Matthew Mastrorocco, DMD, ROC Dental Group
The Plaza at Belfair, Bluffton and Main Street, Hilton Head, (843) 682-4601, https://rocdentalgroup.com
What is your field of expertise? The majority of my training has been in full-mouth restoration and all areas of cosmetic dentistry.
Where did you study dentistry? University of Pittsburgh. Hail to Pitt!
Why did you choose dentistry as a career? My uncle and a cousin were dentists. They would talk about the combination of science and art and it always interested me. And I knew I wanted to own my own business, so it seemed like a good fit.
Who or what influenced you to start your own business? My dad owned a supermarket in our small town in Pennsylvania, one that my Italian great-grandfather started as a meat market at the turn of the century. He was always respected and admired. He talked to me about how he cared for his employees and the community through his business.
What do you enjoy most about being a dentist? I love the relationships I have developed with my patients over the years. I love the ability to change someone’s life from simply getting them out of pain to rehabilitating their mouth to function better and smile more confidently, which affects their overall health.
What innovations have helped to ease the concerns of those who fear the dentist?Our tools, instruments, anesthetics, and sedation have all improved to be more effective. From our high-speed drills to topical anesthetics, nitrous oxide, and even dentists’ compassion, there are so many things that keep you comfortable at the dentist.
Elizabeth Abell, DMD, HarbourPointDentistry
40 Okatie Center Blvd., South, Suite 302, Bluffton, SC 29909, (843) 706-9662, harborpointdentistry.com
Dr. Elizabeth Abell’s passion for restoring smiles is built on a foundation of experience and personalized compassionate care. Her career is the result of a lifelong pursuit in education that began with bachelor and master of science degrees in biology to the Medical College of Georgia where she received her Doctorate in Dental Medicine. However, her education did not end there as she evolved her skill level to include modern technology such as digital dentistry and clear alignment therapy. She holds additional certifications allowing her to collaborate with medical physicians to assist those with CPAP intolerabilities and sleep apnea.
Her advanced extensive knowledge base reflects her passion for dentistry and her dedication to always provide compassionate and state of the art dental care.
She states, “I have welcomed patients with dental anxiety based on their childhood experiences. I make it my personal goal to not only provide the highest quality of dentistry, but to always ensure that my patients will no longer dread their dental appointments.”
From her attention to detail with comprehensive care to her famed esthetic outcomes, every treatment puts an emphasis on patient comfort and helps to soothe those who have struggled with dental fear. Her bedside manner accompanied by cutting edge techniques, top tier materials, and years of expertise will give you the smile you’ve always dreamed that you could have and in an environment that you are sure to love.
Dr. Daniel Lawless, Hilton Head Dental
Hilton Head Island Office: 222 Pembroke Drive, Suite 102, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926, (843) 681-6200
Sun City Bluffton Office: 16 Wm. Pope Drive, Suite 104, Bluffton, SC 29909, (843) 705-7675, www.hhdental.com
What made you decide on calling Hilton Head home? Back in 2006 I was finishing my four-year army commitment and my return from a 13-month deployment in Iraq when I was told of a practice opportunity here. I came to visit and quickly jumped at the opportunity. I fell in love with the community and the weather. Being in the army and traveling abroad. you generally become very grateful for our American way of life. Hilton Head exemplifies lots of those great traits. Not sitting in traffic for hours on end, quick access to the beach, tons of options for outdoor activities, and the small community made this a no-brainer for me. It is easy to appreciate life and what it has to offer in a place like this. This island has afforded me great opportunities and success and it led me to raising a family.
What do you like most about being a dentist? Meeting new people and learning how they ended up here always fascinates me. There are people from everywhere, even though we joke about everyone being from Ohio.
If you had to do something over in your life, what would it be? Nothing. I don’t have any regrets, as I am extremely grateful to be able to live here. I guess if you press me, I would have wished I had bought land in Bluffton in 2006 when I got here. I never knew it would have become so popular.
