Dr.
Thomas Anderson graduated from the University of Missouri School of
Dentistry in 1986. He currently practices high-level general and cosmetic
dentistry at three locations in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
An interview with Dr. Anderson:
Q- Why did you become a dentist?
A- Growing up, dental visits were a painful and traumatic experience for me. I knew I could improve the level of care patients received simply by making it painless. I decided to become a dentist because it seemed like a good way to really help other people.
Q- Did you achieve your goal?
A- Definitely so! Patients
do not fear the dentist when they know their doctor won't hurt them… The
reason a dentist doesn't hurt you is because he really cares about you
and has learned to avoid situations which could cause discomfort. It is
called trust and it is your foundation.
Q- What have you learned about
dentistry since graduating from dental school?
A- That dentistry is not a
necessary evil, but that it can be a fun and rewarding experience. Smiling
makes you happy. Laughing is a necessity. You should feel good about yourself.
High-level cosmetic dentistry has filled a huge void for thousands of
people. We fill that void in a very unique way.
Q- How are you so different?
A- We love what we do, and
we do it well. We are perfectionists and very serious about providing
only the best services and smiles to our patients. We do not, however,
take ourselves too seriously. That is the difference. We are not egomaniacs
about our abilities. As a team, we can do things that are greater than
the sum of our parts.
Q- What would you say to a
person who wants cosmetic dentistry but does not know how to get started?
A- They should have a strong desire; the desire to look better and the desire to be their best. We love people who have these feelings, because that is the way we feel! A person like this needs to come see us. Many times we can help. We can help by showing them a whole new world. They should compare what we can do with what others can do. When people come to our office and feel and see what we can do to improve their life, many times they're ready to begin. A person caring about other people is what makes the world go round. We are just part of the process, and we have our part at such a level that in the end you will smile and smile big!!!
Dr. Ellis Thigpen attended UMKC for undergraduate training graduated from UMKC Dental School. He was on active duty as a dentist with the US Army at Ft Knox, Kentucky for 2 years after dental school. He has been a member of the USAR since that time and achieved the rank of COL in 2002. His approach to treating patients is conservative, respectful, and professional. Improving smiles and maintaining your smile for life is one of his goals. He participates in exercise and yoga classes in addition to regular running to maintain a healthy lifestyle. His passion is an interest in historical preservation and proactive urban neighborhood activities help to making Kansas City a good place in which to live and work.
