My family moved to Florida in the early years of Miami. Great grandfather John S. McKenzie, MD moved to Lemon City, to practice medicine in 1909. He was joined by my grandfather, a urologist, and his brothers E. Norton, an internist, and John, one of the first periodistins in Florida. My father, Olin Jr followed, practicing dentistry in downtown Miami after returning from military service. My first exposure to restorative dentistry was in his dental office lab while in high school. The experience of learning the importance of excellence of craft and service to people made my decision easy to enter the profession.

Dentistry remains my prized hobby and passion. When Im not practicing dentistry, I indulge myself in several pursuits: oil painting, photography, fishing and boating, restoring antique boats, exploring the Everglades National Park, and travel. I have the 48 year pleasure of the love of my life, Linda, a very patient woman, two wonderful young men children, their fantastic wives, and the three grandchildren to consume as much time as they will allow. I cant fail to mention Fuller, my rescue buddy and major booster.

I was born in Venezuela to a family of 23 dentists. My father is an internationally recognized dental ceramist. In my younger years, we moved to Shrewsbury, Massachusetts where I graduated from high school. After relocating to South Florida, I got my early dental experience working in dental technology with the top ceramists in Miami. While obtaining my degree in dental medicine at the Universidad Central of Venezuela, in Caracas; I served as a professor assistant in restorative dentistry and the Department of Dental Technology. Private practice and the marriage to my beautiful wife, Mariana, proceeded to our move back to Boston where we continued our dental education in post doctoral specialty programs. For the year before entering Boston University, I worked for Oral Design Boston; a dental laboratory which is part of an elite international organization with the sole purpose of creating long lasting and elegant dentistry.

During the following 39 months post-doctoral residency program in Prosthodontics, I expanded my training in all aspects of complex dental restorations: diagnostics, occlusion, TMD, implantology, and all types of fixed and removable reconstructive dentistry. Practicing in the dental prosthodontics clinic at the VA Bedford Hospital, serving as an assistant professor at Boston University in the Department of Restorative Sciences; developing a lecture series, and participation in the quality assessment of cases going to and from dental labs, helped refine further my vision of excellence and patient care.

Dentistry runs in my blood and has become a passion. This is a great profession and a family affair. It is one of the few specialties in the healthcare field that combines evidence-based science, a keen eye for artistry, passion for the craft and great hand skills to improve the lives of patients through the creation of beautiful smiles and comfortable function. Optimum oral care is Restitutio ad integrum to a healthy and happy lifestyle. Oriented to prevention and maintenance, we strive to provide the highest quality dental care in an ethical, professional, and caring environment by working closely with our patients, by listening and understanding their dental needs and goals.

I have the privilege to work for Dental Design Studio a practice that truly cares about their patients and is always pursuing excellence. I treat my patients the same way I like to be treated, with kindness and respect.

Being in any doctors office can be nerve wracking for some so I do my best to make them feel comfortable and secure music preference, soft pillow and blanket, warm water and gentle touch. Providing a sought after and appreciated service is a very rewarding experience. One example is performing a prophylaxis for an advanced Alzheimer patient. Although very challenging, it made me value why I chose this career: to help others.

I began my 40 year career as a dental assistant as a summer substitute after high school graduation. During the following thirteen years I studied Expanded Duties and Dental Radiology at Lindsey Hopkins in Miami and received the Florida State Certification in 1983.

I have been the first chair assistant and clinic coordinator at Dental Design Studio for 20 years. The experience and knowledge of working with Dr. McKenzie and Dr. Romero has been priceless. When not caring for patients, I love to spend time with my large family, three fur babies, The Florida Keys and The Florida Everglades.

After graduating from Pembroke Pines Charter High School. I immediately furthered my education at Concorde Career Institute with a certification for Dental Assisting. School was a breeze every lesson was exciting and I always yearned for more. Soon after completing I started assisting at my first practice in which I gained experience in Cosmetic, Restorative, Endodontic and Orthodontic dentistry. A year into my career I started management courses and became versatile with Multimedia Marketing, staff management and patient care. Im currently a student at the university of Maryland working towards my Bachelors Degree in Biotechnology.

As for my personal life, Im a proud wife of a Navy Corpsman who is currently serving in Japan. I am bilingual in both English and Spanish. On the weekends I enjoy spending time with my family, going to a social gathering and furthering my studies in Biotechnology. My goals and aspirations are to someday own a practice of my own and apply all the knowledge and experience Ive gained throughout the years.

I have been in the dental profession since 1982 and the past seventeen years in practice administration with the Dental Design Studios team. My greatest satisfaction with this career has been the personal relationships I have developed as we have worked to improve through beautiful smiles and excellent oral health.

For the past twelve years, I have been on the Board of Chairmen for then Mary Van Sickle Childrens Dental Clinic in Coral Gables. Sponsored by the Coral Gables Womens Club, we provide free dental care to children with financial need. I continue to learn of improving service to our patients as a member of the Florida Dental Managers Study Club. I lead office efforts in support of Lotus House, with our yearly holiday fund drive. I strive to make our patient visits comfortable and to foster a calm, soothing, and stress-free environment. The one-on-one relationship is the first step in providing outstanding, complete dental care. When Im not working, I enjoy being a wife, mother, grammy, and doing Zumba.