College of Dental Medicine Lasting Impressions Magazine

NSU COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE © 33 was called to be down there, he drove my wife and me around South Florida one weekend, showing us the area,” Abdoney said. “During my time at the CDM, he was kind of like a father to me.” The personal touch—a hallmark of NSU and the CDM—was just what Abdoney needed. “I will always be grateful for the people who took care of me while at the CDM. Histology with Dr. Sig Stahl [D.D.S., M.S.] was one of my favorite classes,” he recalled. “Dr. Stahl is brilliant. A line of questioning could lead you to right thinking, or at least question what you thought you knew.” Abdoney remembers several CDM professors, such as Jeffrey Ganeles, D.M.D., “who mentored me. He had, and still has, a huge impact on me as a surgeon.” Mark Forrest, D.M.D., and Lenny Garfinkel, D.D.S., “were both terrific listeners and very encouraging. My fondness and support of the CDM started with these professors, but has been sustained by some newer faces since my time there,” he said. Joining a new dental college appealed to Abdoney. “One reason the CDM interested me was because it was brand new,” he explained. “We knew many successful clinicians were devoted to starting this dental college. So, you went into it with some faith. I had that faith because of the quality of dentists who were putting it together.” In his Tampa practice, Abdoney follows the example of dentists who give back to their colleges and their commu- nities. He’s president-elect of the Hillsborough County Dental Association, immediate past president of the Florida Association of Periodontists, and has served since his graduation on numerous boards and committees that support dentistry. He is a Fellow in the American College of Dentists and has been inducted into the International College of Dentists. He’s also an associate clinical professor at UF and hopes to take on a similar role at the CDM. Maria A. Hernandez, D.D.S., associate professor and chair of the CDM’s Department of Periodontology, said alumni such as Abdoney are crucial to the college’s success. “Dr. Abdoney’s service to our profession and community is end- less, and his integrity is solid. It is quite refreshing to know we can count on someone like Dr. Abdoney,” she explained. In addition to his time, Abdoney is a financial contributor to his alma mater. “His contributions have enabled us to send residents to various educational opportunities, such as the meetings of the Florida Association of Periodontists or prestigious study clubs, or to purchase state-of-the art equipment,” Hernandez said. Abdoney said that devoted professors such as Hernandez and William Parker, D.D.S., associate dean for postgraduate education, are among the reasons the CDM continues to build on its solid reputation. “Dr. Parker and Dr. Hernandez have done a fantastic job building on what was started back in 1997. They are extremely accomplished and capable, yet very friendly, down to earth, and accessible, which is so unique,” he said. “They are committed to excellence.” The profession’s continuing success is a central concern to Abdoney. “Dentistry is a community of schools, students, practitioners, and organized dentistry. For the profession to continue to grow in a positive way for the greatest benefit of our patients, we have to remain a community,” he explained. “Dental schools and students need to be well connected and to have the ear of private practitioners,” he added. “Private practitioners should be getting involved, giving their perspectives, and giving back their time. They are the barometer of what is going on in the profession.” Back at home, Abdoney has four daughters who often accompany him to his dental practice. It’s too soon to tell if any of them want to be dentists, he said. But he’s helping to ensure the profession will be a healthy one for dentists and patients alike when the time comes. u Mark Abdoney returned to his hometown of Tampa,Florida, to set up a bustling solo practice that features a range of procedures.