Dentistry Onsite

"As a baby, before my first tooth even emerged, my journey into dentistry had unknowingly begun. My well-intentioned mother followed advice to apply fluoride drops to my gums and gave me fluoride oral supplements, practices believed to fortify enamel. Unbeknownst to us, this, combined with excess fluoride in our water, would etch a story onto my permanent teeth as white lesions—a permanent reminder of well-intentioned actions leading to unintended outcomes.
As a child, these white spots on my teeth became a source of curiosity and, at times, ridicule among my peers, embedding a sense of self-consciousness deep within me. It wasn't just about the spots; it felt like a mark of immaturity, a visible sign I was somehow different.
Fast forward to eighth grade, when a planned class cruise to the Bahamas was suddenly swapped by my mom for a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Reluctant at first, this experience was about to change the course of my life. Among doctors, dentists, and my mother, a nurse, I found my role. From preparing meals to assisting in a dental clinic, I saw the profound impact of dental care on those who had never before held a toothbrush, let alone seen a dentist. The transformation was miraculous, not just in their smiles but in their entire demeanor—nervousness and embarrassment replaced by confidence and joy. It was an awakening.
This mission planted a seed, but it was further nurtured back home when my aunt, a dentist in Chicago, attempted to bleach my teeth with hopes of blending the white lesions seamlessly. The spots remained, yet the overall improvement in my smile boosted my confidence immensely. This was more than cosmetic; it was a lesson in the power of dentistry to transform lives.
My college years deepened this passion. Shadowing dentists, especially Dr. Gerard Cuomo, whose practice under a dental microscope represented a mere 1% of the field, opened my eyes to the precision and potential for innovation in dentistry. This experience, coupled with my own treatment journey to reduce the visibility of my fluoride spots, solidified my resolve. Dentistry was not just a profession; it was my calling.
These experiences, each a chapter in my story, led me to where I stand today. I've seen firsthand the impact of accessible dental care in the Dominican Republic and the transformative power of treatment on self-esteem, including my own. It's these lessons that have fueled my passion for dentistry and guided me towards a specific goal: onsite mobile dentistry.
My aim is to bring dental care to those who might otherwise go without—directly to their homes in assisted/ independent living, memory care, and skilled nursing communities. It's about more than just treating teeth; it's about breaking down barriers, educating, and empowering individuals to take control of their dental health. Through my journey, marked by both challenges and revelations, I've come to see that my mission is not just to change smiles but to change lives, one tooth at a time. This is my story, a path from patient to practitioner, driven by a desire to serve, to educate, and to empower."
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-Dr. Nicholas Letteri