Dr. Daron Praetzel
DARON PRAETZEL DMD, FAACS, Col, USAFR
Video Transcription
I'm Dr. Darren Praetzel. My job title is I'm an oral maxillofacial surgeon. I also am a board certified facial cosmetic surgeon. So I get to do all the full scope of oral surgery and facial cosmetics. So in the clinic we see a full scope of patients. Wisdom teeth is a big part of our practice, and that's a good topic because, you know, we always want to try to see the patients early in life, teenage years to get the wisdom teeth, because that's the time when it's less risk, easier recovery. But every day we're seeing people in their adult life that are having problems or don't even know they have a problem. We'll find out somebody that's a routine X-ray for something unrelated to the wisdom teeth and we find a big cyst or tumor in their jaw they had no clue about. And so it's real important to make sure you get that checked out, make sure that if you haven't had your wisdom teeth removed, that your dentist is at least looking that component of it and making the referral to the oral surgeon. So a lot of people ask why an oral surgeon, why go there? We provide a high level of care and we have the opportunity to work with all the dentists here in Hot Springs and the surrounding area. And the team approach to that is so unique and so valuable because the dentist who does all the teeth parts and making it the aesthetics beautiful, allow us to work with them through our guided surgeries, through CT scans, computerized technology to be able to place the implants where we need to place them. And with that, we can actually place them in the ideal spot for the patient. And the results are just unbelievable.
Dr. Daron Praetzel is originally from Erie, Pennsylvania. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Gannon University. He attained his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh. He completed his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency at Wilford Hall Medical Center on Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Praetzel served for thirteen years as an active duty surgeon with the U.S. Air Force. He has received several military honors and deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Facial Trauma Surgeon. He currently holds the rank of Colonel while maintaining his active enrollment in the U.S. Air Force IMA Reserves. Dr. Praetzel holds double board certifications from both the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (ABOMS) and the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgeons (ABFCS).
Dr. Praetzel is the founder of the Faces Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides facial surgery to correct cosmetic and functional deformities for patients who otherwise would not be able to have surgery. Dr. Praetzel is the founder and director of the Hot Springs Study Club, providing continuing education courses for local dentists, dental specialist, hygienists and their staff. Dr. Praetzel is on the Board of Directors for the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgeons (ABFCS) and the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Dental Practice (AADP). He is also a proud Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), Arkansas State Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons(ASSOMS), Arkansas State Dental Association (ASDA), and the Garland County Dental Society.
Dr. Praetzel is the owner and developer of the Arkansas Center for Surgical Excellence (ACSE), a multi-specialty outpatient JCAHO accredited surgery center. ACSE is where Dr. Praetzel performs his facial cosmetic surgeries.
Dr. Praetzel is an international public speaker. He presents to large groups and organizations on facial surgery, team building, personal/life and military experiences. Dr. Praetzel has been asked to be a guest author on several publications. He serves as an expert surgical witness on medical legal/malpractice cases around the country.
Dr. Praetzel lives in Hot Springs, AR and is actively involved in the community and the development of Hot Springs’ future. He is an active athletic member of Spa City Crossfit, completed several marathons and triathlons, and the Music Director of Acapella Rising. Dr. Praetzel also enjoys maintaining his cow and horse farm, sport activities, and any event involving one of his three children.
Dr. Praetzel is honored to be able to share and provide his surgical experience with the Hot Springs and surrounding communities.
