More than 17 years ago, Dr. Michael Thomas came from the Front Range to Ridgway to get out of the rat race.
He and his wife, Darcy, bought a small practice from another dentist, one that didn’t have computers. The staff still processed dental X-ray films by hand. The couple was surprised just a few weeks into owning the practice when a patient checked out after an exam.
He told them he wasn’t going to pay them money for services.
“I don’t pay for my dental work,” he told them, explaining he just gave the previous dentist meat.
The Thomases quickly realized they weren’t in Denver anymore.
Trading out fresh steaks for a cavity filling wasn’t something they did in the big city, but they honored the deal at their new practice with this patient.
It was a bit of a novelty, but also a sign that they had, in fact, come to a slower, simpler place with genuine people.
The people here are what he’s going to miss most when he retires this month.
Last week, their patients at Ridgway Family Dentistry received a letter saying appointments after Aug. 28 are canceled.
After attempting to sell the practice for two years, and continued problems with staffing hygienists and office staff, it was time to close.
Thomas, who is 71, said the staffing difficulties this year were the last straw.
“It’s just gotten really frustrating, trying to take care of the patients while trying to find adequate staff,” he said. “There’s no good time to cut it off, It’s a tough thing to do no matter when you do it.”
Over the years, his patients have learned he’s a gentle, compassionate dentist who doesn’t mind getting a call for an emergency on nights or weekends. Those who have knocked out teeth in mountain biking accidents or other trauma-related incidents can tell the stories of Thomas taking time to help them.
Having the office voicemail routed to the dentist’s cellphone isn’t always the practice today, but it’s one Thomas kept because he wanted to take care of his patients.
While he was willing to put in the extra hours, it became more and more difficult to keep consistent help in the office.
At one point, the practice was paying more than $70 an hour for a hygienist to travel from Rangely, according to Darcy. In some ski resort towns, hygienist jobs advertise signing bonuses, and pay up to $75 an hour, sometimes with housing.
“A small office like this? We can’t compete,” she said. On top of that, they faced challenges with declining reimbursement from insurance companies. Last year, the practice was required to write off $38,000 to Delta Dental, she said.
Until recently, they limped along with a part-time hygienist, working six hours a day, three days a week.
But when their dental assistant quit six weeks ago, and the administrative assistant gave notice earlier this month, the writing was on the wall. It was time to close. They hadn’t found a buyer in two years, and staying open was getting harder and harder.
It wasn’t an easy decision, they said. “I have cried so many tears,” Darcy said. The Thomases will continue to keep Ridgway as their home base, but have purchased a fifth-wheeler and are planning on traveling with their dogs, Smalls and Ozzie.
But they’ve told their patients they’ll be back, especially in the summer. They love the people too much to stay away.
“For me, practicing in this community and taking care of the dental needs of this community has been such a pleasure and such a privilege,” Thomas said.
The Thomases will host a retirement gathering from 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 9 at Ridgway Family Dentistry, 156 Liddell Drive.
