Dr Adamo Notarantonio DDS, FICOI, FAACD, widely known as Dr Adamo Elvis, has an extraordinary journey that led him from being a college graduate with no direction, working as a garbage collector to becoming a renowned cosmetic dentist.
By Danny Chan
Dr Notarantonio's path took a unique turn after his brief career as a professional soccer player and the realization that it wasn't as financially rewarding as he had hoped. Seeking a new direction, he approached his father, who worked as a garbage truck driver.
Initially, his father challenged his decision, asking him to put on his shabbiest clothes and assigned him to work on the back of a garbage truck alone for a year and a half. This physically demanding job became a pivotal experience that instilled discipline and a strong work ethic.
Physical Labour Shaped His Future
Although dentistry was unfamiliar to him, having only visited the dentist twice in his life, Dr Notarantonio's friend and fraternity brother encouraged him to apply to dental school. He gained admission to Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, which sparked a passion that has lasted throughout his career.
Reflecting on his time as a garbage collector, Dr Notarantonio expresses gratitude for the experience.
“Without a doubt, that sole job alone taught me what hard work is all about. It was the most demanding in terms of the physical labor I have ever done, or seen for that matter,” he says.
“Some days were 12-plus hours, weather never stopped you, and the amount of weight one lifts picking up (the garbage of) approximately 750 homes a day is insane. In my eyes, nothing compares to that job intensity, and I truly believe my work ethic is what it is because of it.”
That labour-intensive experience not only built Dr Adamo Notarantonio’s resilience, hard work and determination, it has also paved the way for an extraordinary career in dentistry.
Distinguished Achievements and Career
Taking up his friend’s advice, Dr Notarantonio went on to graduate from the State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine in 2002, where he received honours for his outstanding performance in both removable and fixed prosthodontics.
After graduation, he completed a residency in the Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program at Stony Brook in 2003. Recognizing his exceptional skills and dedication, the faculty selected him as the Chief Resident for an additional year.
Dr Notarantonio's commitment to excellence in cosmetic dentistry is evident in his achievement of Accreditation status in the esteemed American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) in 2011, followed by his Fellowship in the AACD in 2018. The distinguished recognition of Accreditation is reserved for a select group of approximately 400 dental professionals worldwide who have demonstrated the highest level of technical proficiency and expertise in the field of cosmetic dentistry. Fellowship, however, has currently 90 professionals worldwide.
“Accreditation and Fellowships were amazing accomplishments for me,” the cosmetic dentist notes.
“I think it is the most valuable learning experience one can get in cosmetics. If one works with a good mentor, the learning experience is incredible.
“My mentor trained my eye throughout that process to see things I would have never seen, and that has made me a way better cosmetic dentist. I completed 5 cases for accreditation and 50 cases for my Fellowship in the AACD. I was the 80th person worldwide to do so. We now have 90 Fellows in total.”
Rising Star in Cosmetic Dentistry
Notably, Dr Notarantonio’s expertise has been further acknowledged by the AACD, as he was invited to serve as a consultant and examiner for the Accreditation process, contributing his invaluable insights and knowledge.
In 2016, Dr Notarantonio was honoured with the AACD's Rising Star Award, recognizing his exceptional talent and potential as a potential leader in the field of cosmetic dentistry. His contributions to the profession have since extended beyond clinical practice.
Dr Notarantonio is currently the President-Elect of the AACD. He was the Accreditation Chairman of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry for the past five years, and has currently been appointed Fellowship Chairman, where he continues to shape the standards and promote excellence in the field.
Other notable achievements in his enviable academic journey include completing the Dawson Academy Core Curriculum Series as well as the curriculum at the Kois Center, both of which he readily credits as having shaped his career:
“Kois and Dawson are two of the places, along with Pankey, Spear and LVI that will teach you complete dentistry to the fullest.
“Without these principles, tackling the bigger cases I do now would be impossible. It is a must for me and I feel everyone should go through one of them.”
Upcoming Australian Lectures on Achieving Lifelike Composite Restorations
The renowned cosmetic dentist and President Elect of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry is set to headline an upcoming speaking event organized by Amalgadent titled "Achieving Cosmetic Excellence."
This highly anticipated lecture-based course will provide dental professionals with valuable insights into the intersection of science and art in restorative dentistry, with a particular focus on achieving seamless and lifelike composite restorations.
“To me, science and art go hand in hand when it comes to restorative dentistry. I think one must understand the science of what they do, and when they do, the artistic side can run wild”, he enthuses.
“I quote Pablo Picasso, "Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist".”
The event promises to be a transformative experience for dental practitioners seeking to elevate their skills and deliver outstanding cosmetic results to their patients.
Diversity is Key
On what attendees can expect from the upcoming course, Dr Notarantonio says: “I pride myself on giving as many take-home pearls as I can in my lectures so hopefully I will help to resolve a lot of the day-to-day struggles that they may have.
“In my eyes, diversity is key,” he adds. “A successful cosmetic dentist utilizes all disciplines such as bleaching, orthodontics, periodontics, composite and porcelain.”
Throughout the course, participants will delve into various aspects of cosmetic dentistry, including adhesive dentistry, bonding protocols, and composite handling. These essential topics will provide attendees with the knowledge and techniques needed to achieve cosmetic and aesthetic excellence in their own careers.
The event will be held on multiple dates and at various venues, including the following locations: The Westin in Brisbane, QLD, on Friday, 15th September 2023; The Sofitel in Melbourne, VIC, on Sunday, 17th September 2023; and The Radisson Blu in Sydney, NSW, on Friday, 22nd September 2023.
To facilitate participation, Amalgadent is offering an early bird registration fee of $399 (incl. GST) for a limited time, providing a substantial discount from the regular registration price of $499 (incl. GST).
By Danny Chan
Dr Notarantonio's path took a unique turn after his brief career as a professional soccer player and the realization that it wasn't as financially rewarding as he had hoped. Seeking a new direction, he approached his father, who worked as a garbage truck driver.
Initially, his father challenged his decision, asking him to put on his shabbiest clothes and assigned him to work on the back of a garbage truck alone for a year and a half. This physically demanding job became a pivotal experience that instilled discipline and a strong work ethic.
Physical Labour Shaped His Future
Although dentistry was unfamiliar to him, having only visited the dentist twice in his life, Dr Notarantonio's friend and fraternity brother encouraged him to apply to dental school. He gained admission to Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, which sparked a passion that has lasted throughout his career.
Reflecting on his time as a garbage collector, Dr Notarantonio expresses gratitude for the experience.
“Without a doubt, that sole job alone taught me what hard work is all about. It was the most demanding in terms of the physical labor I have ever done, or seen for that matter,” he says.
“Some days were 12-plus hours, weather never stopped you, and the amount of weight one lifts picking up (the garbage of) approximately 750 homes a day is insane. In my eyes, nothing compares to that job intensity, and I truly believe my work ethic is what it is because of it.”
That labour-intensive experience not only built Dr Adamo Notarantonio’s resilience, hard work and determination, it has also paved the way for an extraordinary career in dentistry.
Distinguished Achievements and Career
Taking up his friend’s advice, Dr Notarantonio went on to graduate from the State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine in 2002, where he received honours for his outstanding performance in both removable and fixed prosthodontics.
After graduation, he completed a residency in the Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program at Stony Brook in 2003. Recognizing his exceptional skills and dedication, the faculty selected him as the Chief Resident for an additional year.
Dr Notarantonio's commitment to excellence in cosmetic dentistry is evident in his achievement of Accreditation status in the esteemed American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) in 2011, followed by his Fellowship in the AACD in 2018. The distinguished recognition of Accreditation is reserved for a select group of approximately 400 dental professionals worldwide who have demonstrated the highest level of technical proficiency and expertise in the field of cosmetic dentistry. Fellowship, however, has currently 90 professionals worldwide.
“Accreditation and Fellowships were amazing accomplishments for me,” the cosmetic dentist notes.
“I think it is the most valuable learning experience one can get in cosmetics. If one works with a good mentor, the learning experience is incredible.
“My mentor trained my eye throughout that process to see things I would have never seen, and that has made me a way better cosmetic dentist. I completed 5 cases for accreditation and 50 cases for my Fellowship in the AACD. I was the 80th person worldwide to do so. We now have 90 Fellows in total.”
Rising Star in Cosmetic Dentistry
Notably, Dr Notarantonio’s expertise has been further acknowledged by the AACD, as he was invited to serve as a consultant and examiner for the Accreditation process, contributing his invaluable insights and knowledge.
In 2016, Dr Notarantonio was honoured with the AACD's Rising Star Award, recognizing his exceptional talent and potential as a potential leader in the field of cosmetic dentistry. His contributions to the profession have since extended beyond clinical practice.
Dr Notarantonio is currently the President-Elect of the AACD. He was the Accreditation Chairman of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry for the past five years, and has currently been appointed Fellowship Chairman, where he continues to shape the standards and promote excellence in the field.
Other notable achievements in his enviable academic journey include completing the Dawson Academy Core Curriculum Series as well as the curriculum at the Kois Center, both of which he readily credits as having shaped his career:
“Kois and Dawson are two of the places, along with Pankey, Spear and LVI that will teach you complete dentistry to the fullest.
“Without these principles, tackling the bigger cases I do now would be impossible. It is a must for me and I feel everyone should go through one of them.”
Upcoming Australian Lectures on Achieving Lifelike Composite Restorations
The renowned cosmetic dentist and President Elect of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry is set to headline an upcoming speaking event organized by Amalgadent titled "Achieving Cosmetic Excellence."
This highly anticipated lecture-based course will provide dental professionals with valuable insights into the intersection of science and art in restorative dentistry, with a particular focus on achieving seamless and lifelike composite restorations.
“To me, science and art go hand in hand when it comes to restorative dentistry. I think one must understand the science of what they do, and when they do, the artistic side can run wild”, he enthuses.
“I quote Pablo Picasso, "Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist".”
The event promises to be a transformative experience for dental practitioners seeking to elevate their skills and deliver outstanding cosmetic results to their patients.
Diversity is Key
On what attendees can expect from the upcoming course, Dr Notarantonio says: “I pride myself on giving as many take-home pearls as I can in my lectures so hopefully I will help to resolve a lot of the day-to-day struggles that they may have.
“In my eyes, diversity is key,” he adds. “A successful cosmetic dentist utilizes all disciplines such as bleaching, orthodontics, periodontics, composite and porcelain.”
Throughout the course, participants will delve into various aspects of cosmetic dentistry, including adhesive dentistry, bonding protocols, and composite handling. These essential topics will provide attendees with the knowledge and techniques needed to achieve cosmetic and aesthetic excellence in their own careers.
The event will be held on multiple dates and at various venues, including the following locations: The Westin in Brisbane, QLD, on Friday, 15th September 2023; The Sofitel in Melbourne, VIC, on Sunday, 17th September 2023; and The Radisson Blu in Sydney, NSW, on Friday, 22nd September 2023.
To facilitate participation, Amalgadent is offering an early bird registration fee of $399 (incl. GST) for a limited time, providing a substantial discount from the regular registration price of $499 (incl. GST).
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