HANCOCK-With the right combination of compassion and expertise, the dentists at Superior Smiles can turn a potentially daunting trip to the dentist’s office into a comfortable, caring experience that is sure to leave patients smiling.

Now, with the addition of Doctor Sarah Mettlach, board certified pediatric dentist, Superior Smiles is more ready than ever to provide gentle, quality dentistry to patients of all ages. Originally from the Upper Peninsula, Doctor Mettlach holds a dental degree from the University of Michigan, as well as a Master of Science and Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Michigan and Mott Children’s Health Center. She is returning to the area after working in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Doctor Mettlach is excited to bring her specialized training to local families.

“Our goal is to focus on making the experience of coming to the dentist fun and kid-friendly,” Mettlach said. She adds that it is important to establish a “dental home” for children as early as possible. “It’s a place where they can learn about their teeth, about oral health, and hopefully a place that they’ll want to return to in the future,” Mettlach said.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children visit the dentist six months after their first tooth comes in, or by the age of one.

“The advantage of taking your child to a pediatric dentist is that we have specialized training in child psychology and behavior management, ways to put the child at ease during a dental appointment. We have lots of methods and techniques that we can use,” Mettlach said.

Working with children and families is its own reward for Mettlach.

“I love working with families and with kids from an early age,” Mettlach said. “We have kids who are anxious and nervous about their visit, and we can help work them through it and they’re so proud of themselves afterward. It’s great when you can see that transition.”

Superior Smiles isn’t just for the kids, however. The staff at Superior Smiles is equipped to care for patients of all ages. Doctor Mettlach joins three other general dentists, Doctor Ron Fisher, Doctor Anthony Sarazin, and Doctor Joseph A. Strong, as well as four full-time dental hygienists. Together, the team provides a variety of cosmetic, preventative, and restorative dentistry services to patients, including cleanings, exams, whitening, implants, dentures, extractions, and more. All services are performed in a relaxed environment.

Every member of the Superior Smiles staff is ready to make sure that you and your family maintain a beautiful, healthy smile for life. Doctor Fisher and his staff are excited to welcome Doctor Mettlach to the team.

“The team at Superior Smiles saw a need in the area for specialized pediatric dental care,” Fisher said. “In the past, we have had to send some children as far away as Marquette, Green Bay, and even Duluth for specialized dental care. With the addition of Doctor Mettlach to our team, we can now take care of them right here in our Hancock office … we can now handle anyone in the family’s needs, from age one to one hundred.”

Doctor Mettlach is currently accepting patients up to age 12, and the rest of the Superior Smiles doctors are also presently accepting patients.

Anyone interested in making an appointment with Superior Smiles can simply call the office at 906-482-3621. The office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Superior Smiles accepts and processes most insurances. For more information about services, visit the Superior Smiles website at www.superiorsmilesdental.com.

Editor’s note: This feature is part of a paid advertising package purchased by Superior Smiles. Businesses interested in being featured on the Business page may call Yvonne Robillard at 483-2220.