Thomas K Sparkman, DDS

In the hierarchy of health care providers there is a reason why dentists rank between chiropractors and veterinarians. When a dentist is located in a retail location in an active community shopping center one can assume that practice is expecting walk in trade and is not relying on referrals. When the dental practice is located between a beauty salon and an exercise studio, one can assume the dental practice is selling vanity dentistry, Sparkman is a template for this marketing model and should be renamed, «Glamour Grills R Us». First time clients can expect to be hustled into the hygienist chair, subjected to a battery of X-​rays and after a cursory look at the results, be informed of the impending disaster which is their mouth. Standard opening line is always, «We suspect you may have periodontal disease». After clinically evaluating your teeth and always implying doom and gloom with phrases like, «you may have», «there is a possibility», «we suspect», the hygienist will point out anomalies in the x-​rays as examples of conditions which may develop into serious dental problems. Of course these clinically diagnosed conditions will require further investigation and that will be administered by «deep cleaning» your teeth. I never got a clear understanding of how «deep cleaning» my teeth would conclude the presence of periodontal disease or any other condition. I did get the message that deep cleaning my teeth would cost $ 1,500.00 rather than the $ 200.00 I was expecting to pay. I also got the message that by deep cleaning my teeth Dr. Sparkman would undoubtedly diagnose some condition which would require additional visits to his office. Through the entire visit, the underlying theme both articulated and implied is, «What type of insurance. does this guy have and what will they pay?» There are two interesting side notes to this experience. The last time we left our cat for boarding at our former veterinarian in Dunwoody Village they called with distressing news, our cat had periodontal disease and require his teeth be cleaned for the amount of $ 700.00, this absolutely did happen. And recently there was a quote of the day in the New York Times about health care in the dermatology profession.
«It may be better to wait and see but waiting doesn’t make you money. It’s, Let me do a little snip of tissue, then they get professional lab and facilities fees. Each patient is like an ATM machine.» Jean Mitchell, Prof. of Health Economics, Georgetown University.

If you are a weenie at the dentist, then Dr. Sparkman is the dentist for you. At 40 yrs old I never had a novacaine shot, too scared. Dr. Sparkman was the first dentist to give me one. Absolutely the best! Love, love this practice. On time, thorough, and the best bed side manner!!! I had to move to Dallas, but seriously considering flying in for my next visit!

Dr. Sparkman and his staff are super! I have been going to him for about 10 years now. He has put in at least four crowns for me. What I like best is that he has state of the art equipment. Digital x-​ray which uses less radiation and he can make your crowns right in the office. No temporaries where you have to come back for the final crown. He has a milling machine in the office which makes the final crown while you wait. He is also very fair. I broke a night guard and he didn’t charge me for a replacement.