The old adage about ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ “goes double, even triple in dentistry,” said Sidney Lenox, DDS, the new dentist at Heart of Kansas Family Health Care.

Dr. Lenox recently began treating patients of all ages at Heart of Kansas, a non-profit entity at 1905 19th in Great Bend.

“The ounce-of-prevention philosophy is so important,” Dr. Lenox said. “Good dental health can positively affect your day-to-day quality of life and overall health.

“Poor dental health can limit the foods you eat, and negatively affect your appearance, self-esteem and well-being.”

Dental services at Heart of Kansas include fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns, bridges, and regular and deep cleanings.

“We also see emergency patients and treat dental infections, as well as diagnose dental abnormalities of the head and neck,” Dr. Lenox said, noting he collaborates with his colleague Christopher Miller, DDS.

Dr. Lenox acknowledges that some people might feel apprehensive about a trip to the dentist.

“Even if a patient is anxious or has a dental phobia, I encourage them to seek dental care sooner rather than later. A dental exam, including x-rays, usually is not painful.

“Dental pain is normally a sign that something is wrong and these problems rarely go away or get better without professional intervention. There are options for dental treatment that we can discuss and offer our patients.”

At Heart of Kansas, a dental appointment begins with an exam to diagnose any decay or infection.

“If these problems are discovered, we work to return the patient to stable and sustainable dental health,” Dr. Lenox said. “Ideally, through our efforts and the patient’s willingness to follow home-care advice, we can then make semi-annual appointments for exams and cleanings.”

Most of Dr. Lenox’s professional experience has been in community and public-health dentistry.

“Heart of Kansas presents me with the opportunity to continue to work in this type of environment. I can serve a population that needs professional guidance to good dental health but may have had limited access to a dentist.

“I am honored at this opportunity to serve local and area patients,” he added. “This great staff is motivated and welcoming. We look forward to caring for patients who seek our services.”

Dr. Lenox earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in health sciences at The George Washington University, Wash., DC, in 2000 and 2002, respectively.

In 2009, he received his doctor of dental surgery degree at Howard University College of Dentistry, Wash., DC.

After deciding that he would focus on public health in 2019, Dr. Lenox earned a master’s in public health with a concentration in dentistry from A.T. Still University.

Previous employment includes providing dental services at: the Veteran’s Administration in Muskogee, Ok.; Hunter Health Clinic in Wichita; Dental Corner/Moundridge Dental in Wichita and Moundridge; and E.C. Tyree Medical & Dental Clinic in Wichita.

Dr. Lenox’s background also includes 21 years of service in the U.S. Navy as an independent duty hospital corpsman.

Brett Middleton, Heart of Kansas chief executive officer, said “Sidney is a welcome asset to our dental-care team. He brings a wealth of experience that allows him to offer a wide range of dental services. Our patients and their families are fortunate to have access to such a professional, caring dentist.”

Heart of Kansas Family Health Care is a Federally Qualified Health Center, which allows it to be a safety net for patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Its professional providers also welcome those with insurance at the Great Bend, Larned and Stafford locations. Heart of Kansas is open to everyone.