Meet Dr. Duane Shank, Your Smithtown Orthodontist
Orthodontist in Smithtown, NY
Dr. Duane S. Shank, DDS, is a board-certified orthodontist who has practiced in Smithtown, New York, since 1991. Dr. Shank is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthodontics at Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine. He treats children, teens, and adults, using the most advanced techniques available.
In more than three decades at the East Main Street office, Dr. Shank has treated roughly 7,000 patients. A good number of them now bring their own children in.
Background and Education
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, where he was awarded the Sullivan Award for the highest academic standing in the physical sciences.
He pursued his dental education at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. On graduating from dental school, Dr. Shank served in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps, assigned to the U.S. Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he completed specialty rotations in endodontics, prosthodontics, and oral surgery.
He then practiced general dentistry for five years before returning to school for specialty training in orthodontics, which he completed in 1988. That earlier general experience has proved valuable in diagnosing and treating complicated cases involving other specialists, which is a large part of what he does now.
| Degree | Institution |
|---|---|
| BA, Biology, summa cum laude | Merrimack College, North Andover, MA |
| Doctor of Dental Surgery | Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. |
| Specialty certificate, Orthodontics (1988) | Postgraduate orthodontic residency |
Board Certification
Dr. Shank was named a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics in 2004.
The ABO is the only certifying board in orthodontics recognized by the American Dental Association, and certification is voluntary. It requires an orthodontist to pass a written examination, then present detailed case records from their own practice to a panel of examiners and defend them in an oral examination. Certification is time limited, so it has to be renewed.
What that means for a patient is straightforward. A licensed orthodontist has met the requirement to practice. A board-certified orthodontist has additionally submitted their own finished cases for judgment by their peers. You can read more about what board certification involves.
Teaching and Continuing education
Dr. Shank is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthodontics at Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, where he teaches residents training in the specialty.
He has logged more than 1,000 hours of continuing education through the Academy of General Dentistry, the Suffolk County Dental Society, and the American Association of Orthodontists, and has been a lifelong student of his profession. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, the New York State Dental Association, and the American Dental Association, and has received a New York Dental Society award for 1,000 hours of continuing education and a New York Dental Society recognition for military service.
In The Community
Dr. Shank has sponsored local Little League for thirty years. The practice also backs teams at Accompsett Middle School, Great Hollow Middle School, Smithtown High School East, Smithtown High School West, and Hauppauge High School.
That is the part of the record that does not appear on a diploma, and in a town this size it is the part people actually remember.
Outside the Office
Dr. Shank, his wife, and their four children live in St. James, a few minutes up Route 25A from the office. In his spare time he enjoys running, fishing, cycling, golf, and reading, and he remains an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox.
Schedule with Dr. Shank
New patient consultations are free, and Dr. Shank conducts the examination himself, supported by a reliable, supportive team. You can also read why Smithtown families choose a specialist.
Call (631) 265-3666 or request an appointment online.
Smithtown Orthodontics 200 E Main St. Smithtown, NY 11787 (631) 265-3666
Questions patients ask about Dr. Shank
Is Dr. Shank a board-certified orthodontist?
Yes. Dr. Shank became a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics in 2004. The ABO is the only certifying board in the specialty recognized by the American Dental Association, and the certification has to be renewed rather than held for life.
Where did Dr. Shank train?
He earned his dental degree at Georgetown University, served in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps at Camp Lejeune, practiced general dentistry for five years, and completed his orthodontic specialty training in 1988.
Does Dr. Shank see patients himself at every visit?
Yes. He performs the initial examination, explains the treatment plan personally, and adjusts each case himself. It is a solo specialty practice, so the doctor you consult with is the doctor who treats you.
