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Meet Dr. Toni Sartini
AWARD WINNING!
Dr. Sartini recieved the distingushed award of Fellow with the Academy of General
Dentist, hence she can now add FAGD to her title. Click below to learn more...
About the Award
"I promise
to make your visit as easy as possible and to give
you
the best dental care I can. If you are one of my
many 'chicken' patients, please read below about
my horror
story with a dentist when I was a little girl. You’ll
see why I 'cater to cowards'. I’ve been a
dentist since 1986, and still LOVE my job. I feel
very blessed
to share my gifts and talents with my patients and
my staff."
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Dr. Sartini graduated from University of Louisville
School of Dentistry, in Louisville, Kentucky in 1986. She then
served active duty in the United States Army, and was stationed
at Fort Knox, Kentucky until September, 1989. She has enjoyed
private practice in Palmyra, Indiana since then. She has been married since 1991 to Michael Schmidt and has been blessed with 3 great kids.
"I am blessed in so many ways. Three great children,
and a thriving practice."
I am also blessed in the fact that, unlike most of Americans
driving into work, I am so happy with my job. Dentistry is
MORE exciting to me today than when I started! We have so much
to offer the patients now in regards to painless, comfortable
treatment, and perfectly gorgeous restorations. We can enhance
a person's ENTIRE appearance by simply creating or restoring
a beautiful smile. Seeing someone's looks and confidence transformed
before my very eyes is a WONDERFUL experience!
I would love the opportunity to help you achieve the smile
and total look you've always dreamed of. With our help YOU
CAN GET THERE!"
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An
Interview with Dr. Toni Sartini 1-2
 Intvwr: How
would you describe your style of dentistry?
Dr.S.: When
I meet a patient, I feel it's my job to educate them on two things:
where their dental health stands today, and how to get them into
a healthier, youthful, bright and vibrant smile. It's an achievable
goal for every patient. This can involve a simple whitening process
through the dentist that is safe and very effective, to the instant
orthodontics where you totally change someone's smile with full-coverage
bonding, veneers, metal-free crowns and all-white fillings. We're
turning yellowed, dull, chipped, and crooked teeth into brighter,
whiter, youthful and vibrant teeth!
Basically, we are redesigning their smile personally for them. It is a
wonderful, fun, and exciting time to be a dentist! Oh, don't forget the
wonderful, vital role implants have in replacing missing teeth. I've been
doing implants for five years now and they are easier and more affordable
today than ever.
Intvwr: What type of patient comes
in and requests a personal smile design from you?
Dr.S.: When I meet a patient, I
can design a smile for them in 10 minutes or less. I usually
have already started the process in my head the instant I first
meet them, before they even ask me. I do this everywhere I
go. The grocery store, shopping in the mall, meeting new people
at church, etc. Of course, in these situations, I don't offer
my opinion unless they ask. Well, most of the time I don't,
sometimes I just can't help it! You just want to tell the person
(usually a stranger!) "Do you know how EASY it would be to
fix your teeth and give you a great smile?!!" Now watch everyone
cover their mouth when they see me coming! HA! I can't help
it, it just pops into my head!
As to your question about the "type" of patient, I would say it really
varies from the 25-40ish executive career track minded patient, to the
baby boomers that never had time for braces and now have the money to spend
on enhancing a younger smile, to the more mature patients that don't feel
as old as their teeth look!
We never say "senior citizen" in our office. I have a Dad that
technically could fit into that category, but certainly don't look or feel "senior." We
can make these patients look 10-15 years younger by just transforming their
smile to what they used to have, or by giving them the smile they always
wished they had. I highly recommend creating a younger smile before they
see the plastic surgeon. They may not need to go, although I do enjoy working
with plastic surgeons when necessary, and they do beautiful work. |
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3
 Intvwr: You
mentioned executive, professional, career-type people seeking
your services. Why would a new smile be important to them?
Dr.S.: Oh, that's obvious. Their
image portrays success and excellence. There have been several
studies showing that a person with a bright, white, attractive
smile achieved success over a less-attractive smile. It's unintentional
by the potential employer, or buyer, if a sale is at stake, but
our eyes are naturally drawn to the brightest area on our face.
Even if the teeth are dull, the teeth color, or value, attract
the attention of the person looking at you. This can leave a
positive or negative impression.
The latest published study I've read was in Esthetique magazine,(winter
2000 edition). In a wonderful article by Jenna McCarthy, "Banking on a
Beautiful Smile," she reports that the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
survey reveals that 92% of adult respondents say an attractive smile is
an important social asset, while 74% believe an unattractive smile can
hurt a person's chances for career success.
To illustrate, remember the movie "Dumb & Dumber?" Jim
Carey's teeth were purposely made crooked and ugly. Also,
remember "Goofy?" These are not your suave, intelligent
characters, and their creators knew that. Designing their
teeth as such, gave them a less-intelligent look. People just assume this.
It's not true or fair, but that's how the majority of the public values
a nice, attractive smile. |
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4
 Intvwr: I
agree with that, and it sounds great, but is this affordable?
Dr.S.: Oh yes! There are so many
payment options available today. The personal finance companies
have really jumped on the wave of baby boomers now desiring to
enhance their looks through cosmetic dentistry and plastic surgery.
There are companies that even offer "one year, interest-free
financing!"
I have so many patients that say "I wish I would have done this sooner;
I get so many compliments on my teeth now." Having an "ear-to-ear, eye-quinting,
cheesy grin," and not subconsciously or consciously tipping your chin down
or putting a hand over your mouth because you’re embarrassed, is
well worth the investment.
What we are giving people is so much more than new teeth. It’s a
confident attitude. Even people that were always confident in their appearance,
say that they wish they had lighter teeth. If I asked 25 people, "do you
think your teeth could be whiter," how many do you think would say no?
None. Only those who don’t drink coffee, don’t smoke cigarettes,
and are under 25 years old still have white teeth. Most of my patients
don’t fall into that category! They seek my services because they
want to change their smile. It’s my job to design the perfect smile
for them.
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5-6
Intvwr: Can
I go ahead and confess something ?
Dr.S.: Sure, I'm all ears.
Intvwr: I HATE going to the dentist!
I mean it, I really do!
Dr.S.: Ha-ha! I always tease and
say I think I've got more chickens in my practice than real
patients! Actually, I kind of "cater to cowards." As a little
girl, I had a scary and painful experience at the dentist and
I think that helped me be more compassionate toward my "high
anxiety" patients. Want to hear about it?
Intvwr: Sure.
Dr. S.: Well, I was about 7 or
8, and I was by myself in the dentist's chair. He came into
the room with this big white coat on and had something hidden
behind his back. Well, you can't hide anything from a kid,
and I asked him to show me what he had. I guess that irritated
him, and he tried to wrestle with me to put a HUGE shot in
my mouth. Thank God I was raised with three brothers and had
my wrestling techniques more in tune than he did because the
first time he relaxed his hold, I spun around and ran for the
door, right past the waiting room and into our station wagon
parked outside! I locked all the doors, and my mom and one
of the assistants kept trying to coax me out of the car. I
remember mom said, "You're going to get spanked when we get
home if you don't open this door right now!"
Well, I did get a spanking, but I also got something that changed my life.
A referral to a kind, gentle, compassionate dentist. The experience between
the two was unbelievable. One man terrified me, and the other really made
me feel like he cared about me, and didn't want to hurt me. |
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7
 Intvwr: What
about PAIN?!
Dr.S.: Great question! First of all,
I always ensure the new patients I meet that they are not alone
in their anxiety about receiving dental care. I do possess a
lot of patience. I think being a woman, and even more so after
I became a mother, helped in this area.
Nothing against my male colleagues. I know we may do the exact same procedures,
but people just perceive a woman as being softer, and more gentle. In our
office, we do all we can to relax the patients and address their specific
fears. I encourage the patient to tell me their dental "horror story," and
then we discuss how we are going to overcome their anxiety.
The majority of patients are afraid of "the needle." I use a very gentle
technique and most patients are amazed that the "shot" truly did not hurt.
This is an area I'm especially sensitive to, since it also happens to be
what I was most nervous about as a youngster. Oh, and we never, ever let
the patients SEE the needle!
The next most frightening thing for the patients is "the drill." We offer
all of our patients headphones and recently have added video-glasses, and
we encourage all of our patients to use either of these. The noise can
be uncomfortable for me, too. After eight hours of working, I wish I had
used the headphones!
When I was in the Army, they used to test the dentists' hearing regularly.
I went to a seminar recently and the speaker definitely advocated earplugs
for the dentist, and I'm determined to start using them. Finally, there
are a few of my patients whose fears are so deep, we give them a sedative.
I don't mind doing this at all. |
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8
Intvwr: That's
comforting to know. Did you say YOU were in the Army?
Dr.S.: Yes! Captain Sartini, thank
you very much! When I graduated from dental school, I was only
25 years old. After interviewing with other doctors and talking
it over with my parents, the Army was an excellent decision for
me. I would definitely recommend it to a new young doctor. I
don't think I could have had the confidence and speed to go straight
into private practice if I had not received that working experience. |
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9-12
Intvwr: You
get so excited when you talk about teeth!
Dr.S.: Because it IS exciting! We
have had patients cry because they can’t believe they could
ever look this way. When that happens, it's a rewarding and humbling
experience for the whole staff.
Intvwr: Why do you say humbling?
Dr.S.: Well, I know it’s not "business
smart" for me to downplay my talents, but truthfully, I am smart
enough to know that Toni Sartini didn’t help this person
on her own. I believe everyone has gifts they are given from
God. You can cultivate them, or ignore them. Dentistry is my
gift, my talent, and I am fearful of ever becoming unappreciative
of that gift.
I do give thanks to God wherever and whenever I can. People who have been
my patients know that about me. I work with excellent staff and high quality
dental laboratory that creates the smiles I design. I can’t tell
you how much I love my job.
Intvwr: Yes you can. It’s all over your "ear-to-ear,
eye-quinting, cheesy grin!"
Dr.S.: (Laughs) OK! You’re done! Interview’s
over!
Intvwr: Thanks a lot, Doctor.
Dr.S.: It’s been my pleasure. While you’re
here, why don’t we talk about that overlap of your front two teeth.
It would be SO easy to fix! And we could whiten them, too! |
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Curriculum
Vitae 13
University
of Louisville Dental School 1986
United States Army, Fort Knox, KY 1986-1989
Private Practice, Palmyra, IN 1989-Present
Additional Education:
American Orthodontic Society
Straight Wire Technique with Dr. Bill Gerety
Implant and Implant Prostheses
Synergy Training Program with Dr. Robert Faulkner
Direct Anterior Veneers
with Dr. Buddy Mopper-November
Excellence in Cosmetic Dentistry from National
Dental Network Featuring:
Drs. Hornbrook & Koczarski from P.A.C. live!
Dr. Bill Dickerson, Las Vegas Institute for Advanced
Dental Studies
Drs. Becker & Trinkner, Pankey Institute
Dr. Carl Misch, Misch Implant Institute
Dr. Joe Blaes, Dental Economics
Dr. Joe Massad, Cosmetic Enhancement for the Edentulous
Patient
Dr. Linda Niessen, Baylor College of Dentistry
Drs. Sheets & Paquette, Newport Coast Oral-Facial Institute
Dr. Roger Levin, the Levin Group
Dr. Charles Blair, Blair, McGill, & Hill Group
Ongoing video series
Smile Design: The 'Blueprint' for Success with Cosmetic Dentistry
Dr.Corky Whilhite
Building the Ultimate Aesthetic Dental Practice
with Dr. Bill Dorfman
Ceramic Materials for Optimum Esthetic Results
Lee Culp, CDT
Posterior Composites at the Center for Esthetic Excellence, Chicago,IL
with Dr. Corky Whilhite
Building
the Ultimate Aesthetic Dental Practice,
Sept.2000
Dr. Bill Dorfman
Louisville, KY
Perfecting
Posterior Composites, Sept.2000
Dr. Corky Whilhite
Center for Esthetic Excellence Chicago, IL
PAC-live
Functional Anterior Aesthetics, Feb/Mar
2001
Pacific Aesthetic Continuum San Francisco, CA
Dentistry
for the New Millennium, May
2001
Dr. Tom Trinkner
Louisville, KY
PAC-live
Ultimate Synergy 1, June/July/Aug
2001
Pacific Aesthetic Continuum San Francisco, CA
genR8TNext
Star Search Speaker at conference Orlando,FL
April
2002
genR8TNext
Dental Conference, Sept
2002
Tucson, Arizona
genR8TNext
Dental Conference, April
2003
Miami, FL
Invisalign
Training, June 2004
Donated Professional time to:
Colgate Dental Van-mobile dental unit that visits grade
schools in poorer areas.
Pastors, priests, and religious vocations receive free
and discounted dental treatment. Being obedient to scripture
stating all will be provided for
Jesus' disciples.
Support of local Soup kitchens and homeless shelters with
toothbrushes and hygiene items, also monetary.
Lectures at high schools on careers in dentistry.
Recieved the distinguished award of Fellow with the Academy of General Dentistry, 2005
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