Once More into the Breach

The Center for Endodontics team (from left):
Dr. Jordan West, Dr. John West & Dr. Jason West.

 

A root canal is nothing like the Erie Canal, the Suez Canal, or the Panama Canal. The latter requires heavy equipment like steam shovels, jack hammers, pressure hoses, dynamite, trains, heavy trucks, and rough men with hands like bear claws and powered by lots of beer and raw steaks.

Few dentists would use dynamite for a root canal, although the finished procedure might seem like it. A root canal from an endodontic dentist requires a gentle touch, a pinch of humor, precision instruments, skilled workmanship, and a compassionate assistant.

Finding such a dentist can be difficult. Finding two in the same building even more difficult, and three almost impossible. Finding three, and three who are related, almost an impossibility. One place in Tacoma fits the need: the Center for Endodontics at 4801 S. 19^th Street.

The waiting room is a thing of beauty, with cleanliness and comfort, more like a plush hotel lobby rather than a cold meat locker. There is room to stretch out, relax, read a magazine or watch the fish drift around in a large fish tank. A beautiful classic wooden canoe hangs from the ceiling.

The idea for the business came from Dr. John West, recognized as one the premier endodontic clinicians and educators in the world today. British born; he is the founder of the Center for Endodontics.

John West received his dental degree from the University of Washington where he is an Affiliate Professor of Endodontics. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award and trained under the revered Professor Herbert Schilder, the father of modern clinical endodontics.

He is a clinical visionary, author, educator, endodontic inventor, and a teacher whose inventions have changed the endodontic game. He continues his pioneering pace and reports, “I am just getting started.”

John and his two sons, Jason and Jordan, have fostered a remarkable patient/referring doctor centered endodontic reputation and a legacy in the leadership of delivering unmatched endodontic technical results and compassionate patient support and advocacy.

Dr. Jason West is John and Chris’ first son. With strong fervor and determination, Jason’s first passion was ski racing, which he took on with an uncommon drive. He would see amazing success and eventually decided to transfer that passion into the world of endodontics. He attended the University of the Pacific for his dental training and like his dad, attended Boston University for his endodontics education.

Dr. Jason joined the Center for Endodontics team in 2001 and ever since then has served our community with both the highest of skill and the most genuine of care. He was married to his wife, Kristin, the following year and they have three boys who keep them very busy and push Jason to keep his youthful passion and spirit. Outside of the office, Jason still loves to ski and has a love for surfing, golf, fishing – and pretty much anything that allows him to be outside.

Dr. Jordan West is John and Chris’ youngest son. Growing up, he soon learned of his strong sense of care for people and as that developed, it was a smooth transition into the world of dentistry. Dr. Jordan also attended the University of the Pacific for his dental training followed by two years at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, CT, for his general practice residency. He lastly received his endodontics education and master’s degree at the University of Washington. 

Dr. Jordan joined the Center for Endodontics team in 2012 and it has been a perfect fit. Jordan can also be found on the golf course competing against his brother, or at the gym chasing personal bests. He also teaches multiple times a year with his dad at the Interdisciplinary Dental Education Academy near San Francisco. For Jordan, as it is for John and Jason, it’s all about family, and being able to serve the community with care and purpose. 

Together they are some of the few dentists that will actually return a call and will call to check on a patient after a procedure.

 

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Original Article from
Tacoma Weekly
By Richard Baker