Dental Spotlight: Dr. Elizabeth Bailey
Dr. Elizabeth Bailey, General Dentist, joined the Rocking Horse team in January 2025, a decision that stemmed from her deep connection to the community, as she grew up in Springfield and recently moved back. She is excited to be back in her hometown with the goal of helping her neighbors access essential dental and health care.
Dr. Bailey had observed that many patients in Springfield could only access dental care in emergency settings, frequently ending up in emergency rooms that were ultimately unable to provide definitive dental care. Her hope is that by establishing a "dental home", she can play a vital role in preventing dental disease and helping people achieve healthy, confident smiles.
One Place for all Healthcare Needs
For Dr. Bailey, the people at Rocking Horse and the organization's emphasis on a patient’s overall health and well-being truly make it stand out. This holistic approach allows her to work collaboratively with other departments when she notices other health issues or patient concerns, ensuring patients are directed to services that can help them. She noted that multiple specialties under one roof focusing on the "whole person" make the facility particularly special.
Comprehensive Dental Care
With a general dentist and a pediatric dentist on staff, the Dental Clinic at Rocking Horse is able to offer dental care for all ages. Services for adult patients include restorative care, extractions, anterior root canals, preventive care, prophylaxis, scaling and root planing, limited prosthetic replacement of teeth, and emergency care.
Our pediatric dentist, Dr. Brandi Hall, provides preventative care, extractions, and restorative treatment including stainless steel crowns. When needed, Dr. Brandi is also able to see children in an operating room setting at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. Nitrous oxide is also offered for patients with anxiety associated with visiting the dentist.
Dr. Bailey’s ‘Why’
What originally drew Dr. Bailey to dentistry was the combination of helping people, art, and science. She initially considered teaching and research but fell in love with dentistry after shadowing in a dental office. She loves that it is a profession that can alleviate pain, increase someone’s confidence, prevent disease, and uses an artistic eye to recreate lost tooth structure. She also enjoys getting to know her patients, working with them to improve their oral health, and the long-term relationships that develop over the years.
A common misconception Dr. Bailey helps to educate patients on is the idea that the mouth and its associated diseases are separate from the rest of the body.
She explains that the mouth is the "gateway to the rest of our digestive tract," and its health is influenced by dietary choices, habits, and medications. She notes that missing teeth affect the ability to break down food, support facial muscles and height, and impact confidence and mental health. Infected teeth can even lead to life-threatening conditions and pain.
Systemic diseases can present in the oral cavity, and infections like periodontal disease and decay can affect the entire body. Dr. Bailey stresses the importance of recognizing that dental needs are health needs and routine dental exams are as important as seeing a primary care physician.
Making the Dentist an Enjoyable Experience
The team and approach to care are what make Rocking Horse Dentistry unique. The goal is for patients to have a positive dental experience, whether it's a first visit, emergency, or routine visit. The team aims to help patients who suffer from dental anxiety feel safe and comfortable by taking time to answer questions and discuss the patient's dental goals.
Rocking Horse is also working to increase the integration of dental screenings into medical visits to establish good lifelong oral hygiene habits for the community. Additionally, the dental department can refer patients to internal resources and services, including the on-site pharmacy, to make accessing healthcare and picking up dental prescriptions easier.
Contact Rocking Horse today to learn more about our services!
