Fore Orthodontics, 402 N. Fourth Avenue.
Photo by Daniel Varnado, Rome News-Tribune
What is the primary purpose of your business?
Dr. Fore: The dental specialty of orthodontics involves the growth and development of the face and teeth. My team and I position the teeth and shape of the face with orthodontic braces and growth-modifying appliances. We coordinate surgical and nonsurgical treatment with general dentists as well as other specialists. Our focus is to achieve the most attractive smile possible for each individual from early childhood through adulthood. We are unconditionally committed to providing orthodontics in a caring and fun environment.
What is the business background of the owners?
Dr. Fore: I have owned my orthodontic practice for more than 20 years in Rome. I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science degree and my dental degree is from the Medical College of Georgia. I continued my education and earned a master’s degree in orthodontics from St. Louis University. I achieved a lifetime board certification in the field of orthodontics in 2001.
Why did you start this particular business?
Dr. Fore: I bought an existing orthodontic practice in 1990, and Fore Orthodontics has expanded since that time. I wanted a high-tech approach to patient care. Every patient is unique and treatment is planned with this knowledge. Rome has a strong community of highly qualified dental professionals and it has been my goal to add value to the community by striving for excellence in my orthodontic practice.
What makes your business unique?
Dr. Fore: Our orthodontic team members have been chosen for their exceptional qualifications. Linda Shepherd is highly qualified in the business side of the practice with an extensive financial background and past experience in banking. Her knowledge of dental insurance and flex spending accounts is exceptional. Our assistants are committed to clinical excellence and are certified to perform expanded orthodontic duties. These highly skilled professionals know how to work with every age group to achieve beautiful smiles from our Phase I early treatment patients to our adult patients. The combined experience of our clinical and business team is more than 40 years.
Our orthodontic system is called IN-OVATION system braces. As opposed to the older style of braces, our braces are gentler. IN-OVATION uses a free-sliding technology that places less pressure on the teeth. As a result treatment can take less time and require fewer appointments. Patient cooperation is vital to completing treatment to the best result and in the shortest possible time.
Shepherd: At Fore Orthodontics we are on the cutting-edge of technology from our IN-OVATION system braces to Invisalign treatment. We operate a fully digital practice and communicate with patients and their families via Facebook and our T-link communication system.
What do you enjoy most about your chosen profession?
Dr. Fore: I enjoy seeing my patients smile bigger and brighter at each appointment. Meeting the needs of each patient definitely makes for a fulfilling practice, and I enjoy keeping it fun. We make our practice fun by offering “Fore dollars” to patients that have completed their goals in the interim between appointments for brushing, flossing and healthy eating. They redeem their Fore dollars for prizes … and this is especially fun for our younger patients. Getting patients excited about treatment is certainly enjoyable! We love working as a team to produce a beautiful smile and are excited the day the braces are removed.
Shepherd: What I enjoy most about our practice is that not only are we involved in the lives of our patients, but also we see their families grow over time. It’s amazing to see families change and benefit from our orthodontic treatment. I encourage you to visit our Facebook and our website ForeBraces.com and view our patient/parent testimonials. They say it best!
What has been the biggest or most interesting challenge to overcome as a small business owner? Dr. Fore: The way we communicate with our patients outside of the practice certainly has changed. Social networking through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and T-Link has increased our interactions with our patients in a positive way. Parents and patients reach out to us via Facebook to show us their progress and milestones, and we think that’s amazing. We have many comments and visits to our Facebook and YouTube sites. These sites have definitely enriched our sense of community here at Fore Orthodontics. I’m excited to see where social media takes our practice in the future.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Shepherd: We have many benefits to offer our patients to encourage cooperation. Besides Fore dollar rewards, we offer a hot chocolate and coffee bar and a family game room with a touch screen gaming center, Nintendo and PlayStation.
Dr. Fore: As much as we foster community within our practice, we love participating in local events. We were a collection site for Toys for Tots this past Christmas. Our donation box overflowed with toys due to the generosity of our patients and their families. We will be participating in Relay for Life in April 2012, which supports a cause that has affected so many in our community.
I would like to add that the benefits from orthodontics extend to adults. I work closely with general dentists and other dental specialists to help our patients from age 4 to 70 years old achieve beautiful smiles. We have every reason to keep smiling!
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Owner: Dr. Lavonne K. Fore
Location: 402 N. Fourth Avenue
Telephone: 706-291-0383
Business age: 22 years
Time at current location: 14 years
Employees: five
Fax: 706-291-9536
Email address: forebraces@aol.com
Web site: www.forebraces.com
Hours: By appointment
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