About Your Dentist

"Gandhi said ‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,’ and I have truly found myself in dentistry.”

My Mission

"My mission is to help my patients achieve optimal oral health and improve their overall health and sense of wellbeing. I will strive to provide effective, affordable care to all of my patients, be an exceptional leader for my team, and continually work to expand my expertise and refine my skills."

Education

Doctorate of Dental Medicine

Dental College of Georgia-Augusta University – Augusta, GA

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Furman University - Greenville, SC

Life & Hobbies

Born in Augusta and raised in Newnan, Dr. Wheat is a native Georgian to his core. In his free time, Dr. Wheat enjoys playing tennis with friends and family. He is an avid moviegoer and reader and he is always looking for any excuse to travel the world and explore new cultures.

Dr. Straus is a native of Columbus, Georgia. He and his wife, Julie Straus, née Blattner of Cape Girardeau, are excited to have just relocated to Cape Girardeau. He is a proud graduate of Auburn University with a B.S. in Biology and he received his DMD Degree from the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry in Augusta. Dr. Straus is an avid tennis player and hiker, enjoys Auburn football and Southern history, and most of all, he loves spending time with his family. He is involved with numerous civic and charitable organizations while being very active in the life of his church. He and his wife, Julie, have five children and two grandchildren. He combines over thirty years of practical experience with a strong commitment to continuing education and firmly believes in offering you the latest treatment options.

For most individuals, choosing a dentist can be a very difficult decision. They want a practitioner they can trust to do what's best for them and with whom they can be comfortable. Referrals are our number one source of acquiring new patients, and we take pride in the fact that our patients trust us enough to recommend us to their co-workers, friends, and family.

"I take this trust very seriously because I have always considered my patients to be friends and members of our dental care family. That is why putting patients at ease about their dental needs has been the top priority for me since I began practicing in 1984. Most of all, I want you to know that you can turn to me for all your dental needs - from tooth whitening to full reconstruction, I enjoy all the latest procedures. I take great interest in learning about new advances and better forms of treatment that are constantly developing in dentistry, and I feel that I owe it to my patients to be fully knowledgeable about them."

If you would like to know more, or if you would like to arrange an initial visit and free consultation, please call or email us today. Dr. Kaelin, myself, and our professionally trained and highly skilled team look forward to welcoming you to our dental family here at Cape Girardeau Dental Care.