After his braces are removed, a 17-year-old leaves the office of Dr. James M. Crouse in Salisbury with a big smile, his teeth that were once crooked and poorly spaced now perfectly aligned. “I’m a work of art!” he declares. He’ll smile broadly for the camera with his date at homecoming, confident that he looks his best.

It’s all about braces at the office of Dr. James M. Crouse, where the top priority is to provide the highest quality orthodontic care in a friendly, comfortable environment. The high-quality care is to be expected because Crouse is a board-certified, university-trained specialist with years of experience. That’s why patients turn to him with confidence.

Graduating from Wicomico High School and then the University of Maryland at College Park, Crouse graduated magna cum laude from dental school at the University of Maryland at Baltimore. Joining the United States Air Force, Crouse completed a general practice residency and then practiced general dentistry at RAF Bentwaters in England for three years before going to Emory University in Atlanta for orthodontic training. After three years as an orthodontic consultant at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, he returned to Salisbury to practice with Dr. Alfred Beattie, the orthodontist who had treated Crouse as a teen. Beattie eventually turned over the practice to the younger doctor, confident that he would continue to provide his patients with the quality of care they deserved.

To offer a more comfortable environment for patients, the office at 1413 Wesley Dr., has undergone a complete remodeling in recent months. The familiar turtles enjoy their home in the new atrium where they can be viewed from the treatment chairs. Almost everything else is new.

In addition to GameBoys™ at each chair, teens have a waiting room of their own with interactive games, separate from the new playroom for their younger siblings who are no longer consigned to a corner of the reception area. “The toys here are so much fun, the children don’t want to leave,” observed Susan Crouse, who is office manager, accountant and the doctor’s wife.

“The new operatory is open, friendly and bright, with lots of windows,” she said. Not only is the whole office more attractive, it’s more efficient, and there is more room for the staff. There are computers at every chair where treatment notes are entered electronically. The computers also facilitate access to other patient information including digital radiology records. Patients, too, use computers — at home to check e-mail reminders of appointments and upon arrival to check in.

“We use technology to keep us as efficient as possible so treatment and visits are quick and as comfortable as possible,” Crouse said.

There are many ways to straighten teeth, and Crouse likes to be able to offer all the options available to his patients. Whether it’s traditional metal braces, clear porcelain braces, the Damon appliance or Invisalign®, Crouse does a careful evaluation and then discusses the options with the patient and parents to arrive at the best choice.

Treatment with Invisalign® is an option that has come a long way. Invisalign® is a series of clear, removable appliances called aligners that are generated by a computer to gradually move the teeth. Not everyone is suited for a removable appliance, but for those who are, Invisalign® can treat most orthodontic problems today. Crouse is a Premier Provider for Invisalign® which means he is among the top 5 percent of Invisalign® providers in North America.

Just as important as the doctor is the caring staff at the Brace Place. A treatment coordinator position is being added to provide patient management from the very first appointment. The coordinator will meet with the patient as would a hostess, obtain the necessary information and walk the patient and his or her parents, if appropriate, through the process, taking care of any questions or concerns. “The whole staff is friendly, outgoing and helpful,” Susan said. “We get to know the families,” she added. “We enjoy watching the kids blossom when they get their teeth straightened.”

Crouse keeps up to date on advances in orthodontics by attending conventions and continuing education courses.

The office is open four days a week to accommodate travel and, of course, some family fun. He enjoys scuba diving — hence the underwater décor of the office — and other outdoor activities.

 

To learn more, or to let your children play some cool, safe, interactive computer games, log on to www.drcrousesbraceplace.com. To make an appointment, call 410-749-2933 or send an e-mail to info@drcrousesbraceplace.com.