Congrats to Dora for being highlighted in a Member Spotlight of an upcoming issue of the FACD Edge, (Florida Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry).  “Q – n – A”  featured below.

*What prompted you to join FACD? I joined the FACD as a Charter member when we met with Dr. Bill Strupp in Clearwater. I couldn’t wait to join and was so excited about the opportunity.

*What was it about dentistry that made you want to become a dentist? I fell off my bike as the age of 10. I realized early on after many dental visits that dentistry was for me. I realized the importance of our teeth. I loved art and loved science and people. Dentistry and I are the perfect fit. It was my Destiny.

*What is the most exciting thing that you see coming in the future for cosmetic dentistry? I love the color, light transmission, and the ease of use of the new ceramics. I also find that the composites are getting better. It makes it easier for me to offer my patients lifelike, beautiful and durable restorations. 

* What is the coolest thing in your office? At The Tamarac Dentist we have many cool things. My favorite is my Odyssey Diode soft tissue laser and using it to contour the gingiva (gums) and get better tissue contours as well as for tissue management.

* If you created a "wish list" of things you would like to have in your office, what would be on top of that list? The new Orascoptic Laser Loupes. Also Zila’s Piezoelectric for my hygienists. A velscope would be nice too, I currently use Vizilite’s early cancer detection system. 

*What is the most interesting part of your day? I love treatment planning comprehensive cases. Getting a patient to have a wow experience is key! 

* When you think about your industry’s future, what do you see? I see more group type practices with specialists and generalists combining to offer patients one stop shopping, and more of an emphasis on health and prevention therapies rather than just drill and fill.I think innovations in both materials, equipment and biogenics will continue to transform what we can do and offer in our practices. 

* What is your biggest pet peeve about the industry? Insurances making up arbitrary rules about what they will and won’t cover and setting policy on how long a restoration should last, as if patient habits and diets and maintenance schedules don’t account for anything, nor the quality and experience and the education of the doctors. I also don’t but entirely into the theory of Evidence Based Dentistry. Mostly because I feel the teeth don’t read the text books, and I see patients come in with problems that don’t fit neatly into evidence based "boxes". Innovation is the key to our future. 

*What one thing should the rest of the FACD membership know about YOU? I have been very active in the community in women’s business groups and have won many community and organization awards, including having my story told in the Forever Young at 50 + by Six Hearts Publishing, author Nina Hart. I am now using those experiences to give back to my profession as well. Starting with being the Founding President of the American Association of Women Dentists, South Florida Chapter. My son also wants to study Dentistry and is currently a Senior at UCF.

I wanted to thank Eileen Cheng from Blossom Street Florist for the 3 beautiful arrangements she sent to The Tamarac Dentist for Ann Meacham and Dr. Dora Vilk-Shapiro’s April’s Cannon Circle on April 21.  See photos of her creations here:

 
Hosting a Cannon Circle was a lot of fun and I highly recommend it to any member that wants to get involved in WEC in ways other than helping on the Board. 

My son, Jordan  H. Shapiro, just completed his Junior year at the University of Central Florida, in Orlando, and  has been appointed Chief Justice of the Student Government’s Judicial Department.  He is awaiting confirmation by the Student Government Senate and is acting as interim Chief until the official confirmation.  He has his own office at the Student Union Building.  Needless to say, I am an extremely proud mom.  He is still interested in Dentistry as his career choice.  See photo below.

My name is Dr. Dora Vilk-Shapiro and I first joined WEC in 1997, when WEC met at the Riverside Hotel.  I enjoyed the  meetings, cannon circles, and annual retreats, and have made many friends and done business with several WEC members.  One of my favorite things about WEC is hearing speakers from various occupations and organizations and I feel that WEC has widened my horizons and helped my personal growth.  I served as Board Member At Large during Ann Meacham’s term as WEC president.  At a WEC tea party fundraiser many years ago, my employees and I won the Most creative hats award when we fabricated our own hats with dental goodies.

Most WEC members know me as Dr. Dora.  What they may not know about me is that I was born in Cuba, have lived in Mexico, Jamaica, New York (Bronx and Brooklyn), Nassau Bahamas, Florida, Milan, Italy, and Madrid, Spain.  Lastly New Jersey and back to Florida.  Even though I am Jewish, I went to St. Andrew’s school for 4 years while we lived in Nassau.  Talk about diversity, I count for almost every position.

My main passion in life, besides my family,  is my Dentistry and my work for Charity.  The awards have been numerous:  Healthy Mother, Healthy Babies Mother of the Year, Hispanic Woman of Distinction, NAWBO National Pioneer Award, State, and local chapter awards, ABWA Coral Springs Charter Chapter Woman of the Year, Palm Beach Crystal Slipper Trailblazer Award, and others.  However, it is the rewards for helping others that really makes me tick.

I am a Past President of both NAWBO, Broward/Ft. Lauderdale chapter and ABWA, Coral Springs Charter Chapter.  I graduated Dental school from University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Dental School in 1986. I now work at The Tamarac Dentist with Dr. Alan Bussell,  and together we take care of patients from kids to seniors in a comfortable, private, gentle, state of the art way, and for those who really know me, humorous too. We accept most insurance and also have many financing options for our patients to help them afford the care that they need or elect. It has been a privilege to have served so many WEC members and their friends and family with their dental needs over the years.  I am a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry since 2002, A charter member of the Florida Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, I have served on the Peer Review committee of the Broward Dental Association, and am a member of the American Dental Association along with all of it’s component groups.  Recently I was elected as the Founding President for the American Association of Women Dentists, South Florida Chapter.

I live in Coral Springs with my husband Larry of 27 years,  Larry, a PhD,  is a Clinical Science Liaison with Merck, Inc. I also live with  my Boston Terrier Mr. Peanut  who’s 8, and my six  zebra finches: Pickles, Pringles, and their children: Pez, Poptart, Punch, and last but not least Panini.  My 21 year old son, Jordan is a Junior at UCF in Orlando and is following in my footsteps in both Dental and Leadership:  He is a Psychology major, with minor in Molecular Biology and Microbiology, and Pre-Dent.  Also he is the Vice President  and Sergeant of Arms of his fraternity Beta Theta Pi, and is Assistant Chief Justice of UCF’s Student Government. 

I look forward to enjoying more of what WEC has to offer, now that my son is grown, my practice more established, and it’s time to have some more fun with friends.

Hi!

This year I am the team captain for The Tamarac Dentists, The Smile Makers, Relay For Life -Tamarac fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. 

The economy has affected everyone, and this year more than ever, I need your help.  Cancer doesn’t care if the economy is good or bad, and we must still give as best we can. 

Even $5, $10, or $15 adds up when everyone pitches in.  Of course if you are one of the one’s blessed with a decent job, and good health, give as generously as you can.

In memory of my father, grandfather, father-in-law, and many friends lost this year and in year’s past, In honor of my brother-in-law who is fighting now, please help me in my fundraising efforts.

Thank you so much in advance for giving this year. 

May you and yours be blessed , and never need to hear the "C" word.

Drive Out Cancer to celebrate more birthdays!

Dora Vilk-Shapiro, DMD, FAGD

P.S. FROM DORA: I am also in the process of starting a local chapter for the American Association of Women Dentists.  Currently there isn’t a chapter in the whole state of Florida!  I look forward to being the Founding President of the AAWD-South Florida Chapter.

Went on the brand new Allure of the Seas Eastern Caribbean Inaugural Cruise and had a fabulous time.  The entertainment was amazing, Broadway  cast of Chicago, Beatlemania, professional comedians, two ice shows, two aqua shows, surfing, boogie boards, zip line, just too much to see and do.  Had a gourmet romantic dinner at 150 Central Park with my hubby.  Would strongly recommend.

Dora