A couple of months ago, our Rhoads Orthodontics team published a blog all about how our practice is involved in the Cranberry Township community. Our people really are at the heart of all we do, which is why we want to make sure our neighbors are careful about choosing the right orthodontic provider for their families.
Meet Dr. Rhoads: A Passion for Excellence
Dr. Rhoads knew early on that she wanted to be an orthodontist. After experiencing how much her own orthodontist helped shape her self-esteem, she decided to follow in those footsteps. Since then, she’s built a career focused on compassionate, evidence-based care for patients of all ages.
Her credentials include:
- Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
- Master of Bioethics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
- Certificate in Orthodontics and MS in Dentistry, University of North Carolina
- Board Certification, American Board of Orthodontics (renewed 2023)
She also actively contributes to professional journals, policy boards, and ethics committees to help shape the future of orthodontics for patients around the world.
What Is Board Certification?
We want to touch a bit more on Dr. Rhoads’ Board Certification and why this is such a meaningful title for professionals in her field.
- A Voluntary Title: All orthodontists get to choose whether or not they want to go the extra mile to attain certification. Doctors must complete rigorous written and clinical exams for this distinction.
- Higher Treatment Standards: Board certification promises accountability and consistent, quality results.
- Patient-Centered Commitment: These orthodontists also commit to ethical care and long-term treatment success.
- Peer-Reviewed Excellence: Certification is meaningful because it involves case reviews judged by other experts in the field.
A Family-Friendly Environment
Rhoads Orthodontics is a place where your family becomes part of ours. As a mom herself, Dr. Rhoads understands what parents are looking for: a friendly, efficient, and trustworthy office that genuinely cares.
You’ll notice the difference from your very first visit, regardless of the age of the patient:
- Personalized consultations that focus on your questions and concerns
- Honest recommendations with no pressure
- A team that respects your time and your budget, and won’t try to upsell you on unnecessary add-ons
- Flexible financing and appointment scheduling to fit your lifestyle and preferences
Risks of Inexperience or Corporate Chains
In an effort to save time or money, some people consider routes like mail-order aligners, general dentists offering orthodontics, or large corporate chains that operate multiple clinics. While the marketing may be appealing, these options often cut corners on personalized care and leave you with botched results.
Here’s what you might face with less experienced providers or corporate offices:
- Inconsistent care from rotating providers
- High-pressure sales environments
- Longer treatment times or unsatisfactory results
- Limited one-on-one time with a doctor
Asking the Right Questions
When you come to Rhoads Orthodontics for the first time, we absolutely encourage you to ask questions! It can help to write these down ahead of time, especially if you or your child has very specific concerns. Otherwise, these might be helpful:
“What’s your approach to patient comfort?”
We know that orthodontic treatment can seem intimidating, especially for kids and teens. That’s why we’ve created an office that feels more like a supportive community than a medical clinic. Dr. Rhoads uses gentle techniques, modern appliances, and advanced planning tools to make everyone’s care feel smooth and low-stress.
“What’s included in my treatment plan?”
We’ll walk you through every part of your plan before you start anything. From your appliances to check-ups to retainers, we believe in transparent, up-front pricing. No surprises—just comprehensive care that’s designed to fit your needs.
“How do you stay up to date on technology and best practices?”
Dr. Rhoads is committed to lifelong learning. She brings this back to the office by investing in advanced tools like 3D digital scanning and in-house clear aligner printing to give you the most efficient and accurate treatment options available. Our office also offers laser treatment to adjust your smile further.
“How do you support families and working professionals with busy schedules?”
Life doesn’t pause for orthodontics—we know this! That’s why we offer flexible scheduling, including early morning and late afternoon appointments. Our office is also equipped with digital communication tools to help you keep track of appointments and progress. Our office team will do everything they can to accommodate your needs and help you stay on track.
Finding the Right Fit
If you feel like you’re being too picky about choosing an orthodontist, we want to encourage you that this probably isn’t the case. It’s such a big choice, and it warrants a lot of thought and research, but we hope we’ll be the best fit for you. Schedule a free consultation with us in Cranberry Township to find out more!