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Dentist celebrates 40 years of smiles
By Brad Witty
On Aug. 18, Dr. Gerald Smith started his 41st year of practicing dentistry in Frisco.
Four decades have passed since Smith received his dental degree from The University of Texas School of Dentistry in Houston, and came to Frisco, which at that time had a population less than 4,500.
In 1966, Smith set up his practice and became Frisco's only full-time dentist at that time. The clinic then was on Oak Street just north of Main in the old downtown section. In 1974, Smith relocated to the new Crestview Professional Center on Main Street, where his practice continues.
"It's my home," he said. "I'm a North Texas person. I was born and raised on Preston Road. I decided that I wanted to come here when I was in college."
Smith said the best part of his job is "the people. Always the people. We cover an area from Dallas County to Grayson County. I love the situation where you have four or five generations of families. We have about 5,000 total patients, and we have about 1,000 families that have been coming to us since 1966."
The atmosphere of the clinic also presents a great love for people. Pictures of Smith's young patients fill part of a wall in the hallway.
The growth of Frisco over the last 10 years has tripled the number of patients coming through the office. The only negative thing Smith sees about the growth is that he doesn't "quite get to know the people as well."
Besides maintaining many of the same patients, Smith has kept many of the same employees over the years.
Office associate Roxie Watson began working for Dr. Smith more than 19 years ago. Watson did not always want to work full time because she wanted to stay at home with her children as much as possible.
Therefore, Smith allowed her to continue all those years on a part-time basis. If she needed time off for school or church functions, he was always very supportive.
Dental hygienist Zeb Genn joined the clinic staff in 1995.
"I have enjoyed working with him and all of the staff," Genn said. "We are like family. He is very considerate about his staff and their families. He always wants us to give our families top priority."
Dr. Smith's wife, Jane, handles instrument sterilization, as well as making the patients feel more at ease by sharing an interest in their families.
Frisco has indeed changed since the arrival of Smith. His dental clinic, too, has expanded. Yet the warm hometown atmosphere of Smith's office remains.
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