JOHN DAY – Advantage Dental, once operating only four days a month, now offers full-time family dentistry five days a week.

Dr. Travis Schuller provides services from the clinic, located at the Grant County Fairgrounds RV Park at 411 NW Bridge St., space No. 7.

While small, the office is equipped with up-to-date equipment needed for procedures such as cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, dentures, and cosmetic dentistry. Schuller plans to move to a regular office space in the near future.

Schuller and his family moved to Grant County in June from Cleveland, Ohio, where he received his dentistry degree from Case Western Reserve University. They recently bought a home in Canyon City.

Having grown up in the Tri-Cities, Wash., area, Schuller and his wife Sarah liked the idea of moving to the John Day area and being closer to family, including Sarah’s parents in Boise.

The couple have four children: Finn, 6; Lucy, 4; Miles, 3; and Henry, 1.

One of their first experiences in the area was a family meal at the Silver Spur Cafe in Mt. Vernon, where Dr. Schuller said they met some friendly residents.

He said those early visits made a good impression.

“A lot of the people were nice, and it seemed like a nice place to live – good for the kids,” he said.

Schuller especially appreciates the “more laid back atmosphere,” compared to Cleveland. He spent his early childhood in Burbank, Wash., similar in size to John Day.

When he’s not working, Schuller enjoys spending time with his family. He plays guitar, and his other hobbies include radio-controlled airplanes and target shooting.

Sarah also plays guitar and enjoys singing. She stays at home with their children, and she has a degree in industrial interior design.

The clinic staff includes Sue Philo, who has over 20 years of experience as a dental hygienist, and Kaylee Lemcke, who has been a dental assistant for two years.

To help patients relax, Schuller says he takes time with each one, “without being in a hurry,” to explain the process of the dental procedure.

He said it’s a priority to make sure young patients have an enjoyable experience.

“On their first appointment we try to make it fun and let them spray the air/water syringe and take time to show them all the instruments,” he said. “We also give them their own mirror to hold.”

Schuller said the three biggest areas of advice he has for his patients are the importance of proper brushing and flossing and regular cleanings – he noted that putting off maintenance can lead to dental trouble.

He said it’s important to him and the owner of Advantage Dental, dentist Mike Shirtcliff of Redmond, that everyone have access to dental care.

“Everybody is welcome here.”

Advantage is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except the noon hour, Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays. Most insurance plans and the Oregon Health Plan are accepted, as well as patients with no insurance.

For more information, call 1-888-468-0022.