HOW AN ELTINGVILLE DENTIST OFFICE HAS BEEN widening SMILES FOR MORE THAN three decades
by BRENDAN FITZGIBBONS • Photos by Alex Baretto
One of the challenging aspects of the modern economy is accelerated job turnover. According to the most recent figures by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. workers’ average tenure at a job is 4.6 years. The days of a family- oriented business rooted in its community, built on fostering the well being of its people, seem to evaporating faster than a Millennial’s text.
Fortunately, this trend has eluded the dental offices of Drs. Mary Nasso, Eleanor Olsen, and Ron Napolitano.
Dr. Nasso started the practice in 1981 after working as a dental assistant when she was 16, and has worked out of the current Eltingville location since 1985.
Over time, the dental center blossomed into a lynchpin of the community, with Dr. Olsen teaming up with Nasso in 1989 and Dr. Napolitano following in 2003. Due to an influx of new patients, associate dentist Jennifer Pumarejo eventually joined the trio.
“We just kept growing, and it’s been really wonderful to see,” Nasso said.
“We want to help as many Staten Islanders with their dental concerns as possible,” she said. “And having three partners really allows us to manage these hours pretty comfortably.”
Since the office fields numerous daily appointments, its staff of 22 must work as efficiently as possible in the five treatment rooms that make up the 1700-square-foot center.
Upon their first visit, patients are given a full set of x-rays, a comprehensive teeth cleaning, an oral cancer screening, as well as a gum disease evaluation. Teeth are then checked for cavities and gaps. After the completion of the assessment, the patient is then offered a range of options.
A key service involves replacement and restoration, in many instances via a procedure referred to as “Teeth In a Day.” That technique begins with the oral surgeon extracting loose or decayed teeth, then placing both implant(s) and bridge(s) in the same day. To many practitioners, this is both aesthetically and practically preferable to dentures.
The office is arguably best known for its work with the clear brace technology Invisalign. Designed to be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day, the tooth straightening system offers an alternative to braces for a range of cases, from overly crowded teeth and underbites to jaw problems and tooth misalignment.
“We think it’s is a great teeth-straightening service for mature teenagers and adults that makes it easier to keep your teeth clean, and avoids the traditional staining and gum irritation that can occur with regular braces,” Nasso said. “It’s been exciting to see the company who manufactures Invisalign, [Align Technology] keep improving on their materials and design. We also work closely with most insurances plans, and we’ll do our absolute best to give them the maximum benefits from their insurance.”
“The thing that we enjoy most about dentistry is the immediate help that we can give to patients,” Nasso offered. “It’s very gratifying that someone comes in with a complication, whether it’s dental pain or a cosmetics issue, and we can very likely take care of it in the same visit, is extremely rewarding for all of us.”
Dental Office of Nasso, Olsen, Napolitano
4546 Hylan Boulevard / 718.948.5111 / nasso-olsen-napolitano.com
