My greatest passion in dentistry is to help my patients keep their teeth for life. Whether Im helping them prevent future dental problems or solving their current ones, I get great satisfaction from seeing them leave our office with a smile.
My original interest in becoming a dentist came at an early age after seeing the excellent treatment my father did in his work. That interest stuck with me through high school and college, and I realized that helping people through dentistry was really my calling. I cannot imagine doing any other job, and being able to work with my dad is the icing on the cake! The experience of working with him has been invaluable.
My patients deserve the best treatment that dentistry has to offer. Continuing education allows me to keep my knowledge and skills current and on the cutting edge. Since earning my doctorate, I have taken extensive continuing education courses with a concentration on restorative and implant dentistry.
I am a Mendota Heights native, and live here with my wife, Jaci (Butala), and our fraternal twin daughters, Georgia and Mollie. Both Jaci and I are from the Twin Cities, so we are fortunate to have lots of family members and friends this area.
Most of my time away from work is spent with my family. I love to be outdoors, even if its just doing yard work. I love to travel when I get the opportunity. I have been to Trinidad and Tobago numerous times since I was a child because I have family there. It has been a thrill for me to be able to bring my wife and children there now.
Being active in my community is important to me because it gives me the chance to get out and do something good for people outside of my office. I get to meet new people and feel like Im doing something productive. I am a member of the Creighton University Twin Cities Alumni Board and volunteer at the Union Gospel Mission.
Being a full-time practicing dentist has meant everything to me, even more now that my sonPaulhas joined the practice. I make sure my patients needs are completely met by being available 24/7 and going the extra mile for each and every one of them. I have covered emergencies on every public holiday over the decades. I have seen four generations of patients and have given them my all. My motto has always beenTeeth for a Lifetime, and please remember you do not get a third set.
Since completing my formal education, I have completed extensive training in preventive and restorative dentistry. My continuing education in laser dentistry has allowed me to provide patients with dental care that is more accurate and comfortable than ever before.
I am originally from Port of Spain, Trinidad, the southernmost Caribbean island. I have lived in St. Paul since 1973 and in Mendota Heights since 1983. My wife of 43 years, Sandy, grew up in St. Paul and attended grade school and Our Lady of Peace High School. We have three sonsMatt, Paul, and Nickand adaughter, Angela. Our entire family has made dozens of trips to Trinidad and Tobago where they have been able to experience the Caribbean culture, which, though different from American culture, has equally meaningful traditions and values.
My wife and I are currently in the grandchildren business. We are so fortunate to have had six over the past three years with number seven due in November2015. We say that our job is to make them love us and we are doing an excellent job at it!
I was the MVP of Creighton Universitys soccer team during my senior year, which led me to becoming one of the founders and inaugural coaches of the Sibley Sting Soccer Clubin Mendota Heights. I was fortunate to have achieved numerous measures of success over my 25 years of coaching and finally won the state championship in my last year.
I have also served on the parish council of St. Leos Catholic Church and at the Union Gospel Mission. I served as the president of the South Snelling Business Association and helped to improve the level of services available to the residents of the South Snelling area. I was also president of Creighton University Twin City Alumni Club and served two terms on its National Alumni Board.
We recognize that allour patients are unique and deserve to receive dental care that reflects their individual needs. Our experienced and talented dental team is committed to working with you and your family to create a comfortable, stress-free, and rewarding dental experience every time you visit our practice.
I work with Dr. Paul as a chairside assistant:taking X-rays, polishing teeth, setting up for procedures. I am also responsible for the sterilization and organization of our dental instruments. Patient interaction is the best part of my job! Each person is a unique individual with so much to share. I also love working as a team with Dr. Paul and my coworkers. We get along great!
Im originally from Mexico and love Minnesota because I have more possibilities to meet people from all over the world. I love it when I get the opportunity to translate for our spanish speaking patients.
I am here to assist patients in understanding their insurance benefits and making financial arrangements that fit their needs. I get great satisfaction in helping our patients receive the quality care they deserve. I was trained as a dental assistant and worked in that capacity for more than 30 years before transitioning to the front desk. My years of clinical experience really come in handy when dealing with insurance companies!
Making sure my patients achieve ideal dental health is my number-one priority. We go over nutrition, good home care, and the importance of regular cleanings and checkups. I like getting to meet new people every day and helping each person maintain a healthy smile.
I really like being outside and horseback riding:I have two horses named Teddy and Bizzy. I also have two dogs, Murphy and Clover. I enjoy going to the lake, spending time with friends and family, and doing crafts.
It has been my pleasure to be a part of this office and serve our wonderful patients for more than 40 years. I help keep the office organized by ordering supplies and maintaining our equipment and instruments, but most importantly, I help to make patients as comfortable as possible during their dental procedures. Ive enjoyed getting to know our family of patients on a personal level over the years and helping them maintain healthy mouths.
Quality dentistry is all about the patient, and at Mendes Family Dentistry, P.A., thats what we strive to provide: quality, patient-focused dental care. We believe in treating our patients as we would our own families, with excellent patient care, respect for our patients needs and time, and a genuine concern for our patients health and well-being.