At Clark Family Dentistry, patients experience a level of care that transforms routine dental visits into comfortable, personalized experiences. Under the guidance of Dr. Heather Clark, the practice has established itself as a trusted destination for comprehensive dental care in St. Joseph, Missouri, where every patient is treated like family. The team at Clark Family Dentistry understands that each smile is unique, which is why they take the time to develop individualized treatment plans that address both immediate concerns and long-term oral health goals.
Why We Love Practicing in St. Joseph
St. Joseph, Missouri, affectionately known as “St. Joe,” holds a rich history as one of the most significant starting points for westward expansion in America. Founded in 1843 by fur trader Joseph Robidoux, the city quickly became famous as the starting point of the Pony Express in 1860. The city’s historic architecture and role in the western frontier movement have left an indelible mark on American history, with iconic landmarks like the Pony Express National Museum and the Jesse James Home serving as testament to its storied past.
Today, St. Joseph stands as a vibrant mix of historical charm and modern progress. The city’s downtown district has experienced a renaissance, with restored 19th-century buildings housing unique shops, restaurants, and cultural venues. The flourishing arts scene, highlighted by the Allied Arts Council and numerous festivals throughout the year, adds to the city’s dynamic atmosphere.
What makes St. Joseph truly special is its strong sense of community and family-friendly environment. With over a dozen museums, beautiful parklands including the Parkway system, and the scenic Missouri River flowing alongside, residents enjoy a quality of life that perfectly balances small-town charm with metropolitan amenities.
Glore Psychiatric Museum near Clark Family Dentistry
Did you know that the world’s largest psychiatric museum is located right here in Saint Joseph, MO? The Glore Psychiatric Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into over 130 years of mental health treatment history, making it one of America’s most unique and thought-provoking museum experiences.
Founded in 1967 by George Glore, this remarkable institution houses an extensive collection of full-size replicas and original artifacts from 16th to 18th-century psychiatric treatments. You’ll find yourself immersed in the evolving story of mental health care through carefully curated exhibits featuring patient-made items, medical documents, and compelling personal narratives.
The museum’s current location, a former medical clinic building at 3406 Frederick Avenue, spans multiple floors of exhibition space. As you explore, you’ll discover unique features like the original hospital tunnels and vintage clinic rooms. The museum’s dedication to education and preservation has earned it numerous features in national media and recognition as a must-see destination.
Supporting both historical preservation and community education, the Glore Psychiatric Museum offers convenient access with ample parking and is part of a larger museum complex that includes the St. Joseph Museum and Black Archives Museum. Whether you’re a history buff, medical professional, or curious visitor, you’ll find the exhibits both educational and memorable.
After exploring this fascinating piece of medical history, why not take care of your own health with a visit to Clark Family Dentistry? Just like the museum showcases the evolution of psychiatric care, our modern dental practice demonstrates how far dental medicine has come in providing comfortable, state-of-the-art oral healthcare.
Meet Our Dentists
At Clark Family Dentistry, patients experience exceptional dental care delivered with genuine compassion and cutting-edge expertise. Located in the heart of St. Joseph, the practice is committed to improving lives through comprehensive dental care, utilizing the latest technologies and techniques while maintaining a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Dr. Heather Clark: A distinguished graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry with advanced training from Spear Education, Dr. Clark brings over a decade of expertise in complex restorative and cosmetic procedures, with a special focus on comprehensive care for patients of all ages. Her patient-centered approach combines meticulous attention to detail with genuine compassion, ensuring each patient receives personalized treatment that enhances both their smile and overall well-being.
Comprehensive Dental Services
Clark Family Dentistry provides comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages in St. Joseph. The practice delivers a complete spectrum of dental services designed to maintain, restore, and enhance oral health.
At the foundation of dental care are general dentistry services, which include thorough dental examinations, professional cleanings, and preventive treatments. Regular check-ups help detect potential issues early, while professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar that regular brushing can’t reach. Fluoride treatments strengthen tooth enamel, providing additional protection against decay.
For patients seeking to enhance their smile, cosmetic dentistry options include professional teeth whitening to remove stains and brighten teeth, and Invisalign clear aligners that straighten teeth discreetly. These treatments help patients achieve the confident smile they desire while maintaining comfort and convenience throughout the process.
Restorative services address damaged or missing teeth through various solutions including dental implants, which provide permanent tooth replacement that looks and functions like natural teeth. For patients missing multiple teeth, custom-fitted dentures restore both function and appearance, allowing for comfortable eating and speaking.
When deeper tooth problems arise, endodontic treatment, including root canal therapy, saves teeth by removing infected pulp and sealing the tooth to prevent future infection. This procedure eliminates pain while preserving the natural tooth structure.
Periodontal care focuses on maintaining healthy gums through treatments like scaling and root planing, which remove bacteria below the gum line. Advanced laser gum surgery provides precise treatment for severe gum disease while promoting faster healing.
The practice offers specialized oral surgery services, including wisdom teeth removal, when simple extractions aren’t sufficient. These procedures ensure optimal oral health while preventing future complications from impacted or problematic teeth.
For patients experiencing jaw pain or dysfunction, TMJ treatment addresses issues with the temporomandibular joint through non-surgical approaches. This specialized care helps alleviate jaw pain, headaches, and related symptoms.
Sleep apnea solutions include custom-fitted oral appliances that help maintain open airways during sleep. These devices provide a comfortable alternative to CPAP machines, helping patients achieve better sleep quality and improved overall health.
Why Choose Clark Family Dentistry?
At Clark Family Dentistry, comprehensive care means more than just treating teeth – it means treating the whole person. The practice embraces a complete health dentistry approach, recognizing that oral health is intrinsically linked to overall well-being.
Understanding that each patient’s needs are unique, the team provides personalized attention and takes time to listen to concerns and explain treatment options. This patient-centered approach ensures everyone receives care tailored to their specific situation and goals.
The practice stays at the forefront of dental technology, utilizing advanced diagnostic tools and treatment techniques to provide the most comfortable and effective care possible. Their commitment to non-invasive solutions demonstrates their philosophy of conservative, preservation-focused dentistry.
Clark Family Dentistry’s dedication to community service, exemplified through their annual charity events, reflects their belief that quality dental care should be accessible to everyone. Their flexible payment options and friendly, knowledgeable staff work together to create a welcoming environment where patients feel valued and understood.
What Our Patients Are Saying
Want to know what it’s really like at Clark Family Dentistry? Here’s what our amazing patients have to share!
“Everyone at Clark Family Dentistry are amazing! I take my children there and they love it! I have never seen my children sit still and let anyone clean their teeth! Dr Clark is always amazing with my children as well!!” – Jessica Smith (5 stars)
“What an amazing place! I had an emergency arise around 11pm the night prior and they were the only ones that called me back the following morning on a friday! Not only did none of the others called me back, not a single other office does a dentist work on friday’s, but Dr. Clark does. The staff was absolutely incredible. They were all super friendly and very helpful. They got me in immediately and fixed me right up before my business trip out of town. It was a huge relief. This will be the only dentist my family and myself will be going to from now on! A big thanks to Jamie, Nancy, & Dr. Clark for such a wonderful experience! If you are looking for a family oriented, amazing staffed, incredibly friendly, well operated local dentist, look no further!” – Clay Bricker (5 stars)
Schedule Your Next Dental Appointment Today!
Clark Family Dentistry in St. Joseph combines professional expertise with compassionate care to help patients achieve their best smiles. Dr. Heather Clark and the team prioritize patient comfort while delivering excellent dental care, from routine cleanings to more complex procedures. Their comprehensive approach ensures every patient receives personalized attention and treatment options that fit their specific needs.
Ready to experience the difference at Clark Family Dentistry? Schedule an appointment today to join their family of satisfied patients. Whether you’re due for a check-up or interested in exploring cosmetic dentistry options, their friendly team is here to help. Visit their website to learn more about their services or book your consultation online. Your healthy, beautiful smile starts here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Clark Family Dentistry
What comprehensive dental services does Clark Family Dentistry offer?
Clark Family Dentistry provides a complete range of dental services including general dentistry (examinations, cleanings, preventive care), cosmetic dentistry (teeth whitening, Invisalign), restorative services (dental implants, dentures), endodontic treatment (root canals), periodontal care (scaling and root planing, laser gum surgery), oral surgery (wisdom teeth removal), TMJ treatment, and sleep apnea solutions. Their approach focuses on both immediate concerns and long-term oral health goals, with services designed for patients of all ages.
How does Dr. Clark’s practice handle dental emergencies?
Based on patient testimonials, Clark Family Dentistry provides responsive emergency dental care, even offering Friday appointments when many other offices are closed. They prioritize emergency cases and work to accommodate urgent dental needs quickly. As mentioned in one review, they were able to help a patient with an emergency that arose late at night, getting them treated immediately the next morning before a business trip.
What makes Clark Family Dentistry’s approach to patient care unique?
Clark Family Dentistry employs a complete health dentistry approach that treats the whole person, not just their teeth. They develop individualized treatment plans for each patient, take time to listen to concerns and explain treatment options, and utilize advanced diagnostic tools and treatment techniques. The practice emphasizes conservative, preservation-focused dentistry while maintaining a warm, welcoming atmosphere where patients are treated like family.
What specialized treatments are available for gum health at Clark Family Dentistry?
The practice offers comprehensive periodontal care including scaling and root planing to remove bacteria below the gum line. They also provide advanced laser gum surgery for treating severe gum disease, which offers more precise treatment and promotes faster healing compared to traditional methods. These treatments are part of their preventive approach to maintaining optimal oral health.
What solutions does Clark Family Dentistry offer for sleep apnea?
Clark Family Dentistry provides custom-fitted oral appliances as an alternative to CPAP machines for sleep apnea treatment. These devices are designed to help maintain open airways during sleep, offering a more comfortable solution for patients with sleep apnea. This treatment option helps improve sleep quality and overall health while being less intrusive than traditional CPAP therapy.