The first time I went to Valerie Drake D.D.S. for a dentist  appointment I was in for a pleasant surprise. The office was new and the waiting area was comfortable and relaxing to sit in, unlike the hospital waiting room I was expecting. I was so impressed with the reception and friendliness of the staff. By the time my appointment was ready, I wasn't as nervous about my visit as I had been when I arrived. When it was time for Valerie to come see me, I was in for another surprise. Her mix of professionalism and upbeat excitement was a welcomed difference to other dentist visits I've had in the past. Below is short interview she agreed to do with www.rgvpride.com.

Tell us a little about yourself.  I love to learn.  I’ve always been a hard worker and strive to be the best at all that I do.  I was a nationally ranked tennis player and the first girl to make all-stars on the boy’s football team in elementary school.  I have two boys who also love sports.  I love hunting, fishing and backgammon.

What do you feel is the best benefit of being a dentist?  I like taking a person who is petrified of the dentist and showing them that dentistry is much more gentle than they are expecting.

When we spoke earlier, you mentioned your father works with you and is a Dentist. What type of impact has father had in your life?  He has been a great role model for me.  He has always believed in everything that I do.  I was brought up to believe that I can achieve anything that I work hard for.  He has always let me make my own decisions.

Where did you go to school for dentistry? What did it take to make it thru? I graduated from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas.  My husband, Brad, was key in helping me make it though dental school.  It was a great experience and I loved it! 

What new tools have come out recently or will be coming out soon that will make a visit to the dentist more comfortable?  Dentistry has seen so extraordinary advances the last few years.  Digital radiography is more commonplace now exposing patients to decreased radiation than the older radiographs that we used to take.  Clear braces, such as Invisalign, give patients a straight smile without having to wear metal brackets and wires that  chew up their cheeks.  Also, dental implants allow denture wearers relief from loose plates and implants also allow us to replace missing teeth without cutting someone’s natural teeth down.

What is the hardest thing you ever had to do and how did you overcome the challenge? The hardest thing I ever had to do was compete with the best tennis players around the US before there were many tennis players in the Valley.  I immersed myself in training physically and mentally to compete against the girls who lived in the larger cities with the top coaches.  I travelled to other countries, such as Peru, Mexico, and Italy for months at a time to train as well as to Houston.  I invited other Texas players to train with me in the Valley.  I was lucky to have the support of many Valley tennis players to train with me as well.

Can you share your thoughts on what characteristics or actions make someone successful?  I think if you truly care about what you are doing and make the effort to learn all that you can on a constant basis you will be successful at what you do.

Why would someone choose your practice over others? We are lucky to have so many top notch dentists in Harlingen.  I, just like the others, truly care about each and every person that walks through the door.  I do all that I can to make each person feel comfortable and not intimidated.  I listen to patients to understand their concerns.  I have earned my Fellowship from the Academy of General Dentistry, my Fellowship from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and my Masters in the Implant Prosthodontic Section of the ICOI.  I am one of only a handful to have earned this distinction.

Where do you see your practice in the next 10 years?  There will be the same smiling faces at the office.  I will see some of the current elementary students preparing for college, and the winter visitors that have decided to make the Valley home.  The office will still have the same family atmosphere and I think more patients will be opting for implants to restore their missing teeth.

Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?  Visiting the dentist can be a pleasant experience and a great way to maintain your overall health and self-confidence.

 Drake Family Dentistry      

2319 E Tyler

Harlingen, TX 78550

 956-428-3300