Houston Dentistry Volume 4 Issue 1 2019 HOUSTON ISSUE 1 DE | 页面 8

Politician and civil rights leader Barbara Jordan, congress- man and anti-poverty activist Mickey Leland, R&B musician Archie Bell, heavyweight champion George Foreman, and Dr. Ruth Simmons, the first black president of Brown Uni- versity and president of Prairie View A&M University, as well as many prominent physicians grew up in Houston’s Fifth Ward. A cool, modern environment welcomes patients to Dr. Lopez’s Galleria area office. lows strict procedures to minimize the risk of infection. The entire staff is devoted to maintaining a sparkling clean environ- ment in the office. Dr. Lopez is committed to utilizing advanced dental technology to provide patients with the highest level of dental care. The practice is equipped with a cone beam CT imaging system that provides a clear three-dimensional image of the teeth, mouth, jaw, neck, ears, nose, and throat. CBCT imaging helps Dr. Lopez evaluate the jaws and face, analyze dental and facial trauma, visualize abnormal position or anatomy of teeth, visualize the head and neck as a comprehensive whole, plan dental implant placement, and assess TMJ disorder. He adds, “Three-dimen- sional imaging also provides a better window to identify pathol- ogy, such as tumors or cysts, that may not be apparent on film.” Dr. Lopez works in tandem with referring dentists who share his patient-centered philosophy of care. He considers referring partners as integral parts of a team working together to meet each patient’s needs and places a high priority on clear, open communication. He ensures that his surgical patients have a positive experience and can return to their general dentist with confidence after their procedure is completed. Today, Dr. Lopez continues his personal mission of humanitar- ian care by serving those in his own local community. “After realizing my dream of entering the dental profession, I felt that it was time for me to give back to the community that had given so much to me and my family. Initially, I volunteered 8 HOUSTON DENTISTRY | www.houstondentistrymagazine.com The practice is equipped with a cone beam CT imaging system that provides a clear three-dimensional image of the teeth, mouth, jaw, neck, ears, nose and throat. Photos Dr. Lopez believes that his dedicated staff are key components of his ability to provide the best possible patient care. He has trained all team members personally and encourages them to attend formal and informal continuing education at every opportunity. Most have been with the practice for more than five years, and one for more than 15 years. at the San José Clinic in midtown, where I received dental care as a child. Later, I found a small startup clinic at Casa Juan Diego that desperately needed help. I would take my staff along with me to provide the best possible care along with all the instrumentation we could carry. People often begin arriving before dawn, waiting patiently at the door to be sure they can have a chance to see the doctor. I still volunteer there ― it is always the highlight of the week for both my staff and myself knowing that we are going to the Casa Juan Diego clinic to pro- vide care.” Dr. Lopez brings the same compassion and desire to help others that originally ignited his interest in oral surgery to every case.