About Kip P. Etheridge, DDS
I discovered that you can blend science, medicine, and healthcare with artistry, as you might say “I was hooked”. I graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy, School of Dentistry in 2000 and returned to my hometown. In March 2001, Dr. Richard Rivard sold me his dental practice and in January 2009, I acquired the practice of the deceased Dr. Dominic Cannatti. My journey has led me to many wonderful experiences and friendships. After graduating, I joined the Oakridge Study Club; which is comprised of excellent dentists and specialists all from the Battle Creek area. It was there that I learned one of the most valuable lessons ever; it was that I did not graduate from Dental School knowing everything! I was so impressed with the clinical skills/knowledge of my colleagues; but I was more impressed at how they interacted with their patients. This was where my professional career improved by visiting the Pankey Institute, in Key Biscayne, Florida. During a span of over 7 years I would spend one week a year at the Pankey Institute. It was there that I learned about comprehensive care, that every patient is unique and that it is my obligation to listen to their needs and provide the necessary treatment that the patient desires. The human body is an amazing feat of engineering and the mouth is the gateway to the body. Dentistry is not just “drilling on teeth”; it is improving the lives and health of our patients. I learned occlusion (how the teeth come together and function), restorative dentistry (crowns and fillings) and splint therapy (treating an individual who has Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). The Pankey Institute also instills that I cannot just have a professional life, that there must be balance between Family, Health and Spirituality.
