Dental Duo Honored for Community Involvement
By MICHAEL ANDERSON, Content Development Specialist
Dr. Karen DiBona and Dr. Mark Scamardella have been bringing smiles to patients and the Staten Island community for years.
The husband-and-wife duo provide safe, compassionate, and experienced care to their patients at DiBona & Scamardella Dental Studio in Willowbrook while also contributing their free time to lend a hand to those in need.
The dentists met while attending the New York University College of Dentistry and took similar paths before joining forces to open their own practice in October of 1992.
Dr. DiBona received her Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) in 1987, then graduated from the NYU Advanced Dental Education Program, and started her career in dental offices in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and New Jersey. Dr. Scamardella received his DDS in 1988, then graduated from the NYU Advanced Dental Education Program, and started his career in dental offices in Staten Island and New Jersey.
After a few years working in the industry, the dentists felt the time was right to branch out and start their own practice.
“An option could have been forming a relationship and partnership with other dentists, but this just seemed natural. We worked well together, and we felt most comfortable formulating our own practice,” said Dr. DiBona.
“When I think about it, when we started the construction at the office, we had an answering machine and about three dozen charts,” laughed Dr. Scamardella. “Fortunately, we had a lot of support from family and friends, and we felt confident in our abilities. And here we are 28 years later.”
While the two of them were confident, they knew they needed to use their connections and create new ones to maintain long-term growth.
“We reside in the community where we practice. My brothers and extended family are in business throughout the Island, so there was that network of individuals,” said Dr. Scamardella. “We were able to feel confident in that, plus we pressed the flesh, and that led to our involvement in the different groups like the VNA, Boy Scouts, Rotary, and YMCA.”
“We knew it would be important to go out into the community and even become a member of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is like having your own little community of businesspeople and friends willing to help in any way that you need,” echoed Dr. DiBona.
The strategy paid off as DiBona & Scamardella Dental Studio steadily built its clientele. However, the duo knew they needed to find ways to stand out.
“As our practice grew over time, we realized there would be certain niches that were going to be more productive for us to grow our practice. So, as the years went on, we did a lot of training in the administrative, clinical, and marketing end,” said Dr. Scamardella. “My wife suggested that instead of being a jack-of-all-trades, let’s take advantage since there are two of us. I would focus more on potentially surgical dental care, and she would focus more on restorative care. And we sought out continuing education resources towards that end to enable us to keep a lot of the services in-house. After a rigorous written and oral examination, I became credentialed with an Associate Fellowship by the Academy of Implant Dentistry in 2019.”
“It’s more of a focus and an interest. I enjoy smile makeovers and working on the cosmetic end. It’s really very rewarding when you see someone who’s shocked and full of joy when they see the difference a beautiful and healthy smile can make,” said Dr. DiBona. “He gravitated towards implants, surgeries, and surgical procedures. So, I sought out training in porcelain veneer restorations and achieved Master level in the hands-on Aesthetic Continuum at the Rosenthal Aesthetic Advantage Institute at NYU. And I also enjoy treating children, so that’s part of the practice that I undertake. So, it all works really well together.”
The COVID-19 pandemic presented a new challenge as dentists in New York State were ordered to close their facilities – except for emergencies – effective March 20. They were given clearance to reopen on June 1 as long as they followed safety and health guidelines. To accommodate the new regulations, the dentists wore face shields and added air purifiers with HEPA filters in every room and UV light purifiers to the building’s central AC unit to keep bacteria levels down.
“We were in dental school at the time in the mid-1980s when the AIDS virus became more prevalent, so we learned to practice with universal precautions – gloves, masks, and eyewear. For us, to where we’ve come to today, it’s been a pretty natural flow,” said Dr. Scamardella.
“Our patients really appreciate that we’ve been incorporating practices that are relevant to COVID but were done prior to the COVID pandemic. Our patients were able to see that, so they felt very comfortable coming back. That was really rewarding and a great validation,” added Dr. DiBona. “Obviously, it’s all worth it if it makes our patients and staff comfortable.”
For their accomplishments, Dr. DiBona and Dr. Scamardella are being honored with a Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Award, which they will receive in the Established Businessperson category. The awards -- which are presented by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Staten Island Advance -- honor the memory of Louis R. Miller, a businessman and West Brighton resident who was also a community leader.
The Westerleigh residents, who married in 1988 and have two children, have been involved with various community organizations through the years, but many may recognize Dr. Scamardella from his work with the Staten Island Rotary. He joined the group since his brothers and cousins were fellow Rotarians, plus he thought it would be a great networking opportunity. A strong fondness for that group developed, and eventually, he served as President.
“I can think of multiple opportunities of things we did that I’m really proud of. Whether it was the turkey baskets or the car raffles, these were great ways to help not just the community where you work, but also where you reside,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. DiBona started singing at the annual Rotary show before eventually joining the South Shore Rotary and served as co-chair of the South Shore Rotary Scholarship Luncheon. She also participates in The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) Charitable Foundation’s Give Back a Smile (GBAS) program, which connects adult survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence who’ve received dental injuries from the abuse with volunteer cosmetic dentists who donate their time and services to restore their smiles.
“The potential applicant goes through a specific interview process, and then they are referred to specific dentists who provide that service in that geographical area,” said Dr. DiBona. “We would treat their dental injuries, so that they may reclaim their smiles, their self-esteem, and, ultimately, their lives, and it’s all gratis.”
That effort – along with helping their daily clients – is something that continually makes the dentists smile.
“That’s one of the most gratifying things we do. We provide a service to deal with issues around pain and discomfort,” said Dr. Scamardella. “If a patient feels confident in their smile, it can really change their lives.”
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Recipients of the Louis R. Miller Awards are recognized as effective business leaders, and for their outstanding contributions to the local community. Awards are given out in four categories: Emerging, Established, Master, and Not-For-Profit. The honorees will be recognized during the annual Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Awards Breakfast on Thursday, Feb. 25. This year's event is virtual. For tickets, visit www.sichamber.com or call the Chamber at 718-727-1900.
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Below, Drs. DiBona and Scamardella shares more about their goals, job, and life:
Dr. Karen DiBona
Current occupation and title: Dental Partners at DiBona and Scamardella Dental Studio
Hometown: Originally from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Moved to Staten Island in 1988, currently live in Westerleigh
Community involvement: South Shore Rotary (member since 2002); Past Board member of the South Shore Rotary; Past co-chair for the South Shore Rotary Scholarship program; Past cast member in Rotary shows as well as co-chair of the playbill/journal; Conducted live performance and was past chairperson of the Staten Island Zoo’s Festive Italiana; Past Board of Trustees member for The Visiting Nurse Association and Seamen’s Society for Children and Families; former committee member, volunteered in various fundraisers, and serves as fashion show chairperson for YMCA; Served as PTA President at our daughter’s middle school, Ballet Tech Public School for Dance in Manhattan, from 2010-12; served on School Leadership Team at our son’s middle school, IS 51, from 2014-2015.
Professional Affiliations: American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD); Academy of General Dentistry (AGD); American Academy of Cosmetic Orthodontics (AACO); Staten Island Chamber of Commerce (SICC)
Some of my life goals include: I would love to travel to see more of the states and Europe.
The best part of my job: Transforming a patient’s smile and giving them a new outlook on life while restoring their self-esteem and confidence.
The most difficult part of my job: Juggling the business end of the practice.
My life philosophy: Treat others as you would want them to treat you, personally and especially professionally, because I know what it’s like to sit on the other side of the dental chair and want to be treated with compassion and a gentle touch!
I am most proud of: Personally, my children. Professionally, that my partner and I have been in private practice for 34 years and maintained the level of proficiency and the philosophy of our mission statement to allow our business to flourish and keep our patients happy and trusting us with their dental health and the health of their family and friends.
Something that no one knows about me: And let’s keep it that way! LOL
The quality I like best about myself: I’m always willing to help someone
Personal interests and hobbies: Golfing, going to the beach, singing in my church choir, fishing, and crabbing.
I laugh at: “Dry clean jokes” LOL!
I am really good at: Creating beautiful smiles, singing, and cooking.
Dr. Mark Scamardella
Current occupation and title: Dental Partners at DiBona and Scamardella Dental Studio
Hometown: Originally from Sunnyside and currently in Westerleigh.
Community involvement: Staten Island Rotary Club; Staten Island Chapter of the Boy Scouts of America; Coached basketball and baseball at St. Teresa’s Parish; and Coached baseball at Mid-Island Little League and the Richmond County Baseball Club.
Professional Affiliations: American Dental Association; Academy of General Dentistry; International Congress of Oral Implantologists; American Academy of Implant Dentistry
Some of my life goals include: Be the very best I can be.
The best part of my job: Improving the health of my patients.
I am most proud of: My two children, Elizabeth & Mark.
The quality I like best about myself: Perseverance.
Personal interests and hobbies: Golf, fishing, and skiing.
I laugh at: A good joke.
I am really good at: Making people feel very comfortable and starting a conversation with just about anyone.