Thursday, March 28th, 2024

Coastal Virginia Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Story


COASTAL VIRGINIA ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

Dr. Frank Beale's mission is to provide the highest level of compassionate care

by Cristi Sanchez


Dr. Frank Beale

Dr. Frank Beale

For 33 years, Dr. Frank Beale has been working to provide the Hampton Roads community extraordinary care in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The practice, Coastal Virginia Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, sits in the heart of Great Bridge. Dr. Beale and practice owner Frank Yeh, together with Dr. Richard Quigg, work to fulfill their mission of putting patients first with a primary focus on providing the highest level of compassionate care.

Born in Chicago, Dr. Beale moved with his family to Richmond at the age of three, and, except for three years away at school in Pennsylvania, he has lived in Virginia ever since. "I wasn't born here," Dr. Beale says with a smile, "but otherwise, I'm as close to a Virginia native as you can get."

After graduating high school, Dr. Beale knew he wanted to pursue a career in dentistry. So, he attended VCU for undergraduate studies, followed by the Medical College of Virginia Dental School, where he graduated with honors with his degree in general dentistry. With a passion to know and learn more, he continued his studies, entering a general practice residency at the Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.  

During this residency, Dr. Beale got his first exposure to oral surgery. Years later, it would turn out to be a game-changer. "While I was doing my residency, I had to do rotations in the different fields of dentistry-general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, and oral surgery," Dr. Beale explains. "I found out that I really enjoyed oral surgery."

After completing his residency, Dr. Beale moved to Hampton Roads to practice general dentistry. He successfully worked as an associate with a practice in Virginia Beach for three years, but oral surgery continued to call his name. He knew he couldn't ignore it any longer, and the game then changed.

"I explained to my wife that going back to school for oral surgery was something I had to do because it was what I loved," Dr. Beale recalls. "Even though she was rooted here with her job and friends, she supported me in pursuing my dream." So, the Beales moved to Philadelphia, where Dr. Beale attended the University of Pennsylvania; but moving back to Hampton Roads was a top priority, so when he graduated three years later, in 1989, that's exactly what they did.




After his return to Chesapeake, Dr. Beale became an associate at Coastal Virginia Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery under Dr. Maugeri. Here he thrived, realizing without a doubt that he had found his calling. It wasn't long before Dr. Beale realized what a great fit the practice was for him, and he took the next major step in his career. "I had been working with Dr. Maugeri for about two and a half years, and we both noticed how well we worked together," Dr. Beale says. "We had a thriving and growing practice, so I decided to buy into it and became a partner."

After 23 years in business together, Dr. Maugeri decided to retire in 2015. He sold his share of the practice to his associate Dr. Yeh, and a new partnership was developed at Coastal Virginia Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. Then in 2019, Dr. Yeh became the sole owner of Coastal Virginia Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, and Dr. Beale continues to practice with the now expanding group.

The practice has continued to grow in leaps and bounds, even with minimal advertising. In fact, most of Dr. Beale's new patients are word-of-mouth referrals, and he attributes that to the practice's mission of commitment to personalized, compassionate patient care.

"For me, it's not just about enjoying the oral surgery aspect of my job. I sincerely enjoy my patients and spending time with them," Dr. Beale says. "I like to make sure they understand what's going on because, after all, it is surgery. Many of my patients are young, so they may be anxious or scared to some degree. I feel I do a good job of communicating with patients and educating them on what the procedure entails: what needs to be done and why it needs to be done, what will be happening, what they can expect, and spending the appropriate amount of time answering their questions instead of just 'in and out, this is what you have, let's get it going because I have other people to see.' I don't like to practice that way. I probably could see more patients in a day, but I elect to take my time to make every patient's visit a positive and quality experience. I want them to leave feeling informed and comfortable with what is going on."

Dr. Beale emphasizes that the quality of care doesn't begin and end with only him, the doctors, or the medical staff. It is a team effort to provide excellent care to the patients. "Our commitment to excellence starts with front office staff," he says. "Whether they're answering the phone or checking in a patient, they must provide the same quality of care, good attitude, and quality service as any of the surgical staff. They strive to kindly and effectively communicate with the patients. From x-rays to being seated in the chair to the recovery room staff, we work to provide a consistent, caring, nurturing environment. Without that, there would be a breakdown, and patients would not be satisfied."

"I probably could see more patients in a day,
 but I elect to take my time
to make every patient's visit
a positive and quality experience.
I want them to leave feeling informed
and comfortable with what is going on."
-Dr. Frank Beale

After 33 years, Coastal Virginia Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery continues to move forward. Still, there's one thing that Dr. Beale wants current and future patients to know.

"The rumors of my retirement are greatly exaggerated!" he laughs. "I've been here 33 years, I'm still here, and I don't plan to go anywhere. Yes, the practice is changing. Dr. Yeh is now the new owner, and we do have a new surgeon beginning in August, but I am still seeing patients, and every patient will still be receiving the same quality of care. Our mission is to provide the highest level of compassionate care, and as long as I'm here, that will never change."




Coastal Virginia Oral & Maxillofacial

350 Johnstown Rd Ste A
Chesapeake, VA 23322

757-547-9725/ VB 757-426-6155