Dr. Gary Means came to Edinboro in 1963, and since then, he hasn’t been away for more than six months at a time, excluding dental school. After 30 years as a successful dentist in Edinboro, Means and his wife retired to a life of golfing and fishing in the Florida Keys.
Means first came to Edinboro University from Erie, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1967. He continued his education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine for four years.
Following this, Means enlisted in the U.S. Army Dental Corps for two years.
Ultimately, in 1973 he moved to Edinboro to practice children’s dentistry in Erie and eventually opened his own practice in Edinboro.
“When I went to school here, I had a great experience and I always wanted to come back here and live. I’ll be here for the rest of my life,” said Means.
Now, after two years of planning and becoming recertified to practice dentistry, Kids Teeth and More, LLC, is set to open Monday, Feb. 8.
“I acted as my own contractor for the renovation of the former Quizno’s restaurant here and converted that into a dental office. That’s been my life now since October,” said Means.
There are also two rental spaces available in the building.
“It’s been a big project,” he remarked. He also said, joking: “I don’t really have any hobbies, per se, which is one reason why I’m going back to work because I need something to do.”
Besides being the only dentist in between Erie and Butler that will be focused strictly on children, Kids Teeth and More, LLC, has a unique distinction: its limousine service.
Means purchased and restored a 1982 Cadillac limousine. It was black on black at one time, but it now sports General McLane colors and logo.
The limousine service, also called “The Tooth Ferry” is going to be used as a convenient way to get kids to the dentist.
“These days, oftentimes moms and dads work. We think we’ll provide a service that will be appreciated, especially because it’s free.”
An Act 33- and 34-certified driver will provide children with transportation to and from the General McLane High School, Parker Middle School and Edinboro Elementary School, so that parents won’t have to take off work to take their children to the dentist.
The car is also working as a rolling billboard. Means said his first patient to book an appointment mentioned they noted his new practice when they saw “The Tooth Ferry” cruising through town.
“We’ve attracted a lot of attention, a lot of looks, a lot of smiles,” said Means.
Becoming recertified was one of the crucial aspects of realizing his new practice.
Said Means, “Because I was retired for more than five years, my dental license lapsed. And to get my license back I had to re-take the Northeast regional [clinical] boards, which all senior dental students take. So I basically had to go back and take the boards over like I had just graduated from school.”
Means completed his boards in May 2009 at Ohio State University with an average of 97 percent.
Means is recertified for the Northeast region, specifically Pennsylvania, and the dentist office is geared toward children.
“Our office will be very child-friendly. There will be some entertainment for the children, television, various games and computers for various age groups and so forth, various inspirational signs in the different rooms and it will be a very colorful office with a child orientation,” said Means.
His office will also be open to university students as well.
“Based on my past experience, many [university] students have a dentist at home; therefore, most of the dentistry I did for students in the past has been on an emergency basis—not all, but most, I would say. We’ve always welcomed the students, they’re a great population to work with,” he said.
You can contact Kids Teeth and More, LLC, for an appointment at (814) 734-4444 .
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