Dr. Lafoca received his Fellowship and Diplomat Status in The International Congress of Oral Imaplantology. He attended the University of Scranton and graduated from Temple University Dental School in 1990. While attending dental school, Dr. Lafoca participated in an oral and maxillofacial externship at the University of Miamis Jackson Memorial Hospital. The curriculum included hours of operating room surgery assisting and hands on experience with complicated surgical extractions. Dr. Lafoca was also part of the Endodontic Study Club, The Oral Surgery Honor Society, FoxChase Cancer Society, and served as Vice President of the Professional Dental Fraternity Delta Sigma Delta.
Dr. Lafocas commitment to continuing education is exemplified by his completion of the year long Misch Implant Institute program. The Misch Implant Institute is among the most prominent implant teaching facilities in the United States. Upon completion his implantology program Dr. Lafoca earned the prestigious honor of becoming a Fellow in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
In June 2007 Dr. Santo Lafoca graduated with honors from the esteemed cosmetic dentistry program facilitated by the Hornbrook Group. This hands on program focuses on smile design and enhancement utilizing the latest state-of-the-art technology and materials. Only 1% of dentists nationwide graduate from this type of advanced training institute. Dr. Lafoca believes that for the first time ever people are going to the dentist because they want tonot because they have to. Nothing makes a bigger or faster impression then a persons smile. In fact, a beautiful smile can be a persons greatest asset. It can affect how they feel about themselves and how others perceive them. The advanced training that allows Dr. Lafoca to predictably ensure long term results with the materials we use to enhance smiles should be required training for every dentist.
Research by leading dental organizations shows more patients are reporting pain, headaches, muscle splinting, popping, and clicking of their jaw joint that requires treatment to resolve these symptoms. Dr. Lafoca is proud to say Now we are able to treat not only the patients aesthetic concerns, but also we are able to resolve life long pain that patients have experienced due to an imbalance or malfunction caused by the way their teeth come together. Dr. Lafoca also believes in the long-term pursuit of creating perfect smiles with ideal occlusion. The two must exist synergistically in order for the perfect smiles to come to life A SMILE IS CONTAGIOUS, INFECT THE WORLD!
Dr. Santos became a part of our team in January of 2009. ShereceivedherB.S. in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh. Like the rest of our doctors, shepursued dentistry at the Temple University Dental School. She is currently accepting new patients.
Reviews
Rating 3.2 out of 5 based on 39 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestJennifer Williams
a year ago
Rude and arrogant! They told me they would give me a reduced price months ago and when I went in there no one has any records of it surprisingly... and made a huge deal about my piercings in my ear ( studs not visible anywhere near my mouth x-rays) I've waited MONTHS to have my mouth fixed by my family dentist only to be greeted by new, rude workers who clearly did not want to be there and even overheard them joking about one of their last patients breath. Upsetting because I did like going there and now have to find a different place ... seems like they had me come in just so they could bill my insurance agency. Not again!
TIM CROSSIN
a year ago
Have been going to Dr. Lafoca for 15 yrs. Whenever I had an issue, it was handled in a very timely manner. I have total trust in Dr Lafoca and staff. I wouldn't think of going anywhere else.
Suzanne Ambs
a year ago
Dr. Lafoca and his staff of dedicated employee's are all excellent at what they do. I have been a patient at both offices and have always been treated with great respect and given the best of care by Dr. Lafoca and all of his employee's. I highly recommend Dr. Lafoca and would give him a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. I travel over 50+ miles one way to seek his care. That is how much I value his expertise. Sincerely, Suzanne G. Ambs
Joseph Semanek
a year ago
Impressed today with these folks!! While I was there for a filling..they Squeezed me in for another procedure! Thank you Doctor, Tami,, Rebecca and Lisa!!
viola clark
a year ago
The staff is polite, professional and very knowledgeable. They have assisted me with insurance questions, treatment plan questions and appointment concerns. Dr Lafoca and Dr Santos are the best! They both put me at ease and take the time to address all my questions and concerns. I would recommend this office to everyone!
Frederick Emmett
2 years ago
My wife is a patient here and now my son. Great staff and service. So glad we found this dentistry!
Angelica R
2 years ago
I am extremely disappointed. They canceled my appointment on May 19 and thankfully able to reschedule me for June 9 I misunderstood the timeframe they had said 8:15 AM but I showed up at 9:15 AM because when I checked to see when they were open on their website and online it just said 9 AM. When I got there the youngest receptionist told me that I missed my appointment and that she was unable to reschedule me and that she would call me and that she would have to ask the dentist to override it and next appointments wouldn't be until September. The doctor had literally just walked in at this point and I asked her to ask the doctor she said she would not the doctor she was late on her appointments and very busy so I said I would wait she snapped and told me that I can wait but the doctor won't be done till 1 PM, I am five months pregnant so I actually sat there and cried they said nothing to me and I finally got up and left. I called on Monday and asked to be rescheduled Tammy told me that she cannot reschedule me at this time because she could not change or override the appointment for me so I said Ok. And called the next day speaking to Tammy again to explain that I was having teeth sensitivity, my teeth were shifting and my TMJ was causing trouble for me, she said she is unable to reschedule me at this time and then asked I don't understand why is this happening? she said I will receive a letter in the mail so I asked am I getting booted and she said at this time she cannot reschedule me for any future appointments and that the letter will explain why. I explain to her I did not understand why because I have been going there for 15 years I have never missed appointment before this mixup and that they had canceled on me just a month prior all she did was say she's sorry there's nothing that she can do. I asked if I could speak to a doctor she said no that they are not taking calls and they are not rescheduling appointments. I still can't seem to wrap my head around why this is happening I literally have done nothing wrong they made me feel unheard and dismissed.
Hayley Lewis
2 years ago
Worst dental office ever.
Kristin Bednarek
2 years ago
Doreen Santos gave me Halloween teeth! Always look at your teeth in the mirror before you leave! I wish I had taken a photo of my teeth before I had to fix how they built up a snaggletooth on one of my front teeth. Had to sand it down myself with a nail file.
Jenn Everhart
2 years ago
I started going to Dr. Lafoca about 9 years ago. He basically fixed my entire mouth. I have had excellent results with everything he has done. I have never had any crowns or fillings come out, and I eat caramels and everything else. His cosmetic work is superb! I highly recommend Dr. Lafoca for children and adults. He has also been my kids dentist since they were little and they only like him, always makes them feel comfortable. Keep up the good work DR!
Elaine Ord
2 years ago
the staff at the Falls office are super nice, friendly smiles and accommodating. Sometimes the wait could be longer than expected, but I realize, there can be unexpected delays with some patients. Dr Lafolka always adjusted my bill, if the procedure needed to be tweaked. He'll do his best to save your teeth and won't pull any if they're worth saving. I've been going there for years without any scheduling problems, other than the reopening, when so many people needed to be seen, which was understandable.
MarkAndJenn ME
2 years ago
We love the office staff, they always work around our work schedules, and school schedules. Dr. Santo Lafoca does great work. Convenient location in Pittston.
savannah nadolny
2 years ago
Ended dental care during covid for "numerous missed appointments" and was not called once. This place is terrible and does not care about their patients. Every time I was there I overheard the way they spoke to patients over the phone and those who walked in. Seek out a more caring DMD before calling this place.
Scott Lee
2 years ago
Called and they said no new patients until November? I need a dentist now
Sleepy Hollow
2 years ago
I have gone here for quite a while on my husband's recommendation. I used to see Smith who is no longer there. He was the BEST (I have horrible anxiety and he worked diligently to ensure every appointment was as easy as could be on me). I have many medical conditions that wreck havoc on my teeth and traditional numbing methods DO NOT work. At a visit last year I was told of all the work I needed done however my insurance would only cover if I had those teeth extracted and I couldn't afford the out of pocket costs. The office told me I could apply for additional coverage because of being on disability and so I did. I was not approved so appeals kept being made over the course of the year. I still have not been approved and went through a horrible infection in one of the teeth in question that caused my whole face to swell. An appointment was immediately made and scheduled a week out. The night before my appointment I was rushed to the emergency room for serious complications from another condition and a call was made to inform them that I wouldn't make the appointment as a result seeing as I was still in the hospital and would be far beyond my appointment time. We were told when asked that the appointment couldn't be rescheduled till Monday (appointment was on friday) and to call back then. We ended up not being able to call back on Monday and soon after got a letter in the mail telling me I was being dropped as a patient because of my missed appointment and NON COMPLIANCE for not getting the work done they said I needed. They were told I'd be having the extractions done and that I was coming in for an exam to be sure of all the teeth that needed to be pulled and to se up for impressions to be done so I could have partials made. The appointment obviously wasn't made because of being in the hospital and an attempt to reschedule was made but denied. I'd give them zero stars if it was possible because they are the worst next to pittston dental. Stay away from this "business". Especially if you are too poor to immediately dish out thousands right then and there for work they say you need. Beyond unprofessional. I've even attempted to call to speak about that letter because of confusion as to why and every single call of dozens was left unanswered.
Kristin Bednarek
3 years ago
Doreen Santos gave me Halloween teeth! Always look at your teeth in the mirror before you leave! I wish I had taken a photo of my teeth before I had to fix how they built up a snaggletooth on one of my front teeth. Had to sand it down myself with a nail file.
savannah nadolny
3 years ago
Ended dental care during covid for "numerous missed appointments" and was not called once. This place is terrible and does not care about their patients. Every time I was there I overheard the way they spoke to patients over the phone and those who walked in. Seek out a more caring DMD before calling this place.
MarkAndJenn ME
3 years ago
We love the office staff, they always work around our work schedules, and school schedules. Dr. Santo Lafoca does great work. Convenient location in Pittston.
Jenn Everhart
3 years ago
I started going to Dr. Lafoca about 9 years ago. He basically fixed my entire mouth. I have had excellent results with everything he has done. I have never had any crowns or fillings come out, and I eat caramels and everything else. His cosmetic work is superb! I highly recommend Dr. Lafoca for children and adults. He has also been my kids dentist since they were little and they only like him, always makes them feel comfortable. Keep up the good work DR!
Elaine Ord
3 years ago
the staff at the Falls office are super nice, friendly smiles and accommodating. Sometimes the wait could be longer than expected, but I realize, there can be unexpected delays with some patients. Dr Lafolka always adjusted my bill, if the procedure needed to be tweaked. He'll do his best to save your teeth and won't pull any if they're worth saving. I've been going there for years without any scheduling problems, other than the reopening, when so many people needed to be seen, which was understandable.
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