Dr. Conine is originally from Amity, Arkansas. There, her family kept a country store where neighbors could buy groceries, dry goods, and feed. The store also served as a gathering place that provided a sense of community and connectedness for the folks in town. Its this sense that Dr. Conine tries every day to recreate, in the friendly, no-pressure atmosphere of her dental office.
Dr. Conine received her undergraduate degree from Henderson State University and her dental degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas, one of only two Arkansans accepted into the program that year.
After dental school, Dr. Conine completed a General Dentistry residency at John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital, and then worked with other dentists throughout Central Arkansas before deciding to practice in Lonoke. At the time, there was only one other dentist practicing in the area.
The most rewarding part of her practice, says Dr. Conine, is getting to see the positive transformations that she and her team can bring to their patients, not only in their appearance but also in terms of their overall health.
I believe in treating the whole patient, not just the mouth, she says, pointing to research that shows associations between oral health and heart disease, diabetes, systemic inflammation, and other health-threatening conditions. People forget that our mouths are intimately connected with the rest of our body.
Melissa has worked with Dr. Conine for over fifteen years. She shares Dr. Conines ethic of taking time to get to know people and always doing what is best for the patient, helping to create a friendly, positive environment.
I strive to do the best I can to help others be more comfortable here in the office. Its very important to me to treat our patients like family, she says.Ericas personal goal is to make sure that each patients visit is the best visit possible.
'Dr. Conine is such an inspiration to me. She makes me become a better dental assistant every day. In our office we aren 't just co-workers, we are family. I am blessed to work with such amazing women.'
After graduating with her Bachelors of Dental Hygiene in 2016, Haley began practicing with Dr. Conine in January 2017. Haley brings a great deal of positive, enthusiastic energy to the office and we are thrilled to have her as the newest member of our team.
I always knew I wanted a career which would positively impact people. Dental hygiene is so much more than just cleaning teeth. I work with each patient to teach them how to take better care, not only of their teeth, but of their overall health, as well, says Haley.