Dentists All Smiles Over Merger

Dentists All Smiles Over Merger

by | Oct 24, 2018 | Birmingham, LBN Community Series, Total Dental Fitness

Dentists All Smiles Over Merger
24
OCTOBER 2018
BY REBECCA CALAPPI
LBN Community Series
Birmingham
Scott Meldrum, D.D.S., was looking to slow down.

Glen Maylath, D.D.S., wasn’t actively looking to merge his practice with someone else.

But in June, the long-time friends and colleagues combined their dental practices creating Total Dental Fitness, and so far, it’s working beautifully.

GLEN MAYLATH, D.D.S (l) & SCOTT MELDRUM, D.D.S. (R)

CO-OWNERS OF TOTAL DENTAL FITNESS
“I mentioned it to Glen, and he said, ‘Why don’t you come work for me?’ I looked at the office, thought it was exquisite, merged all my clientele here and I think it’s been fairly successful,” said Dr. Meldrum.

Dr. Maylath agrees.

“We’ve known each other for a long time, and it just turned out,” Dr. Maylath said.

Andrea Kowalyk, 44, has been a patient of Dr. Meldrum since she was a child.  She said she was uncertain when she heard about the new business relationship.

“I was nervous,” Kowalyk said. “I really trust Dr. Meldrum. Then he merged with Dr. Maylath and he’s great. I could be alright now if Dr. Meldrum chooses to retire. Both dentists are great at making sure nothing hurts you and treating you like you have a brain in your head They have great bedside manner and are very compassionate at what they do.”

For many years, Dr. Meldrum worked out of an office on Elm in Birmingham. He bought that practice in 1978 from his then father-in-law, whose family had owned the practice since the 1930s. Now, the two dentists work out of offices at 50 W. Big Beaver Road.

They offer the full spectrum of dental care for the whole family including a fully digital experience using leading-edge technology, same-day crowns and even some orthodontics.

“I think the biggest difference in our two practices is how my practice was a very small, old-fashioned dental practice,” said Dr. Meldrum. “We had one small computer, but most things were done on paper. I moved from the 1980s to the 21st century in one afternoon. Everything here is digital as much as possible. The instant modernization is the biggest change.”

Having worked solo for many years, the new business partners are enjoying talking shop.

“We want to make it a fun, positive experience. When they’re in the dental chair, we really engage them so they have a good time.”
“There’s certain dynamics of having other eyes looking at something,” said Dr. Maylath. “It’s nice to be able to have a different viewpoint or reaffirm a viewpoint.”

Said Dr. Meldrum, “I’ve always worked by myself. It’s fun to have a colleague to talk about dentistry in general. He and I can be candid when we’re in the back room eating lunch.”

While dentistry is the bread and butter of their business, they occasionally stumble into something much deeper. Dr. Maylath remembers patients who thought they were having teeth issues, but it turned out to be a brain aneurysm, multiple sclerosis and even a brain abscess.

While Dr. Meldrum has worked mostly by himself, Dr. Maylath went into the army after dental school and worked with other professionals on a daily basis.

“After dental school, I was in the army at different dental facilities. There were different dentists trained in different parts of the country, and that opened new options,” said Dr. Maylath.

A Paw Paw, Michigan, native, he knew he wanted to be a dentist in eighth grade. After attending Kalamazoo College and then University of Detroit-Mercy for dental school, Dr. Maylath was posted on an army air base in Germany for six of his seven years in the service. He also served at an evacuation hospital during operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield.

“When I came back to Birmingham over 20 years ago, I decided that if I’m going to establish a practice, why don’t I make everything digital. We’ve been doing it for more than 20 years. My whole goal is to stay on the leading edge with crowns in a day and laser dentistry,” he said. “Whether it’s new technology or something that’s been done for many years, we still treat people how we want to be treated. That’s key. And that aspect doesn’t change whatever the technology is.”

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That philosophy mirrors Dr. Meldrum’s.

 “It doesn’t make a big difference in how I fix someone’s tooth. But it helps with the business,” said Dr. Meldrum. “It was tough for me to get used to, but now I’m used to it and it’s more efficient.”

Total Dental Fitness is also supported by Diana McQuirter, D.D.S., who sees patients a few days a week.

 

The practice is an experience. Patients can use video games, such as a snowboarding simulator, in the waiting room before or after their appointment. Parents appreciate the distraction for the whole family.

“We want to engage the patient,” said Dr. Maylath. “We want to make it a fun, positive experience. When they’re in the dental chair, we really engage them so they have a good time. When they see what happens, they tell their friends and they refer their friends.”

Read our previous story about Dr. Scott Meldrum:

https://localbiznews.net/dentists-old-school-approach-puts-focus-on-people/

50 W. Big Beaver Road
Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
248-642-5020
totaldentalfitness.com
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LATEST TROY POSTS

October 17, 2018

October 17, 2018

by | Oct 18, 2018 | Royal Oak News

Wm. Sullivan & Sons’ Michael Lope Elected to Funeral Director Leadership Post

In business in Royal Oak since 1906, the Wm. Sullivan & Sons Funeral Directors has been run by generations of Sullivans. In 1960, son-in-law Raymond Lope joined the business. His son, Michael Lope, the family’s 4th generation in the business and co-owner, was recently elected president of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association Sixth District, representing metro Detroit. He is the fourth family member to hold the office, preceded by his grandfather, Jim Sullivan; father, Ray Lope, and uncle, Bill Sullivan.

Looking for Actors

Open auditions for Stagecrafters’ production of IF / THEN, a musical about what might happen if we make a different choice, will take place on October 13 at Prince of Glory Lutheran Church.  Registration is at 9 a.m. Auditions begin at 10 a.m. For more information, go to Audition Information.

Everything Sherlock Can Do, in Heels!

Cecilia M. Bouchard, the author of “It’s Not What Ya Think!” Will speak Wednesday, October 17, at 7:00 p.m. at the Royal Oak Public Library. She will talk about her 30-year career that began when she became the eighth licensed female private investigator in the State of Michigan.

“It’s Not What Ya Think”! is a collection of 70 of Ms. Bouchard’s short stories about the good, the bad, the funny and the dangerous situations she has faced in her career. The program is free. Resister at ropl.org or call the library’s Adult Reference Desk at 248-246-3727.

Mugshot Mixer

Don’t let your first impression be a mug shot. Come out to Royal Oak’s Ambitious Millenials’ Mugshot Mixer at ISCG, an evening of networking, food and drinks. Each $60 ticket includes a headshot by Melissa Tremblay from Platinum Imagery (a $250 value), food and one drink provided by Pronto! There will be two options for headshot backgrounds and make-up professional will be available for a 5 minute make-up and hair touch up. Space is limited to 60. 35 headshots will be scheduled for during the event and 25 additional headshots will be scheduled later at the Platinum Imagery studio for those that cannot attend or would like their headshots taken at a later date.

If you would like to come and connect but do not need a new headshot, tickets are also available for $30 and will include food and one drink as well as the opportunity to network with young professionals from the Royal Oak area. Additional drink tickets will also be available at the event. Click here for tickets.

If You Can’t Go to the Library, the Library Will Come to You!

Royal Oak residents who are homebound due to disability or illness and physically unable to visit the library can get books delivered. Patrons must have a Royal Oak Public Library card to qualify for this service. The Library will mail up to three items at a time, along with a return-postage address label.

How to sign up for the service:

To qualify for the homebound service, patrons must complete an application, and have it certified by their physician, nurse, clergy person, or social worker. Please have the signee note whether the applicant is permanently or temporarily unable to travel to the library. Medical details are not necessary. Library staff then process the application and notify the patron when service will begin.

Click here for the Homebound Services Application Packet (PDF). Return the application to any library staff member at mail it to 222 E Eleven Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067.

 If you have any questions, feel free to contact Homebound Services Coordinator Mick Howey at (248) 246-3724 or michaelh@ropl.org.

At Scrubbers, Dogs and Cats are Groovin’ to the Grooming

At Scrubbers, Dogs and Cats are Groovin’ to the Grooming

by | Oct 18, 2018 | LBN Community Series, Royal Oak, Scrubbers Dog Wash

At Scrubbers, Dogs and Cats Are Groovin’ to the Grooming

18

OCTOBER 2018
BY PATTY LANOUE STEARNS

LBN Community Series
Royal Oak

Just off the corner of Webster and Woodward in Royal Oak, a steady parade of customers is streaming into Scrubbers, fur babies in tow, all of the latter in need of a good bath.

Dennielle McIver, a Royal Oak MS LPC (Master of Science, Licensed Professional Counselor) just popped in with Happy, an adorable Pomsky puppy that she is training to be an emotional support dog. The Pomeranian/Husky mix, hugging McIver like a baby, is a ball of thick black fur. Today is his first grooming.

Ilza Berzins comes in just after McIver, toting her Cockapoo, Fifi, and her Havanese, Lula. The Beverly Hills dog owner says she’s been a Scrubbers customer for a year, for trims and other grooming. “They’re great here—always on time, and they do a good job,” she says, holding both dogs.

NIKKI BUDAJ-CHATFIELD

CO-OWNER OF SCRUBBERS DOG WASH

Buster—aka The Shop Dog—an 11-year-old terrier-mix rescued from the Michigan Humane Society, pads out near the front desk, sniffing the thrice-his-size Godendoodle that’s just come in. As each new dog enters, the barking amps up. Buster, who belongs to Scrubbers groomer Candace Jude, seems cool with that.

Amid all of this canine cacophony is Nikki Budaj-Chatfield, 32, herself an oasis of calm. The mother of two young children and co-owner of this and two other Scrubbers locations in Oakland County stands at the counter, fielding new customers, phone calls and questions. The barking doesn’t faze her. She knows once the dogs relax, they get into the groove and come out clean and manicured in the end.

Cats are welcome here, too, for professional nail and other trimming, shaving, bathing and brushing. “As long as owners are comfortable bathing their cats, they’re welcome for self-serve as well,” says Budaj-Chatfield.

While most clients are leaving their pets with the grooming staff for nail trims and other primping this morning, they’re welcome to do their own, seven days a week. Scrubbers offers five tubs with shampoo, face wash, combs, rakes, scrubbers and even mouthwash, plus fluffy towels and blow-dry stations to make Fluffy even fluffier.

“It’s great to build relationships with our customers and recognize them when they come in. The customers really appreciate that.”

The tubs are large enough to accommodate Scrubbers’ biggest canine customer, a 240- pound English Mastiff.

Budaj-Chatfield bought Scrubbers in May of 2012 as a turnkey business from its previous owner. “He was afraid the business was going to plateau, but we doubled the business within six months,” says Nikki. 

Scrubbers has been growing ever since, adding locations in West Bloomfield, where she grew up, and Rochester Hills, the newest, almost a year old. Now the Royal Oak location is expanding 1,200 more square feet to the suite next door, with four new grooming tables, two tubs and a blow-dry and crate area, all of which should be completed by November.

“We’ve just rebranded ourselves so we can to get into franchising,” says Budaj-Chatfield. She and her husband, co-owner Jim Chatfield, 50, plan to franchise locations starting in early 2019.

The couple met when she bought Scrubbers. “He was the previous owner’s best friend. He was helping out to teach me the business, we became good friends, and then things just happened. I always joke that I bought the husband and got a free business.”

Budaj-Chatfield has always loved animals. She rescued her first dog from a shelter when she was 18, and while attending Western Michigan University as a nursing student, she eventually fostered and adopted out 35 cats and dogs through the Kalamazoo County Animal Rescue.

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That experience changed her career path. “I decided I didn’t like (taking care of) people,” she laughs. “I like animals way better.”

After college, she moved back home and immediately started training as a groomer for the now-defunct Aussie Pet Mobile. “The girl who trained me back in 2009 is now my grooming manager, Crystal Goldsmith,” says Budaj-Chatfield, whose employees number 15 to 20 during most months. “I love my employees—everybody is family here.”

While there are many challenges as a small business owner, Budaj-Chatfield says the joys outweigh the perils: “It’s always a fast-paced job, we’re not sitting behind a desk, rotting away. It’s a physical job, so we’re always up and moving.”

She says her favorite part of the job is that she gets to play with dogs all day, despite the janitorial duties that go along with it. “We’re constantly cleaning floors, doing laundry.”

Plus, she adds, “It’s great to build relationships with our customers and recognize them when they come in. The customers really appreciate that.”

Prices for professional grooming vary due to the dog type, coat and condition, from about $35 to $150 for double-coated breeds.

2713 W. Webster
Royal Oak, MI 48073
248.584.3647
scrubbersdogwash.com
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LATEST ROYAL OAK POSTS

October 17, 2018

October 17, 2018

by | Oct 17, 2018 | Birmingham News

Birmingham and Bloomfield Police Team Up with Red Wings Alumni to Raise Funds

Birmingham and Bloomfield police officers and the Detroit Red Wings alumni will play a fundraiser hockey game to benefit a youth battling a rare brain related disorder. The fundraiser will benefit Ian Dyer, who suffers from Catastrophic Epilepsy and Autism Spectrum Disorder. He has undergone five surgeries since 2014 to fight hundreds of daily seizures and reduce his risk of sudden death. The game will be Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Detroit Skating Club, 888 Denison Court in Bloomfield Hills, MI.

“Our goal is to raise money so Ian can benefit from an elevated level of therapeutic care,” said Birmingham Lieutenant Chris Koch, noting that Ian receives a daily therapy called ABA Therapy that focuses on improving specific behaviors, motor dexterity and life skills. “We urge the public to consider supporting this wonderful child while seeing some of your favorite Detroit Red Wings alumni in action.”

Tickets prices range from $10 for and advance children’s ticket to $250 for a VIP ticket which includes early entrance, stadium seating and dinner with the Detroit Red Wings Alumni. Attendees will enjoy a 50/50 raffle and giveaways. Tickets are available at https://events.ticketprinting.com/event/Detroit-Red-Wings-Alumni-Charity-Hockey-Game-30738

Workers Needed for November 6 Election

The City of Birmingham needs election workers for the upcoming election. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and registered to vote in the state of Michigan. Ability to use a computer is helpful. Full and half-day shifts are available. The pay rate is $10.00 per hour. For more information, call the City Clerk’s office at (248) 530-1880. For general election information, visit www.bhamgov.org/voting

Stay Safe with ALICE Training

If bullets are flying, not many people know what to do to increase their chance of survival. That was certainly the case in schools after the Columbine shooting in 1999. Greg Crane, a veteran law enforcement officer and school safety and active shooter expert, asked his wife, an elementary school principal, what they would do and concluded that there was a need to train students and school personnel. ALICE, which stands for alert, lockdown, inform, counter, evacuate, was the first training program like it in the country.

The program provides participants with an option-based response to an active shooter gaining entry into a school, a business or any organization. ALICE teaches how to use human action, building infrastructure and communication options to increase the chance of survival.

The Birmingham Police Department invites all community members to learn about ALICE on Monday, October 22nd at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, at 1589 W. Maple Rd. Register by calling 248-530-1870.

Winter Market Booths Available

Shain Park will host the City of Birmingham’s annual Birmingham Winter Market event on Friday, November 30 through Sunday, December 2. Attendees will enjoy food and drinks, gift items, holiday greens, crafts, ice carving demonstrations, live reindeer, warming stations, a Kinderhaus children’s activity area, the popular Santa House, horse-drawn carriage rides and live entertainment.

The Birmingham Shopping District is seeking sponsors for the event. Download the 2018 Birmingham Winter Markt Sponsorship Packet for sponsorship information. Sponsorships are also available for the Birmingham Tree Lighting, Santa House Warming Tent and horse-drawn carriage rides. For more information please contact the Birmingham Shopping District at 248-530-1254 or jbrook@bhamgov.org.

Birmingham Shopping District merchants currently have an opportunity to purchase a booth at the Birmingham Winter Market event for half off the regular price. Download the 2018 Birmingham Winter Markt Vendor Application here. Information is available at www.BirminghamWinterMarkt.org

The Village Players Present “Big Fish” October 26 – November 11

Big Fish is a toe-tapping musical that features music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, who grew up in the Detroit area, and book by John August, based on the book by Daniel Wallace and film by Tim Burton. The story revolves around the relationship between a travelling salesman and his adult son, who looks for what is behind his father’s tall tales. The audience can look forward to an imaginative ride with songs like “Be the Hero” and “Fight the Dragons.”

Performances are Oct. 26, 27, 28*, November 2, 3, 4*, 9, 10, 11*, 2018 at 8 p.m., except asterisked (*) shows, which are 2 p.m. matinees. Tickets are $21 plus a $1 processing fee for each ticket order. To purchase tickets, click here or order by phone at (248) 644-2075.

 

October 17, 2018

October 17, 2018

by | Oct 17, 2018 | Troy News

Run (For Your Lives) in Costume!

The annual Frightful 5K and Pumpkin 1K event will be haunting the Troy Community Center on Sunday, October 28. Whether you’re a goblin, ghost or zombie, you can scare your friends and neighbors running the 5K along Big Beaver or do the monster dash at the Pumpkin 1K. The 5K starts at 8:30 a.m. at Troy Community Center and the Pumpkin 1K is at 9:30 a.m. This year, there will be even more fun with inflatables and a free open swim for race participants. Registration includes a race shirt, bag, and free open swim. Register here.

Fifi, Fido and Friends are Invited to Howl-O-Ween

Why should kids without fur have all the fun? Dress up your canine children and bring them to trick-or-treat and show off their Howl-O-Ween finest in a doggie costume contest. The event will be Tuesday, October 23, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Daisy Knight Dog Park. The event is for dog park members and space is limited to the first 50 small dogs and 50 large dogs. Dogs must wear their licenses. Tickets are $3 per dog for residents and $5 per dog for nonresidents. The rain date is Wednesday, October 24. Register by noon on October 22 in person at Troy Community Center or online at rec.troymi.gov/registration using activity #8200-A for dogs over 25 lbs. or activity #8200-B for dogs under 25 lbs.

Get Paid to Help at Pools, Parties or on Hardpack

Whether your specialty is water, tiny tots or mogul fields, Troy Recreation might be looking for you. They are currently hiring for positions including swim Instructor, lifeguard, community center attendant, Birthday Party Coordinators and leaders, rec aides and ski program staff. Applicants must be 15 years of age or older and are asked to apply in person at the Community Center. Call (248) 524-3484 for more information.

Troy City Council Schedules Interviews for City Manager Candidates

Troy City Council has scheduled a first round of interviews for City Manager candidates for Saturday, October 27.  The six candidates are: Victor Cardenas, Jane Bais-DiSessa, Gary M. Mekjian, Mark F. Miller, Rex Saukkonen, and Chris D. Wilson. You can see the candidates’ resumes at https://bit.ly/2EiGpbU. A finalist round of interviews is expected to be scheduled for Thursday, November 15, 2018, at which time the public will be able to meet the finalist candidates.

The Ridgedale Players Present “In-Laws, Outlaws, and Other People (That Should Be Shot)”

In this comedy by Steve Franco, the Douglas family is busily preparing to be invaded by their quirky relatives for their annual Christmas Eve dinner.  After robbing a neighborhood liquor store, high-strung and irritable Tony and his dim-witted sidekick Vinny find themselves in need of a place to briefly hide out.  Using a ruse to gain entrance into the Douglas home, they suddenly find themselves in charge of an ever-growing list of family members that they are forced to hold hostage.  Performances will be November 30, December 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 2018. Tickets are available at ridgedaleplayers.com/2018-2019-season.