Kalona Family Dental looks to change people’s perceptions of dentistry

As the only dental office in a community of more than 2,600 people, Kalona Family Dental is working to redefine dentistry for a variety of municipalities. Dr. Tammy Grimm, a born and raised Iowa Citian, purchased Riverside Family Dental in 2007 before also acquiring Maxwell Dental in Kalona in 2016. She then merged the two […]

As the only dental office in a community of more than 2,600 people, Kalona Family Dental is working to redefine dentistry for a variety of municipalities.

Dr. Tammy Grimm, a born and raised Iowa Citian, purchased Riverside Family Dental in 2007 before also acquiring Maxwell Dental in Kalona in 2016. She then merged the two and opened Kalona Family Dental’s 1206 E Ave. location in 2020, quadrupling the space the office previously had at either location.  Now, the business has more than 4,000 active patients from Kalona, Riverside, Iowa City and the rest of the surrounding municipalities. The staff employed a second dentist, Dr. Erika Hahn, two dental hygienists, four dental assistants, one financial coordinator and one scheduling coordinator.

“With the exception of trying to renovate and move into a new office during the pandemic, it was a pretty smooth transition,” Dr. Grimm said. “She (Dr. Hahn) had a staff and I had a staff at the two offices, so we were able to merge them together and hire a few more people.” She said the patient load is on the higher end of the average amount for two dentists.  The entire practice is made up of women, something that is becoming increasingly common in dentistry, as the rate of women graduating from dental school nearly equals men according to the Ontario Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Grimm said the hiring wasn’t intentional, but the teams have merged perfectly. “It has worked out well, and part of our success is in how well the team works together,” she said. “I think everyone would agree that we have a really close-knit, almost second family at work, and that helps create an overall positive climate and environment in the office for our coworkers and our patients. 

Fighting fears 

The dentist office’s motto is “exceptional care in your community,” something Dr. Grimm takes to heart when it comes to her care. “I’m really proud of our office because, while some residents of Kalona may have to go to other, bigger communities to get some of their care, we can deliver outstanding treatment locally for them,” she said. “It’s a service that they can access here in their town. A service they should have in their town.” Many of their clients come from referrals from people across the eastern Corridor. Kalona Family Dental’s clientele range from age one to patients in their 90s.  Because of different dental visitors, Dr. Grimm said she has many patients who are afraid of the dentist or who are made anxious by the process of care. “A lot of people are not only fearful of the treatments, but also fear being judged at the dentist,” she said. “We don’t do that here. I think people can sense it when they walk in that this is a very relaxed, safe, accepting environment. We do everything we can to make it as comfortable as possible for our patients … We have televisions in treatment rooms with noise canceling headphones for people to be more calm as well as nitrous oxide, a mild sedative that can help with nerves when needed. Those things go a long way in reducing patients’ anxieties.” She said she hopes to make a difference in Kalona and ensure everyone has a more positive experience with dentistry moving forward.  The office provides Invisalign, cosmetic dentistry, tooth replacement and other general dental services. 

Community-based care

Kalona Family Dental is also involved in its community as the only dental office in the area. It is a member of the Kalona Chamber of Commerce and learns from other businesses how to better serve the area, Dr. Grimm said. One of the main community events the office holds, however, is for its younger clientele.  Every October, the Kalona Family Dental staff holds a candy buyback program to allow children to bring their unwanted Halloween candy in exchange for cash.  “The kids can also enter to win some great prizes,” she said. “There’s just an excessive amount of candy around Halloween, and all the candy we get then gets donated to the military through a program they have.” They also support many local schools and attend farmers markets to see the community and learn more about who they serve.  Dr. Grimm said her and her team are hoping to remain active in their community as a way of ensuring their care remains at the top of its game. “I’ve been practicing for more than 20 years and Dr. Hahn is going into her sixth year practicing," she said. "We are happy and proud that we can provide good care for our community and a good environment for them that feels like home,” she said.