Dr. Ian Barnard took over the Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry of Northern Indiana practice in Rochester from Dr. Ray Hazen one year ago. This team of dedicated professionals has over 10 years of experience in the dental industry, and this is evident in their caring approach to dental care. Serving patients in surrounding communities and as far as Michigan, Barnard’s team provides personalized dental treatments with an emphasis on whole-patient care.
Serving as practice manager since 2020, Aricka Ulery describes their approach as relationship building, rather than merely transactional dental procedures. “We get to know a patient and learn about their dental needs, and we also get to know them as a person,” Ulery says. Any type of dental care, even a simple cleaning, can cause anxiety for some patients, and the team prioritizes the comfort of every patient.
Born and raised in Indiana, Barnard earned his doctorate in dental surgery from the Indiana University School of Dentistry. During a residency in Ohio with a concentration on treating medically compromised dental patients, Barnard became certified in intravenous (IV) sedation. He moved to South Carolina to practice IV sedation dentistry for six years before relocating back to Indiana with his wife, Angela. Barnard completed the Resnik Implant Institute fellow course, is a graduate of the Kois Center, and completed a 300-hour implant MaxiCourse in Augusta, Georgia. He is an associate fellow in the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
Almost 50 years of patient care in the same office location contributes to the rich history of community care of this pillar of Indiana dentistry.
Ulery describes the atmosphere of the office as far more than just a dental practice. “We are a highly skilled group of people that is more like a family than a workplace,” Ulery says. When a patient walks through our door, they take intentional and thoughtful steps to ensure the right plan is selected. Barnard and the surgical assistant explain the treatment options so the patient is well-informed on the best resolution to their individual needs. The entire dental team is trained in IV sedation.
Ulery says implant procedures and full-mouth rehabilitation are “a transformation that gives patients back their smile, and is a life changing experience.”
Dental implants and cosmetic procedures are what make up the majority of patient care for the practice. Barnard and his team perform bone grafts, sinus augmentation, tissue grafts, implant prosthesis, oral surgery and IV sedation for the comfort of the patient during a procedure. In addition to implants and oral surgery, the team also does general-practice dentistry such as crowns, resins and other restorative procedures. Youth dental procedures such as wisdom teeth extractions are also offered.
For Barnard and his team, every patient is important in and out of the dental chair. “We look beyond the specific procedure to ensure we address the overall goals for the patient,” Ulery says. “For example, repairing a defective tooth can be medically needed, but by doing so, we have given back to the patient their confidence in communicating strongly with their teacher, their boss, their family and friends.”
Each member of the team brings a specialized skill set to the patient experience. Barnard mentors other doctors and students to help them along their professional journey.
These mentoring and teaching efforts not only serve an educational purpose, but also introduce more people to the practice. “Everything we do begins with a sense of building a stronger community,” Ulery says. The team collaborates with local groups and organizations, supporting local schools and athletic teams, internships and mentorships.
Barnard brings a diverse menu of professional experience to his dentistry, as well as an awareness of whole-person health. Barnard models this philosophy personally, admitting that his own personal rejuvenation is a critical aspect of his successful practice. A self-proclaimed adventure-seeker, Barnard has amassed an impressive array of accomplishments. He has summited Mount Rainier in Washington state with his dad, trekked 600 miles trek across Spain with his wife, and conquered the 2200-mile Appalachian Trail. Perhaps Barnard’s most challenging title to date is the one he most recently assumed, that of father to newly welcomed son, Zion.
We are not all extreme weekend athletes, but what Barnard’s hiking excursions provide is inspiration to anyone needing to recharge from the toll that weekly responsibilities take. His active lifestyle seems to be just what the doctor ordered, and the dental practice continues to grow, welcoming new patients from all age groups and many communities around Indiana and the Michiana region.
For anyone seeking a team of professionals dedicated to getting to know you beyond simply your dental procedure, Ulery says to call the office and arrange a consultation.
Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry of Northern Indiana is located in Rochester. For questions and more information, visit northernindianadentistry.com or call/text the office at 574-223-3121.
