THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH, THIS COSMETIC DENTIST AND HER STAFF ARE ELEVATING ORAL CARE ON THE ISLAND, ONE SMILE AT A TIME
BY JESSICA JONES GORMAN • PHOTOS AMANDA DOMENCH
I believe everyone should have a healthy and beautiful smile,” said Dr. Valerie Venterina, D.D.S., a cosmetic and general dentist at A Center for Dental Excellence with offices in both Brooklyn and Staten Island. “It’s the first thing people notice about you. When people look in the mirror and like what they see, they feel better about themselves and interact with others in a positive manner. A smile is truly the foundation of a person’s self-esteem.”
That’s why Dr. Venterina has focused a good portion of her dental career providing a sweeping menu of oral services, offering everything from implants and bridgework to Invisalign and whitening in the same office space. A smile, however, is much more than the central aesthetic feature of a person’s face, noted the doctor; it is also an indication of one’s overall health.
“What happens in the mouth is a reflection of what’s going on in the body,” noted Dr. Venterina. “There are links between periodontal disease and heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, as well as other major health issues that can be traced back to bacteria and other micro-organisms in the mouth.”
Dr. Venterina, a graduate of State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dentistry, has spent the past 30 years developing a successful multi-specialty and general practice. Together with several other general dentists and specialists, she has built a “one stop shop” approach to dentistry
“I wanted my patients to have the convenience of visiting only one office, so I started having the specialists come here,” the doctor explained. “We currently have six to eight doctors working here at any given time, allowing us to provide all services in one convenient location.”
Dr. Venterina’s colleagues collaborate on all cases and rely on each other’s advice and guidance.
“If a patient comes in and must have a full reconstruction, I know I can work in partnership with our highly qualified specialists on the best way to handle that case. The patient benefits from this multi-specialty approach, receiving top quality care.”
A Brooklyn native, the doctor launched her career in Bensonhurst, joining a family practice in the late 1980s. She opened her Staten Island office in 2012 to accommodate her growing patient base.
Today she offers cutting-edge dentistry, including cosmetic and restorative treatments, focusing on the newest and most advanced procedures. These include implants with 3-D scanning technology as well as periodontal care, including Soft Tissue Management, a non-surgical procedure to manage gum disease. She recently added LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) to her armamentarium, which is a state-of-the-art laser gum surgery. LANAP is a minimally invasive surgical method of treating and often reversing gum disease. It has proven to be a less painful, more successful alternative to conventional periodontal surgery.
On the cosmetic and restorative side of dentistry, A Center For Dental Excellence offers both routine and advanced cosmetic care with all porcelain Zirconia crowns, Veneers, Fixed Bridges, and Invisalign, as well as tooth replacement with implants when needed.
“Our goal is to provide our patients with optimal health and the most aesthetically pleasing smile possible. We had a patient come in recently who admitted she had spent her whole life covering her mouth when she spoke. After our treatment was complete, she left our office grinning from ear to ear. She was so happy! It’s that type of life-changing reaction that makes this profession so fulfilling.”
A NOTE ABOUT COVID-19 AND INFECTION CONTROL:
Both offices remain in full compliance with all CDC, ADA, and OSHA guidelines for infection prevention and control. Dr. Venterina and her staff have made the following changes in their facilities and continue to monitor updated recommendations from all agencies involved in combatting infectious diseases.
• Medical Grade H13 HEPA Filtration throughout the office
• Extra-Oral Suction Machines
• UV-C Light Disinfection Device
• Staggered patient appointment times
• Daily patient and staff screening
• Temperature checks and pulse oximeter readings for all patients and staff
• Social distancing and face coverings for all patients and staff
• Appropriate PPE for all personnel
“We are committed to providing excellence in all our dental care in the safest environment possible,” the doctor said. “In addition, we are participating with all major insurance plans, and our financial coordinators will help you maximize your benefits and finance the treatment you desire.”
A Center for Dental Excellence
8510 Bay 16th Street, Brooklyn / 718.232.8289
2749 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island / 718.980.9555
acenterfordentalexcellence.com