Dr. Cliff Doman is an anomaly.

A former football receiver and punt returner for BYU, he and his four brothers have each played on the BYU football team at one time or another. His brother Brandon Doman is the BYU quarterback coach.

As in football, teamwork is intrinsic with the Doman family.

When Cliff Doman opened his dental clinic in July 2005 at the Drycreek Business Plaza, south of IM Flash Technologies campus, his family helped him with the move. His brother Bryce Doman and father Verl Doman own Doman Sports inside Open Court just a few miles west of the plaza.

“I and my dad made that clubhouse just kind of for fun,” Doman said of the play area in the waiting room. Inside the clubhouse are kid-size bean bags, cable television, toys and books.

Always prevalent at Doman Dental is the doctor’s overriding Doman humor. High above the clinic entry from the waiting room is a quote from Psalms 81:10, “Open they mouth wide and I will fill it.”

Minday Tilley is a Doman Dental fan. She switched her family over to his clinic in August.

“We hate dentists in general, but we love Dr. Doman,” Tilley said. “He entertains while he’s working, he is very personable and funny.”

Katie Tilley, 12, was getting three teeth pulled, and her mother said it is the first time Katie hasn’t thrown a fit visiting a dentist. She believes it’s Doman’s approach to dentistry that makes the difference.

“That’s what it’s about, I think everyone hates the dentist so if you can make it enjoyable and fun it makes it more bearable,” Doman, a father of five, said.

Aside from family dentistry, he does a lot of cosmetic work for patients who are not happy with their smile. He does full mouth reconstruction, a front “smile” with crowns and veneers or repairs chips and discoloring.

Doman also provides chairside entertainment for his patients. Flat-screen televisions for DVDs stare down from the ceiling at patients who can watch their favorite movie while their teeth are cleaned by his staff or worked on by Doman.

An old bamboo treasure chest full of small toys for young patients rests on the office counter.

He brings in the latest in technology with a computerized internal cameras that produces a live video onto a monitor for the patients to see as the doctor sees their mouth. Doman brings as much as possible to the patient so the patient understands his dental care and his options.

“I really believe they are in charge of their mouth,” Doman said. “I want them to be able to decide on their own … It makes me a little unique. It helps them gain confidence.”

This story appeared in North County on page A5.

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