Every aspect of our office was built with you in mind. Our state-of-the-art technology and modern amenities make it easy to give our patients the quality dental experience they deserve. Enjoy coffee or tea from our beverage station, catch up on your favorite Netflix shows with TVs in every operatory, and stay entertained at our iPad bar. Let us know if theres anything else we can do to help you enjoy your visit. Were always looking for ways to improve!
Thrive Family Dental is proud to announce MEADOW, the newest addition to our dental family. MEADOW has received her Rehabilitative Facility Dog Training Certification through paws4people, and were excited to finally have her aboard.Did you know that theres a life-long training process that paws4people uses to train their Assistance and Facility Dogs?
Because of their internal breeding program, paws4people is able to start working with puppies almost immediately. From birth through the first 3 weeks of life, theyre exposed to a variety of neurological stimulation and sensory experiences to foster an ambulatory and exploratory nature. By week 3, the puppies are taught by food motivation, and its not uncommon for them to play independently without much supervision or destruction. They are then weaned off their mother 100% naturally, which shows a reduction in inter-litter dominance.
The first 16 weeks of life can have a permanent impact on a dogs temperament, psyche and trainability. So from weeks 3 to 20, the puppies are exposed to as many positive experiences as possible. A team of volunteers at paws4people take them on outings to expose them to different sights, sounds and textures to help equip them for their specialized training.
From 5 to 15 months, the puppies enter the paws4prisons training program where each puppy is assigned an Inmate Trainer or Inmate Trainer Team. The inmates are responsible for the care and training of each puppy as well as basic and advanced obedience skills.
At 12 months, the puppies choose their partners. The dogs are introduced to several potential clients while staff watch for bonding and matching behaviors. This process is known as a Bump, and were so excited that MEADOW chose us.
From 16 to 24 months, the dogs enter specialized training required to work in facilities. Graduation from this phase completely depends on the maturation rate of the dog. They graduate when theyre ready!
This was the stage where we got to work with MEADOW directly and integrate her into our practice. We were trained on MEADOWs commands and how to best care for her. And we were able to train her on how to work with patients.
Paws4people requires 2 tests before Facility Dogs and their handlers are fully certified. MEADOW passed a full Facility Observation Test to receive her black vest and we received custody of her. A few months later, she passed the same test to show that weve maintained the standards of our training. Thats when she got her green vest and we became an official certified working team! Facility Observation Tests, temperament evaluations, and health inspections will be done annually throughout her career.
Reviews
Rating 5.0 out of 5 based on 556 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestPatricia Gray
a year ago
Let me first say that I hadn't been to the dentist in several years due to covid. I was apprehensive to find a new dentist as I was new to the Wilmington area. I read the reviews about Thrive Family Dental and made an appointment. They did not disapoint, they were a welcoming, laid back office, relieving any anxiey I was having about the visit. The hygenist Emily could not have been better, explaining what she was doing and what a extensive cleaning and exam I had. The dentist there that day, Dr. Weiss, was great too, explaining what I needed to have done. He prioritized my issues and I have scheduled a follow up visit. Thank you Thrive Family Dental, for making it easy to take good care of my teeth and make visiting the dentist a non stressful event !
April Hansley
a year ago
From my decision to make the appointment there was a sense of calm. The Thrive Hive was pleasant and welcoming the moment I entered the office. The tour of the office was like a welcome to our home, please make yourself comfortable. The Thrive Hive is like visiting family. Thank you for your embrace and I look forward to coming home again.
Mykaela Liu
a year ago
Nothing but good things to say! Such friendly staff and easy to talk too!
Sandy Porcaro
a year ago
Dr. Friberg and his staff are amazing. They explain all procedures before they perform dental work and always ask about your comfort level. Nothing but positive experience at each office visit.
B.copenhaver Copenhaver
a year ago
Thrive dental is a sure pleasure and 5 stars said it all!!!!
John Chere
a year ago
Great team, great service, prompt, personal, professional, cutting edge. Add in a great social mission helping train service dogs, you've got an award winning dental group.
Samantha McGee
a year ago
Seriously this team and office is so welcoming and just feels like a family! I drive from Carolina Beach to come see them and I highly recommend! Dr. Friberg is the best!
Janet C.
a year ago
Amazing experience at Thrive Dental today. Great space, staff and dentist. Not to mention the calming factor of having a dog wag her tail at you. I hate going to the dentist but they made it great. Thank you.
Julia Vance
a year ago
I have found every reason in the universe to avoid the dentist for numerous reasons and they went out of their way to accommodate and help me. Also there is a doggie named Meadow and she is so sweet and is there to comfort you. Every single part of the process was surprisingly simple and smooth. The people here have a lot of empathy and love for what they do. Everyone was incredibly kind and genuine, and it's a huge relief to find a safe place.
Schuyler Witt
a year ago
This was the best dental experience I've ever had. Their office is very peaceful, all of the people are very helpful, Caroline, Kristine, Dr. Friberg, and Meadow! Meadow is a service dog that comforts clients while Dr. Friberg fixes your teeth! Thank you Thrive Dental, I feel like I'm part of the family now :)
Kaylee Appleman
a year ago
I had my first appointment with Thrive and I am SO impressed. I had my infant with me and she got fussy during my exam. Everyone immediately ran to help and offered a space for me to tend to her. They even changed her! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish my appointment and had to reschedule, but the way they treated us will not be forgotten. Amazing team and amazing service!
deirdre hughes
a year ago
Wonderful first visit with Dr. Friberg and his staff, including Miss Meadow. All the elements work together for the patient's comfort: the doctor's expertise, the efficient, friendly staff, and even the decor. I do recommend this team. And as my bonus, they are in the neighborhood.
Jack Farrar
a year ago
Great
Deborah Mitchell
a year ago
The office always finds time to schedule me at short notice. It's a professional and kind staff.
Mike Rogers
a year ago
Loved the hygienist. Friberg was very direct and informative.
A Google User
a year ago
Such a friendly team! They provide great service and make me feel comfortable (i normally hate the dentist) 10/10 would recommend!
Matt Marconi
a year ago
Soon as I arrived at Thrive Dental I walked into a very inviting naturesque waiting room/office decorated in nice plants and wood furniture. Caroline was there to give me a warm welcome in and was very sweet to me. She knew I was a new patient, so she was very quick & helpful into getting me started there explaining some details. She also was very personable with me as we got into some relatable small banter. Tracy was the dental assistant that walked me around and gave me a nice tour of their open office environment and also got to meet Dr. Fribergs dog Meadow. The nice thing there too is that they have TV's for you to watch & they play good rock n roll music in the office. Tracy continued to have nice conversation with me and explained so much to about my x-rays & she went into full detail on what she was going to do to me. She was super nice. Finally Dr. Fribergs came in and introduced himself,asked me what I'd like to achieve there with his team and then he explained his goals with me. Him and his team were super awesome and I felt like I was visiting family for a holiday there. I actually look forward to going back in a few weeks for a follow up cleaning. What a fantastic dental practice and team of awesome people .
Grier Holloway
a year ago
Dr. Friberg saw our son immediately after an injury to his front teeth. The entire team is always fabulous for our routine care and now we know the same goes for emergencies! Thanks to everyone at Thrive Family Dental!!
Jeff Slagel
a year ago
Dr Friberg, Meadow and the entire staff are amazing. They are so friendly, extremely knowledgeable and always can work me into the schedule in a timely manner!
Michael Murphy
a year ago
Great Dentist, great staff!!
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