BY KATIE MARSH with SARAH SHOAF

For over 25 years, Dr. Sarah Shoaf has been a trusted resource in the Triad for orthodontic care.  She opened Salem Smiles in 2012 and it’s a business that has been built on care and compassion…. They are a team that believes in the beauty of every unique smile!  With that said—as we continue to get settled into a new year, consider these 20 reasons to love Salem Smiles!

1. Salem Smiles patients have the best-credentialed orthodontist in town! Shoaf has over 30 years of orthodontic experience, as well as her DDS, Masters in Education, and Masters in Science degrees. She is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, which means she has undergone a rigorous National oral test and critique of her treated cases.  Dr. Shoaf has been declared in the top quarter of ability of practicing orthodontists.  Additionally, Dr. Shoaf was originally trained as a Physician Assistant and therefore has a solid foundation of medical knowledge to treat mentally and physically challenged patients.
2. Shoaf is the most experienced orthodontist in town when it comes to Invisalign! Dr. Shoaf was trained in the original Invisalign classes in 1999 and has treated Invisalign patients ever since. An added bonus—the Invisalign treatments cost the same as regular braces at Salem Smiles!
3. Salem Smiles is housed in a historic Art Deco building that gives a patient a lovely, homey feel!
4. Salem Smiles is a talented group of professionals who care, but the staff also includes the most wonderful bilingual assistants! Not only do they help with the needed treatment, but they also explain why the patient needs it.
5. Salem Smiles offers easy, no-interest payment plans for treatment!
6. Additionally, Dr. Shoaf has over 30 years’ experience with craniofacial anomalies, patients such as those with a cleft palate or craniofacial synostosis.
7. In addition to Invisalign, patients of Salem Smiles have the options of regular metal braces or ceramic braces, which decrease the “obviously-in-treatment” look.
8. Don’t you hate waiting for appointments? At Salem Smiles, they pride themselves on not only being ON TIME for their patient’s treatment, but they can often see patients upon early arrival.  They hate waiting as much as you do!!
9. The Salem Smiles team has extensive experience treating medically challenged patients. Additionally, they have an accessible wheelchair ramp for those who need easy access to the office.
10. Salem Smiles has the BEST and friendliest front desk associates who offer bilingual help for checking in and out and keeping appointments straight.
11. Tie-Dye Shirts!! Each person who starts treatment at Salem Smiles is given a tie-dye shirt from a local artisan to wear to their appointments.  And just as no two patients are alike—no two shirts are alike, either!!   Shoaf offers incentives and prizes to her patients who wear their shirt on appointment day, including raffle tickets for big-screen TVs, backpacks, and other items.
12. No need to gag on goo! Salem Smiles uses scanners instead of gooey, messy, impression material.  It’s easier for everyone!
13. For the patients who are active in sports, Salem Smiles can make custom mouthguards available, so sports such as soccer, hockey, roller derby, etc. can continue to be enjoyed!
14. Visit the doctor before you visit the doctor when you go to their great website—www.salemsmilesortho.com! The website allows patients to meet the doctor and staff, as well as download medical history forms before coming to the office, to decrease the amount of time on your initial appointment.
15. It’s all about location! And Salem Smiles is centrally located near Hanes Park, Wiley Middle School, RJ Reynolds High School, and the Crossnore Children’s School!
16. Adults who are dealing with snoring or sleep apnea can benefit from oral sleep appliances when referred by their sleep doctor.
17. Salem Smiles just love to give their patients prizes! Prizes include free hockey tickets to the Thunderbirds and free tickets to Wake Forest Basketball and Football games!
18. Salem Smiles loves this community and sponsors many school programs, as well as other local programs and organizations! Salem Smiles has been a proud sponsor of RiverRun International Film Festival Saturday Morning Cartoons, Blue Chip Basketball Academy and All-Stars, Thunderbirds hockey, and the Winston-Salem Sled Hockey group for physically challenged players!
19. Sarah Shoaf is the BEST female role model, especially for any young woman interested in a STEM-based career! She’s always eager to provide guidance and answer questions!
20. You get to finish with THE BESTEST, MOST WONDERFUL SMILE EVER!!

So…there’s 20 reasons…out of many.  Without question, after a first visit, you’ll have more great reasons to add to the list!

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Sarah Shoaf of Salem Smiles! Her office is located at 1063 W. Northwest Blvd in Winston-Salem. Her number is 725.5757. Visit her online at SalemSmilesOrtho.com.

A review of patient testimonials quickly confirms these reasons!

“I just wanted to take a minute to thank everybody at Salem Smiles for greeting me from when I came through the door with a smile on their face!  I highly recommend Salem Smiles to everybody!  The have nice, friendly people working there.  Thank you for always being kind to me every time I have a visit there!”  ~ N. Morton

“We just completed orthodontic treatment for our 5th child who started and completed treatment with Dr. Shoaf and the kind people at Salem Smiles. We drove 45 min each way and would do it all again. Thank you for EXEMPLARY care, Salem Smiles!”  ~ A. Murray

“I went to this facility for two years and I always had a great experience: Friendly staff, minimum waiting time and big waiting room. I strongly recommend it.”  ~ D. Arellano

“The nicest people ever!! From the kindest receptionists to the amazing doctors! They treat you diligently and nicely. It also helps that they have bilingual staff members! Easily would recommend Salem Smiles to anyone getting braces!”  ~ S. Hernandez

“This orthodontic office is the best in the Triad area. I have never had a bad experience going there. The appointments were always quick and the atmosphere is always friendly and soothing. Dr. Shoaf is a wonderful orthodontist and all-around great person to work with.”  ~ B. Mix