Dr. Craig Hayes Jr.
Owner, Joplin Dental Care

Favorite dental procedure?

Implants. The entire process from designing and 3D printing my own surgical guides to placement. Technology has made it quick, accurate, and easier for the patient.

Product I love!

Sprintray 3D printers. My team loves not pouring and trimming models, and it has opened many opportunities in our office. We design and print our own surgical guides, nightguards, and utilize design services for temporary dentures, crowns and hybrids. Last year, the day before Thanksgiving, a patient walked in with a broken denture. We were able hold it together for a scan, then print a temporary replica while her existing denture was sent off for repair. She was beyond excited to have teeth for a Thanksgiving family get together. 

Achievement I’m most proud of.

Serving in the US Navy. I wouldn’t be where I am or do the procedures I do now without my AEGD at Naval Station Great Lakes. My wife and I started our family while living in Chicago and San Diego. Plus I got to see the world during three deployments on the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). 

How to handle anxious or fearful patients?

I bought a practice that did oral sedation and had a large number of fearful patients. Oral sedation training has been beneficial to everyone and a great practice builder. 

What would I include in designing my dream dental office? 

This couldn’t be better timing as we are currently finalizing our design and hoping to break ground this summer. I have been in strip malls next to subway and restaurants since I purchased the practice 13 years ago. We are putting scented diffusers into the ductwork so we can always have an incredible aroma and put the restaurant smells behind us! 

If I could swap a profession for a day ... 

Fighter pilot. This was a dream growing up. While serving in the Navy I completed ejection seat and water survival training between deployments hoping to get catapulted off my ship one day. The officer in charge of the air wing broke a tooth and we fixed him up with a crown late one night while I was duty. I told him about my request and the next morning I was shot off the carrier in EA6B Prowler over the Gulf of Oman. An incredible experience I’ll never forget!