The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Dr. Joseph Haddad of Advanced Dental Arts may use high-tech equipment in his practice, but that doesn’t mean he’s abandoned some old-fashioned notions.
“My main philosophy is I have to treat my patients as I would treat my family, and give them the very best care I can,” said Haddad, who has been at the 738 Easton Ave. location for 14 of his 19 years practicing in the township. “I feel every patient who comes through the door deserves to feel like a VIP.”
“We utilize the best technology, like 3-D imaging, 3-D scans, 3-d x-rays for surgery, lasers, digital x-rays,” he said. “It’s a very hi-tech office, along with being ethical about the dentistry that we do, doing only what is necessary and making sure the quality of the dentistry is superior.”
“We try to tailor it to each individual’s needs,” he said.
A former assistant clinical professor at Columbia Presbyterian in New York City, Haddad operated a dental practice in Brooklyn before moving to Somerset in 1996.
“The opportunity came up because of a retiring dentist in town who was established just under 40 years,” Haddad said. “He had a good practice and I came in and took the practice over.”
Haddad bought a “decrepit” house not too far from where he starts don Easton Avenue and built an office “with the flow I wanted,” he said. “My wife did the interior decorating.”
Haddad specializes in a number of procedures, including implants, restorative surgery and basic family care.
With other procedures, such as implants, Haddad often refers his patients to specialists.
“There are certain procedures that I don’t do as often, that I think, why would I take a risk at doing something substandard for one of my patients?” he said. “If they’re better off in the specialist’s hands, they deserve to get the best of care.”
Haddad also recognizes that dental work can be expensive, and dental insurance often does not fully cover a procedure.
“Dental insurance is not really insurance when you think about it,” he said. “When you have $1,000 or $1,5oo to spend, that’s really a side benefit. If people need major dentistry, they’re still putting a lot of money out of pocket.”
To help his patients, Haddad created what he calls an “in-house membership plan.”
For $25 per month, patients receive two cleanings a year, all necessary x-rays and checkups, plus 15 percent of all other fees.
“We’ve done that so we can help people who don’t have any type of dental benefit to make treatment or preventive and regular treatment more affordable,” he said. “It’s a help.”
Preventive care ranks high in Haddad’s view of patient needs.
“It’s very important that people know how to clean their teeth,” he said. “When a dental practice educates their patients about the importance of preventive care and tmely treatment, you see the results among the patient base. I see a lot of healthy mouths. We have a lot of people who come in for cleanings and need nothing else.”
The practice is not just about dentistry, Haddad said. Advanced Dental also contributes to a number of charities, including those dealing with Tourette’s Syndrome, breast cancer and other organizations.
“It’s important to give back to the community and those who are less fortunate,” he said.
Haddad said his support staff plays a large role in the practice’s success.
“I think that I have the best team in town,” he said. “My staff is all highly trained professionals who are warm and kind and extremely dedicated to their field, and I don’t think we can find any better team around. They are very on top of everything and take great care of our patients.”
