A patient walked into Zufall Health’s Dover Dental office in desperation. After living with severe dental pain for some time, he had tried to remove his own tooth with pliers. He was convinced that once the tooth was gone, a new one would grow in its place.

Dentist George Paul, DMD, and his assistant explained to the patient that pulling the tooth would leave a permanent gap. Together, they talked through treatment options, and the patient agreed to a root canal to save the tooth.

The experience captured what Paul sees as the real meaning of his work — treating not just someone’s teeth, but the whole person.

“As dentists, it’s easy to get so focused on our busy schedules that we forget to step back and see things from the patient’s perspective,” Paul says. “It is so important to slow down, communicate clearly, and help patients truly understand their condition so they feel comfortable and informed.”

Limited health literacy and high out-of-pocket costs often prevent individuals in underserved communities from seeking routine dental care, leaving many to endure pain until it becomes unbearable. Closing these systemic gaps is what drew Paul to community health in the first place.

“I know I chose the right path,” he reflects. “When someone arrives in distress and is grateful that I can relieve their pain, I’m reminded of why I do this work.”

But the same access problem Paul set out to solve is also the challenge he runs into every day. The need for affordable dental care in Zufall’s service area outpaces what the dental team can provide. While Zufall works to expand capacity, Paul stays focused on making the most of every visit with compassion, no matter the patient’s situation.

“When a patient leaves our office feeling relieved and empowered to take charge of their oral health, that’s when I know we’ve made a meaningful difference.”

George Paul, DMD, earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Midwestern University and completed his dental residency with the U.S. Air Force. He is board-certified by the American Dental Association.