Drs. Charles Greenebaum and Cary Goldberg were dentists early in their careers, both working in their fathers’ individual south suburban practices, when a chance meeting led to them forming a dental practice partnership that is marking 25 years.
The community is invited to the celebration from 4 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 12.
The idea for the Center for Dental Excellence (CDE) emerged from a conversation on a Metra train in the mid-1990s. Both men were headed to an event in the city and started talking about their work.
Excellence office. (Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)
“We just had a similar vision,” Greenebaum said. “We had a different view (from most) of how we wanted to deliver care and provide service for people.”
The vision they share still consists of providing the highest quality dental health service. Greenebaum described it: “You look at the person, not the mouth. You treat people with respect and care and make things as comfortable for them as you can. You want to communicate with them well.”
Goldberg concurred. He said the approach at CDE was to see their work through their patients’ eyes.
“We’re their advocate to help them make the best choice for them,” he said.
To make those choices easier, the partners worked to bring more dental health specialists under one roof so patients wouldn’t have to travel to receive the specialized care they need.
awarded South Suburban Small Business Association’s
2017 Business of the Year Award. They are celebrating the
25th anniversary this year of their partnership, Center for
Dental Excellence. (Chronicle file photo)
CDC took a leap forward at the end of 2019. An expansion of the dental offices at 19615 Governors Highway in Flossmoor allowed for additional staff. Today CDC is home to 11 doctors, including six general dentists and five specialists. The practice also has five hygenists.
While the expansion helped the partners better realize their original vision, the timing was horrible, Greenebaum said. Three months after they opened the renovated office, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing CDE to close for 10 weeks or so.
The team got through the difficulties of the pandemic by serving patients as best they could. They set up drive-thru dental care, giving away toothbrushes and other supplies. And a key, Goldberg said, was using technology to keep up staff morale.
“We kept the communication open and tried to keep everybody’s attitude up there,” he said.
The concern and attention to staff needs are also foundational to the partners’ vision, they said. When they designed the new space, they built in a training center.
“We thought it was that important to train and communicate with our team so that we can deliver what we promise,” Greenebaum said. “We can’t do that alone. The doctors can’t do it alone. Everybody has to have that same vision.”
The practice is also known for having some fun, from its tube art figures on the office grounds to its little smart car, Flossey. CDC has held contests in the past, placing Flossey in various parts of town and inviting patients to try and find her.
Greenebaum and Goldberg said one of the most satisfying aspects of the practice they have built is the loyalty of their patients spanning generations. They remember their fathers seeing patients from childhood on, and that trend has continued.
“We see so many patients that were patients of our fathers. I mean, it’s an amazing thing,” Greenebaum said.
To be part of the Aug. 12 CDC anniversary celebration, call 708-798-1234. The first 25 persons to call could win a prize. Food, including hotdogs, popcorn and snow cones, will be provided. There also will be opportunities to learn about good oral health, including free school dental exams and Q&A sessions. And, there will be fun for kids, including games, prizes and face painting.