By Jessica Legge
FAIRMONT — Craig Hatfield DDS has started a new dental practice in Fairmont.
The Mingo County native graduated from the West Virginia University School of Dentistry in May 2006 and has been doing dentistry work for about a year and a half. On July 9, Hatfield began his own dental practice at 705 Morgantown Ave. in Fairmont, formerly occupied by Cameo Video. The building underwent extensive remodeling to transform the open space into a dental office.
Hatfield’s business offers aesthetic and family dentistry, and a variety of services, including lumineers, veneers and invisalign.
“We also offer free tooth whitening for every patient who comes in and gets their teeth cleaned,” he said. “Patients love that.”
Another dentist recently signed on to join Hatfield’s existing practice. Rudainah Aloufan, a graduate of the WVU School of Dentistry and a friend of Hatfield’s, will start work at the office this week or next week.
This week, the office will begin offering 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. hours Monday through Saturday. These expanded business hours will allow clients to come into the office on Saturdays and before and after work and school, Hatfield said.
The business also sets aside time every day for emergencies.
“There’s nothing worse than a toothache,” Hatfield said.
Two dental assistants, Heather Dingess and Stacie Morgan, and office manager Heather Keener make up the staff. Patients can watch television in the waiting area, which is adorned with a large fish tank, and children can enjoy PlayStation 2s in the toy room.
In its first month of business, Hatfield’s dental practice is already gaining interest from the public. He enjoys interacting with the people who visit his office.
“It’s doing good,” he said of his business. “It’s doing better than I thought (it would).”
For more information, call 366-0088.
E-mail Jessica Legge at jlegge@timesw.com.
