Inside a Family Dental Practice Built on Integrative, Whole-Body Care

A baby gurgles in the background as Dr. Jill Morris confirms that her dental practice of 38 years, World Class Dentistry, is truly a family affair. “We live together and we work together,” she says, laughing with her grandchild.

That close-knit dynamic extends to both the practice and its patients. The family team, including herself, her husband Dr. Burr Bakke, and her three children, offers patients a rare breadth of expertise under one roof. Together, they provide advanced surgical care, biological dentistry and airway development, a holistic view of oral and whole-body health, and an on-site lab for producing custom restorations, veneers, and crowns.

“When patients come in they want to finally love their smile,” says Dr. Bakke, a neuromuscular dental surgeon. “I hear a lot of ‘it’s my turn now.’” Many arrive with decades-old dentistry that is failing, along with abscesses, gum disease, or missing teeth, he adds. Dr. Morris, a Dental Hall of Famer with significant accreditations, notes that she’s seen an uptick in bruxism, or teeth grinding, which she links to rising stress and anxiety.

Because stress influences the immune system—and oral health reflects overall well-being—both doctors returned to school to earn degrees in naturopathic medicine, a holistic approach that uses natural remedies and lifestyle changes to support the body’s innate ability to heal itself. Dr. Bakke and Dr. Morris still dedicate nearly 100 hours each year to continuing education. “We want to understand how to supplement our patients for success in maintaining the work we do for them, and in their health in general,” she says.

Dr. Bakke adds that a crucial aspect of this level of care is understanding how a patient’s prescription regimen can affect dental health. “Some medicines can have negative side effects in the mouth that can impact our work. We have to review these things carefully and maintain specific protocols to manage those drugs,” he explains.

World Class Dentistry is internationally known for full mouth rehabilitation—restoring the health, function, and appearance of the entire mouth—often in significantly less time than elsewhere. “We have patients where we’ve helped maintain their dentistry for 30 years,” Dr. Morris notes.

The all-in-one, state-of-the-art practice makes that longevity possible. On-site labs eliminate the need for multiple locations, and “we quality control every restoration,” she says. Patients are also paired with a dedicated facilitator who serves as a concierge throughout care.

“We’re accountable and we take responsibility for everything we do,” Dr. Morris says. “After all, we have a legacy to uphold.”