Tooth Scootin’ Boogie opens doors in Bandera

Dentist Randi Mellon has fulfilled her dream of opening a dental office in a small town.

Mellon, who was raised outside of Corpus Christi in Portland, has worked in many dental offices so far in her career across the country. She dreamed of opening an office in a small town when she graduated from Texas Tech.

She is excited to get to know the people of Bandera, freely admitting she is looking forward to being involved with the community.

Dr. Mellon always knew she wanted to be a dentist and felt the profession would be a good fit for her personality. Mellon’s bubbly and vivacious attitude is unique in a rather subdued and staid profession like dentistry.

Even the name of the practice, “Tooth Scootin’ Boogie,” is a whimsical nod to the city’s flavor and Western atmosphere. Her logo tooth wears a cowboy hat and has a toothbrush holstered at his side.

Meeting her husband when she began practicing dentistry in Dallas, Mellon moved with his job to Boston. When her fatherin- law moved to Bandera County, he convinced Mellon and her husband to try Bandera.

Dr. Mellon and her husband bought a house with acreage. While she commuted for a couple of years, she dreamed of opening her own practice in Bandera.

As she studied the business possibilities, Mellon said she noticed there were no “kid-centered” dentists in the area. Mellon is quick to point out that she is a general dentist but has set up her office to be able to make kids feel at home in the office.

She has installed two arcade games at kid height in the office. She also has a two-chair exam room where one youngster can be treated while their sibling can sit and watch the procedure while they wait their turn. Mellon has even provided a table with crayons in the exam room so kids can stay occupied while moms get their teeth examined.

Mellon also prides herself on being familiar with new technology. She can take a scan of a patient’s mouth and use an in house 3-D printer to make a mold of the teeth. This new tech makes it quick and easy to provide dental services.

Mellon quickly declares Bandera is one of her favorite places, talking about swimming in the river and climbing the cypress trees on a hot day.

She participated in the annual Memorial Day Parade in Bandera handing out toothbrushes and dental care kits. Although starting out in a corporate atmosphere, Mellon is typical of a small-town dentist where “I like to treat my patients as family.”

The practice is open in the Bandera strip center at 584 State Hwy 16 South next door to Bandera Finance.

Tooth Scootin’ Boogie is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p..m Monday through Thursday. It is closed Friday through Sunday.

A ribbon cutting is planned for February 2024 by the Bandera County Chamber of Commerce.

Mellon’s practice is open and taking new patients. For more information about the practice, go to www.banderadentist. com