Wainman dental office reopens at temporary location

Monday, July 22, 2013
A hand-drawn sign points the way to the entrance of Dr. Perry Wainman's temporary dental office. Wainman has re-opened in the Elliott Professional Building at 125 E. Washington St., Greencastle.

Nearly two months after a fire a May fire that devastated several downtown businesses chased his practice from its longtime home, Dr. Perry Wainman has reopened in a temporary nearby location.

Wainman's office is operating at 125 E. Washington St. in the Elliott Professional Building owned by optometrist Dr. Russell Elliott.

The veteran dentist's temporary facility is on the east side of the building, which is located on the northwest corner of Washington Street and College Avenue.

The office was formerly occupied by the dental practices of both Dr. William Frisbie and Dr. Gina Norman-Boatright.

Wainman recently learned that his permanent facility at 18 E. Washington St. can be saved, with a return likely at some point this winter.

A temporary roof on his building is the first order of business, with other work to follow thereafter.

Until that time, operations have resumed in a limited capacity.

The first order of business is playing catch up on eight weeks without a home.

Wainman's staff has been trying to contact patients who may have missed appointments. However, patients who have not been contacted may call the office. The number remains unchanged at 653-8615.

"We have to thank all the patients for being ... patient," Wainman said.

That patience will be needed still, as the practice is reopen, but they are a minimum of two months behind.

Even when patients arrive for a rescheduled appointment, Wainman and his staff requests more patience, as most files were lost in the May 17 fire that damaged much of the East Washington Street block.

Any patient without an existing appointment but with a dental issue is asked to call the office. If Wainman is able to handle it in the office's limited capacity, he will. If not, patients will be referred to other area dentists and specialists.

Wainman wished to thank his colleagues for the work they've already done for referred patients and in keeping his practice going even when it didn't have a home.

"Thank you to all the dentists for covering," Wainman said. "They've gone above and beyond."

In particular, he thanked Dr. Dale Oliver, whose practice is also housed in the Elliott building.

"Dale Oliver has been super," Wainman said. "He's let me use one of his operatories to finish some things up in May and June."

Additional help has come from the Trout Dental Lab, which has loaned Wainman lab equipment to use while he is in the temporary office.

Other area dentists and specialists -- unnamed for fear he might miss someone -- have also been invaluable in this time of transition. Wainman said he knows the help he has received goes beyond simple business.

"It's not competition -- it's camaraderie," he said.

Wainman said other assistance has been offered by several local merchants, city building inspector Dave Varvel, Mayor Sue Murray and even patients.

"Even the patients themselves have offered to help however they could," Wainman said.

The doctor also got a little emotional in thanking his employees for their service through an uncertain couple of months.

"I want to thank my girls for what they've done," Wainman said. "It's been tough on them."

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