10 THINGS THAT MAKE ME SMILE As told to Bridget Cottrell by Dr. Abby Lavelle Staffieri
After graduating from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, Dr. Abby Staffieri spent a decade working alongside her father, Dr. Paul Lavelle, before taking over Lavelle Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. With a fresh vision, she also rebranded the cosmetic side of the practice as Vie Lavelle Smile Design (vielavellesmiledesign.com). We sat down for a chat with her at her Prospect office to see what's putting a smile on her face these days. 1. Of course, the obvious is seeing my patients smile. Seeing the reaction of my patient after we've realized their vision of a beautiful smile is something that's hard to put into words. It's just extraordinary. 2. Changing the negativity surrounding dentistry. I am focused on modernizing dentistry, making it more comfortable, technologically advanced, and efficient, while eliminating the undesirable aspects, such as "goopy" molds and unpleasant smells. It all leads to less time in the chair and a better patient experience. 3. Starting the day off strong. I am a morning person and like the satisfaction of getting this done from the get-go and heading to bed early.
4. Cleanliness and organization. I lead a very organized life (occasionally to my kids' dismay), and this carries over into work. 5. Making time for things that matter most. Friends and exercise are both essential parts of my life, so I enjoy finding ways to combine the two. Activities like playing pickleball or working out with my group of friends are perfect for staying active while spending quality time together. 6. Melding science and aesthetics. I am immersed in medicine, but I also have a deep appreciation for fashion and the arts. Cosmetic dentistry allows me to combine all of these. 7. My family. My husband's support makes navigating the challenges of owning a business and raising three kids much more manageable. 8. My support network. My parents, my in-laws, our nanny, all the family that we have that lives in Louisville, nothing would be possible without them. 9. Listening to podcasts, everything from true crime to overall health-related topics. 10. Seeing my kids thrive. I love cooking for my family, and if I can't make a meal after work, I make sure we've meal-prepped something hearty and healthy for dinner. slmag.net
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