Dr. Rachel Squier
PORT ST LUCIE — Prosthodontics is one of only nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association, yet many people don’t know what a prosthodontist does.
The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) is shining a light on these dental professionals who help patients achieve their ideal smile and optimal oral health as part of National Prosthodontics Awareness Week April 2-8.
A prosthodontist has three to four years of advanced training in oral health problem solving at an American Dental Association accredited institution to learn surgical skills necessary to place dental implants, use modern digital technologies for diagnosis, replacement and restoration of missing teeth with exquisite, stronger naturally beautiful implants, crowns, bridges, veneers or dentures as well as treatment of oral health problems.
“We are not your everyday dentists. Prosthodontists are specialized dentists with advanced training in oral health who are committed to improving patient outcomes and solving oral health problems by using cosmetic dental procedures or advanced dental techniques to save a natural tooth, replace multiple missing teeth, or to restore chipped, broken or cracked teeth.
ACP is the only prosthetics specialty organization whose membership is based solely on educational credentials. ACP members must have attended or completed an ADA-accredited advanced training program in prosthetics.
Drs. Rachel Squier and Gerald Goebel of Treasure Coast Dental in Port St. Lucie are known as the “top” prosthetics on the Treasure Coast.
Squier studied at Harvard University and received her DMD degree from the University of Connecticut School of Dentistry in 1998. She completed a master’s degree in prosthodontics, a master’s in dental science, and an additional one-year implant fellowship. at the University of Connecticut School of Dentistry in 2002. Due to the successful completion of this accredited full-time advanced training program in prosthodontics, Squier is a board certified prosthodontist.
There are only about 400 practicing prosthetists in the country. Of these, only 10 to 15 percent are women. Squier is one of those women and is currently the only board-certified female prosthetist in Florida.
She served as an adjunct professor in the Department of Prosthodontics at the University of Connecticut School of Dentistry from 2002 to 2007. She currently holds an adjunct professorship at NOVA Southeastern College of Dental Medicine.
Goebel received his DMD degree from the University of Florida College of Dentistry in 1979. He completed his master’s degree in prosthodontics at the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1986.
He served as an assistant professor in the Department of Prosthodontics and the Department of Community Dentistry at both the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of Florida College of Dentistry from 1979 to 1983.
Squier is proud to have a premier prosthodontic practice, Treasure Coast Dental, in Port St. Lucie which includes the entire spectrum of prosthetic and cosmetic dentistry, as well as the surgical and restorative phases of dental implants.
