There has been a big change in my family this week.
My dad sold his dental practice.
The first sentence in the letter he sent to his patients said,
"I have been practicing dentistry for 46 years and it has been very difficult
to come to the decision that it is time for me to step aside".
I don't remember a time when this cute little old house
(that is unfortunately falling apart because the landlord is cheap and lazy)
hasn't been a part of our family.
I started working for my dad during the summers when I was in high school.
After college I worked for a company in Concord, but a couple of months after Kaitlyn was born they closed the California office. I tried to stay home with Kaitlyn as long as I could. When I needed to go back to work I lucked out when one of dad's assistants quit and I asked for the job. So I have been working for him part-time for almost 14 years now. Sometimes my mom and I would have the same schedule and the three of us were able to work together at the office. It has truly been a great experience to be able to work with my parents.
I learned a lot and it was fun to see what what my dad did everyday and to meet his patients.
One patient wrote this about him on "Yelp". "Dr. Gwilliam is my favorite dentist...Dr. Gwilliam always remembers things from my last appointment, both teeth related and personal, and asks very thoughtful questions. I sometimes wonder if he keeps a journal of information that he reads right before an appointment to refresh his memory. Regardless, it makes me feel much more comfortable and confident that he cares about my overall health,
not just my teeth and gums..."
There is no journal, he just has always loved what he does and loves talking to his patients and getting to know them. He has seen generations of families over the years. His other assistant, Sylvia, is still working for the new dentist and said the patients reactions to dad leaving has been "heartbreaking".
When I first started working for my dad one day a week I would have my own dental assistant - Kaitlyn. My dad usually didn't have patients on Wednesdays
so Kaitlyn and I would spend the day answering phones,
cleaning and restocking supplies.
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Notice that she thought the dental masks were party hats and
she's using the x-ray machine as her telephone.
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A couple of summers ago she came in to work at the office.
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I just want to thank my dad for being a great dentist, boss, dad and grandpa.
I know this is a huge change in my parents lives,
but I am happy for them and hope that once they adjust to all the new changes
they will love their retirement life.
5 comments:
What a sweet post!! Kk is the cutest little thing! I bet there were some tears shed while you were writing this post :( Such a nice tribute to your dad. Julie
Thanks for sharing. We have been thinking about y'all all week!
Dr. Gwilliam was my dentist since 1975. The only one my son ever knew. We will miss him. I wish to contact him and let him know personally and ask for a recommedation for a new dentist on my UPS route in Concord. He can e-mail me at akalias2rp@sbcglobal.net. Or call me he can get my number.
Ron Hansen Jr.
Dr. Gwilliam was my dentist too for almost 15 years, and always asked about my 3 kids every time I saw him. I'm 50 now, but he was a great dentist and a fine human being. Regaling me with stories of his kids, then grandkids, the buckeye field and other Lafayette legends and stories. Happy retirement Dr. G. Best from the Chris Smith Family.
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