Sam McGuire and the rest of the staff at Great Lakes Dentures and Implants, which held its official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 6.
In addition to complete, partial and fixed dentures, the clinic—located at 380 Oaks Crossing in Plainwell—offers a variety of services including: implants; dental crowns and bridges; extractions; emergency dental services; and preventative dentistry.
“Implants are a big part of our practice,” McGuire said.
Implants are small posts placed in the jaw that can support a crown or denture.
“Many people struggle with wearing partials or dentures, and implants can help give back that confidence and smile when one or more teeth are missing,” McGuire said.
McGuire has been part of the great Kalamazoo dental community for the past 12 years. During that time, he practiced general dentistry with a focus on dentures and implants.
He felt Plainwell was the perfect location for a clinic.
“It’s centrally located between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, and conveniently located off US-131,” he said.
McGuire received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Cedarville University in Ohio before earning his doctor of dental medicine degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Since then, he has taken many continuing-education courses and amassed 300 implant education hours during the past five years.
McGuire has also been active in the community, as he actively participates in local, state and national organizations such as: the American Dental Association; the Michigan Dental Association; Kalamazoo Valley District Dental Society; the International Congress of Oral Implantology; and the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.
He also volunteers at the annual Dr. Soto Dental Day of Caring at the Kalamazoo Family Health Center.
“You can expect high-quality, individual attention and care when you visit us,” McGuire said. “We have convenient hours and can usually make appointments in a timely manner.”
Those current hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment on Saturday.
Two other staff members join McGuire in making the client experience as good as possible.
“Julie has been working with me at the front desk for over 10 years,” McGuire said. “She strives to make everyone feel at home and make the dental process as smooth as possible.
“Ryan has been working with me as an assistant for three years. He loves helping and educating the patients and cracking dad jokes.”
McGuire—who shares three young children with his wife and enjoys family time, running, reading and supporting local businesses—is celebrating the grand opening by running some specials.
For more information about those specials and other aspects of the business, visit www.greatlakesdentures.com.