Dr. F - Orthodontist
Dr. F was born in Richmond, Virginia. It was in fourth grade, while at a picnic with Dr. William Crockett that he decided to become a doctor. Dr. Crockett, a leading instructor at the Medical College of Virginia Dental School, helped Dr. F focus to stay in school and become one of the most talented Orthodontists in the United States.
After he graduated from Hermitage High School, he attended the University of Richmond, Virginia and researched how to repair damaged DNA in bacteria with visible wavelengths of light. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry.
Dr. F took graduate courses in histology (the study of cells), embryology (the study how cells form and how they go on to make organs and other tissues) and many other courses. It was during this time when he discovered aspirin and acetaminophen can cause birth defects if taken while pregnant.
Dr. F entered dental school, achieved numerous awards and graduated #1 out of a class of 115. He received The American Cancer Society Award for the highest scores on pathology examinations over a two year period. He received the Southeastern Board of Prosthodontists Award for outstanding achievements, contributions and performance in prosthodontics(false teeth). He was recognized for his research with Dr. Robert Campbell, Oral Surgeon, of patients who experienced numbness in their lower lip and chin after jaw surgery, wisdom teeth extractions and broken jaws. For this he was awarded The American Dental Society of Anesthesiology Award.
Dr. F then attended the University of Tennessee and completed a residency in Orthodontics (dental braces). In his research, Dr. F discovered birth defects resulted from normal dosages of aspirin or acetaminophen taken during pregnancy. While there, he completed one of the lengthiest Master of Science degree thesis written in the history of the university. His animal studies followed FDA birth defect protocol, so caution must be given with use of these two drugs during pregnancy.
In addition to FDA protocol, Dr. F used radiographs to look for birth defects to set an example for future birth defect research. He also suggested that his method along with MRI, CT scans and other diagnostic tools would in the future replace the aged techniques used by the FDA.
Dr. F was also awarded the Chairman’s Research Award in Orthodontics and the Woodrow Powell Research Award for recognition of an original research investigation, which had produced unique and significant knowledge for the specialty of Orthodontics.
The American Association of Orthodontists awarded him the American Association of Orthodontists Harry Sicher Award for the most meritorious first research in the United States and Canada. His research was then presented at the annual meeting of The American Association of Orthodontists in New Orleans and at the annual meeting of The Growth Symposium at the University of Michigan.
Dr. F has a Master of Science degree in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics(Braces at age 7 complex cases). This encompasses dental braces that straighten the teeth and jaws and the ability to change the shape, length and width of the jaws of the face. This is done as early as age seven with non-surgical methods or in the teenage and adult years with non-surgical and surgical methods.
Dr. F went into private practice where he has written more than 480 articles in dentistry that help administrative staff, assistants and patients plus manuals for different job positions in Dentistry. He has produced more than 120 educational videos.
Dr. F is able to stop thumb sucking in children and adults within one week without the use of any appliances in the mouth. More than a hundred children have been stopped by him with ninety-five percent kicking their habit the first night. A book is in the works on this simple to use technique that people will be able to use in their own home. There’s an estimated five million thumb suckers in the United States at any given time.
He has contributed large donations to the Clearwater Aquarium in Clearwater, Florida, to help with research and the salvage of stranded and hurt marine wildlife, particularly sea turtles, dolphins and otters. He has also contributed to the Humane Society. He is pushing for a national society of animal rights legal representation for dogs left on leashes in the sun to stop heat exhaustion and new legislature in the United States to stop euthanasia of dogs that bite people (many states euthanize even for simple bites).
In his spare time, Dr. F goes to NASCAR races, football, basketball and baseball games.
Dr. F will continue to help others achieve their best. He knows that if he does this, it will make him a better person and doctor. Southern Florida should be proud to have him as part of their community.
