Back home dentistry
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instructorRickKoenigandhighschool biology teacher Jeane Abreu spurred his interest in science and pushed him towards further education. He can vividly recalled dissecting frogs and cats in their classrooms.
“That was really educational,” he said.
Nichols said he got “another great education” at UW-La Crosse, where he majored in biomedical sciences. He said the science education he received was top notch. The professors were great, he recalled, and always available to talk to students. There were no teaching assistants. Nichols said he was much better prepared for dental school than many of his classmates, some of whom came from much bigger universities.
“I wound up tutoring many of my dental school classmates,” about general science, he remembers.
Nichols said his return to Edgar at Szmanda Dental was seemingly meant to be. He job shadowed at the dental business and kept in touch with Dr. Paul Szmanda, business owner, during his years at dental school. Feeling adrift during his first year as a dentist, Nichols planned to e-mail Szmanda to see if there was an opening at any of his four clinics. Nichols could not send the e-mail before getting an e-mail from Szmanda wondering if the recent grad would be willing to relocate to central Wisconsin.
Nichols said he feels fortunate to be part of a dental group, which is a source of support and expertise. At the Edgar clinic, Nichols shares quarters with two more experienced dentists. Drs. Mark Gonyo and John Cronkrite.
Szmanda said having this crew of dentists is all part of meeting the needs of patients. “We are committed to providing access to quality care and service in central Wisconsin,” he said.
Nichols said much of his work involves people who have broken or hurting teeth that need to be removed. He then recommends dentures and implants to fill the resulting gaps.
“There are a lot of spaces to fill,” he said. Nichols said local people are fortunate that specialists, such as oral surgeons, are located in Wausau, although they are mostly booked up for months.
For many years, people worried whether a small village like Edgar could still support a dentist.
Nichols said that worry was misplaced. People will always come to an Edgar dentist they can trust, Nichols said.
“What everyone has in common are teeth,” he said. “People will always have teeth.”
THE EDGAR TEAM - New dentists hired at Szmanda Dental, Edgar, include recent dental school graduate Dr. Tom Nichols, at left, and experienced dentist Dr. Mark Gonyo, center. Dental practice owner is Dr. Paul Szmanda, at right.
