By Barbara Allen, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury- Dr. Luciana Petto Messina is grateful to the residents of Shrewsbury for their overwhelming support of her new business, Songbird Dental. For Messina, who has over 20 years of experience in dentistry and has practiced in Shrewsbury since 2011, the town was the natural choice of location when she decided to establish her own dental practice.
“The community has been extremely supportive,” she said.
In just under two years since their doors opened at 555 Main St., the practice has doubled in size. Messina has transitioned from part time to full time hours, and has added another staff member to the existing dental team. And while she is pleased by the growth, what delights Messina even more is that it was accomplished without compromising the personal touch for which the practice has become known.
“We know each and every patient that comes to this office,” said Messina. “It’s important to continue to grow without losing that personal connection.”
Messina’s attention to even the smallest details reflects her commitment to patient-centered care and comfort. The office and treatment rooms, designed to be cozy, are bathed in natural light. Beside the dental chair, a small wrought iron table has been conveniently placed to hold patients’ personal items, such as a purse or cell phone; at the base of the chair, large photographs of Rio De Janeiro serve to both delight and distract. The waiting room, with its home-like arrangement of comfortable furniture, warm tones of grays and browns, carefully-selected art and plants, offers a soothing spot for arrivals to perch prior to their appointment.
The non-clinical ambiance of the boutique practice is enhanced by the warmth and caring of the staff.
“We spend a lot of time listening to our patients,” explained Messina. “They don’t feel rushed.”
“We’re a fun group, highly professional,” added Vincent Messina, Operations Consultant and Accountant at Songbird Dental… and Dr. Messina’s husband. “We want to optimize your oral health, all with a smile.”
Songbird Dental is a family practice, and Dr. Messina stresses that they happily welcome patients of all ages. Dental services, from preventative care to cosmetic, restorative and prosthetic dentistry, are offered. Preventative care, in addition to routine check ups and cleanings, can also include treatments to eliminate sleep apnea and snoring and to improve overall gum health. Cosmetic dentistry works with an individualized plan to improve the appearance of the patient’s smile, utilizing whitening procedures, bonding or porcelain veneers. Restorative dentistry, which includes fillings, crowns and root canals, repairs existing teeth, while prosthetic dentistry replaces teeth that are damaged or missing with bridges, dentures or dental implants.
Education and community outreach are important to the staff at Songbird Dental; in addition to the one-on-one instruction and guidance that takes place at the dental chair, the practice maintains a community blog that covers health and dental topics. Their website also features “Songbird Picks,” a referral list of local businesses. Messina also hopes to become more involved with dental hygiene education at the school level.
“It’s not just about dentistry,” explained Vincent Messina. “Ultimately, our objective is to be part of the community.”
The practice does very little advertising, relying on patient word of mouth to make Songbird Dental part of the community conversation.
“We give our patients the attention they deserve,” asserted Dr. Messina. “They talk about us.”
“That’s my message to the community,” she continued. “We’re a welcoming practice. We offer a warm environment, with friendly staff and patient-centered, individualized care, personalized to the patient’s needs.”
She summed it up with a smile: “Patients come first.”
Songbird Dental is open Monday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The practice is closed on Thursday. For more information call 508-842-8100, visit https://songbirddental.com and their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/songbirddental.
