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Dr. William Deeming works on longtime patient Kathryn Curtis in the office attached to his house. Deeming, who will retire at the end of the year, has been tending to Tucson smiles and putting patients at ease for the past 50 years. His first office, which he opened in 1957, was near Alvernon Way and Fifth Street.
Greg Bryan / arizona daily star
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Business

Tending to Tucson smiles

Dentist will hang up drill after 50 years

By Gabriela Rico
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 12.22.2007
Stepping into the Midtown office of Dr. William Deeming is like stepping back in time.
The wooden, spindle-back armchairs, the dark-mustard-colored vinyl seats and wood panel walls offer an ambience of a business from yesteryear.
Next week, after 50 years of tending to Tucson smiles, Deeming, 85, will put away his dental drills and cuspidors and close shop on his home business near El Con Mall.
"The day before yesterday, my oldest patient came in, and we looked at his chart," Deeming said Friday during a break between patients. "His first appointment was in 1958."
The salmon-colored steel equipment is what he bought when he began his dentistry practice in 1957, Deeming said. His technique never changed, either.
"Not much has changed in what we do," he said, referring to the dental profession, other than an emphasis on cosmetic dentistry. "Everyone wants teeth that look like piano keys."
He was born in Richmond, Calif., in 1922, and his family moved to Douglas in 1924. After graduating from Douglas High School, he joined the Navy in 1942.
"And it took me three years to win the war," he quipped.
On his return to Douglas with his bride of two years, Deeming said he applied for — and was turned down by — every dental school in the country.
"I didn't want a job; I wanted a profession," he said. "What better than dentistry? I'm good with my hands."
In 1952, he was accepted into dental school at the University of Iowa, graduated in 1957 and headed back to Tucson.
His first office was near Alvernon Way and Fifth Street. The current one at 521 N. Dodge Blvd., attached to his residence, opened the day after the first Super Bowl in 1966.
One year later, Pat Beck-Pierce, who had lived in the same student housing with Deeming at the University of Iowa, spotted his name on the building while headed for a day of shopping at El Con Mall.
She applied for the job as his receptionist and has been with him since.
The technology-free operation consists of paper patient charts and a typewriter that was upgraded 20 years ago to an electric version.
After two open-heart surgeries, Deeming said his health prompted his decision to retire. His wife, Dorothy, died in January, and the doctor said he does not have any immediate plans for his retirement.
"I have no particular agenda ahead of me," he said.
The dental office will be refurbished into an apartment /guest house.
Since announcing his retirement, dozens of cards and letters and sad farewells have been delivered, Deeming said.
"Some patients have come in just to give me a hug."
● Contact reporter Gabriela Rico at 573-4232 or at grico@azstarnet.com.
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