As new businesses, ongoing development and major road improvements continue reshaping the Route 228 corridor, one local dentist says the area’s rapid growth convinced him to purchase Advanced Dentistry in Seven Fields.
“It was a golden opportunity to buy an office in this area, knowing that it was growing rapidly and to be able to help this area,” Groves said. “It’s just a great area to live.”
Groves’ journey into dentistry began years earlier after having positive experiences with his own dentist as a child.
“I always wanted to help people and work with my hands,” he said. “Dentistry was kind of the perfect mix of the two.”
Today, he treats patients of every age—from infants less than a year old to seniors approaching 100 years old. While cosmetic dentistry is one of his interests, he also performs oral surgery and enjoys helping patients who arrive in pain.
“I see a lot of patients that come in with a lot of pain,” Groves said. “Being able to help them get out of pain rapidly and making them feel comfortable is very rewarding.”
“We’ve had quite a few patients that hadn’t been to a dentist in 30 years because they’re terrified,” Groves said. “Now they come in happy as can be to see us.”
According to Groves, dental anxiety often stems from painful experiences or traumatic visits during childhood. Earning a patient’s trust can take time but helping them feel comfortable is one of the most meaningful aspects of the profession.
“There are a lot of challenges, but it’s really working through people’s fear,” he said.
As a general dentist, no two days are exactly alike. His schedule may include routine cleanings and fillings, dental implants, oral surgery and cosmetic procedures—all in the same day.
Advanced Dentistry Groves & Associates, located along Route 228 at 2100 Garden Grove Blvd., Suite 102, in Seven Fields, has been owned by Dr. Joshua Groves since 2022.
The practice’s hygiene team typically sees about 16 patients daily, while Groves treats another eight to 16 patients of his own. He is supported by two dental assistants, including an expanded-function dental assistant trained to place restorations after cavities are prepared.
Groves believes modern technology has transformed dental care, but he says technology alone isn’t enough.
“We’re a very high-tech office,” he said. “We have all the latest technology, but we have a very small family, hometown feel. We don’t want people to feel like a number. We want them to come in and feel like part of the family or a friend.”
That welcoming atmosphere reflects the kind of dental office he remembers growing up—an experience that ultimately inspired his career.
A graduate of West Liberty University and the West Virginia University School of Dentistry, Groves says he’s excited to continue serving a community that shows no signs of slowing down.
“It’s crazy,” he said of the area’s growth. “It’s nice to see more and more people moving in.”
While the continued growth along Route 228 is good for business, Groves said he expects the upcoming highway improvements to create temporary traffic headaches. Fortunately, he has already learned the area’s back roads, taking Myoma Road on his drive home toward Evans City to avoid much of the congestion.