“We want more smiles in the community,” Jennifer Pechanec-Myers said. “We want to be part of a positive change in people’s lives.”

To accomplish that goal, the Fort Dodge couple recently opened a business called Smile Labs, of Fort Dodge, LLC.

The business officially opened March 1 at 201 S. 12th St.

Smile Labs offers its customers cosmetic teeth whitening through the use of a self-applied gel and a special LED light.

The first step is determining a person’s tooth shade. After a tooth shade has been identified, the application can begin.

“I bring them over to the mirror and shade them,” Jennifer Pechanec-Myers said. “I let them know where they are at with their shade and how many sessions they will need to get where they want to be.”

A photosensitive and specifically formulated gel is then applied.

The gel is a 16 percent hydrogen peroxide water-based solution, according to Jennifer Pechanec-Myers.

“It oxidizes and opens the pores in your teeth,” she said. “It lifts the surface stains in your teeth and also lifts the deep stains in your pores.”

The special LED accelerator light is the final step.

“You put on these cute glasses and go under the light for 15 minutes,” she said.

Jennifer Pechanec-Myers said the light is a difference maker.

“You can get over-the-counter 11 percent hydrogen peroxide at the store, but you won’t get the same results,” she said. “Our light in here amplifies and opens the pores in your teeth and that’s why we are able to get such good results.”

She said it doesn’t take long to see the results.

“You will see some amazing immediate results when you are done with your session, but your best gauge will be 24 hours after you have had your treatment done,” Jennifer Pechanec-Myers said. “Because your teeth stay open for 24 hours and the hydrogen peroxide stays in there, cleaning your teeth, removing the stains.”

She said it’s basic, but effective.

Nick Myers, a 2009 Manson Northwest Webster graduate, said although Smile Labs provides another resource for people to whiten their teeth, it’s not the same as going to the dentist.

“People will sometimes ask what our qualifications are, but we aren’t practicing dentistry,” he said. “This isn’t a substitute for good dental hygiene.”

Nick Myers said he wants to work in conjunction with local dentists.

Nick Myers and Jennifer Pechanec-Myers met in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where Nick Myers was stationed as a member of the United States Navy.

It was there that Jennifer Pechanec-Myers saw the benefits of teeth whitening, but also the price of achieving the desired results.

“10 years ago I wanted to treat myself after quitting smoking,” she said.

So she went to a dentist to get her teeth whitened.

By the time she got the necessary cleaning and whitening done, she had spent close to $1,000, she said.

“I loved my results, but the cost alone, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to get it done again,” she said.

Then in 2009, teeth whitening labs began opening up around Virginia Beach.

“Trends kind of start on the East Coast and they work their way here,” Jennifer Pechanec-Myers said.

She was so impressed with the results there that when she and Nick Myers moved back to the Fort Dodge area, they saw an opportunity to start a business.

“We felt this was a great time to start a business in Fort Dodge,” Jennifer Pechanec-Myers said. “It looks like Fort Dodge is going to grow in the coming years.”

“I look at it from a business standpoint,” she added. “I would rather invest my money in the city I live in than invest in another city. Growth isn’t going to happen unless someone takes that risk. My husband loves this community and the numbers made sense for us.”

Nick Myers was honorably discharged from the military in March 2016.

“This is a veteran owned and operated business,” Jennifer Pechanec-Myers said. “For someone to join the military and come back to their community and establish roots here is what it’s about. Nick loves the community and loves the people.”

Nick Myers, who also works as a mechanical shift lead at CJ Bio America, said having a nice smile can be a boost to someone’s confidence.

“We had one guy who was having a tough time going out in public and showing his smile and we were able to change that for $149,” Nick Myers said. “Confidence is the biggest thing.”

Jennifer Pechanec-Myers remembered another customer where their service made an impact.

“We had a young lady in here,” she recalled. “She was a young gorgeous girl, but was self-conscious about her smile.”

“She had two sessions and when she left she was in tears because it meant so much to her,” Jennifer Pechanec-Myers added. “I think a lot of people don’t really understand how much confidence your appearance gives you. It just meant a lot for her. It was just really touching to be this tiny part in making her day better.”