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published: Friday, February 03, 2012
Clermont Orthodontic strives to get it straight
CLERMONT
ROXANNE BROWN | Staff Writer
roxannebrown@dailycommercial.com
Dr. Lisa Yurkiewicz of Clermont Orthodontics works hard to fix what's inside her patients' mouths. She strives to educate and motivate as she goes along.
She believes keeping people healthy and happy affects their futures.
"This is not just a matter of teeth because I don't believe that a healthy mouth or straight smile defines a child, or at least it shouldn't," Yukiewicz said. "It does however boost that confidence in who they are and who they hope to be one day."
Yurkiewicz, a specialist in othodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, said she feels satisfied knowing she's making a difference by providing a service that serves as a "stepping stone" or "launching pad" for people.
That's why, since the opening of her practice 17 years ago in 1995 her motto has remained "Changing Lives, One Smile at a Time."
And not only has she taken the words to heart, but she's grown them into an annual outreach she became a part of six years ago called "Give Kids a Smile," where she and other participating dentists provide free care for underprivileged children.
Her organization functions under the American Dental Association and through partnerships with the Department of Health, the Lake County Health Department and about 40 dentists from throughout Lake and Sumter counties, who volunteer their time and work to families whose children need care.
People who would like to apply for the 2012 program and schedule a screening can by calling Joyce at 352-360-6663. The event is scheduled for Feb. 17 in Fruitland Park.
"We know people fall through the cracks all the time and that there are families who aren't able to get care any other way. That's where we come in at a grass roots level," Yurkiewicz said. "These are people that deserve help but for various reasons have not been able to receive it. It's also a great experience, personally and professionally, for all the dentists and we all view it as a 'a hand-up,' not 'a hand-out.' We see the impact what we are doing makes and it's basically why we went to dental school. It's why we do what we do."
On a daily basis, Yukiewicz strives to make a difference for every patient she sees at one of her three Orthodontic offices.
Whether in Clermont, Orlando or Lake Mary, Yurkiewicz said she is committed to providing personalized, quality orthodontic treatment in a caring, supportive and professional atmosphere.
"We continually strive to achieve the highest level of professional excellence in all areas of our practice in helping our orthodontic patient family achieve natural, healthy and beautiful smiles to last a lifetime," a statement on her website reads.
Cheryl Manganiello, a Montverde mother who for four years has trusted Yurkiewicz with the mouths of her son and daughter, called the orthodontist "fantastic."
"We love the whole staff. They are all just awesome and I would highly recommend that anyone come to Dr. Lisa for any work orthodontic type work they need done" Manganiello said. "She does no work before it's necessary and she always keeps her patients and parents informed."
"We believe in educating our patients and making sure they understand the nature of their problem so they can get the best treatment. We like people to ask questions and we pride ourselves in providing options," Yurkiewicz said. "We also work closely with each patent's primary care dentist so that overall, the experience is a great and worthwhile one in every way."
Primarily, Yurkiewicz treats entire families, meaning children, teens or adults, in need of orthodontic care, which includes traditional braces, clear braces or invisalign, and any problems pertaining to overcrowding or bite problems.
Yurkiewicz said she is also is a firm believer of working with patients to create individualized and customized plans to find what works best for each patient.
"We pride ourselves in that because what works for one person may not work for another," she said.
Overall, Yurkiewicz said she wants her patients to feel as satisfied getting work done as she does doing the work and tries to educate each one -- especially the children -- about maintenance, healthy choices, consequences and being the very best they can be in all aspects of their care and in their lives.
"I talk to my patients, get to know them and see them grow. I encourage them to realize their own potentials and be their personal best, in terms of caring for their teeth and beyond," Yurkiewicz said. "In turn, I think my patients inspire me to be honest and to be the best that I can be because while I am just helping them become more confident by fixing them on the outside, I look at them sitting in my chair and see that inside there somewhere, I am looking at our future."
Yurkiewicz is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and was inducted to the Pierre Fauchard Academy, an honorary organization that promotes the highest standards of professional and ethical excellence world-wide.
