Jacksonville dentist among nation's best

A Jacksonville dentist is among the best in the nation.

Consumers' Research Council of America has named Dr. Jose Arauz, a periodontist, one of "America's Top Dentists" for six years running, said Rich Robinson with Coastal Spotlight Communications.

"The Consumers' Research Council is a completely independent organization that takes no money from dentists or their advocates to compile its list of the industry's leaders," he said.

Arauz established his periodontal practice on Doctors Drive in December 2007 after visiting several locations around the country. He said he chose Jacksonville because it felt most like home and had the best opportunities for his family.

"When I walked into the practice, I felt very comfortable - the staff were all very professional, knowledgeable, and friendly; and Jacksonville, being a smaller city, offered a great quality of life for our family ... and with the water just a couple minutes away, it has everything," he said.

Arauz said he is humbled to be selected by the Consumers' Research Council again this year.

"It took me by surprise the first time and continues to take me by surprise," he said. "It is really exciting and it gives me a real sense of accomplishment."

Arauz was born in Panama City and received his doctor of dental surgery degree from the University of Panama in 1997. He graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine in Cleveland with his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in 2004. He received a periodontology degree at the University of Rochester's Eastman Dental Center in New York in 2002, where he also completed advanced education in general education and general practice residencies.

As an assistant professor in the Department of Periodontics at Case Western, he taught residents and dental students for five years, was the clinic director of the residency in periodontics and directed courses in implantology, sedation and surgical periodontics.

"I had initially planned to enter academia, but what I discovered, the thing I enjoyed the most was taking care of patients, and teaching became my second love," he said.

He became a staff periodontist and consultant in periodontology and dental implants in the Department of Dentistry at Cleveland Clinic and practiced periodontics and dental implantology in three nearby private offices in Ohio prior to moving to Jacksonville.

Arauz said his primary work involves periodontal plastic and cosmetic surgery, including dental implants.

"I want to provide a safe environment, and make sure my patients know they are surrounded by people who care about their well-being, listen to them and make them feel special," he said. "You're not here to have a treatment and suffer from it ... Our goal is to preserve teeth and promote prevention so things do not recur."

Robinson said Arauz is in the process of creating an aggressive community plan to raise awareness of oral health and promote how essential it is to overall health and well-being.

Arauz said he has already begun approaching local OB-GYN practices in his effort to co-manage oral treatments with physicians.

"I do not want the mouth to be seen as separate - we need to be treating patients as a whole," he said. "Women in particular will have their gums affected throughout their lives as a result of the many hormonal changes that occur, from adolescence with pregnancies and on through menopause. Changes in hormones exacerbate gum disease and there is a huge relationship between the two. Severe gum disease can even affect the fetus."

Arauz is a board certified periodontist, diplomate of The American Board of Periodontology and an active member of the American Academy of Periodontology, the Academy of Osseointegration and the American Board of Periodontology.

Contact Topsail area reporter Suzanne Ulbrich at sulbrich@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8454.