History

A Message from Dr. Skoglund

“Hello”, my name is Dr. Charles Skoglund.  I’m glad you have taken a few minutes to learn a little about our dental family and desire care for your dental needs.  I have been a dentist for 38 years practicing in our Taylor Avenue Clinic in Norfolk, Nebraska.  I was raised in Norfolk when it was a much smaller community and had friends in neighboring towns so I am familiar with rural America and its needs.  Over the years, I’ve seen health care and dentistry change.  Through a lot of hard work and study, I have found many effective ways to improve dental practices and help them thrive in smaller towns.  I’d like to tell you about our philosophy of practice and how Family 1^st came to be.

In 1998, I was asked to help a recent dental graduate establish his practice. For the next several years we worked hard developing his clinical skills and giving him all the practical experience he needed. We learned that most dentists love to do what they were trained to do – treat and care for their patients. Since then, we have been contacted numerous times by others seeking that same type of support. Many are recent graduates, currently practicing dentists, and those planning to transition into retirement. From these requests, Family 1st was born.

We now have over 30 locations in rural Nebraska and western Iowa. Many small towns have struggled to keep dentists and their dental clinics open. We understand how easy it is for a dentist to get caught up in running the business side of the dental clinic and how it is possible to lose focus on dentistry itself. That is where Family 1st Dental comes in.

Family 1st Dental is skilled at reducing the business stress many dentists face while trying to run their own practice. We support our doctors and staff with encouragement, camaraderie, continuing education and open forums to discuss and study our profession. We find it important to focus on our doctors and staff so they will have the most current skills, techniques and technology to deliver exceptional care.  All offices are equipped with the same equipment and materials.  We invest in our education and facilities solely for the benefit of our patients.  Family 1^st has a wide range of experience working with dentists at all stages of their careers; from the recently graduated, dentists seeking a role other than ownership and those ready to begin the transition to retirement. If you are interested in joining our team, click here to visit the “Join Our Team” page.

We are not a 'cookie cutter' type of clinic. What I mean is, one size does not fit all. We have a standard of excellence that all of our clinics adhere to but each clinic is distinctive. Each community, doctor, and patient is distinctive. We recognize and celebrate that distinctiveness in each office.

In order for any business to expand, it has to have a mission and direction. Our mission has been and always will be, to provide caring, affordable and pain free service to our patients and their families. Family 1st has been fortunate to have a professional management team that sees to our development, growth, and focus. I was told a long time ago to surround myself with people who knew more than I. Our expansion, in large part, is due to the knowledge, efforts, dedication and common sense of these people.

Dentistry has never lost its appeal and is still as exciting and enjoyable today.  Given the support and emphasis on patient care and focusing on total dental care, from basic education to final restorations, I’m happy and pleased with the number of doctors, staff and patients who have made Family 1^st their dental home.  As a provider, today’s dentist can take their training and talents to a community of any size.  Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Family 1st Dental. Feel free to explore our website to learn more.”

Sincerely, Charles Skoglund, D.D.S.

You are always welcome to call or stop by any of our offices with questions or to seek treatment.