SL_MainLineSmile_Profile_6_19_Profile 6 / 12 / 19 12 : 39 PM Page 1 D and precision of his staff . D PROFILE “ I’m proud of that , because they MAIN LINE SMILE are fantastic , ” he says . “ Every member of the team is a star at what they do , 12 Arlington Road , and many have been on staff for Suite 102 | Devon , Pa . decades . Patients love the way they are ( 610 ) 687 - 5360 taken care of by everyone in the office . MainLineSmile.com They love the familiar faces . Patients Always like consistency , and a big part of our success has been because of our great staff . “ It’s not about treating teeth , ” he continues . “ It’s about treating the people who have them or need them . It’s EVOLVING about building long - lasting relationships . A first trip to a dentist is a leap of faith ; After 30 years of earning patients ’ trust , Dr . Peter you have to do what you can , bit by Flaherty of Main Line Smile continues to find new bit , to help them build trust . Those trusting relationships are invaluable . ” ways to grow , learn , and “ be the best I possibly can . ” Throughout his 30 - year career , Dr . Flaherty has thoroughly enjoyed helping by LEIGH STUART photography by JODY ROBINSON patients achieve better oral health , be it curing a toothache or artfully restoring “ It’s an exciting time to be a dentist . ” a smile . He traces his success to the fact that , no matter the need of the So says Peter Flaherty , D.M.D . , founder of Main Line Smile , in Devon . He would know ; having patient sitting in his chair , the individual recently attended his 30th reunion commemorating his graduation from Temple University’s Kornberg always receives his utmost attention . School of Dentistry , Dr . Flaherty boasts a wealth of experience in his field . “ I never liked doing things halfway , ” “ Looking back on how I was trained , what I was doing back in 1989 , so much is different , ” he he says . “ If I’m going to do something , says . “ Many of the foundational concepts are the same , but the speed and accuracy of what can be I want to do it as best as I possibly can . done has drastically improved . ” ? That’s just who I am . ” Technology that allows such improvement includes 3D printing and scanning , digital imaging , and micro - cameras — tools he keeps at his fingertips at Main Line Smile . Dr . Flaherty also utilizes digital X - rays , which reduce patients ’ exposure to radiation by 90 percent when compared with traditional X - rays . Other procedures , including those for implants , veneers , crowns , and bridges , and even teeth whitening , are light - years ahead of where they once were . Dr . Flaherty and his staff , he says , are committed to staying at the forefront of dentistry . “ My staff and I are very invested in continuing education , ” he says . “ To excel , you really have to read journals and articles , view webinars , and travel for seminars and symposia . Information doesn’t flow to you automatically ; you have to be an active participant in your own education . ” When asked what inspires him to continue to learn and grow in his field , Dr . Flaherty has a near - immediate answer . “ A lot of people rest on their laurels , ” he says . “ That’s true in any industry . I find my industry fascinating , interesting , and challenging . I enjoy staying abreast of new technology and changes . To rest on your laurels could be quite boring . I find challenges rewarding . When I learn a new technique , or learn to work with a new material , I find that personally and professionally rewarding . ” More than five years ago , for example , Dr . Flaherty underwent intensive training to perform dental implant surgery . “ Prior to that , implants were something very ‘ space age , ’ ” he says . “ Only a few highly trained oral surgeons and periodontists performed the procedures . Now , a general dentist like myself , who wants to make an educational com - mitment , can learn . And it’s exciting to learn restorative techniques — fillings , crowns , surgical implant placement . It was very exciting to get trained in those . ” Dr . Flaherty also stays current in his field as a member of the Academy of General Dentistry , an organization in which he has reached the upper echelon . In fact , he recently earned the eligibility to take the fellowship exam . “ I love what I do , ” he adds . “ I never wanted to do anything else . A lot of people talk about , ‘ If I only won the lottery , I’d quit my job . ’ I couldn’t imagine not taking care of people with clinical dentistry . And after 30 years , ” he adds with a laugh , “ I’m pretty good at it . ” Jest aside , Dr . Flaherty is the first to recognize his excellent staff for their contributions to his success . He says the practice has “ probably over 400 or 500 ” online patient reviews that remark on the level of service , thoroughness , SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM JUNE 2019 18 |