T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM Dentists Dr. Colene Grecian, Dr. Kent Downing and Dr. Bob Peterson all have history at the dental practice at 110 N. 1st St. Peterson built it, Grecian practiced under Grecian Dental/Smile Solutions and Downing will take over. Starting July 10, it will be known as 1st Street Dental.

Patients of Grecian Dental/Smile Solutions can rest assured their dental provider is not closing shop. The practice, located at 110 N. 1st St., will reopen July 10 as 1st Street Dental.

They will also see a new face smiling back at them belonging to the new owner, Dr. Kent Downing.

Earlier this month, patients received an email stating the practice was effectively closing June 30. Downing stressed that is not the case, and he is committed to making a smooth transition.

“We’re making sure everyone is taken care of,” he said. “My commitment right now is to maintain our patients.”

Downing is no stranger to the dental community of Marshalltown. He has been the owner of Main Street Dental since 2020, and did not want to see another business close.

“I think Marshalltown has lost a lot over the years,” Downing said. “I want to keep businesses downtown.”

Dr. Colene Grecian said the sale was rather quick, having only taken one week. Downing said a lot of hard work went into the transition to ensure there was as little disruption as possible.

“From the patient perspective, it will be smooth-sailing,” he said. “There might have been a little scare in the middle with the email that went out.”

Dr. Bob Peterson, who constructed the building in 1976 and practiced there until retiring in 1993, is supportive of the change-of-hands. He was also aware of the email. Peterson told a story of a Smile Solutions patient who received word about the practice closing.

“She said she was heartbroken,” he said. “She said, ‘I love my dentist. I love coming here.’ When you hear things like that, you want to keep them happy.”

One thing to help keep patients happy, and make the change as smooth as possible is the retention of the staff. Grecian said they will remain with the office.

“All of the nice, smiley, happy faces our patients like to see,” she said, smiling. “It’s like staying home.”

Grecian will also stay with the practice for a brief period of time to help with the transition. Peterson stressed keeping the same staff will ensure continuity of care.

Grecian is confident selling the practice to Downing was the right move, saying patients will be happy.

“He’s very good in general in aesthetic dentistry, cosmetic dentistry,” she said.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Who: 1st Street Dental

Address: 110 N. 1st St.

Phone number: 641-752-3337

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.