Dr. Sample graduated from Samford University with a B.S. degree in biology. While at Samford, he was admitted into the Omicron Delta Kappa honorary fraternity and was elected captain of the varsity football team. Dr. Sample graduated with honors from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry in 1994. He then remained in Birmingham to complete a three-year residency program in orthodontics and obtained his post-doctoral masters degree in clinical dentistry.
Dr. Sample has completed all three phases of the American Board of Orthodontics examination and is board-certified in the specialty of orthodontics. Upon completion of the Phase 2 written examination, Dr. Sample was awarded the Shepard Award; recognizing the highest score in the nation.
Dr. Sample is active in many professional organizations, including the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, and the Alabama Dental Association, and is a past president of the Alabama Association of Orthodontists. He is also a member of the Angle Society of Orthodontists and is currently serving as the Alabama delegate to the Southern Association of Orthodontists board of directors. He has also co-authored several scientific articles appearing in various orthodontic journals.
Dr. Sample has served with many civic organizations including the Kiwanis Club of Decatur, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Decatur General Hospital Foundation. He has served the orthodontic needs of the people of Decatur and the surrounding areas since 1999. He and his wife, Mandy, have three children: Marilyn, Carter and Saxon.
No. All orthodontists must be licensed to practice, but at this time only 1 in 3 orthodontists have continued on to become a board certified orthodontist. The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) certification process signifies a unique achievementa significant step beyond the two to three years of advanced education required for a dentist to become a specialist in orthodontics. The process requires the orthodontist to demonstrate actual accomplishments in patient care with detailed case reports on the treatment provided for a broad range of patient problems. Board certification is a voluntary achievement that all orthodontists do not choose to pursue. In order to become board certified by the ABO, an individual orthodontist is thoroughly interviewed by a highly respected panel of examiners to demonstrate their orthodontic knowledge, clinical skills and judgment.
One. The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) is the only certifying board in the specialty that is recognized by the American Dental Association. The ABO was founded in 1929 and is the oldest specialty board in dentistry. The boards purpose is to elevate the quality of orthodontic care for the public by promoting excellence through certification, education and professional collaboration.
Successful completion of the examination process demonstrates the orthodontists highest commitment to excellence in orthodontics to both the orthodontic profession and the general public. It represents a commitment by a licensed specialist that he/she has the necessary knowledge base and skills to treat patients to the highest of standards. It exemplifies a practitioners commitment to continue to keep abreast of the latest advances in patient care, and to continue to deliver these latest advances to patients. Many orthodontists see it as a demonstration of their dedication to the specialty and the highest level of personal achievement.
Since the establishment of the ABO in 1929, the certification process requirements have continued to adjust to the demands of the specialty. Today, the process involves a thorough Written Examination (240 questions) covering all areas of information which an orthodontist should be knowledgeable. Successful completion of this board exam allows the orthodontist to proceed to the Clinical Examination where they present detailed case reports from their practice/residency, demonstrating a history of excellence in patient care. These cases are evaluated by a panel of examiners and later discussed during an oral examination where the applicant is tested on a wide variety of academic and clinical topics. After successful completion of these examinations, the orthodontist has officially achieved Board Certification, for a time-limited period. The orthodontist must go through Certification Renewal every 10 years to maintain their certification status by demonstrating this continued level of patient care.
We know that our office is only as effective and as welcoming as the people who work in it, which is why we take pride in our friendly and well-trained team members! As a team, we are especially interested in making all our patients feel right at home! We put your needs first to achieve efficient and comprehensive treatment in a supportive and nurturing environment. We promise to speak candidly with you about possible treatments as well as any risks and associated costs of treatment, and how treatment can address your individual needs as a patient.
Our staff is uniquely trained and highly skilled, and we strive to provide energetic and fun-loving service to each patient. Our staff consists of team members with specialized training and multiple certifications, and each one of our team members has years of experience in treating patients with the highest level of care. We strive to stay abreast of the very latest in technology and advances by regularly attending continuing education courses and seminars.
Its more important than ever to brush and floss regularly when you have braces, so the teeth and gums are healthy during orthodontic treatment. Patients who do not keep their teeth clean may require more frequent visits to the dentist for a professional cleaning. Adults who have a history of gum disease should also see a periodontist during orthodontic treatment. Watch the two videos below on the proper care of braces during orthodontic treatment.
What can you eat? Lets talk about what you shouldnt eat! For the first day or so, stick to soft foods. Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. Before long, youll be able to bite a cucumber again. But youll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as youre wearing braces.
When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for 3 5 days. Take Tylenol or whatever you normally take for headache or discomfort. The lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the braces. We will supply wax to put on the braces in irritated areas to lessen discomfort.
To successfully complete orthodontic treatment, the patient must work together with the orthodontist. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient consistently wears the rubber bands or other appliances as prescribed. Lack of cooperation following instructions and damaged appliances lengthen the treatment time so please follow instructions.
Reviews
Rating 4.7 out of 5 based on 27 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestTodd Willis
2 years ago
Great experience for myself and child. After years of not being disciplined not wearing my retainer, my teeth shifted. Consulted with Dr. Sample and his staff, that are the rare combination of professional and personable. Being 40+ was reserved about going back to braces, but he and the staff made recommendations that would assist in dealing with this. Each visit, he made it clear what had changed since last visit and what to expect upon my return. After a little over a yr braces we're off and have been thoroughly pleased. When it came time for our daughter to begin her treatment, she had to undergo a couple additional surgical procedures outside of his office, which his staff coordinated and, again set expectations even for what to expect there. Afterwards, she began her plan and has made amazing progress over the last couple years. It was right decision for us, and have been thrilled with our results, service and the value of what we have received.
Ruth Fuller
2 years ago
Lew Sample is our go-to guy for orthodontics! The staff is highly organized and super helpful. We have not ever had a long wait and Dr. Sample has been there - even for small adjustments - to explain and answer questions. There are payment options that work with different budgets and 24/7 care is part of their normal practice. The level of care and professionalism at Lew B. Sample, DMD is superb! Highly recommend!! A++++
Anna Hodges
2 years ago
Dr. Sample and his staff are wonderful. From the very first consultation through the entire orthodontics process, they made us feel comfortable and cared for. The on-call assistant calls immediately back in an emergency. The entire team is friendly and professional.
Traci Gladish
2 years ago
We used Dr. sample for all four of my children. He and his staff were very attentive and kind. We were always treated well and never had to wait for an extended period of time. We love Sample Orthodontics!
Ruth Fuller
3 years ago
Lew Sample is our go-to guy for orthodontics! The staff is highly organized and super helpful. We have not ever had a long wait and Dr. Sample has been there - even for small adjustments - to explain and answer questions. There are payment options that work with different budgets and 24/7 care is part of their normal practice. The level of care and professionalism at Lew B. Sample, DMD is superb! Highly recommend!! A++++
Anna Hodges
3 years ago
Dr. Sample and his staff are wonderful. From the very first consultation through the entire orthodontics process, they made us feel comfortable and cared for. The on-call assistant calls immediately back in an emergency. The entire team is friendly and professional.
Traci Gladish
3 years ago
We used Dr. sample for all four of my children. He and his staff were very attentive and kind. We were always treated well and never had to wait for an extended period of time. We love Sample Orthodontics!
David Evans
3 years ago
Their financial practices are bad. They are an in-network provider to my dental insurance (Delta Dental), and the office demanded that I pay in full for my services, then the reimbursement check went to them, then they sat on it for a few weeks, then finally sent the money to me after I called them about 5 times to send me my money. I will not use Dr. Sample any more for my other kids.
David Evans
3 years ago
Their financial practices are bad. They are an in-network provider to my dental insurance (Delta Dental), and the office demanded that I pay in full for my services, then the reimbursement check went to them, then they sat on it for a few weeks, then finally sent the money to me after I called them about 5 times to send me my money. I will not use Dr. Sample any more for my other kids.
midnitebutterfly03
4 years ago
Very friendly.
midnitebutterfly03
5 years ago
Very friendly.
Amy Harvel
5 years ago
Great friendly staff!
Amy Harvel
6 years ago
Great friendly staff!
Kerri Cole
6 years ago
Dr sample is the best orthodontist around. His prices are amazing and the staff is friendly and patient. They are willing to work with you. Not to mention my daughter got her braces off and her teeth started shifting. This was not Dr samples fault just something that happened!!! But to show you how amazing Dr sample is he is going to fix the problem at no extra cost because my daughter was following all the rules and doing every thing she was supposed to it just happened.This was a blessing for me because my family is low income and I really couldn't afford another set of braces right now!! Thank you so much dr sample for making braces for my child affordable and possible!!!!!:)
Mark Johnson
6 years ago
Great place to go and a wonderful friendly staff.
Matt Holmes
6 years ago
The staff at Sample's Ortho are always delightful and helpful to me as a parent but also to my children as they come in worried about braces. They have made this a great experience.
Stephanie Summerford
6 years ago
Dr. Sample and his staff are a friendly group that make you feel welcome from the moment the door opens! We are just starting the process of orthodontic treatment and could not be more pleased with our decision to use Dr. Sample! They are super friendly, quick and efficient! The office is clean and organized helping everything to flow very smoothly! Highly recommend using him for any orthodontic needs!
Matt Holmes
7 years ago
The staff at Sample's Ortho are always delightful and helpful to me as a parent but also to my children as they come in worried about braces. They have made this a great experience.
Mark Johnson
7 years ago
Great place to go and a wonderful friendly staff.
Kerri Cole
7 years ago
Dr sample is the best orthodontist around. His prices are amazing and the staff is friendly and patient. They are willing to work with you. Not to mention my daughter got her braces off and her teeth started shifting. This was not Dr samples fault just something that happened!!! But to show you how amazing Dr sample is he is going to fix the problem at no extra cost because my daughter was following all the rules and doing every thing she was supposed to it just happened.This was a blessing for me because my family is low income and I really couldn't afford another set of braces right now!! Thank you so much dr sample for making braces for my child affordable and possible!!!!!:)
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