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Dr. Laurie Glaser of Glaser Family Practice in Boutte believes dentistry goes beyond performing treatment procedures.

The practice, which was established by her father Peter Glaser in 1965, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015 and part of that longevity, she says, comes down to making patients feel at home, even in a dental office.

Glaser’s employees average more than 20 years on staff, which promotes the office’s family-atmosphere and positive environment.

“After so many years, we all feel like, and are family here,” Glaser said.

The practice has added some services since its anniversary year. One of them is the “crowns in a day” option, which allows patients to set an appointment to go in, get their tooth prepared for a crown and leave with their permanent crown before the day is through. That process has traditionally meant visits over a 3-to-4 week span.

“We have a massage chair in a quiet spa room you can sit in while you wait,” Glaser said. “With our previous method, there’s the chance the temporary (crowns) could fall off, you have to be careful and get out of your normal routine, and the tooth can get sensitive. Now you can do it in one day.”

The practice also has added Botox and Restylane treatments to smooth facial lines and they also use Botox to treat TMJ and migraine issues.

The staff also has a new addition. Dr. Erin Hymel, a St. Charles Parish native who was a patient at Glaser Family Practice herself growing up.

Glaser learned the ins and outs of the profession from one of the best. Peter Glaser designed continued education courses at the LSU School of Dentistry from 1981 to 2000 and was president of the New Orleans Dental Association. He is now retired, but he never stays away for too long, and the younger Glaser says that’s a very welcome boost around the office.

“He’s the best. Absolutely the best,” she says. “He’ll come in one or two days a week to help out with hygiene patients or to back me up. I think he misses the patients and it’s nice for him to come in and catch up.

“I think everyone’s happier when he’s around. He makes people feel good … a genuinely good, sweet, fair, intelligent, positive man.”

Glaser Family Practice can be reached at (985) 785-0123.

Glaser Family Practice in Boutte is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and it certainly seems that kind of long term success is no accident.

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Peter Glaser established the dental practice in 1965, and though he is retired now, his work continues there through the efforts of his daughter, Laurie.

“Anyone would love to see their child follow in his footsteps, and I was lucky enough to have her do just that. She does a phenomenal job”

He believes the family practice has withstood the test of time for a number of reasons, one chief among them its ability to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to new and innovative procedures.

“There’s been a tremendous transition from the dentistry when we began here through today,” he said. “If someone sat out for 5 years and then tried to pick back up, they’d be lost in a lot of areas. Things are constantly evolving.”

Glaser said, from anesthetics to implants to root canals, it’s been a point of pride that the practice has always kept up with the times. In fact, he was once the designer of continued education courses at LSU School of Dentistry from 1981 to 2000.

“I had the capacity of bringing in people to speak to my classes who were on the front end of the curve,” he said. “And I’d sit in on those classes as well. We’d learn where things were heading and implement them at the practice.”

Another point of emphasis has been offering consistent pain-free dentistry for clients. And that doesn’t begin and end with the patient’s chair, either; the Glasers, he said, have always sought to provide a friendly atmosphere for everyone from the time they walk in the door.

Part of that, Laurie Glaser said, is because the average tenure of the Glaser Practice’s staff has been on the job for 22 years.

“Everyone is very close,” Laurie Glaser said. “There’s a closeness and a family-centric energy here. We take trips together when we’re not working. We have long time customers who will come in to pay their bill so they can chat with us. It’s really enjoyable for everyone.”

The practice has grown over the years. Today, it is home to seven operatories and a bay for pediatrics and orthodontics—the Glasers boast one of the few practices that offer both pediatrics and orthodontics.

Peter Glaser may not be a full-time dentist these days, but he’s still around to lend a helping hand and some guiding words whenever needed, Laurie said.

“I had some huge shoes to fill,” she said. “We worked together for seven years before he retired. He’s still a tremendous resource to reference. When he’s not here, people come in asking where their friend is today. I’m probably the luckiest person to ever graduate dental school.”