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Office Visit: United They Practice Benjamin Lund, Editor, Dentaltown Magazine

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by Benjamin Lund, Editor, Dentaltown Magazine

Welcome to the newest installment of Office Visit, where we visit a Townies’ offices and profile their
equipment, design or unique practice philosophy. If you would like to participate or nominate a
colleague, please e-mail ben@dentaltown.com.

Dr. Bennie Clark Jr. and Dr. Lorraine Polite Clark met while attending pharmacy school at Florida A&M. After some gentle nudges to pursue dentistry by Lorraine’s father Dr. Leroy Polite, founder and CEO of Economy Dentures, the couple graduated from dental school, purchased Lorraine’s father’s practices and have been operating Today’s Dentistry by Drs. Polite and Clark since 1999.
Names: Bennie Clark Jr., DMD; Lorraine Polite Clark, DMD
Graduates from: University of Florida College of Dentistry
Year graduated: 1995
Practice Name: Today’s Dentistry by Polite and Clark
Practice Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Office opened: Purchased both offices from Lorraine’s father in 1999.
Practice Size: 4,200 square feet
Staff: Vernon Lawrence – Office Manager; Renita Mixson – Hygiene Coordinator/Patient Coordinator; Amanda Proff – Hygiene Coordinator; Felicia Thomas – Hygienist; Kimberly Kennerly – Hygienist; Sabrina Albert – Clinical Assistant; Adrian Caldwell – Clinical Assistant; and Malany Sar – Clinical Assistant
Web site: www.clarksmiles.com

Office Highlights
Bonding Agents
• Heraeus Kulzer iBOND

Burs
• Brasseler various finishing
  and diamonds
• DENTSPLY Enhance

Cements
• 3M EPSE RelyX Unicem
• GC America G-Cem

Endodontics
• DENTSPLY Tulsa Dental Endo
  System and rotary handpiece
• J. Morita Root ZX Apex Locator

Implants
• Implant Direct
• Nobel Biocare		 Impression Materials
• 3M ESPE Impregum Penta

Miscellaneous Items
• Air Techniques AirStar
• Air Techniques Compressor
• Designs for Vision Loupes
• Midmark M9 & M11 UltraClave
• NSK Care3 Plus
• Parkell Turbo Sensor Scaler
• RAMVAC Bulldog QT

Operatory Equipment
• 3M ESPE Pentamix impression unit
• Belmont Clesta Light
• Belmont XCalibur chairs
• Brasseler NSK Electric handpiece
• Custom built cabinetry
• Gendex GX-770 X-ray heads		 Patient Financing
• Capital One Healthcare Finance
• CareCredit
• Chase HealthAdvance Financing

Practice Management Software
• DENTRIX
• DENTRIX Image

Technology
• Canon Rebel XT System
• Digidoc Intraoral Cameras
• Eaglesoft
• Flexview Systems
• Instrumentarium Orthoceph
  OC 200D
• Midmark Track Monitors
• Periolase
• Shick digital sensors
• Zap Lasers

Restoratives
• DENTSPLY Caulk Esthet-X
• GC America Gradia Direct
Click Here To View Bennie & Lorraine’s Top Five

Bennie and Lorraine, thank you for agreeing to take part in this interview. Tell me, how and when did you meet each other?
Lorraine: We met during our sophomore year of pharmacy school at Florida A&M University.

After pharmacy school, you went on to earn your doctor of medical dentistry degrees at the University of Florida. Was dentistry always your plan? Why did each of you choose dentistry as your career path?
Lorraine: Actually dentistry was not in the future at all for either of us, but my father is a dentist and encouraged us to pursue this wonderful profession because of the autonomy and ability to help our community.

Why did you decide to open up a practice together?
Lorraine: We had matriculated successfully through pharmacy school and dental school so it just seemed like a natural progression.

Before you opened your own practice, had you worked
anywhere else?
Bennie: Yes we did. I was a staff dentist with the Public Health Department in Ruskin, Florida, through the U.S. Public Health Corp Scholar Program.
Lorraine: I was a staff dentist at the Health Department in Auburndale, Florida.

What is your practice philosophy? How do you cultivate this philosophy in your practice?
Lorraine: We are dedicated to providing stellar patient care in a relaxed, comfortable environment. We strive to maintain an empathetic and understanding team that is committed to professional and personal excellence. We developed this philosophy by picking my father’s brain over countless dinners and through endless coursework and training.

What does your practice do that sets you apart from other dentists in your area?
Lorraine: We differ from our colleagues in that our background in pharmacy not only allows us the opportunity to discuss in detail various health issues, health complications and medications, but more importantly has afforded us the temperament, empathy and communication skills to relate to our patients.

You currently have two locations in Jacksonville. How do you split up your time between each office?
Lorraine: We practice separately Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. On Wednesdays we practice in one location.

What sort of challenges do you face in working with each other
each day?
Lorraine: Although our practice philosophy is identical, our practice styles vary a bit. However, we innately motivate and encourage one another to provide optimum care regardless of our individual paths.

Since you began your career as a dentist, what are the three biggest changes you’ve seen in the profession?
Lorraine: Women being recognized as leaders and pacesetters is certainly one of the biggest changes I’ve seen. Also, the incredible advancements in technology have had a significant impact on our practice. For example, “selling” a crown with the adjunct of the intraoral camera is effortless. And the huge shift from offering a patient with a missing tooth a fixed bridge as the only option to implants, which patients now readily accept has had a great impact on how we practice.

What piece of technology has the biggest “wow” factor for your patients?
Bennie: Digital X-rays.
Lorraine: I have to disagree with Bennie; the intraoral camera, hands down, incites the most conversation and questions from our patients, which in my opinion leads to informed patients who usually proceed with recommended treatment.

How has your Web site affected your practice?
Lorraine: Tremendously! Patients view our site not only to learn about us but also about the services we provide. We went with Officite to develop our Web site because some friends of ours had used them and their fees were very reasonable. They allowed us the flexibility to do whatever we wanted with the site. It was a very good experience.

Who are some of your dental mentors?
Lorraine: We are certainly biased and credit my father, Dr. Leroy Polite, with catapulting our practice by avoiding many pitfalls. Drs. Ross Nash and Arun Garg have changed the way we practice clinically.

What is your favorite procedure to perform?
Bennie: I really enjoy Smile Makeovers and implant surgery.
Lorraine: I like the patient who has no teeth, fractured teeth or who just can’t smile because of pain or shame. Our ability to relieve discomfort and restore self-esteem is why I enjoy the profession.

What is the most rewarding experience you’ve had as a dentist?
Lorraine: Recently, some patients have experienced some economic challenges and not only do we recognize it but we are candid in discussions with patients about it. Bennie had a patient who had recently lost his job and had encountered other financial hardships but needed dental treatment. Bennie provided the treatment at no fee to the patient who was amazed and grateful. For me, it stills goes back to the hurting patient who happens to be ashamed to smile and is too embarrassed to go submit applications for jobs. I’m convinced that restoring one’s confidence is part of my journey.

What is the secret to a great staff?
Lorraine: Understanding and owning the practice’s vision as your own is critical for each team member. Secondary to that is the collaboration of individuals who have the desire to achieve patient and financial goals who happen to have great chemistry.

How has Dentaltown changed the way you practice?
Lorraine: OK, do I have enough room for my answer? Seriously, for me I have been enlightened, educated, motivated and profoundly made proud of my profession through Dentaltown.
Bennie: Dentaltown is always on the cutting edge and it always pushes me to move our practice to another level. That’s why I’m motivated to log on daily.

What advice would you give couples who are considering opening a practice together?
Lorraine: There are a few tips that helped us along this path. First, discussing and establishing your vision and making sure you’re on the same page. Second, establishing each spouse’s “territory” – for us Bennie supervises dental supplies and equipment. I preside over staff, finances and public relations. The last and probably the most important tip is to “leave the office at the office.” It’s an extremely challenging undertaking to accomplish but for the harmony of your home and marriage it is vital.

Bennie, what is the one thing about Lorraine you most admire?
Bennie: Lorraine has the incredible ability to exert as much as I do without a single complaint.

Lorraine, same question, what is the one thing about Bennie you most admire?
Lorraine: I am in awe of Bennie’s insatiable thirst for knowledge.

When you aren’t working or at home together, what do each of you like to do to wind down?
Lorraine: Bennie is an avid golfer. I love to read when I can squeeze in the time. I also love playing tennis with our daughters Lyndsey and Sydney.

If you weren’t a dentist, what do you think you’d be doing right now?
Bennie: I’d probably be a pharmacist.
Lorraine: I would probably be a pharmacist too or just maybe a teacher.
Dentaltown Magazine
October 2025
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