HURRICANE CREEK DENTAL

“The Dental Team That Cares,” is not just a tagline for Dr. Blakely Cingolani, or “Dr. Blakely” as her patients know her; it’s the principle that drives the way Hurricane Creek Dental operates. 

“I take pride in making a personal connection with every single one of my patients. My staff would probably say that I talk way too much, but that’s part of what I love about my job. I enjoy learning about my patient’s families and making those connections. It’s not just fixing teeth or helping people out of pain. I genuinely enjoy getting to know my patients and making them feel like family when they come through our doors through establishing long term and trustworthy relationships.” 

After considering other areas of the state to call home, Dr. Blakely decided Saline County was the place for her, and she has been here since 2019. “I graduated from dental school knowing I wanted to practice in Arkansas, and I felt most at home in Saline County. The Benton and Bryant area reminded me so much of my hometown of McGehee, Arkansas, where I grew up in an area with a hometown vibe and good friendly people.”

When Dr. Blakely married in 2022, she said she was blessed not only with her husband but also with three bonus children. “My oldest is out of school and working full-time. My stepdaughter is currently a freshman at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, which I was so excited about because that’s where I attended college—WOO PIG SOOIE! And my youngest stepson is a sixth grader at Benton Middle School.” Dr. Blakely’s husband is also a dentist, but they have separate practices. 

“My husband and I occasionally work on certain cases together, and it’s great to have someone you trust to bounce ideas off. It’s also nice to be able to come home and talk to someone about your day and they understand the rewards and challenges of our profession.” 

Dr. Blakely will tell you her career path was slightly non-traditional, but she knows that God placed her exactly where she needed to be. “I started out as a dental assistant, and that soon turned into me wanting to go to dental school. My experience as an assistant taught me so much and better prepared me for dental school. I was very confident with my chairside experience, speaking with patients, and treatment planning, and just having that innate ability to connect came more easily from having been an assistant.” 

Dr. Blakely earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Tennessee in 2019. She is a member of the American Dental Association, Arkansas State Dental Association, the American Academy of Implantology, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. As a seasoned dental professional, in Dr. Blakely’s opinion there are areas that have potential for improvement in dentistry. “I wish that physicians and dentists worked closer together for a holistic approach to patient care.”

When asked about what sets Hurricane Creek Dental apart from other practices in our community, Dr. Blakely replied, “We are very lucky to have so many great dentists in Saline County. I think one thing that does set me apart from the others is that I’m a woman. A lot of patients feel more at ease when seeing a female dentist.”

According to the American Dental Association, roughly 73% of Americans fear going to the dentist. At Hurricane Creek Dental, if a patient struggles with dental anxiety, Dr. Blakely takes the time to help them get through the procedure and understand that a trip to the dentist doesn’t have to be scary. 

In addition to the patients, Dr. Blakely also takes pride in creating a fun work environment for her staff. “I truly believe that if everyone is creating friendships and having fun while working, it creates a better experience for everyone involved, both patients and staff.” 

In addition to basic dental services, Hurricane Creek Dental offers cosmetic dentistry including crowns, veneers, and whitening. “Patients come to us for their basic dental needs, but they also are interested in improving their smiles. Feeling confident about yourself is so important; it can be life changing. We are so blessed to help people feel better about themselves by enhancing their smiles,” says Dr. Blakely, with a big smile of her own.

In Dr. Blakely’s spare time you can find her outdoors, traveling, going to the lake, and of course calling those HOGS! She also loves spending time with her amazing family and friends every chance she gets.

Hurricane Creek Dental has a Facebook page where they love to share news about the staff and patient family; for more information visit bryantarkansasdentist.com. Also, check out Google reviews for feedback from Dr. Blakely’s wonderful patients.