Three Generations of Smiles
Grace Phillips
The Ashland Beacon
It was 1958 when James E. Daniel began his dental practice in Ashland, KY. He originally was in practice with Dr. Roscoe Justice. His practice moved to its current location on Central Avenue in 1960 from the first office that was just two doors away. His personality was always bigger than life, and soon his new practice was thriving.
Many people in the area remember Dr. Daniel fondly and recount the things he would always say during their visits. Cheri Daniel, his daughter-in-law, recalled one of the former patients said he would always say “BAM! There goes that bright light!” she continued, “He was the big personality. This wasn’t a job to him; this is what he loved to do….he loved the people.” Ellen Keaton was his patient from a child through young adulthood. She remembered the office always having the children’s Highlights magazine. “Dr. Daniel would take us back for our check-up. When he brought us back to our mom in the waiting room, he would always say, ‘Look Mom, no cavities.’ There was always a smile with him.”
In 1991, a father’s dream came true when his son James E. Daniel II graduated from dental school and decided to join the practice. When asked why he wanted to be a dentist, the younger Dr. Daniel replied, “Probably because I had been around it all my life…it’s all I knew. You do what you know. Dad had a great practice to come to. I had an uncle that was a dentist and another that was an oral surgeon, so it was kind of a family tradition. There are tons of nice patients, but they aren’t just patients. We get to know them and their families and who they are related to…it’s just really rewarding.”
Sadly, the father and son only had a few years together in the practice. The senior Dr. Daniel was diagnosed with cancer in 1994 and passed away in 1996, just two weeks before his grandson Wesley was born. Dr. Jim, as he is called, stated he learned so much in that short time. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”
The family tradition continued last week when Dr. Jim Daniel’s son, Dr. Wes Daniel, came home to join the practice…a 3rd generation. Dr. Wes graduated from the University of Kentucky in May. “There was never really any pressure from them for me to go into dentistry; it just kind of came naturally to me. I saw how much Dad and his dad enjoyed what they did.” Dr. Wes has spent most of the summer getting the office prepped and his equipment ready to begin his practice. One of the newest moves will be to digital dentistry and moving away from paper files.
Dr. Wes remarked, “It’s like the best of the old and the best of the new. They teach us a certain way in school, but it doesn’t always work in practice. It has been really cool getting to talk with my dad and learn from him.” Dr. Jim Daniel interjected at this point, “When you train to do a job, you get used to using certain materials…he’s got a whole new crop now…I get to learn some things from him.” Dr. Jim learned a lot of things from the senior Dr. Daniel, “He would teach me tricks and things that they don’t teach you in school…things to make the job easier.”
Mom and wife, Cheri Daniel commented, “I’m so glad they have each other. I used to listen to Jim and his dad talk on Sundays when he was in school.” She laughed, “Back then, we only called each other on Sundays.” Cheri continued, “Wes would call us from school and talk about the things he was doing and learning and I would listen to the two of them talk. It was really nice listening to them and watching the circle of life take place in front of me.”
Sandy Greene has been with the office since 1968 and is now working with the 3rd generation of Daniels. She runs everything in the office from paying bills to scheduling and is the first face you will see when you walk in their door. She is very modest about her importance to the office, but Dr. Jim quickly adds that Sandy is the glue that holds the office together. “I will tell you that when Dad passed away and I was bombarded with a schedule I had to keep, she got me through it.” They all joked about how Sandy has kept them all in shape while keeping the office operating smoothly for many years.
The proud tradition of Daniel Family Dentistry continues, and the future is in great hands with the addition of Dr. Wes Daniel. He is now accepting new patients. If you would like to schedule an appointment with him, you can call 606.325.2469, and Sandy will be happy to schedule that for you. The office is located at 1408 Central Avenue, Ashland, KY. You can also check out their website at danielfamilydental.com.