It's Tooth Fairy Land at Doc Bresler's office
By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer
At Doc Bresler's Cavity Busters, the focus isn't just on teeth cleaning, fillings and root canals.
No, the gigantic pediatric dental office at 240 Geiger Road in Bustleton is complete with flat-screen televisions, video games, toys, books, puzzles and even a car-themed museum.
Kids can choose to sit in a large open space with a dozen chairs or in one of five themed rooms. Before their appointment begins and after it is over, they can have all the fun they want.
The man behind the idea of a fun-filled dental experience is Dr. David Bresler. His sons, Josh and Jason, are also part of the practice. The men agree that they see as many kids cry when walking out the door as they see walking in the door.
"It's always gratifying when a kid throws a temper tantrum when he has to leave the dentist," Josh Bresler said.
David Bresler, 57, has practiced dentistry since 1982, when he opened an office in a former Roxborough gas station. A self-described "flea-market junkie" who also attends store close-out sales, he decorated the office with all kinds of fun stuff.
Josh, 33, and Jason, 31, remember visiting the office as children and working there after earning their X-ray licenses at age 13. Their sister, Rachel, just graduated from the Temple University School of Dentistry and eventually will join the practice.
"It was fun to go there," Josh recalled of the Ridge Avenue office. "There were games, toys, TVs, movies and millions of kids running around."
MORE MOUTHS, MORE BUSINESS
In 1997, David Bresler expanded his business by buying an existing practice near Red Lion and Verree roads. Four years ago, he moved into a former 16,000-square-foot waterproofing warehouse on Geiger Road.
There's no missing the bright sign as patients and their parents approach the office, but Bresler was a little concerned at first that they wouldn't be able to find the building, which is in a somewhat remote location west of Verree Road and south of Red Lion Road near the Lower Moreland border.
Well, each year, more than 30,000 youngsters from the Northeast, eastern Montgomery County, Lower Bucks County and South Jersey visit the office, which is open Mondays through Saturdays. It's by far the biggest pediatric dental practice in Philadelphia.
"They found us big time," Bresler said.
In all, there are six offices. Besides the ones in the Northeast and Roxborough, others are in South Philadelphia, Jenkintown, Dresher and Newtown Square. All are decorated to appeal to kids.
David Bresler, of Ivyland, Bucks County, spends all of his time at the Geiger Road site. Josh, of Roxborough, and Jason, of East Falls, rotate among all six offices. Patients range in age from 12 months to their mid-20s. Special-needs adults are also welcome.
The company employs 170 people, including 27 dentists and a 14-person customer service call center that operates out of the Geiger Road location.
"We look for happy people," Josh Bresler said.
Also in the Geiger Road complex is the Red Lion SurgiCenter, which David Bresler describes as the nation's only general anesthesia office dedicated solely to dentistry.
"We're proud about that," he said.
KIDS . . . YOU'LL LOVE THE DENTIST!
The Cavity Busters logo is a smiling tooth, and its motto is, "We are raising a whole generation of children who can look forward to going to the dentist."
Local sports fans have heard of Cavity Busters, as it's the official pediatric dentist of the Flyers, 76ers and Wings, and a partner of the Phillies.
Another way of spreading the word is by driving the vehicles in the Motor Mouth Museum. The ambulances, Corvette, electric car, fire truck and stretch limousine, all with Cavity Busters stickers, make frequent appearances in car shows and parades and at health fairs.
Of course, once parents choose Cavity Busters as their children's dental office, it's good for business if the kid enjoys the experience.
That's why the waiting room features lighted stars on the walls, a fun house mirror, two televisions and eight video arcade games ranging from Ms. Pac-Man to Atari Food Fight. "It's not your grandfather's dental office, that's for sure," Bresler said.
Once the child's name is called, he or she can choose one of five private rooms. The themes are sports, superheroes, dessert, food court and aquarium.
Bresler, who has taught at Temple's dental school for 30 years, believes the kids are more relaxed if their eyes can focus on such decorations as a soccer ball, Superman, a piece of cake or a fish.
"It takes their mind off the dentistry," he said. "They forget they're at the dentist."
ALMOST LIKE A VACATION
The patients can also have the work done in one of 12 chairs in the large main room, where the walls are painted with trees and clouds and a cinema marquee highlights the movie-watching experience.
Bresler's intent is to present a "wow factor" when kids visit. "It gives the kids a relaxing visit and really reduces stress," he said. "Parents like it and kids like it. Kids really have a good time. You almost never hear crying. And parents don't have to work hard to get kids to come to the dentist."
The dentists and staff wear colorful scrubs with designs of popular cartoon characters like Bugs Bunny, Scooby Doo and SpongeBob SquarePants.
"We're all big kids ourselves," Jason Bresler said. "It's more than just fixing kids' teeth. We get to watch movies with them. I can probably recite every Disney movie."
After 30 years, David Bresler still loves coming to work, energized by providing dental care to kids who are kind of happy to be there.
"It's a fun place," he said. "I hope I never retire."
For more information, call 215-677-0380 or visit www.cavitybusters.com
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@bsmphilly.com