Interview with registered dental hygienist Chrisy Boldra, owner
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: I have worked in dentist offices for the past 16 years and the demand of what is to be done in a cleaning appointment has turned into more and more with still keeping the one-hour-or-less time schedule. I felt that the patient care in that hour time frame wasn’t up to the standards that I learned in my bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. I started to sub in other offices and, when I was done with cleaning the patient’s teeth, I had several patients wanting to know where I worked. I must be doing something right.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: Several things I do with my standard of care separated me from other dental offices. For instance, I take the time to explain everything I do and why. I take the time to discuss what healthy gums and diseased gums are, with visuals to explain how we determine gum disease and how gum disease is started. I also am very thorough in my teeth cleaning and go through the mouth feeling every tooth for tartar buildup which is the only way to tell where buildup is below the gum line. I always pay attention to the patients’ comfort and do special things to make their appointments the best they ever had. I care very much for my patients.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: I love the relationships that I build with my patients. It is great to see patients on a routine basis and hear about all their stories and adventures. I also love running into patients at the grocery store or gas station and stumping them as to who I am and how I know their names. Patients don’t recognize me without a mask around my face.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: Medicaid and other dental insurances have some of the longest credentialing applications for those seeking to be an in-network provider. Also, learning all the aspects of the practice management. I have a big heart for children and helping to do what I can to prevent the No. 1 childhood disease, which is tooth decay, and having difficulty with getting into the schools.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: Something that people may not know about me is that I really love working on patients who are afraid of the dentist. It challenges me to find what their fears are and how I can help them overcome those fears so that they are comfortable to see me again. Something that surprises people is that I enjoy working on those with really severe periodontal disease so I can help them to get back to a healthy mouth and a better overall total body health.
Profile
Business: Healthy Smiles Hygiene
Address: 25997 Conifer Road, Suite C, Conifer
Hours: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday
Founded: 2015
Contact: 303-838-7003;
Employees: 1
