Portrait by Sam Nalven

TODD JORGENSON
Periodontist
3048 E. Baseline Rd., Ste. 112, Mesa
480-558-4500, eastvalleyimplant.com

Where did you attend dental school? 
Oklahoma University (periodontic residency) and Oregon Health Sciences University

How many years have you been in practice?
Eight

Did you like going to the dentist as a kid?  
I liked it so much I got my Dentistry Merit Badge in [Boy] Scouts.

Do you like going to the dentist now?  
Love it. All my buddies are dentists.

What’s your favorite guilty pleasure treat?
Gotta be the butter cake at Mastro’s.

What’s your biggest dental pet peeve?   
People spitting on my floor – on purpose.

What’s your least favorite procedure to perform?  
It would have to be extracting those wisdom teeth with curved roots wrapped around the nerve.

I wanted to become a dentist after…
Second year in college I met an orthodontist who was very instrumental in my decision. He really helped me see how fun and rewarding a career in dentistry could be.

“4 out of 5 dentists recommend chewing with Trident gum”: agree or disagree? 
Agree. Tropical Twist is the best flavor.

What kind of toothbrush do you use? 
Sonicare

The best thing to do for a flawless smile is: 
See your dentist every six months, and your periodontist if necessary!

Who treats your teeth when you need a dentist?
I mix it up and see a few of my colleagues. They like to harass me.

Why do dentists always get a bad rap in movies, e.g., Steve Martin in Little Shop of Horrors? 
It must be the needles and drills. Nobody likes those.