Treasured Smiles brings fun back to dentistry

Pediatric dentist Duane Clouse opened Treasured Smiles Children’s Dentistry in 2007 after seeing Maricopa as a growing community with a lot of children.

He was living in Ahwatukee at the time and thought the community had “great potential.”

Clouse likes small towns and found Maricopa a great fit. It has lived up to his expectations.

“Even when the economy was hurting, we rolled through it really well,” he said.

Treasured Smiles has eight employees. A revitalized economy bringing more growth to Maricopa would have an impact on the office’s future. In practice for 22 years, he would like to continue for another dozen years. Down the road, that might mean picking up an associate to take on part of the load.

The son of a dentist, he was in general practice dentistry for 12 years when he started thinking about specializing. Taking the advice of a colleague, he looked deeper to find the area of dentistry that most appealed to him and which patients he most enjoyed working with.

“Pediatrics was the one I was really excited about,” he said.

To make children almost as excited about the encounter, Treasured Smiles has created a welcoming mix of pirates and underwater themes throughout the office.

“The kids seem to come in more calm about being there,” he said.

In an office that recalls images of sunken treasure, fun and dentistry are not at odds for the young patients.

Duane C. Clouse, DDS
Owner
 
PERSONAL
Family: Wife Jami, two stepchildren and 8-year-old grandson.
Hometown: Mesa
Education: Arizona State University, Creighton University Dental School and Temple University Hospital
Pets: Two Westies; Rocco and Bratzi
Pet peeves: Being late
 
BUSINESS
First job: Carry out delivery
Favorite job: Pediatric dentistry
Years in dentistry: 24
Years in Maricopa: 8
What you wish prospective patients knew: I have an absolutely incredible staff who are wonderful at working with parents and their insurance. We try to have a really fun time.
 
FAVORITES
Toothbrush: Oral B
Toothpaste: Crest
Food: Indian
Music: Metallica
Movie: The Godfather
Sport: College football
Vacation spot: Maui
Currently reading: "No Easy Day" by Mark Owen