at NASA in the area of ceramics, I took a position with General Electric Company as a field engineer, but I felt that there was something more for me. My wife, a dental hygienist, was working for a general dentist and an orthodontist, and one day I went and observed. When I saw orthodontics, that was it…engineering in the mouth! I returned to school for dentistry at the University of Illinois in Chicago, while my wife worked to support our growing family of, by then, two children,” Dr. Hanson commented. A trip to North Carolina was all it took to sell Dr. Hanson and his wife, Michelle, on moving, so he practiced as a general dentist in Matthews, NC, with orthodontics still in his heart. “We saved our money and then, unfortunately, my father died, and with the portion he left me, I supported my family—at the time, three children—while in orthodontic training at the University of Rochester in New York. After completing the training in 2003, we returned to NC, settling in Winston-Salem with child number four, born one week after moving and, since then, adding another one. With three boys and two girls, ranging in age from 20−10, life is busy and full,” stated Dr. Hanson. Different Paths, Same Destination Drs. Chermak and Hanson didn’t know each other before becoming partners; their paths never crossed. “Through the American Association of Orthodontists, individually, we submitted information that got us in touch with Drs. McLain and Steedle, each interested in retiring, which led to us partnering in the practice. The situation couldn’t have worked out better. Even though we came into orthodontics
from different paths, we share the vision of making each patient’s experience the best it can be. With the advancements in braces and orthodontic appliances, we can move teeth in a gentler fashion, with less pain and fewer visits. Success in orthodontics involves the patient having an understanding of how their decisions can impact the time they wear braces and the outcome. Establishing a strong relationship with the patient is important when asking them to do certain things for a better outcome. That may be brushing well, taking care of their appliances, or wearing rubber bands or retainers. What our team does every day is so rewarding, and hearing patients say, the day they get their braces off, ‘I’m going to miss coming here,’ tells us that we are doing something right,” Dr. Hanson said. Yet the team at Chermak and Hanson doesn’t just make a difference during business hours, but in their communities after hours. “Over the years, our practice has been supported by our community, and so giving back and serving others is an important part of who we are. We have participated in building two Habitat for Humanity houses, supported local organizations like the Ronald McDonald House, The Arts Council, and The YMCA Partnership with Youth. We have volunteered with Catholic Social Services, as well as sponsoring many activities, including annual school auctions, yearbooks, sports teams, bands and cheerleading activities—the list goes on. We have been blessed with the team we have in place, our patients, and the communities we serve, so giving back will always be part of who we are. If you work every day to serve others, what can go wrong?” stated Dr. Hanson.
Chermak and Hanson Orthodontics serves patients at three locations: • 1564 N. Peace Haven Road Winston-Salem, NC 336-760-1491 • 3742 Clemmons Road Clemmons, NC 336-766-8244 • 524 S. Main Street King, NC 336-983-4551. For more information, visit www.smileland.com.
May 2016 / 21