College of Dental Medicine Lasting Impressions Magazine

COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE © 35 junior at Clemson University, has his sights set on dental school, too, with the same goal after graduation—joining his dad and cousins in the practice. Schwerer admits he knew little about the CDM before Matt began studying there. Both brothers followed the same academic path by graduating from Indian River State College and the University of Florida before coming to the CDM. It was at the 2016 Florida Dental Convention that Schwerer met the CDM’s dean, Linda C. Niessen, D.M.D., M.P.H., M.P.P. “I told her I thought what she’s doing there is exemplary in preparing students to go out and begin their careers,” Schwerer recalled. “They have a tremendous foundation to begin with, which really catapults you into your practice.” Matt’s and Mike’s “preparations” really began long before they set foot on the NSU Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus. They grew up around their uncle’s dental office, and early on knew what they wanted to do. “It’s just a cool career with a lot of flexibility, and you earn a good living. You deal with different people daily, and it’s the perfect blend of art, science, and engineering,” Matt said. Mike added, “I remember telling people in high school that I was going to be a dentist, and that’s what I was going for in school. That helped me a lot progressing through college, knowing I had a goal.” Both brothers also have interests aside from dentistry. Matt’s passion is the water—fishing, scuba diving, and free diving. This year, he plans to get his pilot’s license. Between graduation and beginning in the practice, Mike took a month-long surfing trip to Indonesia and Thailand. Despite the family ties, it was still a bit daunting for Matt to walk into the office on his first day of work. “It was intimidating,” Matt admitted. “I was confidently a little nervous, if that makes sense. When you come in here, the most valuable thing is your time, shared time, time with the patient, how can you be profitable?” But that’s all part of the learning process, according to Schwerer, who sees his continuing role as mentor to his nephews. “We have a daily meeting, and we discuss all the cases that were more difficult. They knew a lot when they got here,” he explained. “The CDM prepares its students really well, in my opinion. I’ve had associates before Matt and Mike, and the knowledge they came here with was quite impressive.” Through his nephews, Schwerer has gained more of an appreciation of what he considers the CDM’s strengths: operative dentistry and its surgery department. The college, Opposite page:Proud uncle John Schwerer with his nephews—and colleagues— Matt, left,and Mike Rolfes. At left,Matt Rolfes and,below,Mike Rolfes knew they wanted to be dentists since they were children.Their ambitions for a dental career were nurtured by their uncle,John Schwerer,who also talked with them about eventually joining his practice in Fort Pierce.