At Sakowitz Smiles Orthodontics, a patient-first approach and family-like atmosphere help build both relationships and better smiles.

Dr. Scott Sakowitz, owner of Sakowitz Smiles Orthodontics, is one of Orlando’s few board-certified ortho-dontists with multiple locations in the Orlando area. He is a Diamond Pro level Invisalign provider, placing him in the top 1% providers in the country. Prior to opening his own practice, Dr. Sakowitz graduated top of his class from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine before “studying in the freezing cold” at the University of Michigan.

Recently, Dr. Sakowitz welcomed Dr. Shannon Rooney to the practice in an effort to expand the high-level of care Sakowitz Smiles is known for. Originally from New Jersey and a graduate of Rutgers University, Dr. Rooney’s impressive background in the field includes time spent both as a general dentist and an orthodontist, giving her a unique perspective on how to best collaborate with Dr. Sakowitz to improve patient outcomes.

Orlando Family Magazine spoke with both doctors to find out more about their partnership, the practice and the rewarding parts of the profession.

Dr. Rooney, what has been the most exciting aspect of joining the practice for you?

ROONEY: Before I met Dr. Sakowitz, I heard that he’s very big on team morale, which I love, and now that I’m here, it is true. That’s the most exciting thing for me—the teamwork and the camaraderie, and I just love being a part of it.

I know the patient experience is important, so can you tell me about how that aligns with the practice’s overall philosophy?

ROONEY: I think patients want to feel comfortable and have an open line of communication. They want to feel like they’re at home when they come to us, so that is something that I try to radiate as well.SAKOWITZ: We treat patients like people, not numbers. It’s important that they feel appreciated and that we do everything we can to try and make people happy.

What can you tell me about your 7 & Up Kids’ Club and how exciting of an addition it has been to the practice?

SAKOWITZ: It’s something that we created to get kids a little more excited about visiting the orthodontist starting at 7 years old, and most importantly, to start treatment at the right age. A lot of problems, when you detect them early, can be prevented or resolved in a quicker and easier way. So we developed this Kids’ Club to get kids excited about coming in and starting to build a relationship, even if they are not ready to start treatment yet.

The club involves collecting 12 pins and each of those pins represents something like trying new food or doing homework, completing chores, being kind—things that are good to foster in children. And as they continue to earn the pins, they can also earn cool prizes along the way. … It’s something exciting to make their journey special beyond just getting a straight smile.

I’d imagine by incentivizing things in that manner, it also maybe helps lessen the fear or anxiety that some children have about going to see the orthodontist.

ROONEY: Yes, we’re the fun dentist! They shouldn’t be afraid of us. They should be excited to come to us.

Can you expand a bit on what you mean when you say you are the “fun dentists?”

ROONEY: There’s minimal pain [at the orthodontist]—we don’t do injections and we don’t do fillings here. Patients come to us with a specific problem, and they might be self-conscious about it. When they leave, we set them up for a better future by making them have a beautiful smile and more confidence.

What’s been the most fulfilling part of your career for you both?

ROONEY: The most fulfilling part is seeing the smile transformations. Patients come in with problems, and over time, you can not only see their smiles changing, but their confidence increasing as well. Knowing I played a part in that positive change is incredibly rewarding.

SAKOWITZ: When a kid says ‘thank you,’ because you know that you’ve made an impact in their life. You know when you hear that genuine thank you, it means something special and that it comes from the heart.

Sakowitz Smiles Orthodontics
Dr. Phillips | Lake Nona | Winter Garden
(407) 627-1187
OrlandoOrthodontics.com