Curasan's "Most Interesting Person in Dentistry" for March is Dr. Mary Ann Lester. Read on to see just how interesting Dr. Lester truly is. As you will see, she has not only accomplished a great deal in terms of dentistry but has also overcome great obstacles, actively engaged in many charitable causes and lived a life that is full of adventure and fascinating endeavors.
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What makes Dr. Lester so interesting.
The Truth or Fiction...
Click below for the details
[accordian class="" id=""][toggle title="She was a GD before going into periodontal surgery and is active in the ABP." open="no"]TRUTH: Dr. Lester was a general dentist for 2 years before going into her periodontal surgery residency which has allowed her to have a better insight into what restorative dentists look for from a periodontist and implant surgeon. And she is a diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology.[/toggle]
[accordian class="" id=""][toggle title="Dr. Lester is a cancer survivor." open="no"]TRUTH: She is a breast cancer survivor and "thriver" 10 years. She believes she has become a more compassionate doctor after her cancer treatment in 2005 stating, "My journey through recovery has given me a humbling patient perspective."[/toggle]
[accordian class="" id=""][toggle title="She is a race car driver." open="no"]TRUTH (Kind of): Dr. Lester has raced cars in the BMW driving club at Watkins Glen with her husband as her in-car instructor.[/toggle]
[accordian class="" id=""][toggle title="She loves climbing." open="no"]TRUTH: She has rock climbed many places in the US, Canada as well as Ben Nevis the largest mountain in Scotland.[/toggle]
[accordian class="" id=""][toggle title="Dr. Lester has performed a dental procedure on a Polar Bear." open="no"]TRUTH: Dr. Lester used to do dentistry on the Zoo animals at Seneca Park Zoo, Rochester with another periodontist and the Zoo Veterinarians. They did a root canal on a full grown Polar bear and Tiger cub. (both were sedated).[/toggle]
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Charity/Community Involvement:
Dr. Lester is actively involved in multiple charitable and community related organizations including the following:
- Fundraiser 2006-present SIS, Survive, Inspire and Sustain a local non-profit organization giving financial assistance to those battling breast cancer
- Wilmot Cancer Center Breast Cancer Research Initiative which gives seed grants of $50,000 to promising research for breast cancer cures
- Pet Adoption Network: a local non-kill animal shelter
Favorite Quote:
“Share your knowledge... It's a way to achieve immortality”
More details on Dr. Lester:
Dr. Lester is a Periodontist and Implant Surgeon with over 24 years of expertise in esthetic and functional reconstruction of single implant/tooth replacement to multiple implants and full mouth reconstructive surgery. Periodontal surgery including treatment of periodontal disease requiring regeneration of lost soft tissue and bone using a number of current biologic technologies including enamel matrix protein (Emdogain) and Amniogenix-MTM (amniotic stem cells). Periodontal plastic surgery and non-surgical periodontal treatment. Severe periodontal infections may be treated with a combination therapy utilizing DNA analysis and culture and sensitivity to determine appropriate anti-microbial and chemotherapeutic medications. This may allow for non-surgical periodontal treatment.
Originally from New Jersey, Dr. Lester received her B.S. in Biology/Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey in 1984, Magna Cum Laude. She graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson Dental School, Hackensack, New Jersey in 1988 with Honors. From 1988-89 Dr. Lester received advanced training (including IV sedation, general anesthesia, advanced CPR and dental implants) at Long Island Jewish Medical Center Dental GPR Hospital Residency.
From 1988-1990 Dr. Lester also maintained a private restorative dental practice in Northern New Jersey. She attended Emory University’s Periodontology program in Atlanta, Georgia from 1990-1991, with concurrent studies at the Center’s for Disease Control (CDC) and coursework in a Masters of Public Health.
Educational and Career Highlights
- University based training in Implant and Periodontal Surgery, 1991-1994, EDC.
- National Institute of Dental Research Fellowship (NIDR) to attend Eastman Dental Center (EDC), for studies in Periodontology and Implant surgery, 1991-1994.
- Principal investigator in a multi-center long-term clinical trial involving implant surgery for a nationally recognized implant company, co-investigator on clinical research utilizing amniotic stem cells in stimulating bone and tissue growth in periodontal and dental implant applications.
- Participant in extensive clinical research at the Eastman Dental Center and the University of Rochester, 1991-1994.
- Published peer reviewed scientific articles on Aggressive Periodontitis in Adolescent and Adult patients.
- Extensive lecturing, both nationally and internationally on Periodontology and Implant surgery, 1991-present.
- Involved in the development and evaluation of a new implant planning software for implant diagnostics and virtual treatment planning utilizing CT scan technology, along with other founder of PHS.
- Clinical Faculty, Periodontology and Implant Surgical department at the University of Rochester and Eastman Dental Center, 1995-present.
- Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology.
Dr. Lester is married to Randall Strausser, a local entrepreneur. Her passions are tennis, paddle tennis, rescuing stray animals and is a fundraiser for SIS to help breast cancer patients with financial support. She is a breast cancer survivor and "thriver" of 10 years.