Meet The Owners: Clark, Leighton, & Thomas P.C.

 combines high quality dental care with its commitment to the community of patients it serves.

Dr. Doug Kayser opened the dental office in 1972 in an office on Ponemah Road. Dr. Stephen J. Clark joined the practice in 1978 before the office moved across from Currier Lumber Company in Amherst in 1981.

After twelve years, the dental office moved into a much larger location where it remains today. Dr. Matthew C. Leighton joined in 1996, which changed the name to Kayser, Clark, & Leighton. Ryan C. Thomas came in 2006, adding his name to the office after the departure of Kayser.

Their practice has held onto its tradition of personal patient care, but has also upgraded its technology to offer better dental care.

We sat down with the Clark, Leighton and Thomas to talk about their dental practice.

Patch: What is the best part of the day at the office?

Leighton: The best part for me is that it doesn’t feel like work. I like what I do so much. It is also great to see the patients each day and we meet all types from Amherst and nearby towns. It is so nice to be able to do something for them that they cannot do for themselves, and do it well.

Patch: What food makes a dentist cringe?

Thomas: I have seen the worst decay with Gatorade. We see a lot of it from kids who play sports. They will be fine, but then start playing football and come back with cavities. I think they are lulled into a false sense of security with these drinks because they don’t see it being as bad as coke.
Leighton: I also hate unpopped popcorn kernels.

Patch: What do you think of the atmosphere at your office?

Thomas: Well, I went to New York University and New York City is like night and day compared to Amherst. There is a great sense of community here. I have spent seven years as an Assistant Scoutmaster and always see my scouts and other people I know come in. Here, I am able to help the people I care about and get the job done right. It is so gratifying to see how happy they are when they come here.

Patch: How have you updated your technology here?

Leighton: We have put in the latest and greatest in digital radiology, which allows for faster results and less radiation. There can be up to 70 percent less radiation using this technology, and we can do things that were never possible with conventional film x-rays. We can digitally enhance them and let patients get a better look at their own x-rays. We can even change the color or contrast to better identify things like density. Having our pictures in digital storage enhances how we communicate with specialists and allows us to get things done faster.

Patch: What do you love about dentistry?

Thomas: I like the fact that it is not easy. You are constantly pushing yourself every day. I am currently working on my orthodontist certification and it is mind-blowing to see all the things I can do now. I see things I never thought of before, which helps my patients.

Patch: What are the plans for the future?

Clark: We want to continue to be able to grow the practice. For us to be able to do all the things we need to do, we need new patients in the office. We are looking to bring in more patients for regular visits and help them when they need treatments. The technology we have has greatly enhanced our ability to work. In the next couple of years, we are looking to bring more of it in, such as new scanners that will allow us to place impressions for molds and crowns. Although we want to grow, we have no plans of leaving this area because we are rooted in this community.

Visit their website here.