Printz retires after 36 years as Sidney dentist

After serving the Sidney community for 36 years as a dentist, William Printz is retiring. Friends are former patients are welcome to attend a celebration for the dentist on Friday from 4-7 p.m. at Buffalo Point.

Printz said as he's looking at turning 70, he decided it was a good time to step away from the chair.

In 2012, he sold his practice, LifeSmiles of Sidney, to Leasa Hlavinka and has continued to see patients on a part-time basis.

"She was kind enough to let me keep working," he said of Hlavinka. "I got to enjoy the new facility. It's nice to have someone come in and take your place – you know your patients will continue to have a dental home."

Printz, born and raised in South Dakota, served in the U.S. Navy and worked as a radio announcer before completing his DDS at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

He moved to Sidney in 1979, where his wife – Pat – is from.

"We came to be close to family," he said.

The couple have three children living throughout the world: Dallas, Omaha and Germany.

All three graduated from Sidney High School before attending various Nebraska schools.

Printz said retirement will allow him time to travel to South Dakota, where he has family near Rapid City, and visit his children.

He also plans to get in some more fishing, he said.

Since he moved to Sidney 36 years ago, he said he's seen many changes. For one, Cabela's is now much larger, he explained.

In 1979, there were three dentists practicing in Sidney, he said. When asked how many there are today, he paused, then laughed.

"One less since I've retired," he said, punctuating the sentence with another laugh.