Part-Time Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Katherine Strong
Dr. Katherine Strong, a board-certified pediatric dentist, has been making a significant impact on the dental health of children in Rochester. Her journey into dentistry began with shadowing dentists in General Dentistry, but it was her passion for serving the community that led her to specialize in pediatric dentistry.
Dr. Strong works full time at Twelve Corners Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Brighton, and she dedicates two days a month to the SMILEMobile program, a community initiative under Community Dentistry. The SMILEMobile program eliminates barriers to dental care by going directly to elementary school students in Rochester, ensuring that many children who may not have access to dental care receive essential services.
Dr. Strong's commitment to the community is evident in her role as a director on the board of the Monroe County Dental Society (MCDS). This year, she and Dr. Taylor Squires, an EIOH Orthodontics alumni, reinstated the MCDS Careers in Dentistry program for local high school and college students interested in learning more about dentistry as a profession.
The SMILEMobile may be the only time some children in Rochester see a dentist, as many are in need of dental care. Dr. Strong finds moments like serving the community on the SMILEMobile to be reminders of the program's importance to the community.
Dr. Strong's dedication to her profession extends beyond her work on the SMILEMobile. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, a fellow of the American Laser Study Club, and a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and American Dental Society.
Dr. Strong's path to her current role was not straightforward. She met her mentor, Dr. Ritu Shah, a faculty member at EIOH, at a Monroe County Dental Society scholarship luncheon as a second-year dental student. Dr. Shah helped Dr. Strong with her cover letter and provided advice for navigating interviews and contracts when looking for jobs in the Rochester area.
When Dr. Strong was seeking an opportunity to work part time in a public health setting, she was introduced to Dr. Gajendra at EIOH. Dr. Gajendra praised Dr. Strong's commitment and her ability to interact well with children on the SMILEMobile.
While information about Dr. Katherine Strong’s background or her current involvement with the University of Rochester and the EIOH Smilemobiles is limited, her dedication to serving the community and her role in improving dental health in Rochester are clear. Her work on the SMILEMobile, her role in the Monroe County Dental Society, and her commitment to mentoring future dentists all contribute to her reputation as a dedicated and compassionate healthcare provider.
- Dr. Strong's dedication to the field of dentistry is not confined to her work in a clinic; she also invests time in education-and-self-development, serving as a director on the board of the Monroe County Dental Society (MCDS) and reinstating the MCDS Careers in Dentistry program, designed to educate local high school and college students about career-development opportunities in dentistry.
- Additionally, Dr. Strong's commitment to health-and-wellness extends beyond children's dental health; she is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, a fellow of the American Laser Study Club, and a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and American Dental Society, illustrating her continuous pursuit of knowledge and advancement in the broader field of science.
