Smiles That Last
It is by design that Plumlee Dentistry is a unique office whose characteristics have created the recipe for its decades-long success. As summarized by one senior staff member of the practice, “We have a hometown feel, while delivering the highest quality of personalized dental care.”
Personal attention and meticulous patient care are not only routine at Plumlee Dentistry, they are the daily commitment to a mission statement that has guided the staff in delivering the highest level of dental care for nearly 40 years: “Together as a team, we will strive to create an uplifting, caring, service-oriented atmosphere. By educating our patients and ourselves, we will always be motivated to do state-of-the-art dentistry. We will be passionate about achieving excellence and providing dentistry in our patients’ best interest, thereby creating an environment of mutual trust. This is our commitment to both you and ourselves.”
Leading the team of dentists, hygienists, assistants and front office staff is Dr. Louis Plumlee, who opened the practice in 1985. Growing up as the son of a foundry worker, Dr. Plumlee recalls a comment his father made years ago: “Whenever I went to the doctor, the way they talked to me made me feel like I wasn’t very smart.”
This powerful statement became a core value for the young man, and when he chose his path into dentistry, he knew he wanted to serve patients with dignity and respect.
Today, this patient-focused approach to dentistry is evident in every aspect of the practice. Dr. Plumlee and the staff start each day with a “morning huddle,” where they discuss the day’s schedule and how best to serve the needs of each patient they will see.
Dr. Plumlee attributes the appreciative atmosphere of the practice to the culture he intentionally developed and cites this as what sets Plumlee Dentistry apart from other practices.
“Culture creates a lifestyle within the practice It guides how you think and function together, and how you treat each other and those you are serving,” he says. “It ensures that the doctors and the staff are consistent in their approach and fully aligned.”
He understands that his leadership role each day is to sustain that culture, which focuses on a positive attitude and an optimistic mindset.
The cohesive atmosphere translates to patients, including one who remarked that “every time I visit Plumlee Dentistry, I feel like I’ve visited with friends who just happen to be taking care of my teeth and who truly enjoy what they do.” According to Google reviews, many others agree. The most recent analysis lists Plumlee Dentistry with 734 five-star reviews.
Along with routine dental services, Plumlee Dentistry offers specialized procedures including same-day crowns, preventive cleanings and proactive periodontal therapy, orthodontic clear aligners, cosmetic dentistry, implant placement and more. In addition to Dr. Plumlee, there are three other doctors on staff: Drs. Kurt and Oriana Corsbie and Dr. Kevin Downey. Along with the doctors, hygienists, assistants and office staff work to ensure a seamless experience from the moment a patient walks in the door to when they leave.
Above all else, Dr. Plumlee clarifies that the priority of the practice is achieving optimal oral health for each patient.
“If we can bring people into optimal oral health, it can extend their lifespan by seven to 10 years,” he says.
To acknowledge and reward patients committed to good oral health care, Plumlee Dentistry offers membership plans geared toward those without dental insurance. The plans include preventive care appointments and all services included in those visits, one emergency dental visit per year, and a 12% discount on restorative needs.
A positive culture and working environment are the result of layers of intentional planning. Dr. Plumlee has multiple checkpoints in place to ensure staff members are continually exposed to learning opportunities for improvement. This includes continuing education focused on the most up-to-date technologies.
All doctors attend a local study club once a quarter, where about a dozen dentists gather to discuss what is and isn’t working in their practices.
“It’s an environment that promotes personal and professional growth and encourages self-reflection on how each doctor works with staff and patients,” Dr. Plumlee says.
An important component of the practice’s culture is grounded in Dr. Plumlee’s 38-year collaboration with dental consulting company Paragon Management, led by Ken Runkle. Runkle leads regular meetings to analyze business principles and systems, clinical expertise, staff interactions and the overall approach to patient care.
One of the staff doctors, Dr. Kurt Corsbie, was a patient of Dr. Plumlee’s as a child and later chose to study dentistry, ultimately returning to practice alongside his mentor. Jenny, a hygienist, has a similar story. She worked at Plumlee Dentistry during high school and, after becoming licensed, joined the staff.
Dr. Plumlee celebrates the fact that some team members have been part of the practice for 10, 20 and even 30 years. When asked what he attributes the strong staff retention to, he offers a simple yet meaningful answer, “We believe that your family comes before our business,” he says.”
That philosophy resonates with the staff, says treatment coordinator Lori.
“Dr. Plumlee is very understanding of the challenges we encounter throughout our lives and is there to support us and help us navigate those challenges,” she says. “It makes us feel appreciated and valued. We carry that over to our patients, caring for each of them while providing great dentistry.”
The doctors believe in practicing what might be called the Golden Rule of Dentistry. When approaching a patient’s care, they take time to consider, “Is this something I’d recommend for my family and friends?”
Plumlee Dentistry continues to meet the changing needs of patients by making strategic additions to the office staff. Currently, the practice includes a bilingual dentist, hygienist, assistant and front desk staff.
Dr. Plumlee also keeps the practice doors open to those interested in working in the dental field.
“We want to expose people to the profession through job shadowing and internships, and some of those collaborations have resulted in people joining the staff,” he says. “We pursue talented people we believe will strengthen our team.”
When asked about technology overshadowing personal interactions, Dr. Plumlee is quick to respond that Plumlee Dentistry will never be the first to implement high-tech concepts.
“We allow technology to be proven before we put it into practice,” he says.
The common theme throughout Plumlee Dentistry is preventive thinking. Through continuing education, team meetings and culture-building activities, the doctors and staff prepare daily to provide optimal oral health care. For patients walking through the door, all that preparation simply presents itself as another smile and warm hello.
Visit plumleedentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment, call Plumlee Dentistry at 574-936-3505.
Plumlee Dentistry is located at 1400 N. Oak Drive, Plymouth, IN. Follow Plumlee Dentistry on Facebook and Instagram.
