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January 6, 2010

New dentist learning the ropes from stepmom

Vaishali Patel

Not every new employee is greeted with balloons, welcome signs and lots of white smiles on his first day of work, but that’s what welcomed Dr. Matt Culberson when he arrived Monday morning.

Culberson recently joined the staff of Dr. Anne T. Sanchez’s orthodontics practice. Culberson, who is also Sanchez’s stepson, is the only male doctor actively working in the office.

Orthodontic Assistant Debbie Thomas said she came up with a clever sign to post on the back door of the office to usher in his arrival: “In 2010, Dr. Sanchez is adding men.”

“We wanted to do something to welcome him. We were nervous to begin with, but its turned out to be a great day,” Thomas said.

Culberson’s first day on the job was met with gratitude and excitement. He said patients and staff members have already begun to feel like family.

“It’ been great. I’ve met lots of patients and lots of families today. The majority of my time has been with meeting people, shadowing and coming up to speed on the office and the way it’s run. I’m learning first hand of the efficiency,” he said Monday. “Everything has been very positive. I’ve seen a lot of support today and patients said they’re glad to have me here. It’s all very exciting.”

Culberson began his career by first enrolling at Georgia College to take the prerequisites needed to further his career goals. Afterward, he attended a university in Dallas, Texas to obtain an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering. Culberson soon realized that the “corporate world just didn’t exist.”

“After being around [Dr. Sanchez], the office and patients and seeing their energy and friendliness, it was something I wanted to be part of,” he said. “I call her Dr. Sanchez here and Anne at home.”

He decided to move to Augusta to start his four years in dentistry at the Medical College of Georgia, where he also completed a two-year residency in orthodontics. He said now that he has moved back to his hometown, his goals include keeping the office running the way it has in the past.

“I want to keep things running the way they’ve historically been run. I’m here to learn as much as I can from Dr. Sanchez and the staff,” Culberson said. “Whatever we can do to serve our patients.”

Though Sanchez keeps occupied by teaching at GCSU, she still finds time to guide her stepson along his career path.

“He can see what I’m doing and I can see what he’s doing so we can really learn from each other,” Sanchez said. “What could be better than having a family member practicing with you? The patients are going to be well cared for and so is the staff.”

Culberson’s wife, Amy, and their 8-week year old daughter, Laura Grace, paid him a visit Monday afternoon to show their support and enthusiasm.

“I’m really excited for him to move back to his hometown. We’re excited to see what lies ahead for our family,” Amy said.

The Culberson family and their pet dog, Uno, plan on settling in Milledgeville comfortably and being part of it as much as possible.

“After being busy with graduation, moving, Christmas, New Year’s, the new baby and now work, we just want to grow and integrate our whole family to become part of the community... eventually just growing old and letting the kids take care of us,” Culberson said. “We’re home sweet home.”

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