I love it when a client of mind ends up in the paper. BIG shout out to Hampton Roads Pediatric Dentistry and Behl Orthodontics!!
Like-minded doctors Bobby Garofalis and Yugal Behl are committed to affordable, cutting-edge treatment, by Candance Moore
When the time comes for a patient to receive oral treatment or restoration, their choices are never made lightly. Old-fashioned molds that can make a child gag, or modern digital scanners that completely remove the discomfort? Invisalign® braces that invisibly fit in with daily life, or traditional metal wire? What about the relationship with a doctor over the course of several visits? Most pressing of all, will it be impossible to afford?
Those choices can mean the difference in whether a patient follows through with successful treatment. At Hampton Roads Pediatric Dentistry and Behl Orthodontics, a committed team of professionals is breaking down every barrier.
The team began with H. Bobby Garofalis, DDS, who graduated from his residency in 2004. After practicing in Chesapeake for three years, he founded his own pediatric dental practice in his native Newport News, where he stayed for five years. In 2013, Dr. Bobby, as he’s known to his patients, returned to serve the Chesapeake and Virginia Beach areas.
Meanwhile, Yugal Behl, DDS, DSc, a likable and charismatic father of two and doctoral graduate of Boston University, had arrived in Hampton Roads in 2010, wife Monika by his side (a periodontist in her own right), determined to make a difference for an underserved population that included many of our bravest military.
"It didn’t seem fair to us that military families, having already given up so much with their service, would struggle to access the very best in orthodontic care," Dr. Behl says. "Then we saw that alongside them lived many civilians who faced the same challenge. We saw a place where we could make a difference, so we packed up and came here."
In the midst of searching for like-minded doctors, the Behls met Dr. Bobby. The two sides soon came together for a full-service oral health partnership. Dr. Bobby operates the pediatric dentistry side, working hand-in-hand with Dr. Behl’s orthodontic practice so that patients receive seamless treatment, with most procedures done as simple in-house visits.
"I liked Dr. Behl as soon as I met him," Dr. Bobby recalls. "He had this terrific vision for an independent practice that did everything possible to help patients receive needed treatment. We saw an opportunity to support each other. It made perfect sense."
Behl Orthodontics opened its first location shortly after. As word of mouth caused rapid growth, new sites came along. The practice now has locations in the Hanbury district of Chesapeake and Holland Road in Virginia Beach.
True to its commitment to affordability, the practice accepts Tricare and most other insurances. Payment plans, in-house financing, and other forms of assistance help to alleviate monetary obstacles.
"Financial concerns should not dictate how much care a person receives," Dr. Behl insists. "It also shouldn’t dictate their access to modern technology or to a qualified staff. Everyone deserves be to be treated well. If there’s a way for us to make it happen for a patient, we will find it."
A visit to either one of the two locations reveals a surprising level of quality that belies the team’s devotion to remaining affordable. Upbeat, professional coordinators occupy the front desk, remembering names and offering smiles when a patient looks nervous. Tastefully-decorated lobbies create a comfortable atmosphere. Behind the scenes, efficient clinical employees provide timely treatment while never seeming to be in a hurry.
Then comes time to meet the doctor, and patients are often surprised by the genuine warmth. Dr. Bobby and his team know just how to set fearful children and their parents at ease, offering tear-free pediatric dentistry to children of all ages. Hampton Roads Pediatric Dentistry offers routine dental checkups, urgent care treatment, and oral health intervention, provided with the same level of excellence and compassion. On-site sedation techniques even remove anxiety.
Dr. Bobby is joined on the pediatric side of things by Dr. J.B. Martin. This highly skilled provider has more than 20 years of experience, which he brings to patients across Hampton Roads.
"I get to help work with an insecure child and watch them transform into a healthy, confident young person. How could I not get excited about doing this for a living? To see a big smile at the end of a visit makes the work feel very much worth it." — Dr. Bobby Garofalis
Once young patients have established a routine of dental care with Dr. Bobby, it’s easy to transition into orthodontic care with Dr. Behl and his team. Generally, it’s a good idea for parents to schedule their child’s first orthodontic check-up around the ages of six or seven.
On the orthodontic side, Dr. Behl is joined by Antonia Jones, DDS, MS, and Sarah Pavon Groy, DMD, MS. Although they come from different backgrounds, they share a few very important things in common.
"We’re all parents," Dr. Behl notes with a smile.
The clinical team starts with an easy-going discussion about a patient’s personal story. Children quickly warm up when they realize the doctor lives with toddlers at home. Fearful adults find compassionate care and a cutting-edge world of painless treatment options.
AcceleDent® Aura, a user-friendly home device, accelerates movement of teeth so that braces come off more quickly than ever. On-site 3D x-rays and digital imaging take the discomfort out of creating molds. Invisalign® offers see-through braces. Incognito™ fits behind the teeth and is not discernible at all.
Different methods work for specific unique situations, which means the clinical team must take the time to get to know patients. After the first visit or two, patients already feel like they’re returning to see friends. Pediatrics makes a large part of Dr. Behl’s practice, but he is also happy to treat adults – and he often has the pleasure of restoring smiles for two generations together!
"When I think of my own daughters, Kesar and Simran, I can’t help but feel passionate about other families needing care," Dr. Behl says. "We are here to live out the Golden Rule, and oral health just happens to be our way of doing so. It feels good to see that rewarded by so many loyal patients."
Dr. Behl spends his free time with his family, looking at sports cars, and traveling. When he finds a patient who shares his interests, the two become fast friends.
Dr. Bobby, who is proud of his Greek heritage, leads an ethnic dance group for children and is involved in the local Greek Orthodox community. He brings those strong family values to his practice every day.
"I get to help work with an insecure child and watch them transform into a healthy, confident young person," Dr. Bobby shares. "How could I not get excited about doing this for a living? To see a big smile at the end of a visit makes the work feel very much worth it."
Dr. Bobby Garofalis and Dr. Yugal Behl’s bright and cheery office decor reflects the no-fear, no-stress philosophy of their practices
Behl Orthodontics 237 Hanbury Road Chesapeake, VA 23322 757-547-2134