(Photo: Charmaine George)
It’s been 10 years since Vijay Patel, D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) opened Pebble Creek Family Dentistry at the corner of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and Regents Park Dr. (next to what is now the Chase Bank) in New Tampa in November 2010.
During that time, his practice has grown and thrived, thanks to his focus on ensuring that every patient who walks through his doors has a good experience.
“Basically,” says Dr. Patel, “We provide great service, care about our patients’ dental health and do everything we can to help them.”
Because of the growth in the practice, and to be able to continue to serve more patients, Dr. Vijay Patel (who goes by “Dr. Patel”) brought on an associate in July of last year. Dr. Krupal Patel, D.M.D. (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry) is not related to the original Dr. Patel and goes by “Dr. K.P.” to avoid confusion.
Dr. K.P. earned his D.M.D. degree from the College of Dental Medicine at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, FL, in May 2019. Prior to that, he earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Economics in 2014 and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology in 2013, both from the University of South Florida in Tampa.
Immediately upon graduation, he joined Dr. Patel at Pebble Creek Family Dentistry. Dr. Patel earned his B.S. degree in Biology from the University of South Florida in Tampa in 2002, and his D.D.S. degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C., in 2006.
“He provides the same caring and compassionate dentistry as I do,” says Dr. Patel about his associate, whom he met well before Dr. K.P. became a dentist.
“I’ve known Dr. Patel for a long time,” says Dr. K.P. “I actually shadowed him here before dental school. Dr. Patel motivated me to pursue dentistry and it came around full circle. Right around the time he needed someone, I had just gotten out of school and I was ready to work.”
General dentistry procedures offered by the two doctors include cleanings, exams and X-rays, composite fillings, root canal therapy and tooth extractions. Additionally, patients can opt for one of the many cosmetic procedures offered, including porcelain crowns, teeth whitening, dental bridges, veneers, bonding, inlays, onlays and more.
Dr. Patel encourages anyone who wants to learn more about the practice to search “Pebble Creek Family Dentistry” on Google and read the more than 130 positive reviews. He says readers will get a clear picture of the kind of service that’s provided at the practice, and see why so many patients choose it.
Al Grasser is a Wesley Chapel resident who is one of Dr. Patel’s very happy patients. Grasser has been seeing Dr. Patel since he opened the Pebble Creek office 10 years ago.
“I’m impressed with Dr. Patel and the service,” Grasser says. “Everyone is super nice, and I can schedule an appointment whenever I need it. The work that does Dr. Patel does is outstanding, and I have recommended him to all my friends and relatives.”
Grasser also has seen Dr. K.P., and says that if Dr. Patel trusts him, he trusts him, too. “Absolutely,” Grasser says. “Dr. Patel would make sure he hires someone who is well qualified.”
Having two doctors in the office allows the pair to collaborate on more complicated cases.
“Whenever we get a bigger case that takes more thought, we tackle it together and think about how to approach it,” explains Dr. K.P., “whether he’s doing the procedure or I am.”
Dr. K.P. says the relationship between the two doctors has evolved in the time he’s been in the practice.
“In the beginning,” he explains, “it was very much a mentoring relationship. Over time, he’s treated me as an equal, even though he’s the boss. My opinion matters and we bounce ideas off each other. We have a great relationship.”
He especially appreciates what he describes as a great working environment. “It’s just a nice place to be,” says Dr. K.P. “It’s a very spacious, up-to-date facility and a relaxed environment. We’ve got great support from our team members here. The hygienists and assistants do an amazing job.”
Sharing The Credit…
Dr. Patel agrees that one of the strengths of the practice is the fantastic staff. Like Dr. K.P., he credits his three hygienists and three assistants with taking great care of the patients, and says his four front desk staffers are equally supportive and patient-centered.
“I have the best staff possible,” says Dr. Patel, proudly. “We take a lot of time with our patients to make sure they are comfortable, including helping them to understand their treatment and answering all their questions about insurance. Anything they need help with, we take the time to make sure they understand it.”
And, Pebble Creek Family Dentistry accepts most PPO insurance policies.
The doctors see patients ages 6 and older, so everyone in the family — except for the very youngest children — can be part of the same practice and see the same doctors.
Dr. Patel and Dr. K.P. spend much of their free time volunteering for BAPS Charities, which is a non-profit organization that is the charitable arm of the Hindu temple both doctors attend.
BAPS is short for Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha. BAPS Charities organizes events such as walk-a-thons to raise money for other nonprofit organizations, including Feeding America Tampa Bay and the Pepin Heart Institute. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused the cancellation of any walk-a-thons that would have been held in 2020. The doctors also have helped to organize and provide services at blood drives, health fairs for the community and many other types of community-oriented events.
Dr. Patel says the practice has not had to make too many adjustments to be able to continue to see patients during the pandemic.
“We are open,” he says. “We are taking all precautions that are needed to ensure the health and safety of our patients and employees. But, we are open for everything, with the same hours, and we are confident that we are keeping our patients safe.”
Pebble Creek Family Dentistry is located at 19007 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. It is open Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment, visit PebbleCreekFamilyDentistry.com, call (813) 406-4947, or see the ad on page 22 of this issue.
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