The Fairfield Dental Clinic was officially presented with U.S. Senator Joni Ernst’s Small Business of the Week award on Wednesday, September 16th, when Michele Beck, a representative from Ernst’s office, visited the clinic to personally deliver the recognition.
As Ottumwa Radio previously reported back in June, the clinic was selected to represent Jefferson County as part of Ernst’s effort to recognize a small business in each of Iowa’s 99 counties throughout the 119th Congress. Ernst chairs the Senate Small Business Committee.
During the presentation, Beck highlighted several reasons the clinic stood out to the senator and her committee. She noted the significant lack of health care providers in rural Iowa and emphasized the clinic’s role as a regional destination, drawing patients from far and wide for dental services that can be difficult to find in rural communities. Beck said that alone made the clinic a natural choice for recognition.
Beck also praised the clinic’s deep involvement in the Fairfield community, saying that level of outreach is harder to find among small businesses than many might expect. She noted that many small business owners are so focused on keeping their operations running that community engagement falls by the wayside — making the clinic’s commitment to the community all the more noteworthy and a key factor in the recognition.
Beck also noted that through the Small Business of the Week program, Ernst’s office has gained a deeper appreciation for how small businesses operate, including their succession plans and the relationships involved in ownership transitions — something she said Fairfield Dental Clinic exemplifies well given its ownership history. The clinic is co-owned by Dr. Pat Jones, who joined as co-owner in 2015, and Dr. Matt Holt, who became co-owner in 2022 after serving patients in the community since 2013.
Beck acknowledged that Senator Ernst’s time in office is drawing to a close, with her term ending in January, but said her office remains available to assist constituents and small businesses with any federal matters in the meantime.
The clinic focuses on cosmetic and preventative dentistry and oral surgery and currently employs seven staff members. It continues to invest in renovations, updated technology, and facility improvements to better serve patients throughout southeast Iowa.
