Dental hygiene plays a significant role in one’s overall health and the Tooth Caboose’s effort to provide that care has earned the establishment another plaque to put on the shelf.
The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce presented the dental office with the Health and Wellness Award during its 2022 The Best of Plant City Awards gala, on Thursday, Jan. 27.
Tooth Caboose has long been a staple in Plant City, treating every toothache that comes through its door.
And as its name implies, its office has a signature red caboose attached.
Also, being located at the busy intersection of Thonotosassa Road and Baker Street makes it easy to spot.
It operates as a pediatric office as well as an orthodontic office for all age groups.
Nikki Williams is the marketing director at Tooth Caboose, where she has worked for the past 10 years. She’s also an assistant in both the orthodontic and pediatric departments.
“To win the award through the chamber has been really cool,” she said. “We’re really excited about it.”
Looking back through history, Williams said that she has been impressed by how far the clinic has come.
“I don’t know that anybody could have anticipated that it was going to be what it was,” she said. “We didn’t have growth at that point…here in this whole area.”
Tooth Caboose opened in 1977 after its sister office – Bay Area Smiles, in Clearwater. It began as a general practice.
It did not receive its caboose, or name, until 1982 when Dr. Howard Howell opened his practice there alongside Dr. Timothy Conway. At the clinic, Howell specialized in orthodontics and Conway specialized in pediatric dentistry.
Over the past 40 years, the clinic has seen a buildup of patients not only from Plant City but other regions of Tampa Bay.
Other cities include Tampa, Valrico, Lakeland, Brandon, Dade City, and Zephyrhills.
The online reviews as well as the open-door policy are why people are willing to travel to the Tooth Caboose, Williams said.
“We’ve definitely felt the growth,” she added. “It’s been great though. It’s been amazing that we’ve had the loyalty of the patients that we’ve had for so many years. We’re seeing second and third generation patients.”
What’s more, patients who are 17 or older will not be aged out, but can still receive the same services.
Having been raised in Plant City, Williams visited the Tooth Caboose growing up. She attributes the office’s transparency as the reason why it is trusted and why it has maintained its credibility.
During standard visits, parents can accompany their children for general dental checkups. However, guidelines restrict parents from being present with the child during certain operations. Tooth Caboose has a clear window so parents can see exactly what is transpiring during the procedure.
The doctors will not recommend any treatment that they feel is unnecessary, as not to overcharge with additional expenses, Williams noted.
“Maintaining the long-term trust of a parent is more important than making a few dollars,” she said.
The orthodontic section of the facility is for kids and adults alike. It offers gold, silver, and clear braces as well as Invisalign trays. All options are sold at the same rate across the board.
And the office doesn’t necessarily stop service after normal business hours. There is 24-hour call service for emergencies that can’t wait.
Dr. Daniel Ruffulo is now the office’s orthodontist and Dr. Tanya Bejarano is the pediatric dentist.
They work with 16 staff members, some of whom have worked at the Tooth Caboose for over 30 years.
“’We’re lifers’ is what we like to say,” Williams noted. “There’s something to be said about a company that can keep staff for that long. We’re happy here. Why leave?”
The staff tries to make a trip to the dentist a pleasant experience for kids. If it takes several visits to get them adjusted to the environment, they are willing to work at the child’s pace.
They also coach parents on how to stay positive when taking those trips so the children will remain calm.
One technique that staff uses with irritable kids who need a check-up is called a Lap Exam.
The child will most likely feel comfortable when the parent is present, so he or she is placed on the parent’s lap. The doctor or assistant will then come knee to knee with the parent and lay the child’s head onto their lap. That way the child is still being held by the parent while the examination is taking place.
Multi-colored murals on the walls are another way to make the dentist office a more fun-friendly environment.
Some have a sea and beach theme which was inspired by the Clearwater office’s location near to the water.
When entering the caboose itself, more murals can be found. There you’ll find paintings of Plant City landmarks such as Parkesdale Market, the water tower, high school mascots, Fred’s Market and Johnson Barbeque, trains, and the Strawberry Festival.
One common painting that can be found throughout the caboose and office is the famous goldendoodle – Mila. She is Bejarano’s 4-year-old dog that comes in every so often and brightens the kids’ faces. Mila is also the star of the Tooth Caboose Instagram page, which have many photos of her.
When Ruffulo isn’t in the office working, he can sometimes be spotted playing hockey games with his patients.
The clinic stays involved with events such as the Florida Strawberry Festival and the Plant City Christmas Parade.
Williams goes to schools dressed as the tooth fairy’s assistant, educating students about dental hygiene.
The clinic also keeps its kids engaged, scheduling days to dress up in costumes and activities such as a pumpkin decorating contest.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Williams said. “We try to stay relevant and try to do fun things with the kids.”
With the number of new people coming in for services, Ruffulo and Bejarano are considering relocating to a building with more office space.
Williams noted that the office is “bursting at the seams,” having been remodeled three times, and that it needs to grow with the community.
If the establishment moves, the staff certainly wants the caboose to come along with them.
The Tooth Caboose keeps moving onward, providing Plant City with much health and wellness – one tooth at a time.