Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Business Spotlight: Windham Dentistry

The goal of Windham Dentistry is to make all patients feel like they are part of the family and to provide them with excellence in dentistry and compassionate care.

Windham Dentistry offers a wide variety of services ranging from general and cosmetic dentistry to full mouth rehabilitation from its convenient location at 713 Roosevelt Trail in Windham. No matter if it’s protecting, repairing, or enhancing smiles, the Windham Dentistry team delivers superior, patient-centered care at every step, using the latest advances in dental technology.

“We are proud to say that we offer same-day treatment and emergency appointments. We offer a friendly, highly experienced, and relaxed atmosphere and feature affordable in-house dental plans,” said Brandy Casey of Windham Dentistry. “The best aspect of what we do is to provide a welcoming experience for our patients. It’s gratifying to see someone who is not very confident with their smile go through the process with us and then emerge with a beautiful smile and the confidence to show it.”

The practice is in the network with three major insurance companies, including Cigna, Unum, and Delta to benefit its patients. It also accepts Care Credit with a 12-month deferred interest program for purchases exceeding $200.

“With a commitment to excellence and a compassionate approach, we strive to deliver unparalleled care to each and every patient,” Casey said.

In business for more than a decade, Windham Dentistry provides patients with accurate estimates of all treatment costs before any work is performed. It files insurance paperwork and claims for patients and can help maximize a patient’s insurance benefits.

“We use state-of-the-art technology including iTero Scanning to monitor oral health over time and reduce costly expenses in the future,” said Brittany Nixon of Windham Dentistry. “We can usually schedule new patients within two to three weeks of their call and always offer any sooner available appointments. If new patients mention this article from The Windham Eagle, they will receive an at-home whitening kit upon the completion of a comprehensive exam, x-rays and a cleaning as well as getting $500 off Invisalign or a single dental implant.”

Their extensive menu of comprehensive modern dental care services includes oral examinations, preventative programs, crowns and caps, gum treatments, bridges and dentures, dental implants, tooth whitening, pediatric dental care, fillings, veneers, and extractions, all available at its convenient state-of-the-art facility in Windham.

Patients at Windham Dentistry benefit from a stress-free dental experience, flexible scheduling, affordable services, and from the expertise of some of the most skilled dentists and hygienists in Maine who believe in building trusting relationships and treating each patient with dignity and respect.

Clear, concise, and practical explanations are given to patients for services at Windham Dentistry with no upselling.

“Our dental hygiene program is designed to help prevent new cavities, preserve teeth that have been restored and manage periodontal disease,” Casey said. “We offer instructions about how patients can improve their daily oral hygiene habits and have regular dental cleanings.”

Reviews from patients are exceptional.

“5 stars. Amazing place with amazing people. Everyone from the front desk, the dental hygienist, and the dentist were so kind and patient. They took their time and answered every question I had. So glad I found them.” – Lori

“5 stars. I had an appointment for teeth cleaning, and it was my best experience ever in a dental office. Windham Dentistry staff are very friendly. I was completely at ease, and it was painless! Thank you for looking after me.” – Valencia

At Windham Dentistry, each member of the team is enthusiastic and dedicated to providing exceptional treatment for every member of the family, quality implants, and outstanding cosmetic dentistry services. Featuring a warm and welcoming family atmosphere throughout the office, and helping to make patients feel more comfortable, the practice has a genuine caring approach that continues to earn patient trust and admiration.

With a demonstrated commitment to excellence and a compassionate approach to its mission, the Windham Dentistry team strives to deliver unparalleled care to every patient for those in the Lakes Region of Maine and beyond.

For more information about Windham Dentistry or to make an appointment, call 207-892-3200 or visit windhammainedentistry.com/ Find them on Facebook and Instagram under Windham Dentistry. <

Friday, November 17, 2023

Business Spotlight: Woodman Mansfield Company, PC

No matter how you try to understand it, navigating Medicare insurance can be a confusing process. The Woodman Mansfield Company is committed to helping individuals find strong value in affordable and comprehensive Medicare insurance plans.

Robert Woodman, left, and his daughter, Hilary Mansfield
are the Woodman Mansfield Company and help individuals
find strong value in affordable and comprehensive 
Medicare insurance plans. SUBMITTED PHOTO   
Robert Woodman and his daughter, Hilary Mansfield, make up the Woodman Mansfield Company. They are independent insurance agents who specialize in Medicare plans. They will educate you about how Medicare insurance works and why it works as it does and guide you through the enrollment process.

Their focus is on education about Medicare insurance and all available options, and their services are offered throughout the year with plan reviews and options for changes offered during Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period running through Dec. 7. Their no-pressure private consultations are provided at no cost to you in their office in the Old Richardson Place at 510 Main St. in Gorham.

Whether you are looking for a Medicare insurance plan which better suits your needs, or if your personal situation has changed, Rob and Hilary can assist in bringing clarity and providing a greater understanding of what coverage is available, what is provided by different plans and how each plan stacks up against one another.

Both Woodman and Mansfield say that their goal is to be an ally for you in trying to better understand Medicare.

“We listen to their needs and goals and compare plans available in their county so that they can make an informed decision about which plan will work best for them,” Mansfield said.

For those turning 65 or looking for answers to Medicare insurance plan questions, Woodman Mansfield Company is a trusted resource available without expense to clients.

“We try to have some fun. Medicare insurance is confusing, and we are here to help,” Woodman said. “Our consultations are no-cost to our clients. We are paid by the carriers who represent the plans they choose. This is why we take the time to certify with as many different companies as possible; we want to ensure that we can find the best plan for each person.”

Mansfield said that in speaking with her clients, she’s found that the public’s perception is that people currently promoting Medicare insurance plans on television are licensed agents and that most of the plans are similar, and that’s not the case.

“We understand that choosing the right plan is a very important decision, and we understand how confusing this process can be. There's a lot of misinformation out there,” she said. “I have a background in education, and my dad has been in the industry for many years. We both enjoy working in a profession that allows us to help people every day. There's no better feeling than knowing that the work you’re doing is making someone's life a little easier. It's great to know at the end of each day we've achieved that goal.”

Woodman said that because Woodman Mansfield Company is small, it’s able to offer attentive and personalized service and pay individual attention to clients.

“We try to go the extra mile for people,” he said. “We do whatever we can to get people what they need based upon their individual circumstances, needs, and goals.”

According to Mansfield, their company continues to grow and is successful because of client referrals.

“There is no better testimonial than a client who is satisfied with the experience they had with us; so much so that they want their friends and family to have the same experience,” she said.

In addition to Medicare plans, the company also offers retirement planning workshops. Woodman said that “we have found that at the same time people are thinking about Medicare insurance they are also thinking about retirement and estate planning issues. So, we have assembled a team of financial and legal experts to offer guidance in these areas, too. Our workshops have been well received in the community, and this is just another example of how we try to go the extra mile for our clients.”

For more details about how the Woodman Mansfield Company can help you, visit https://www.woodmanmansfieldco.com/ or call Robert at 207-951-2485 or Hilary at 207-466-4929. Find them on Facebook at Woodman Mansfield Company.

Friday, November 10, 2023

Business Spotlight: One 4 All Learning Center

It’s no secret that high-quality early care and learning programs can positively impact children for years into the future and that’s the mission of the new One 4 All Learning Center.

A teacher reads to children at the new
One 4 All Learning Center in Raymond.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Having opened in August at 1317 Roosevelt Trail in Raymond, the One 4 All Learning Center is the culmination of a dream for owners Courtnee Benner and Bobby Sue Lowe, who have years of experience and expertise accumulated working in childcare and early childhood education. The facility is a childcare center serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years and offering before- and after-care for children in Kindergarten and First Grade.

“A lot of heart has gone into making this dream become a reality. We have a combined 100-plus years of experience, and our passion for children and their growth and development is reflected in everything we do,” Benner said. “We are the only licensed childcare center in Raymond, although there are quite a few wonderful in-home childcare providers. Our building reflects our values of making children and families feel at home. We find children thrive in environments that are familiar, and we have worked hard to ensure that walking into a classroom felt like opening the front door to your living room.”

Located on spacious and safe grounds and featuring a renovated building, the One 4 All Learning Center is open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with meals and snacks included daily and a discount for enrolled siblings in its infant, toddler, and preschool programs. It is licensed to care for up to 49 children daily.

“We have done a couple of tours for families where we were astonished when they asked questions such as ‘do you read to the children,’ or ‘do you go outside’ because of misconceptions of childcare and what we do,” Lowe said. “Children are not a distraction from more important work, they are the most important work. We may have a play-based learning approach but play-based means so much more than just play. Play is the work of children.”

Both Benner and Lowe dispel the notion that childcare is nothing more than babysitting. They say their experience working in the childcare profession has shown them that this time in the lives of young children is crucial to learning valuable concepts such as getting along with other children, problem-solving, proper ways of sharing and socialization.

To accomplish that, the One 4 All Learning Center teachers are trained in curriculum planning, learning and development, and fostering cognitive abilities while adhering to developmental standards. It employs eight full-time teachers and one part-time teacher who share an extensive background in childcare.

“We are required to obtain a certificate of licensure through the State of Maine and DHHS. Through that process, there is a 76-page handbook outlining all of the different requirements for providing care to children in a group setting,” Benner said. “In addition, we are required to obtain a certificate through Maine’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), Rising Stars for ME. This is a system used for tracking quality care and improvements made within the program. We obtained our certificate as a four-star program in October.”

With a warm and welcoming atmosphere, personalized care and attention and a strong focus on early childhood education, One 4 All Learning Center strives to exceed expectations.

“As we prepared to open, both of us thought if we could give these families one thing, what would it be and our answer was simple – time,” Lowe said. “We then sat down and brainstormed ideas to provide working parents more time with their children, and we mapped out what a day as a parent would look like. Prepping for the next day is the first thing that came to mind, specifically meal planning. Packing snacks and lunch takes out such a chunk of every night when time is already limited to spend with your child because of the restraints of a working life. We provide two snacks and lunch, all included with weekly tuition, while following best practices in health and nutrition.”

For more details about One 4 All Learning Center or to arrange for a tour, call 207-302-0030. Visit them on Facebook page at Facebook.com/One4AllLearningCenter <

Friday, November 3, 2023

Business Spotlight: Maine State Credit Union

Maine State Credit Union Business Profile

Many spooky things happen on Halloween, but in 2022, something incredible happened. Maine State Credit Union opened its first Maine State Credit Union branch outside the Augusta/Waterville area at 25 Portland Road in Gray, in the Gray Plaza.  

 

Maine State Credit Union is a full-service credit union and a place for all Mainers' financial needs. Founded in 1935 under the stairway at the State House in Augusta, it has grown and expanded its reach. It now has over 35,000 members, and its doors are open to Mainers looking for a friendly place to help them navigate financial decisions of any size.

Beyond Basic

You can walk into any bank and credit union in Maine and find similar you achieve your financial goals and dreams. Maine State Credit Union has been voted one of the best places to work in Maine for 12 years and has been recognized by Forbes as one of Maine's Best Credit Unions for the past two years.

 

Gray's team is prepared to help you with your needs, from shared branching to opening your first mortgage to helping you get the funds you need to run your business. The Maine State CU team will meet you at the branch location and assist in any way we can.

 

The first Friday of the month, they host a Maine State CU café where members can stop in for a cup of freshly brewed coffee and a seasonal treat.  

 

Community Support

 

The team from Maine State Credit Union is a leader in giving back to the local community. Each year, they participate in the Maine Credit Union League's campaign to End Hunger in Maine. They are also a supporter of local events such as the Town of Gray's Annual Blueberry Festival and Community Days. The team in Gray is also very active in the local Chamber and is sponsoring the annual Bid of Christmas and Polar Plunge in February.

 

Products and Services

 

Maine State Credit Union is one of a few credit unions in the state to offer small business and commercial loans. They offer a variety of mortgage products and service all their loans from their flagship location in Augusta, Maine.

 

They also offer a wide range of loan products such as personal loans, debt consolidation loans, auto, boat, and recreational loans, as well as home equity loans and lines of credit. 


They are a go-to place for checking accounts, Christmas clubs, and savings accounts. They will sit with you and find the product and tools that fit your situation.

 

The Credit Union for You

 

We are a little quirky; we like to have fun and celebrate our differences. We love our communities and support our members when and where we can, not only through monetary contributions but also by volunteering, financial literacy, and bringing fun and laughter to all we do.

 

We welcome you anytime and will do our best to provide you with the highest level of service and thoroughly explain things. 

 

At the end of the day, we are all people who want our neighbors to thrive and make our communities the best place to live that we can. At Maine State Credit Union, members are our bottom line. Belong with us.

 

For more information please call 207-623-1851, email us at contactus@mainestatecu.org, or visit us online at www.mainestatecu.org. In branch hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Drive-Thru hours are Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and eBranch hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Quick Facts About Maine State Credit Union

Founded: 1935

Asset Size: 600,000,000

Branch Locations: Augusta, Waterville, Rockland and Gray

CEO: Stephen Wallace