I was having a bike race with my younger brother Pat around the basketball courts at Longs Peak Jr. High School. I was so intent on beating him that I was digging the pedals as hard as my legs could go with the handlebars going back and forth as they do when you are trying to pedal fast. All of a sudden the handlebars came loose and in a flash, the front wheel turned 90 degrees and I went flying face first on to the pavement.
There was blood, broken teeth, crying and lots of pain. When my brother and I made it home, my dad called our dentist but to no avail. It was after hours and no one answered. My dad was finally able to get a hold of a dentist, Dr. Fred Coats, who agreed to meet us after hours.
Even though I was in extreme pain, I was scared to go see the dentist. I just knew that more pain was to come. My memory is kind of blurry but I do remember that Dr. Coats made quite an impression on me with his gentleness and compassion. He stitched my lips, fixed my front teeth and, most importantly, got me out of pain. He even called to check on me that night and the next day.
So, after I graduated from Longmont High School nine years later in 1983, I went on to Colorado State University and entered their Pre-Dental Program. After finishing at Colorado State University, I was lucky enough to be accepted by a number of top Dental schools.
The University of Nebraska was a life-changing choice for me. Not only did I accomplish my childhood dream of becoming a dentist but It was at the University of Nebraska that also met my future wife, Christy.
Not only is it a great community with so many great activities but I also was able to practice side by side with Christys Father, Dr. Gary Toogood. Dr. Toogood was and is an excellent dentist who still practices dentistry today in Las Vegas at 80 years old. He has been my best mentor since I graduated.
As one of the premier dental practices in Reno, NV, Dr. Atencio and his team at Atencio Dentistry also provide 5-star-rated dental care to patients in Sparks and Carson City, NV, and surrounding areas.