College of Dental Medicine Lasting Impressions Magazine

he said, also instills its graduates with “a good, general knowledge of all the other specialties.” Judging from at least one of his Fort Pierce patients, Matt had little to worry about when he began putting his dental education to use. Janet Farnan-Dyer already was familiar with Schwerer’s office, so when one of her front teeth cracked and broke, two days before she was to officiate at her son’s wedding, she called. Matt Rolfes, she was told, had a spot available in his schedule. “I thought, ‘Uh-oh, I’ve got a young one. I hope he knows what he’s doing.’ Now, I wouldn’t go to anyone else. I’ve referred people to him. He’s got the talent, obviously, but he’s got the bedside manner to put you at ease and not make you feel angst about what’s happening,” Farnan-Dyer said. To be sure, a dentist always is gratified by return visits from a patient and referrals, yet there are small things that say you’ve developed a special rapport with a patient. How does Matt know he’s got that kind of doctor-patient relationship with Farnan-Dyer? “I make her crowns, and she makes me ice cream cake,” he said. A little thing, perhaps, but it’s indicative of the environ- ment and culture Schwerer has created in his practice, and how he’s making his nephews part of it. “We have a ball,” he said. “The office culture begins with excellence, but there also needs to be balance, making sure you’re balanced and not overworked, that you’re having fun, that your family is important to you, that time off is important to you.” “We have a blast,” Matt agreed. “But we also have a unique dynamic to keep it professional, too.” So, what’s it like around the family Thanksgiving table? Do the doctors talk extractions and crowns around the grill on the Fourth of July? “It’s almost impossible to be around other dentists and not talk dentistry,” Matt admitted. “We don’t talk business, but we do talk about the exciting parts of dentistry,” his uncle admitted. “It can be things that are fun, a good cosmetic case he might have done. He’ll take photos of it and show me, and we’ll talk about it.” Both Matt and Mike recognize, and appreciate, the foundation they acquired at the CDM. “Academics and clinical experience are the two major areas where the CDM really excels,” said Mike. “It definitely prepared both of us for what to expect on the outside once we got out from under the umbrella of NSU. But we still have a lot to learn. Every day is going to be a learning experience in dentistry.” For Schwerer, he’s enthusiastic about where his nephews are professionally today, and the contributions he sees them making in the future. “They bring a new energy,” said their proud uncle. “They’re hungry for information. They’re more apt to have initiative and the desire to go out and get all the new information that’s available.” He also said, “We owe it all to NSU and the CDM. I think NSU’s really been a wonderful thing for them. I would say all of the students I’ve met through Matt and Mike, they’re hungry, they’re smart, they’re not laying back. They’re go-getters.” u 36 © NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY ALUMNI IMPRESSIONS I think NSU’s really been a wonderful thing for them. I would say all of the students I’ve met through Matt and Mike, they’re hungry, they’re smart, they’re not laying back. They’re go-getters.” —John Schwerer Matt Rolfes knows that building a rapport with staff members and his patients is an important part of the clinic culture.