Two generations of family preceded Dr. Durning Moore, D.M.D, in his field: a grandfather and a father who still maintains a practice in Charleston. When Dr. Moore reflects on a childhood spent surrounded by dentists, what he remembers most keenly is not instructions to floss every night or monologues about the evils of plaque buildup. Rather, it is his parents’ presence in his life that stars in his recollections. They showed up to every game, recital, conference, fundraiser, and everything in between. More importantly, when they arrived they were truly present. This, coupled with the impact of undergoing his own smile transformation, is what steered Moore to the family profession.
Determined to find that same balance of professional and personal life, Dr. Moore purchased his own practice five years ago. In a fitting stroke of serendipity that further cinched the family connection to the profession, he discovered his wife was pregnant with their first child on the same day he signed the paperwork making the practice his own. Before coming under his ownership, the Cotswold practice had been family-owned for over half a century. This allowed a culture to form that was not far from Moore’s vision.
Trust and Ease at Smile Moore NC
“Being a small practice, we operate more like a family. Each person plays a vital role. And their expertise directly impacts the care we provide to our patients,” says Dr. Moore. “Having a team of experts allows us to deliver exceptional service. Also it helps maintain the trust our patients place in us.”
The practice also earns trust through its patient-centered philosophy of care and tailored treatments. As a small practice, Smile Moore NC has the freedom to go above and beyond when it comes to the thoroughness of their assessments and exams. Then, they take a conservative approach to treatment. Their priority is to preserve the natural structure and function of patients’ teeth to the fullest extent possible.
Moreover, Dr. Moore and his team take care to put their patients at ease. “We completely understand that many people feel nervous about going to the dentist. At Smile Moore, we’re here to help make the experience as comfortable as possible,” explains Moore. They do so by fostering open communication, encouraging clients to share what makes them anxious, as well as be clear about anything Smile Moore can do to help. They also offer a “comfort menu,” consisting of noise-cancelling headphones, blankets, and TVs on the ceiling, to help put patients at ease while they’re in the chair. “We’re committed to making your visit as positive and stress-free as possible,” says Dr. Moore.
The Family Profession
Ultimately, the goal at Smile Moore NC is to empower patients to understand and take charge of their oral health. This, in turn, affects their overall well-being. Like his father and his father’s father, Dr. Moore built a practice and a culture uniquely suited to do just that.
