Student Vincent Napoli: Instilling self-confidence one Ortho patient at a time

Meet Dr. Vincent Napoli, who is enrolled in the JU Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences School of Orthodontics’ Advanced Specialty Education Program in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. Dr. Napoli was elected the Chief Resident of the Class of 2017.

Please describe your educational background including your undergraduate and graduate degrees.

I attended the University of Florida for undergraduate education and obtained a Bachelor of Science in biology. Then I moved to South Florida where I attended Nova Southeastern University and obtained my doctor of dental medicine (DMD) degree.

Why did you choose the JU School of Orthodontics?
A multitude of factors went into my decision to choose JU. First, JU would provide me with a heavily based clinical experience that would prepare me well for the transition into private practice. Second, the residents start a high number of cases compared to many other programs. Third, I felt a strong sense of family not only between the residents but also the faculty.

What do you like best about the program?
The best aspect of the program is its immersive clinical experience, resident autonomy and faculty relations. After visiting various programs, I found that JU was a cut above the others.

What made you choose to pursue a career in orthodontics?
Upon seeing my younger brother finally have his braces taken off after five long years of treatment, everything seemed to fit into place. I was finally able to see how my skill set, my creativity, fascination with strategy and compassion for dental care fit into the world of dentistry through Orthodontics. It is my belief that this field is more than just correcting malocclusion, more than just a game of chess; Orthodontics instills self-confidence to each patient through the masonry and architecture of constructing the perfect smile for each individual’s function and aesthetics. I cherish the opportunity to devote my life to a specialty that changes lives, with my brother as a testament of my inspiration.

After graduation, I hope to create the best opportunity for myself; whether that is as associate or owner is yet to be determined. Either way, I plan to save lives one smile at a time.