photos by: MEGAN SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY
When it comes to a positive dental experience, there’s nothing more important to patients than a solid relationship with professionals who are firmly focused on personalized care.
As a multi-disciplinary practice that includes preventive treatment, restorative options, pediatrics, orthodontics and oral surgery, University Dental Associates got its start in Winston-Salem in 1997. The Comp Rehab location was opened in 2000 and, as the largest of the eight thriving Triad locations, is home to 36 of the most professional and caring team members for which you could ask! University Dental Associates Comp Rehab offers a full range of services with the local office feel.
While most oral surgeries can be completed in less than an hour, the mere mention of surgery always evokes a few anxious moments – one reason Matthew Schiavone, DMD, MD feels the patient/provider relationship is so important. “I will take as much time as the patient needs to provide information and calm their fears,” he explains. “For some patients, it’s only five minutes; for some, it’s as much as 45 minutes. I take time to answer all their questions — and I’d like to think they leave here remembering a positive experience, while gaining trust in me as their provider.”
Dr. Schiavone joined the practice in December of 2023, admiring their focus on patient comfort and the camaraderie of the other dentists. “It’s very appealing to patients,” he adds, noting the entire team collaborates well together. “We can offer streamlined care where, if there’s a concern, I can reach out to another dentist quickly.”
With oral surgery, there can often be misconceptions based on previous experiences where a patient felt traumatized, and Dr. Schiavone makes gaining trust with new patients a priority.
“Typically, pain is their biggest fear,” he shares. “Sometimes a patient comes in with an immediate need for treatment, and we do offer conscious and deep sedation if necessary. But, it’s ideal if the process can begin with an initial consultation to discuss fears or concerns beforehand, where we work to build a relationship.”
The practice of oral surgery includes conditions such as issues with wisdom teeth, facial pain and misaligned jaws, as well as treatment for accident victims with facial injuries, reconstructive and dental implant surgery, and care for patients with tumors or cysts of the jaws.
For Dr. Schiavone, wisdom teeth extractions, dental implants and bone grafting procedures are the most common surgeries he performs. He is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and graduated summa cum laude from the College of William and Mary before earning his DMD from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and his MD from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School where he graduated with honors. Dr. Schiavone completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery training at Rutgers University Hospital. Also conversant in Spanish, Dr. Schiavone is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Medical Association and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
University Dental Associates offers hours Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Friday 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and is available 24/7 for emergencies. To find a location or schedule an appointment online, visit udadentistry.com. University Dental Associates Comp Rehab is located at 131 Miller Street, Winston-Salem, 336.837.2680. Other Winston-Salem locations are at 1615 S. Hawthorne Road, 336.768.3454, and 2020 Village Link Drive, 336.923.4262. In Clemmons, find University Dental Associates at 6201 Town Center Drive, Suite 130, 336.778.9199, and 2311 Lewisville Clemmons Road, Suite 301, 336.631.4770.
