Dr. Shank was born in Methuen, Massachusetts, just north of Boston. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Summa Cum Laude, from Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts. He was the recipient of the Sullivan Award for the highest academic standing in the physical sciences.

Dr. Shank then pursued his dental education at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Upon graduation from dental school, Dr. Shank served in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps. assigned to the U.S. Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. While there, Dr. Shank participated in specialty rotations in endodontics, prosthodontics and oral surgery. Dr. Shank practiced general dentistry for five years before pursuing specialty training in orthodontics which he completed in 1988. He has found this experience valuable in diagnosing and treating complicated treatment plans involving other specialists.

Dr. Shanks ultimate concern is the total well-being of each patient. As with any medical specialty continuing education and advanced training is the key to maintaining state of the art orthodontic treatment. Dr. Shank was named a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics in 2003. With over 1,000 hours of education from the Academy of General Dentistry, the Suffolk County Dental Society and the American Association of Orthodontists, he has been a life-long student of his profession.

Dr. Shank, his wife, and four children live in St. James, New York. During his spare time, Dr. Shank enjoys running, fishing, cycling, golf, reading and, of course, is an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox.

Jayne has been a member of our team for30 years. She is involved in all aspects of the practice and is well versed in insurance, scheduling, and financial arrangements. Her ability to multitask is legendary and she is always available to address your needs and concerns.

Michelle worked as a dental assistant for 7 years before turning her considerable talents to orthodontics. She has been with us for 3 years and has a wonderful rapport with children. Anytime you need help or have a question she would be more than happy to help. We are proud to have her sunshine personality in our office.

Sadaf is our quiet orthodontic technician. She puts patients at ease with her quick smile and disarming manner. A graduate of a foreign dental school, she practiced general dentistry overseas. Since moving to this country she has expressed an interest in the orthodontic specialty. Sadaf plans to complete an American University based program so that she can practice in this country. Until that time she is a welcome addition to our staff.

Jenn has been an orthodontic technician for 5 yrs and before that a highly sought-after surgical technician for 7 yrs. Because of her training, she is a cool cucumber when children are fearful or wary of being treated. She has considerable skill in allaying the fears of children. With her calm demeanor and poise patients often ask to be treated in her chair. We are very lucky to have Jenn in our office.

Jill has worked in this office for 25 years. The first 18 were chairside as an orthodontic technician and the remaining 7 years as the New Patient Coordinator. Her main job is to act as an advocate for each patient. She is very sensitive to your needs and always informs Dr. Shank of any special situations which must be addressed. Jill takes special pride in her ability to keep you as informed as possible.

No. All orthodontists must be licensed to practice, but at this time only 1 in 3 orthodontists have continued on to complete Board Certification. The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) certification process signifies a unique achievementa significant step beyond the two to three years of advanced education required for a dentist to become a specialist in orthodontics. The process requires the orthodontist to demonstrate actual accomplishments in patient care with detailed case reports on the treatment provided for a broad range of patient problems. Board certification is a voluntary achievement that all orthodontists do not choose to pursue. In order to become board certified by the ABO, an individual orthodontist is thoroughly interviewed by a highly respected panel of examiners to demonstrate their orthodontic knowledge, clinical skills and judgment.

One. The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) is the only certifying board in the specialty that is recognized by the American Dental Association. The ABO was founded in 1929 and is the oldest specialty board in dentistry. The boards purpose is to elevate the quality of orthodontic care for the public by promoting excellence through certification, education and professional collaboration.

Successful completion of the examination process demonstrates the orthodontists highest commitment to excellence in orthodontics to both the orthodontic profession and the general public. It represents a commitment by a licensed specialist that he/she has the necessary knowledge base and skills to treat patients to the highest of standards. It exemplifies a practitioners commitment to continue to keep abreast of the latest advances in patient care, and to continue to deliver these latest advances to patients. Many orthodontists see it as a demonstration of their dedication to the specialty and the highest level of personal achievement.

Since the establishment of the ABO in 1929, the certification process requirements have continued to adjust to the demands of the specialty. Today, the process involves a thorough Written Examination (240 questions) covering all areas of information which an orthodontist should be knowledgeable. Successful completion of this board exam allows the orthodontist to proceed to the Clinical Examination where they present detailed case reports from their practice/residency, demonstrating a history of excellence in patient care. These cases are evaluated by a panel of examiners and later discussed during an oral examination where the applicant is tested on a wide variety of academic and clinical topics. After successful completion of these examinations, the orthodontist has officially achieved Board Certification, for a time-limited period. The orthodontist must go through Certification Renewal every 10 years to maintain their certification status by demonstrating this continued level of patient care.

A standard of excellence in personalized dental care enables us to provide the quality dental services our patients deserve. Dr. Shank isa Board Certified Orthodontist less than 17% of orthodontists areBoard Certified.We provide comprehensive treatment planning and use the most up to date orthodontic treatments and materials to help you achievea beautiful new smile.Should a dental emergency occur, we make every effort to see and care for you as soon as possible.

As a practice, we are true believers that preventative care and education are the keys to optimal dental health. We strive to provide dental health care vs. disease care. Thats why we focus on thorough exams checking the overall health of your teeth and gums, performing oral cancer exams, and taking x-rays when necessary. We also know that routine cleanings, flossing, sealants, and fluoride are all helpful in preventing dental disease. Not only are we focused on the beauty of your smile, were also concerned about your health. A review of your medical history can help us stay informed of your overall health, any new medications, and any illnesses that may impact your dental health.

Infection control in our orthodontic office is also very important to us. To protect our patients and ourselves, we strictly maintain sterilization and cross contamination processes using standards recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

As your dental health professionals, we want you to be confident knowing that we are a team of highly trained and skilled clinicians. We pride ourselves in providing the care you need to keep your smile beautiful.To give you the best possible service and results, we are committed to continual education and learning. We attend orthodonticlectures, meetings, and dental conventions to stay informed of new techniques, the latest products, and the newest equipment that a modern dental office can utilize to provide state-of-the-art orthodontic dental care. Also, being members of various professional dental associations helps us to stay abreast of the changes and recommendations for our profession.

Building a foundation of trust by treating our patients as special individuals is vital to our success. We understand how uneasy some patients may feel about their dental visits, and how we can make a difference in providing a relaxing and positive experience. Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with excellent, personalized care and service to make your visits as comfortable and pleasant as possible.