wellington health
High-Tech Dentistry Is A Passion For Wellington’s Dr. Laurence Grayhills Story by Chris Felker Photos by Abner Pedraza
Dr. Laurence Grayhills has switched gears a few times in his life. He started out as a reproductive physiologist working in-vitro fertilization for cattle, and now he’s a longtime, established Wellington dentist. During college, his first transportation was a Harley-Davidson Sportster he bought at auction, and he ended up involved in an export business with two friends, shipping refurbished Harleys to Europe. “That put the three of us through school,” Grayhills noted. One of his favorite hobbies used to be riding his Harley, but not anymore. “I sold the motorcycle; all I have is a scooter now,” he said. A visit to his office might find Grayhills pulling out a sample of his latest pastime — glass-blowing. But his pride and joy remains his high-tech, state-ofthe-art dental office. Grayhills said one of the most significant advancements in dentistry that his office offers is the CEREC machine — a computer-aided design and manufacturing apparatus used to fabricate porcelain restorations such as crowns, veneers and fillings. “Here we have total control,” Grayhills said. “The computer never — rarely — makes a mistake. We have a digital CT scan. We can do three-dimensional scans of somebody’s head, and know exactly where we’re placing implants.” Originally from Chicago, Grayhills, 58, has been in Florida for almost 40 years and in dentistry for 26. “I entered it a little late,” he said. Grayhills had been planning to work part-time to pay the 56
February 2012 |wellington the magazine|
tuition, but the dean of the University of Florida College of Dentistry told him that dental school was a full-time job. However, he managed to secure a four-year scholarship. “They saw the need,” Grayhills said. “I came in with good grades. I had a master’s degree going in, so they knew I was a serious student. It was a public health scholarship.” In return, he had to give three years back by working in a public health clinic, and he chose one in Belle Glade. “They had a really nice facility. I worked as a public health officer for three years. I liked the community so much that I decided to stay,” he said. He eventually formed his own practice, which has since evolved into Grayhills Mohip Dental & Associates Laser Dental Center in Wellington. Grayhills and his partner, Dr. Vikram Mohip, offer a full menu of dental services, including high-tech, cosmetic, restorative, pediatric and spa dentistry; digital radiography; implants; and oral surgery. Both are members of the Academy of Computerized Dentistry and the Academy of Laser Dentistry. Mohip’s degree is from Nova Southeastern University, and he served his general practice residency at the VA Hospital in West Palm Beach. Grayhills earned his dentistry degree from UF in 1985, after earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees there as well. He’s also a fellow of the Academy of General
Dentistry, a distinction earned by only about 7 percent of dentists. He also served for seven years as the forensic odontologist for the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office. “I’m passionate about my work,” he said. “I’m passionate about my teaching.” Grayhills enjoys imparting his knowledge. He teaches at Palm Beach State College and is involved with the Atlantic Coast Dental Research Clinic there. One of the highlights for him is teaching a course on “the reality of dental practice,” which deals with the business side of the profession. Grayhills Mohip Dental & Associates is located at 250 Professional Way in Wellington. For info., call (561) 798-1600 or visit www.grayhillsmohipdental.com.