Ballard Family Dentistry
Dental Care you can trust by Dentists who Listen
We ask, what makes the most sense to YOU?
For the past two decades, Ballard Family Dentistry has been a cornerstone of dental care and community support in our town. Under the compassionate leadership of two brothers, Dr. Scott Ballard and Dr. David Ballard, the practice has not only delivered exceptional dental services but also fostered a welcoming environment where patients feel like family. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Ballard Family Dentistry continues to prioritize patient choice and community engagement, reflecting their unwavering commitment to both oral health and local well-being.
On the heels of this remarkable anniversary, which they will celebrate this October, I had the pleasure of visiting with Dr. Scott to review and reflect on their journey since opening the doors of their Saginaw dental office in 2004. In an ever-growing corporate dental community, the value of a family-owned local practice that supports the communities in which we live exemplifies the idea of “it takes a village.” During our visit, it was clear how wonderful their village really is.
Dr. Scott began by sharing a transformative and humbling anecdote that now shapes his daily philosophy. Originally, he adhered to the prevailing belief in the industry that “the dentist knows best,” but through several interactions with patients who questioned their treatment options, he learned that patients often have valuable insights about their own needs and preferences. This shift in perspective led him to adopt a philosophy where respecting patient autonomy and being transparent about treatment options became central to him as a provider as well as to his practice. With over 2,700 five-star reviews on Google, his philosophy appears to be validated.
Dr. Scott and Dr. Dave now operate six dental locations, serving five counties, with 130 employees who provide care to over 40,000 patients. Every office upholds the same values and culture that the brothers established for the Saginaw office. They continue to prioritize developing relationships with patients, which starts before a person actually walks through their front door. To this day, every new patient receives a phone call from the dentist the day before their first visit. The dentist introduces themselves and welcomes the patient to the office. They ask if there are any questions or concerns prior to the visit in an effort to provide comprehensive care before they arrive. Undoubtedly, this helps to settle a few nerves too. “We have found that connections often begin during this call, and it sets the stage for a comfortable experience with our team. We have been told by patients that they were shocked to receive a call from us. It goes back to the relationship, and that starts with trust. The call is a big part of that.”
If a patient is seen and further treatment is needed, they provide a number of options to the patient. Dr. Scott’s conviction about providing patients with the valuable information needed to help them make the best choice, the one that’s right for them, is evident. “Ultimately, it is the patient who decides which option is the best choice.” Dr. Scott reiterated that “his team consists of health care providers, not salespeople, and this principle is upheld with every patient, no matter what.” With their growth in communities, both Dr. Scott and Dr. Dave, in a combined effort with their leadership team, have added and maintained an exceptional group of experienced providers, including both dentists and dental hygienists, as well as front office teams. “We always want to make certain that from start to finish, the patient feels complete trust in their experience with us.” He quickly adds, “Our people make us better. We would not be successful without the incredible people we have who support the day-to-day operations in each practice.” Dr. Scott’s high praise for his staff, some of whom have been with him since day one, is also a testament to the values of Ballard Family Dentistry.
Another added value this team brings to the table is the BFD Dental Savings Plan for those without dental insurance. It is not an insurance plan but a discount plan that provides similar discounts to those that insurance companies would offer for services at their dental office. This allows their patients to have another option for affordable dental care. Dr. Scott emphasizes, “There is no difference in the level of care and attention we provide between cash-paying patients and those who have insurance. It’s about the patient, not the payment method.”
While both Dr. Scott’s and Dr. Dave’s commitment to their patients and their teams is evident, their influence extends far beyond the dental chair and team training. One of the highlights of my conversation with Dr. Scott was his enthusiastic recounting of the origins of the Creature Teacher Program, which he launched over 15 years ago. At the time, kids’ dental programs were scarce in elementary schools, largely due to the fact that many administrators felt they weren’t impactful, based on the types of programs they had seen in the past. They explained that the kids were not engaged and it was not helpful. They were hesitant, but Dr. Scott persisted. By taking a creative approach and enlisting a friend who worked at a zoo, he was able to bring a variety of animals, including a lemur and a Brazilian barn owl, into the classroom.
That’s all it took. Thousands of children in our local EMS-ISD schools, as well as the other schools that their locations serve, now see this program every year in February. Dr. Scott beams with pride when he talks about having interactions with now-grown children who will walk up to him outside of the office and say, “Hey, aren’t you the Creature Teacher Dentist?” Dozens of schools now request the program, hoping to instill good dental habits in children through this unique and memorable experience.
If that isn’t enough, the Ballards donate dental hygiene bags to every child attending the program. They estimate that they have given out over 50,000 kids’ hygiene bags since the program began. When school districts shut down during COVID, they found a way to bring the program to kids by recording a presentation and supplying the schools with a link for their students to view online. Everyone can’t wait to see the baby kangaroo each year, including Dr. Scott and Dr. Dave.
As Ballard Family Dentistry celebrates this remarkable journey of serving our community for 20 years, it’s clear that the heart of this practice lies in the strong relationships built with patients and the people who live here. Dr. Scott Ballard and Dr. David Ballard, along with their dynamic team, prioritize creating a welcoming environment where every patient feels like family. Their commitment extends beyond exceptional dental care to actively supporting and enriching the community. If you’re looking for a dental practice that values personal connections, Ballard Family Dentistry has our vote.
Congratulations, Ballard Family Dentistry on your 20 years of success in our communities!
