After More Than Two Decades Dentist's Practice Grows

Tucked away into the quiet Candlewood Commons is the dental office of Tribula & McComber Dental Associates. Since 1989 patients have been coming to see Dr. David Tribula and more recently his partner Dr. Nathalie McComber for their wide range of services.

Working together the pair have strived to make going to the dentist comfortable for their patients. Tribula said he had worked in Wall before finding his first location in the Route 9 complex. "Howell has been very good to me," he said. "It has a great patient base and lovely people."

Having worked in the town for so long he said he is now seeing not only his original patients but also their children and in some cases grandchildren. "I tell everyone I have 2000 best friends," he said. 

McComber joined the practice in 2006 and became a partner a year later. She said after starting practicing in Lincroft she met Tribula and knew he would be a good person to work with. "I respected him and the style of practice he had," she said. "It's the type of practice I wanted."

She describes their style of practice as "comprehensive care," adding, "We don't treat the mouth, we treat the individual. We treat the family. We like to offer everything the family would need." As the name suggests the practice includes associates who specialize in areas like pediatric dentistry, gums, implants and sedation dentistry. "

Even when the office is closed Tribula said patients can still reach their doctors. "They get our cell number and they call us all the time," he said. "I tell them if you call me at three in the morning I'll be a little crabby but I will answer. Most times if you give someone your cell number they'll be too guilty to call."

Dentistry may not be the most popular career to pursue these days but both doctors said they were inspired by people they knew when deciding on their path. "I had a really good dentist at the time and I wanted to be just like him," Tribula said. "My dad's cousin was a dentist, I worked for him in high school and I liked it," McComber added.

Recently the practice doubled in size to better fit its needs. "It's just a little more amenities to the patients," McComber said. "I think if you treat someone well they pick up on it and they send you their friends and family." The expansion includes two new patient rooms, a consultation room and a play area for children. 

With no signage on Route 9 and no real indicators of it location in the shopping center the doctors said most of their practice growth is through word of mouth which is okay with them. "You're not going to see us driving down Route 9 McComber said. "I like being in here. It's nice and quiet." 

When they get new patients McComber said they work hard to overcome any misconceptions or fears they may have of going to the dentist. "We can make it a comfortable experience," she said. "It will not hurt. We are as gentle as we can be."

Admitting dentists get a bad wrap in the medical profession McComber said they try to go against that stereotype. "I know it's not people's favorite thing to do, but we try to take some of the stress and anxiety out of it."