George, why did you choose to practice in Cambridge?
One of our instructors advised us to set up our practice where we wanted to live. I preferred a rural area, and Cambridge was a natural choice, since I grew up in Buffalo, a small town just south of here.

John and Karen, how did you meet?
John: During my third year of dental school, I volunteered to help the new students check in. That was the first time I met Karen. Later that year, mutual friends arranged for us to meet at a birthday party. Our first date followed shortly thereafter.

Did you always know you wanted to become a dentist?
John: Even though I grew up around dentistry, I didn’t realize all that it entailed until I was in college. The combination of science, engineering, problem solving, manual labor, and art drew me to it.

Karen: I started college as a nursing major but quickly changed to dental hygiene. I felt more familiar in a dental environment due to my six years of orthodontic treatment as a teenager. I took a course on the placement of dental restorations during my last year of hygiene school, and that fueled me to learn more. I entered dental school the following year.
 
What’s the best thing about working together?
Karen: I find it more enjoyable than working alone. John and George and I often consult each other on difficult cases and help each other out.

George, how have things changed in dentistry since you opened your practice back in 1969?
The greatest changes have been better technology and materials, such as computers, composites, and fiber optics. A few years ago I was able to observe a lot of Russian dentistry, and it was comparable to our dentistry circa 1950s. I’ve also observed some foreign socialized dentistry, and it is not on par with dentistry in the United States. Our medical and dental system is still the best in the world.
 
Another change is that people in this area are now generally more motivated to take better care of and retain their natural teeth, compared to when I started.
 
What’s it like working with John and Karen?
Working with my son and daughter-in-law is the best scenario that could have happened to me. They are both creative, intelligent, artistic, and do excellent dentistry. It’s great to be able to share cases and consultations and help each other.

Your office is decorated with pictures of birds, and there are bird feeders outside the windows.
Our office sits on four acres, mostly wooded. We feed the birds, squirrels, and deer. The scenery is pleasant, and we, the staff, and our patients enjoy observing the wildlife and the woods. The tranquil setting has a calming effect on the patients and us. 
 
Interview by VIVIAN WAGNER.