About Dr. Richard Salm
For over 19 years, Dr. Richard Salm has provided dental care with a simple philosophy: treat people like people, take the time to explain what’s happening, and focus on quality over rushing.
At Smiles for Miles Family Dentistry, patients see the same dentist at each visit. Dr. Salm believes that consistency matters — knowing your dentist, being known by your dentist, and building trust over time leads to better care and better outcomes.
Appointments are not run like an assembly line. Dr. Salm takes the time to listen, answer questions, and explain conditions and treatment options clearly, so patients understand what is happening in their mouth and can make informed decisions about their care.
Many patients appreciate that they never feel rushed and that treatment is guided by what is best for their long-term oral health — not by insurance limitations or quick fixes. Whether a patient chooses to proceed with treatment right away or not, Dr. Salm believes that understanding comes first.
Smiles for Miles Family Dentistry is a practice for patients who value thoughtful, high-quality dental care, modern technology, and a relationship-based approach — where attention to detail and personal care matter.
“Some patients join my practice after not seeing a dentist for quite some time. Others switch to my office after previously receiving regular dental care elsewhere. What surprises me the most about the majority of patients I meet, regardless of their history before me, is that they really have no idea what is in their mouth. For example, if I show a patient photos of multiple teeth with cracks, they tell me that they had no idea that the cracks even existed! In essence, they are hearing about this for the first time. While a crack in a tooth doesn’t always mean that the tooth needs treatment, there is a reason that it is there and in my opinion, warrants a discussion.
This is how I approach dentistry. I spend extra time with my patients to make sure that they are educated and therefore able to make informed decisions on the type of dental care they receive. The type of care someone chooses has no effect on the quality of care that we deliver. We always strive to deliver top quality dental care.
More often than not, though, there are multiple options as to how a patient can treat a condition and therefore different types of care they can pursue. When you consider a patient’s goals, budget, and how treatment fits into their life, having these options is invaluable.”
Currently, Dr. Salm resides in Waukesha with his wife Rashell, daughters Tallula and Zoe Lily, and son Oliver. He is a self-described “family man”. Much of his free time is spent with his family doing various activities.
According to Dr. Salm: “Rashell and I are pretty easy going. As long as we are spending time with each other and our children, we’re happy. At the end of the day, when we’ve been fortunate enough to spend time together, and especially when the kids fall asleep quickly(!), we know that it’s been a good day!”
