Atlantic – Midwest Dental is welcoming Dr. Gregory Daniels to their office and introducing him to the Atlantic community. Dr. Daniels joined Dr. Shawn Petersen and the team at the Midwest Dental office located in Cass County Memorial Hospital in July.
Being from a family of dentists, Dr. Daniels didn’t have to look far for his career inspiration. He is the seventh dentist in his family, following in the footsteps of both of his parents, his uncle, his grandfather, and his sister and her husband. But it wasn’t just because it was the family trade that he was interested in dentistry, there were practical reasons too.
“When I was a kid, my dad had time to coach my sports teams and make every game, and my mom had time to send us off to school in the morning,” Dr. Daniels said. “I think I noticed from a young age that dentistry can provide a lifestyle that allows time outside of work for hobbies and family. I wanted to be able to provide that for my family down the road.”
Another thing Dr. Daniels finds exciting about dentistry is how quickly technology changes and how it impacts the patient experience. “Dentistry is a different and more comfortable experience than many people might remember,” he said. “As a dentist, you really have to be a lifelong learner so you can keep up with the latest advancements. In our office, we work very hard to make sure our patients are comfortable.”
Dr. Daniels never had doubts that dentistry was the right path for him. A native Iowan, he grew up in a small town 15 miles north of the Quad Cities. He attended Luther College in Decorah for his Bachelor of Science degree in biology, then earned his dental degree from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. When the opportunity to provide dental care in Atlantic came up, Dr. Daniels was glad to stay in his home state and to live in a community that reminded him of home.
Since moving to the area, he has enjoyed exploring and even took up a new hobby of disc golfing. He often goes to Sunnyside Park in Atlantic to play disc golf and spend some time outside. Lake Anita State Park is another one of his favorite spots to explore by taking jogs around the lake. Dr. Daniels finds that spending time outside often gives him the chance to meet people in the community.
When it comes to patients, Dr. Daniels makes getting to know them a top priority when they first meet. “I make time during each appointment to get to know my patients,” he said. “Growing up in a family of dentists, I have seen how important those relationships can be.”
Midwest Dental Atlantic is open Monday through Friday with appointments available as early as 7:30 a.m. Dr. Daniels, Dr. Petersen and the Midwest Dental team are now accepting new patients of all ages. They can be reached at (712) 243-1833 or online at midwest-dental.com/atlantic.
###
