» Family Dentistry Passed on to Second Generation

Family Dentistry Passed on to Second Generation

Dr. Anne and Dr. Larry Adams have not only been husband and wife, but established the Adams Associates family dentistry more than 35 years ago. Both will retire at the end of the month. Here, Dr. Anne celebrates her graduation from the University of Pittsburgh with Dr. Larry in 1979 (submitted).

by Jonathan Weaver

For more than 35 years, Dr. Anne and Dr. Larry Adams have treated many families in their dentist offices, but they now will pass the torch onto their children.

Dr. Larry (born in Brackenridge) and Dr. Anne (originally of Natrona Heights) will retire effective September 30.

They both met at the University of Pittsburgh during dental school – where Dr. Larry graduated in 1977 and Dr. Anne in 1979 – and established the first Adams Associates office at their home in Sarver shortly after Dr. Larry’s graduation.

Dr. L.J. Adams – their son – was also born in 1977 when the Sarver office opened and eventually landed in the family business. He graduated from Pitt in 2004.

“I’ve been working here since I was in seventh grade so it’s all I know. I did assisting at that time; our folks just showed us around the place, how everything worked and it was the natural progression of things,” L.J. said.

He said his parents announced their plans to retire at the beginning of the year after working significantly-less (down to three hours per week) during the past five years.

“They’ve planned this forever, and they eased out just to make the transition for us and their patients easier,” Dr. L.J. said. “My mom tears up when she talks about retiring because I know she’s going to miss the people.”

Dr. L.J. – who will operate the business with his sister, Dr. Beth (Cassisi) and brother-in-law, Dr. Aaron - learned how to not just treat, but care for patients from his parents.

“Treating patients like people is probably the biggest thing I’ve learned from them. At dental school, you’re trained to treat teeth and people just seem to be attached to that tooth (but if) you take care of the person, it’s a better overall experience for everybody involved,” Dr. L.J. said. “That’s something (my parents) excelled at – especially (Dr. Anne).”

Now of South Butler, Dr. L.J. works full-time at the Worthington office.
Dr. Beth (Cassisi) works part-time at each office, but originally said she didn’t want to be a dentist. But, family persuasion led her to Pitt dental school as well, where she graduated in 2005.

Of Gibsonia, Dr. Beth was treated by both her parents growing up and isn’t sure when Adams Associates will become her office and not her parents.

“They just worked so hard to build these practices up that it’s going to take a really long time for me to consider it something that’s mine,” Dr. Beth said. “We love them and we’ll miss them when they’re gone, even though I never see them at the office so it won’t even be a change for me.”

She still sees them at least once per week.

“We talk business every time we get together – maybe only for a minute or two, but we do,” Dr. Beth said.

Business has held steady, Dr. L.J. said, despite some patients being disappointed with their retirement (“They have been taking care of some of these people for 30-35 years”).

“Now, my dentist is gone, too,” Dr. L.J. said, referring to Dr. Anne (who will continue to do accounting for the practice).

Dr. Beth’s husband, Dr. Aaron, works in the Sarver location full-time.

Dr. Larry and Dr. Anne are active at Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Natrona Heights, enjoy spending time at a camp on the Allegheny River and playing with their six grandchildren. They have made plans to travel in a motorhome cross country this fall.

Angela “Angie” Christy of Fenelton has assisted and worked the front desk full-time for 14 years. Her immediate and extended family members attend the Worthington location for their check-ups.

She said staff knew Dr. Anne and Dr. Larry’s retirements were coming, and will also miss them.

Besides keeping up with technology, adjusting hours slightly in Sarver and maybe painting in Worthington, the dentists don’t have any plans to change either office from how it was set up.

“My parents built a fantastic family practice that I don’t see how we can improve upon it,” Dr. L.J. said. “They’ve built a great place and we’re thankful for it every day.”

An open-house celebration will be held from 8AM-3PM September 23 to celebrate their retirement.

Local News | jweaver September 8, 2014