A Fireside Chat with Dr. Jeff Doss

At SMOMS, we are beating the winter blues with a series of Fireside Interviews with our fantastic doctors. Sit down, warm up, and learn more about the SMOMS surgeons!

Dr. Jeff Doss joined SMOMS in 1989. Since then, he has been keeping our patients smiling with his kindness, skill, and never-ending supply of jokes.

Q: What inspired you to enter the oral surgery field? 

Dr. Doss: My uncle was a radiologist and my aunt was a nurse. I used to read their medical text books for fun, so I guess I always had the intention of being in medicine. I enjoy the combination of using your hands and using science. I fractured my jaw in high school and my oral surgeon was incredible. That’s how I found the specific field. 

Q: What was the first surgery you performed?

Dr. Doss: My first surgery that I performed was a simple extraction. But the first surgery I ever saw was a transfemoral amputation. I almost passed out. 

Q: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

Dr. Doss: It’s challenging to juggle surgeries, staff, patients, and the business side of the practice–out of those four aspects, surgery is the easy part! 

Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? 

Dr. Doss: Whether we’re doing a simple extraction or a more complicated procedure, it’s wonderful just to make the patients happy. Also, like I mentioned, I love using my hands. A lot of what we do is fairly artistic–you have to know and trust your hands. 

Q: What is your favorite surgery to perform? 

Dr. Doss: I really enjoy dental implants because you see the whole process of removing something and putting it back. You’re making it whole again. The FDA first approved our modern model of dental implants in 1984 when I was just entering the field, so I’ve seen the full evolution. Our accuracy with implants today is truly incredible. 

Q: How does your career impact the way you see the world? 

Dr. Doss: It broadens my view of what people do with their lives. I always ask patients what they do for work–it’s a practical question when I’m considering their healing procedure, but I also like hearing all of the different walks of life people are on. 

Q: When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

Dr. Doss: A doctor! I had a 2.1 GPA in high school, and 3.2 in college, and a 3.9 in dental school. I think that really shows where my head was from a young age. 

Q: What’s your favorite food? 

Dr. Doss: Chicago-Style hot dogs. Whenever I’m in Chicago–even if I’m connecting through O’Hare airport in the morning–I get one. My wife thinks it’s gross. But I think they’re perfect. 

Q: What is your favorite animal? 

Dr. Doss: I really like racoons. I had a pet racoon when I was a kid. His name was Snuffy.

Our patients on Dr. Doss: “Dear Dr. Doss–I so appreciate your incredible skill, talent, and kindness. You’ve made such a positive impact on my life and well-being!”