People Best Florist
Best of Mankato: Hilltop Florist and Greenhouse Second: Hy-Vee Third: Becky’s Floral
Best Waiter/Waitress
Best of Mankato: Maria at the Tav on the Ave. Second: Vikki at Perkins Third: Robin at Axel’s Bonfire
Best Family Physician
Best of Mankato: Dan Anderson, Mankato Clinic Second: Deb Schilling, Mankato Clinic Third: Caroline Baerg, Mankato Clinic
Best Photographer
Best of Mankato: Dan Dinsmore Second: Gregg Anderson Third: Quality 1 Hr. Foto
Best Insurance Agent
Best of Mankato: Aaron Hatanpa, State Farm Second: James R. Weir, James R. Weir Insurance Third: Steve Hasse, State Farm; and Frank Smasal, American Family
Best Dentist
Best of Mankato: Dan Osdoba, Oz Family Dentistry Second: Gary Eichmeyer, Commerce Drive Dental Third: Kevin Torbenson, Advanced Dental Solutions
Best Accountant
Best of Mankato: Eugene Braam Accounting Second: Kitchenmaster and Company Third: Milbrett, Dauk and Company
Best Realtor
Best of Mankato: Karla Van Eman, American Way Second: Jen Wettergren, NuStar Realty Third: Dan Wingert, NuStar Realty
Best Law Firm
Best of Mankato: Farrish Johnson Law Office Second: Jones and Magnus Third: Leonard, Street and Deinard
Best Auto Mechanic
Best of Mankato: Lynn Austin, Austin’s Auto Second: Joe Miller, Joe Miller’s Modern Garage Third: Greg Bednar, Greg’s Champion Auto
Best Chiropractor
Best of Mankato: Mark Dehen, Back to Wellness Clinic Second: Kuch Chiropractic Third: Theresa Marshall, Mankato Chiropractic
Touch of comfort Best Dentist – Dr. Dan Osdoba
U
pon entering Oz Family Dentistry, a potential client will find warm brown colors, softtoned maplewood furniture, a tranquil copper fountain, large windows, soft music and comfortable chairs. Its current facility, located on Adams Street, is completely different in atmosphere compared to the first dentist office Dr. Daniel Osdoba, owner of Oz Family Dentistry, practiced in with his father. “When I first started, we were downtown in what is now known as the Landmark Center, on the third floor,” Osdoba said. “Our patients, first of all, had to find a place to park, which was not easy. Then they had to ride the elevator to the third floor and walk down this narrow, dark hallway to our office.” 18 • July 2013 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
The staff of Oz Family Dentistry. When Osdoba moved the practice to its current location, he hired a dental architect to help create an environment that would not only reduce stress for the patient, but also be ergonomically designed to meet the needs of his staff. “One thing about dentistry is that your whole working environment is the size of a tennis ball,” Osdoba said. “So it’s nice to have space and not be in a confined office.” In the back area, clients will find large hallways, private dentist rooms for cleaning and dental consultation, as well as a large window in which patients can enjoy the birds, birdfeeders and landscaping while having their teeth worked on. “We realize fear is a big part of going to the dentist so we have to address that factor all of the time,” Osdoba said.
“Another way to address fear is through having a personal connection with each of our patients. People feel welcome here.” Despite the efforts made to reduce patient stress, Dr. Osdoba also believes dentistry is a very detail-orientated business. “I think the dental skill set is kind of unique because it is a combination of science and art. You need the science part to be a dentist and yet, dentistry is very artistic when it comes to creating crowns and finishing teeth,” Osdoba said. “The bottom line is that the patient knows over time whether a dentist does a good job or not by the feel of their mouth.” - Heidi Sampson