2009-11-19

Bringing Lakehills 10 years of ‘best dental care possible’

By Judith Pannebaker

“I’ve been involved in the dental profession since I was 16 years old and my family dentist trained me to be an assistant,” Rise´ Lyman, DDS, recently recalled. “I’ve always wanted to be a dentist since I was a little girl and literally have never had another job.”

This month, as she celebrates the 10th anniversary of her dental practice, the Lakehills Dental Center, 8500 FM 1283, Suite L, Lyman remains remarkably enthusiastic about her chosen profession.

She also clearly loves working close to home. Lyman moved to Lakehills in 1995, but continued to commute to her dental practice in San Antonio’s Northeast section. Recalling her many years of a three-hour daily grind, she understated, “It’s nice not to have to drive into San Antonio every day.”

Given her passion for dentistry, it should come as no surprise that Lyman has used her “found” time to immerse herself in even more dental-centric activities, explaining, “I do as much outreach as I can.”

For over 20 years, Lyman has participated in dental mission trips sponsored by the Christian Medical Dental Association, which offers medical and dental treatment to people living in remote areas of Texas and Mexico.

She also participates in the Texas Dental Association’s Mission of Mercy, held in different Texas cities throughout the year. Most recently, a mini version of TMOM was held in Rocksprings called “Smiles on Wheels.” The event was co-sponsored by the San Antonio District Dental Society.

Lyman also extends her charitable work closer to home as an associate with Bandera’s Arthur Nagel Community Clinic. Along with her Bandera County colleagues, dentists William Dubose and John Leland, Lyman offers dental care to patients of the community clinic at her office in Lakehills.

“The board of directors wanted to include dental operatories in the clinic, but that was really not cost effective or efficient,” she said. “So, Dr. Dubose and Dr. Leland and I got together and offered to see patients in our private practices. So far, it’s worked out really well.”

Lyman serves as the chairman of the scientific sessions for the 2010 American Dental Association conference in Orlando, Florida. She’s also the president-elect of the Texas Section of the International College of Dentists. Additionally, the clear overachiever is president of the “Smiles for Success” Foundation – the nonprofit arm of the American Association of Women Dentists.

She also managed to squeeze in 13 years on the faculty of the dental school, where she taught a simulated private practice in the department of general dentistry. “The class gave dental students a taste of the real world,” she explained.

Throughout her career, Lyman has adhered to the mantra, “I want to give all patients the absolute best dental care possible at affordable prices.”

In her bright and cheery office, she offers a range of dental procedures from restorations, implants and root canals to cosmetic procedures, extractions and orthodontics. Digital radiographic images, replacing the old x-ray, allow her to share records easily with dental specialists.

Lyman’s patients range in age from six months to 97 years.
A new State of Texas policy requires all children to have a “dental home,” Lyman explained. “This is a good thing since baby teeth start to erupt at age six months,” she added. “Unfortunately, pediatricians don’t look in the mouth. They look down a child’s throat, but not at the teeth. Seeing a baby early gives us a chance to determine if the teeth are developing properly.”

It also allows Lyman and her staff an opportunity to educate parents regarding brushing and fluoride applications. “The time to start brushing a child’s teeth is when they appear in the mouth,” Lyman said. “It’s also important for parents to limit their children’s access to too much sugary candy, which causes rampant decay.”

Besides educating parents, Lyman takes great pride in her enlightening efforts with dental manufacturing companies. When she graduated from dental school at San Antonio’s University of Texas Health Science Center in 1985, only a small percentage of the class was female. As Lyman noted, in the last 25 years, the percentage of women graduating from dental schools has jumped to over 50 percent.

Unfortunately, the design of equipment, instruments and even latex gloves failed to keep pace with the changing faces of the profession.

“As president of the American Association of Women Dentists in the ‘90s, I consulted with dental manufacturers and explained the problem to them. Remarkably, until I showed them the statistics, they didn’t realize that many women dentists were currently entering the profession,” Lyman said.

However, cognizant of the bottom line, dental suppliers proved to be fast learners. Now, all equipment such as chairs and operator stools, and instruments have been scaled down to more “female-friendly” sizes.

Additionally, attractive and brightly colored masks, scrubs and protective eyewear – which Lyman described as “the things that make dentistry fun” – have become the norm, not the exception. “It’s been remarkable to see the transition,” she said.

Given her unbridled enthusiasm, Lyman will no doubt see more changes in her profession during the coming years.

Even though she would love to have more time to travel, golf and country western dance with her husband, Sam; participate in marathon runs with her twin daughters; and just enjoy the couple’s combined 16 grandchildren, retirement clearly isn’t an option for Lyman. “I love my patients, profession and team too much to even think of that,” she quipped.

To schedule a dental appointment, call the Lakehills Dental Center at 830-612-2626.