A Washington, D.C. dentist shares the joy

At Stuart Ross and City Smiles DC, Stuart Ross, DDS, does everything he can to make his patients smile. “I want to have fun while I'm here,” he said. “People like being around fun.” That's why he throws parties for patients, vendors and staff whenever he has the opportunity. Irish coffee is served up on St. Patrick's Day, summer is kicked off with an ice cream party and the spirit of the season is celebrated at an annual holiday party each winter. On Valentine's Day, heart-shaped gifts are distributed that aren't generally found in a dental office - chocolate. Ross believes that if chocolate brings happiness, it's OK to enjoy in moderation. That's why he has a large ice cream cone-shaped M&M dispenser and various M&M memorabilia throughout the office. “Just a little handful brings a smile,” he said.

After more than 30 years working as a dentist, Ross is still excited about his vocation. “I love working with people,” he said. “I love solving problems. I make a lot of friends doing this and the staff is wonderful to me. This career is very rewarding in every category you can think of.” The upbeat doctor is particularly happy after remodeling his office, expanding from 1,500 to 3,500 square feet.

The only thing he says he'd do differently is to have completed the remodel 25 years earlier, but difficulty getting the real estate kept him from doing so. He has practiced in the same space on the lower level of a downtown Washington, D.C. building since 1981 and has approached the building owner several times throughout the years about getting more space. He was finally able to do so in 2012 when the tenant next door moved.

Having anticipated the expansion for years, Ross was ready to take action as soon as he was given the green light. Construction began in July 2012 and after joining the two spaces and remodeling both, the entire renovation was complete in December of that year, just in time to unveil the remodeled office to more than 100 guests at the annual holiday party.