Have you met Dr. Steve Olmstead at  Topsail Dental?

Dr. Olmstead's deep roots in the area and commitment to the local community make him a standout in his field. Graduating from Topsail High School and earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from UNC-Wilmington in 2006, he has always been dedicated to the region. His journey continued at East Carolina University’s School of Dental Medicine, where he honed his skills and expertise. Since acquiring Topsail Dental in 2016, Dr. Olmstead has built a reputation as one of the most trusted and respected dentists in Hampstead, Topsail, and the surrounding communities. His dedication to providing excellent care and his long-standing connection to the area underscore his commitment to both his patients and his community.

We had some time to spend with Dr. Olmstead and thought we would share some questions and answers! 

What does Topsail Dental mean to you? Topsail Dental means freedom. We’re a small business that is 100% locally owned without any outside pressure from private equity shareholders or insurance companies. This is an important distinction that strengthens the Doctor-Patient relationship. We’re free to spend more time getting to know our patients and their unique needs, which allows us to provide individualized care that addresses those needs.

What do you want Topsail Dental to be?  I want Topsail Dental to be a shining example of how we live out our faith which is evident through service to others with love and compassion. 

What are the Core Values of Topsail Dental and which is most important or most meaningful to you? Our Core Values at Topsail Dental are: Honesty, Positivity, Efficiency, Compassion, and Growth Oriented. The one that means the most to me is Honesty, earning trust, keeping the patient's best interests in mind, I always lead with ethics - and the question of how I would treat my mom, dad, sister, or brother.... 

What made you choose dentistry? Prior to going to dental school, I went on a mission trip to Honduras with some amazing dentists and saw how they were able to serve others. We had few supplies and equipment but were able to make a huge impact on those suffering from chronic oral health issues. That trip had a big impact on my faith and motivated me to pursue dentistry as a career. 

What is your favorite thing about being a dentist? Dentistry is a great combination of medicine, surgery, psychology, and art. I like all of those aspects but my favorite thing is seeing patients smile after years of covering their mouth out of embarrassment. Many people avoid going to the dentist out of fear and we’re trying to change that.  

What is your most favorite procedure? My favorite procedures are the ones that have the greatest impact on our patients. People that have lost some or all of their teeth experience challenges with eating, speaking, and smiling. Dental implant procedures are my favorite because they allow us to replace those missing teeth, restoring the ability to eat, speak, and smile.

What is your least favorite procedure to complete? My least favorite procedures are the ones that I know patients aren’t going to be happy with. Traditional dentures are one of those. No one is ever happy with a denture. They’re bulky, they move around, and they don’t chew food nearly as well as natural teeth in their healthy state or dental implants.

If you could have any other profession or career path, what would that profession be? Honestly, I love Dentistry, I am living my dream!  However, I would love to give back even more through dental missions - having more travels with Dental Mission trips and making dental care more accessible to rural areas & locations both locally and afar! 

Majority know that you are a Topsail High Graduate, you and your family live locally and are a big part of our community - you love to surf and do Jiu-jitsu - but, is there anything else that you would like us to know about you? I get to work with an incredible group of people and we’re attempting to change the dental experience. I want people to know that no matter what condition their teeth and mouth are in, we’re happy to help.

Who is your greatest inspiration? I really owe a lot of my success to my mom. Early on in my life, she was a single mom to my brother and I. She worked 2 jobs to support us and attended UNCW. She has always been there to nudge, sometimes push, us forward and encourage us to work hard.

Meet the rest of our Topsail Dental team members here. Topsail Dental Team
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