About Dr. Joe Shrager, DDS

In the beginning I wanted to be psychologist. I could not continue. In the end I would learn that psychology is a tool and not the end I was looking for. I wanted to improve lives and not second guess my effort to do so. Psychology seemed political. Its about giving care with the notion that one knows first what is truly in another’s best self interest. It must be, because what can you give if you don’t first have something TO give. The bankers know this. 6 billion truths for 6 billion people. Psychology is too vital and too all encompassing for someone (like myself) to question its purpose and protection for one’s individual inner peace. People just need to be loved. That's Dr. Shrager’s psychology. So... I abandoned psychology for my personal daemon –dentistry?! I must be a masochist. Self overcoming is my life’s greatest challenge, purpose and vision!! Like any father my greatest hope is to share my deepest and most treasured values that I have learned and acquired through my lifetime, with each and every person I contact in my line of work.

Nietzsche wrote "whoever has at some time built a ‘new heaven’ has found the power to do so only in his own hell.” I tell patients today that there cannot be anyone who feared the dentist more than me. I don’t think anyone really believes me when I say this. Its not a joke. Nobody laughs, but its true. Orange Dental is my idea of heaven-like dental experiences in Orlando!

Why teeth? I once wondered, the body heals by itself and our thoughts can heal themselves... but what of teeth? They just wear out and real hope is often only delivered on the wings of loving intervention. Dentistry is a concrete profession. There is a problem and a concrete remedy which - relative to so many endeavors is difficult (if not impossible) to question. But imagine if the treatment could be rendered by someone who truly wanted to help people. This help could go beyond the material care itself. This is the vision of Orange Dental.

Dr. Shrager’s vision.

There are so many people who want to effect a difference on the lives of others. When you choose your dentist, one must consider why their professional does what they do? Dr. shrager’s denistry – Orange Dental - is first, about you. I do good work, because YOU let me. I am first concerned about YOUR level of comfort and trust. I choose dentistry because I could not imagine anything where I could know better what it might feel like in another’s shoes. Helping others for me, is about feeling what others feel and one can only do this if they have both feet on the ground. The end result always favors those individuals who believe in what the doctor is doing. Its a 2 way street and trust and faith in the doctor, the office, the staff and the outcome is required. Are my feet on the ground? I don’t know... but I’m constantly making sure. Helping others is about taking personal responsibility for the future of everyone we touch – both
spiritually and dental-ly.

"At the center of the universe is a loving heart that continues to beat and that wants the best for every person. Anything we can do to help foster the intellect and spirit and emotional growth of our fellow human beings, that is our job....Those of us who have this particular vision must continue against all odds. Life is for service.” –Fred Rogers

Dr. Steven Baxter, DDS

Undergraduate training at Yale University (New Haven, CT; Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, 1976), Dental School at Columbia University (New York, NY; DDS, 1985), Three years Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery training at University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI; 1988.) Practiced in Columbus, Ohio for several years. Have been practicing in Florida since 1996. Married to Patricia, and have three children; two now in college and the third in high school. We love Disney, just wish we had more time to enjoy it.