Meet the Team at Smithtown Orthodontics
Six people run this office alongside Dr. Shank, and several of them have been here longer than most practices have existed. Between them they cover the front desk, the treatment chairs, insurance, scheduling, and the financial arrangements, and they speak English, Spanish, and Greek.
Orthodontic treatment is not a single appointment. It is two years of visits every four to eight weeks, which means you will get to know these people well. That is worth saying, because in a lot of practices you would meet a different assistant every time.
Michelle
Orthodontic Technician
Michelle worked as a dental assistant for seven years before moving into orthodontics, and she has been with this practice for three. She has a genuine rapport with children, which is a specific skill and not a common one; nervous eight-year-olds relax around her in a way that makes everyone's appointment go better. She is happy to be asked anything, whether that is how an expander works or why a wire needs changing again. Her sunshine personality is a fixture of this office and we are glad to have her in it.
Jill
New Patient Coordinator
Jill has worked in this office for twenty-five years, the first eighteen chairside as an orthodontic technician and the last seven as New Patient Coordinator. That combination is why she is good at the job: she has done the clinical work, so when she explains a treatment plan she knows exactly what it involves. Her role is to act as an advocate for each patient. She is attentive to what people are actually worried about and makes sure Dr. Shank knows about any situation that needs handling differently, and she takes real pride in keeping patients informed.
Maria
Orthodontic Assistant
Maria joined the practice in 2022 and brings several years of orthodontic experience with her. She is bilingual, fluent in English and Greek, and if you would rather talk through your treatment in Greek she is the person to ask for. She is personable, unhurried, and particularly good with children, which counts for a lot in a chair. Outside the office she loves traveling and listens to just about every kind of music there is. We are glad she is part of the team.
Melissa
Registered Dental Assistant
Melissa is a Registered Dental Assistant in the State of New York and has been with this practice since 2013. She is originally from the Dominican Republic and is fluent in Spanish and English, so if you would rather discuss treatment in Spanish, ask for her. Before joining us she was lead orthodontic assistant at the Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine. Melissa loves working with children and has extensive experience treating patients with special needs, which is a real asset to this office and to the families who need it.
Nicole
Insurance Coordinator
Nicole is our Insurance Coordinator. She is a graduate of Saint Leo University, where she earned her BA in Business. Most of her day is spent dealing with insurance questions and calling these companies to verify patients' coverage. She would be more than happy to help you with your insurance inquiries.
Lauri
Front Desk Administrator
This is Lauri, our front desk administrator. 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. We are lucky to have her on staff.
The people who stay
The tenure here is unusual. One team member has been here twenty-five years, the first eighteen chairside as an orthodontic technician before moving to the front of the practice as New Patient Coordinator.
That matters in a practical way. The person who explains your treatment plan and sets up your payment schedule is very likely to be the same person handing you your retainer two years later, and the person who bonded your child’s brackets will remember the case at the debond appointment. Continuity is not a marketing feature, it is just what happens when nobody leaves.
Who does what
Front desk and financial arrangements. Insurance verification, scheduling, payment plans, and the questions that come up between appointments. If you are working out what your plan will cover before you commit to treatment, this is who you talk to.
New patient coordination. Your first visit runs through the New Patient Coordinator, whose job is explicitly to act as an advocate for the patient: making sure you understand the plan, and making sure Dr. Shank knows about anything about your situation that needs handling differently.
Chairside. The orthodontic technicians handle adjustments, bonding and debonding, appliance fitting, and the repairs that follow a hard bagel. One is a Registered Dental Assistant in New York State with extensive experience treating children with special needs, and previously served as lead orthodontic assistant at the Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine.
Insurance. A dedicated insurance coordinator handles claims and benefit verification, which is why you are told what your plan is likely to pay before treatment starts rather than after.
Spanish and Greek spoken here
Two members of the team are bilingual. One is fluent in Spanish and English, and one in Greek and English. If you are more comfortable discussing treatment, costs, or your child’s care in Spanish, say so when you call and we will arrange it. There is also a Spanish-language page with the essentials.
Come and meet them
The consultation is free, and you will meet most of the team in the course of it. Call (631) 265-3666 or request an appointment online.
Smithtown Orthodontics 200 E Main St. Smithtown, NY 11787 (631) 265-3666
Frequently Asked Questions
Does anyone in the office speak Spanish?
Yes. One of our orthodontic assistants is fluent in Spanish and English, and another team member is fluent in Greek and English. Mention it when you book, and we will make sure the right person is available for your appointment.
How long has the team been at Smithtown Orthodontics?
Longer than almost anywhere. One team member has been here twenty-five years, and the rest are measured in years rather than months. Dr. Shank has practiced in this office since 1991.
Who do I talk to about insurance and payment plans?
Our insurance and financial coordinators handle benefit verification, claims, and payment arrangements. They will tell you what your plan is likely to cover and set up your monthly schedule before treatment begins, not after. Call (631) 265-3666 and ask for either.
