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published: Friday, April 03, 2009
Giving kids a reason to smile
ROXANNE BROWN
Staff Writer
CLERMONT -- Besides treating her patients' orthodontic needs, Dr. Lisa Yurkiewicz said what she enjoys most about her job is seeing kids grow from the inside out.
"When you watch and talk to the kids month after month for an extended period of time, you can't help but notice how they're growing, on the outside yes, but especially from the inside too," Yurkiewicz said. "They become part of your life and we don't realize it sometimes, but we become part of their lives."
Yurkiewicz, a University of Florida graduate and now local orthodontist, opened her practice -- Classic Orthodontics -- in Clermont 11 years ago.
After all this time, however, Yurkiewicz has been preparing for a new milestone -- relocating her practice from the Gold's Gym/ Kmart Shopping Plaza to the newly built Schmid Building at 1655 E. Highway 50, Suite 101, behind the Outback Steakhouse.
Yurkiewicz wants to remind patients that the move is effective today.
"The practice has continued to grow over the years and we wanted to offer a larger, more comfortable treatment facility for our patients," Patient Care Coordinator Helen Chater said.
Since its opening, Yurkiewicz has operated with the motto of "Changing Lives, One Smile at a Time."
To do that, Yurkiewicz continually strives to provide quality, personalized care and offers much information to her patients in order to facilitate patient communication and understanding.
Yurkiewicz believes strongly that education is the key for everyone.
"I like for my patients and their families to leave as educated as possible so they can take pride in themselves and in their oral health," Yurkiewicz said. "I try to explain that if they do that now, at a younger age, they will not have to pay the prices of problems later."
Michele Sharrieff, mother of Simone Sharrieff, 8, a patient of Yurkiewicz's, called the doctor's care "thorough." Sharrieff said Yurkiewicz sat down with her, reviewed and really took the time to ensure the they knew what to expect of the care her daughter would be receiving.
"I was confident about putting my daughter in her care. I always feel at ease and believe Yurkiewicz is the best in town."
Simone said though she was nervous about having to see an orthodontist at first, does not feel that way anymore.
"I feel good because she (Dr. Yurkiewicz) is pretty nice," Simone said.
In addition, Yurkiewicz regularly attends continuing education courses to stay abreast of new and developing trends, orthodontic techniques and technologies.
Yurkiewicz is also 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.
Yurkiewicz is a past president of the Lake County Dental Society (LCDS) and since 2006, has served as the LCDS coordinator for the Dentists Care Program, a Florida Dental Association (FDA) charitable organization made up of a network of dentists helping to address access-to-care issues. Yurkiewicz has been recognized by the FDA and American Dental Association (ADA) for her efforts in promoting the LCDS-PDC program, and its signature event, a.k.a. "Give Kids A Smile," where she and other participating dentists provide pro bono care for pre-screened, underprivileged children.
"It's a great experience for all of us (participating dentists) personally and professionally, and for the community as well," Yurkiewicz said. "It's great to be a part of such an effective program targeted for those individuals who need and deserve some assistance. We view it as a "a hand-up,' not 'a hand-out.'"
All in all, Yurkiewicz said she strives to make wearing braces the best possible treatment experience it can be.
In addition, Yurkiewicz said the office's underlying theme --and what she tries to promote every day -- is to encourage each child to make healthy choices, continually strive to be their own personal best and to give back by getting involved in the community.
"I have some of these kids here for two years or more, so I feel like I can help shape, encourage and support them to be their very best," Yurkiewicz said. "When their treatment is done, it's also fulfilling for us to see how we were able to increase their confidence and self-image via a seemingly trivial thing like straightening their teeth.
"Personally, I feel quite humbled and privileged to be able to do this for our patients and for them to express to us that orthodontics or their orthodontic experience was indeed significant and meaningful for them. That's our real reward at the end of the day."
Classic Orthodontics is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
For more information, call (352) 241-4884 or visit www.DrLisaY.com.
