Meet Dr. Robert Laing

Dr. Bob has been dedicated to a career in dentistry since he was a child. No, really, ask anyone! As the fourth generation of Laing family dentists, Dr. Bob’s mission is to treat every patient the same way he would treat himself and his family. He strives to listen and to observe what our community needs in order to continually grow, build, learn, and evolve to meet those needs. Dr. Bob wants patients to feel like they have access to everything they need dental wise in a practice that feels like home. Dr. Bob doesn’t believe in doing anything halfway. He prides himself on taking time with his patients, getting to know them, and crafting treatment plans and goals that fit his patients’ desires. Textbooks are great, but Dr. Bob understands that “real life” doesn’t always match up to how a textbook says it “should” be.

Dr. Bob would consider his practice and life to be a success if his patients feel like his practice is their dental “home” and like Dr. Bob and his staff are an extension of their family. That is the Laing Legacy and the ethos behind our family business.

Education and Training

Dr. Bob is a proud graduate of Van Wert High School (class of 2012). To prepare for the journey ahead to dental school, he spent his junior and senior year taking post-secondary courses at Wright State Lake Campus. He then attended Miami University (class of 2016) where he completed a double major in Political Science and Zoology. He also met the love of his life, Dr. Rachel Laing, in the Miami University Marching Band! Dr. Bob attended THE Ohio State University College of Dentistry and graduated in the height of the pandemic in May, 2020.

But Dr. Bob’s education did not stop following dental school! Recognizing the dental goals and treatment needs of the community, Dr. Bob has completed over 600 hours of continuing education in Dental Implant Surgery and is proud to offer dental implants as a treatment option. He is currently a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.

Dr. Bob attended his first Implant placement continuing education course at the Midwest Implant Institute in Columbus, Ohio. He completed an American Academy of Implant Dentistry Accredited Maxicourse over 10 sessions in 2022 at the Harvard Club in Boston. He has completed advanced implant education on Sinus Augmentation, Advanced Bone Grafting Techniques, and implant removable and fixed dentures. Dr. Bob LOVES dental implants and would love to help you replace missing teeth or secure dentures with dental implants. He has also partnered with a dental anesthesiologist to offer sedation for patients during large implant procedures.

Dr. Bob is also a graduate of the Aesthetic Excellence continuum held at the education center of the highly renowned cosmetic dental lab, “Dental Ceramics” in Cleveland, Ohio. Throughout 6 months of courses and treating several patients, Dr. Bob prides himself on his ability to give anyone the smile they dream of. Whether it is a slight correction of healthy teeth using dental veneers, or reconstructing a worn or highly restored set of teeth, Dr. Bob can provide anyone at any stage of life in any dental condition with the smile of their dreams using aesthetic porcelain restorations.

Professional Experience

Dr. Bob participates in professional organizations including the American Dental Society (ADA), Ohio Dental Association (ODA), Northwest Ohio Dental Society, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, American Academy of General Dentistry, The Pierre Fauchard Academy, and is an alumnus of many high level continuing education courses in cosmetics, endodontics, prosthodontics, and dental implants.

Philosophy of Care

At Laing Family Dentistry, Dr. Bob upholds an almost 100 year old legacy of treating patients like family. Dr. Bob prides himself on building trust with patients and creating collaborative treatment plans based on each patients’ individual goals.

Here at Laing Family Dentistry, we love serving people from all backgrounds. Our original patients (back in 1932!) and many of our 4 generation patient families have strong ties to farming. Our Laing/Hertel family farmland is a prized possession and we love our rural community and all it has to offer!

Community Involvement

Beyond the dental office, Dr. Bob and his wife, Rachel (also Dr. Laing!), enjoy being active members in the Van Wert Community. Dr. Bob loves supporting student clubs, activities, and events such as sponsoring High School theater productions and donating his time and materials to making custom mouthguards for high school varsity football teams. Dr. Bob additionally is a member of Rotary Club and serves as a board member for the Van Wert Civic Theatre.

Dr. Bob is a recipient of the Van Wert County Foundation’s Learn, Earn, Return Grant Program and works with the program to give back to the community as often as possible. Dr. Bob is always willing to consider requests for pro-bono work and works with many community advocates at the school, city, and county level to help those in need of dental care.

Dr. Bob is one of 5 dentists in Ohio to serve on the Governor’s Ohio Dental OPTIONS Program Board. The Dental OPTIONS program sponsored by the State Government endeavors to get dental care for free for those who are lost in the cracks of our social safety net programs.

Dr. Bob is a supporter of the Van Wert County Fair and one of the highlights of his year is attending the Jr. Fair Livestock Auction to support 4H! Dr. Laing is a member of Van Wert Masonic Lodge #218 and Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197, a Van Wert County Representative for the Friends of Scouting Fundraising Campaign for local Boy Scout Troops, and Black Swamp Area Council.

Dr. Bob loves giving back to the community that raised him. He is grateful for the support of his mother-in-law, Rhonda (an excellent baker!), his brother, Michael (a Registered Dental Hygienist in Columbus, Ohio), his niece and nephew, his father, Dr. Kevin, and Dr. Kevin’s wife, Jeanna. We fondly remember the legacy of Dr. Bob’s mother, Barbara Laing, who passed away from COVID-19 in January, 2021. A respected nurse, parishioner, and caretaker in the community, Barb’s heart & soul are the core of the dental practice. Dr. Bob strives to honor her daily through providing care to the Van Wert community.

Why Choose Laing Family Dentistry

When you choose Laing Family Dentistry, you're choosing a dental home where your comfort and satisfaction are top priorities. From routine cleanings and checkups to advanced cosmetic, implant, and denture procedures, Dr. Bob and the dedicated team strive to exceed your expectations at every visit and make you feel comfortable and at home. We strive to provide value and to make every visit to our office, “money well spent”. We respect your trust, time, and hard-earned money.

Schedule Your Appointment

Experience the difference that a personalized, compassionate, family-owned, community centered dental care team can make. Schedule your appointment with Laing Family Dentistry today!