There’s Something About That Smile…
By Cathy Holt
After interviewing Dr. Kouadio, I think I want him to be my dentist! Dr. Kouadio opened his new dental office at 130 Biltmore Avenue (across and down from the Orange Peel), in October 2006. Prior to that, he served for two years as dental director for Buncombe County Health Department, where he worked as a general dentist and also oversaw the work of another dentists and oral surgeons. “It was my dream to have my own practice,” he relates. “My goal is to have a family dental practice, although my predecessor saw only adults. I’m still taking new patients, and everyone is welcome.”
9 Years of Dental Training
Originally Dr.
Kouadio is from the Ivory Coast in West Africa. “After high school, I
got a scholarship to go to France to study dentistry,” he said. Upon
graduation, his original plan was to teach at a dental school in the
Ivory Coast, partly in order to assist his ailing father. However, when
his father passed away he decided to come to the U.S. “In order to
practice dentistry in the U.S., it is required to have a degree from an
American dental school. My first language was French, so coming here
(to the United States), I had to learn English and study dentistry at
the same time. The language was my first challenge.”
He attended
dental school at New York University, and then did a one-year general
practice residency at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital. Now he has nine years of
dental training-more than twice that of the average dentist!
Why Asheville?
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| Meet Dr. Koffi Kouadio, Profession: Family Dentistry |
“I wanted to get
away from big cities; it’s hard on the children to live in a place like
New York. I was looking for a better place to raise children and have a
quieter life,” he said. “I like the size of the city, the mountains,
and the people. Dr. Kouadio is married with two sons, ages nine and
four. He and his family live in Fletcher. Culturally, this is a very
open place. I’m networking, getting to know more people in the
community.” He held an open house in January, inviting the public to
come by, see his office and meet the staff. Currently he has one
hygienist and two dental assistants.
“Don’t wait
until you are in pain to call the dentist,” he advises. “Come twice a
year for your cleanings and for preventing more complex situations.” He
adds, “Most people brush their teeth, but they are not meticulous. You
can’t do a thorough job in 5 seconds!
We teach a
specific way of brushing, getting to the back teeth. Avoid abrasive
toothpastes, which can damage the teeth, use a soft toothbrush, and
floss regularly. With children, start them brushing their teeth young.
My four-year-old watches me brush and everything he sees me do, he
tries to do. After he brushes his own teeth, I say ‘It’s Daddy’s turn
now,’ and I finish the areas he did not do.”
As a general
practice dentist, he has experience working with both adults and
children (ages 3 and up), does fillings, crowns and bridges, makes
dentures for older people at his on-site lab, and does oral surgery
such as extractions and root canals.
To contact Dr. Kouadio call Ladent “Gentle Touch” Family Dentistry at (828) 252-3851.
