Orthodontic Specialists of Florida | Straightening Out Florida for Over 20 Years

Tampa, Fla., Mar. 2012–The University of Tampa Entrepreneurship Center in the Sykes College of Business awarded Alan D. Shoopak, BS ’79, the Alumni Entrepreneur Achievement Award March 22, 2012, for his successes as the founder of Orthodontic Specialists of Florida (OSOF), which has 33 offices throughout Florida.

“We are so proud of Dr. Shoopak for his accomplishments as an entrepreneur, for setting an example for others to follow, and holding his alma mater in the highest regard with continued support and guidance,” said director of the Florida Entrepreneurship Center Rebecca White, PhD.

Dr. Shoopak received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tampa. He graduated from the Boston-based Tufts School of Dental Medicine in 1982 and earned his Orthodontic Certificate in 1984. He is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the Southern Association of Orthodontists and the Florida Association of Orthodontists, as well as other local, regional and national dental associations.

“It’s an honor to receive this award,” said Shoopak. “I’m thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to make people smile while building Orthodontic Specialists of Florida and New England into what it is today.”

The award was sponsored by the Bank of New York Mellon Wealth Management and presented by Dean Koutroumanis, PhD ’89; MBA ’91. “As an entrepreneur, I view Dr. Shoopak as an operations and marketing innovator who has influenced the way orthodontists, dentists and even law practices run their daily business in the state,” said Koutroumanis.

For a list of Orthodontic Specialists of Florida locations in Florida, please visit: http://www.florida4braces.com/locations

You may also call 1-855-BRACES-4-U to schedule a free consultation at an OSOF office near you.

About Orthodontic Specialists of Florida and Orthodontic Specialists of New England

Orthodontic Specialists of Florida (OSOF) and Orthodontic Specialists of New England (OSONE) are a group of offices throughout Florida and New England providing state-of-the-art orthodontic care for children and adults. Founder and owner Dr. Alan D. Shoopak is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the Southern Association of Orthodontists and the Florida Association of Orthodontists, and has been practicing orthodontics in Florida for more than 25 years. All practices are neighborhood offices offering personal and professional patient care during convenient hours. Because OSOF and OSONE are dedicated to making orthodontic care affordable for everyone, there are no down payment options and affordable, interest-free monthly payment plans with no credit checks.

About University of Tampa Entrepreneurship Center

The University of Tampa Entrepreneurship Center in the Sykes College of Business teaches skills that are critical for today’s entrepreneur. Learning to identify opportunities, prepare executable business plans, and hone skills through a combination of classroom study and applied learning makes its program unique. Through engaging programs and competitions students have the opportunity to interact with and learn from the center’s strategic partners, including The Bank of New York Mellon Wealth Management and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Research Center. With more than 150 UT students enrolled in the program, entrepreneurship is one of the fastest growing fields of study both on campus and in the United States, with entrepreneurs projected to be the group that creates vigorous and sustained economic development worldwide.

As 2011 comes to a close, Orthodontic Specialists of Florida would like to remind you to take full advantage of your insurance plan!

Do you have a HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Savings Account) plan? Knowing the difference can help save you money.

HSA balances can roll over from year to year and continue to grow tax deferred. Money in your flex plan must be spent by the end of the plan year or you lose it.

As a friendly reminder, keep a copy of all paperwork associated with you or your child's treatment. In orer to receive full reimbursement, you may need to show a copy of any receipts of statements you've received, as well as any contracts and a record of payments made over the course of a year. Be sure to call to schedule an appointment to utilize these funds by the end of the year.

HSA/FSA plans may vary, so be sure to contact your employer's human resource department for any exclusions.

To check your OSOF account balance, go to www.Florida4Braces.com, and click on "My Account."

Also, be sure to notify your office of any insurance changes for 2012.

The month of October brings some exciting things—Fall starts, the weather cools down, we get to dress up in fun costumes and carve pumpkins. But did you also know that October is National Orthodontic month?

Orthodontic Specialists of Florida would like to take some time to share the benefits of a healthy smile, ensuring you are getting the most out of your orthodontic devices and treatment plans.

Many Halloween treats can wreak havoc for those with braces and can potentially harm your treatment time. Below are some tips to get you through this Halloween and to keep your beautiful smile both safe and happy!

*Avoid treats that are sticky, hard, chewy or crunchy (it can get stuck in your braces!)

*When in doubt, eat chocolate! (The kind that melts in your mouth.)

*Eat Halloween candy in moderation, but make sure you brush AND floss after you eat!

*Schedule routine visits to make sure you are on track with your orthodontic treatment plan.

If you have any specific questions or concerns in regards to what type of food you should avoid, or if you should experience a problem, please contact your local Orthodontic Specialists of Florida.

For more Halloween fun including tips and SPOOKY recipes, visit us on Facebook-www.facebook.com/florida4braces.

Orthodontic Specialists of Florida is a preferred provider for Disney cast members and their families. Each month OSOF visits a different location to educate cast members on orthodontic treatment options, including braces and Invisalign. Check out some pictures from our last Disney on-site event.

Orthodontic Specialists of Florida’s “Smile, You’re Hired” campaign was extended to all of their 33 offices in the state of Florida by offering Invisalign for $199 per-month, to adults looking to reenter the job market in 2011, with a new smile and first-impression during the interview process.

“We decided to test market ‘Smile, You’re Hired’ in Tampa, only because we wanted to tread lightly on the issue of employment in the state of Florida, but what we’ve found is that almost 60 percent of our patients to date are adult patients who are seeking reemployment in 2011, and are looking for an affordable monthly payment, and discreet way to improve their smile,” said Alan D. Shoopak, D.M.D., founder and owner of OSOF. “My staff and I are seeing a steady flow of these types of new patients on a weekly basis, and we feel the greatest reward when someone stops back in from our 'Smile, You’re Hired' program, and they’ve recently landed a job.”

As reported in Tampa by WTSP’s Kathryn Bursch, a CBS affiliate, the number of adults coming into Orthodontic Specialists of Florida to improve their smile, thereby improving their impression during interviews, as America goes back to work in 2011 is increasing, and will hopefully continue to do so as this program is now extended throughout the state.

“We want to encourage others to chip in as well, and help America get back to work in 2011, even if it’s just 50% off neckties by a department store, or an individual helping a job seeking friend with a resume,” added Shoopak.

Smiling is possibly the interview skill most persuasive to employers, yet most overlooked by applicants. Take it from someone who has interviewed hundreds of people for jobs at my offices throughout Florida. The best advice I can give is, "don't forget to smile." Even the normal stress that comes with an important job interview can make us look tired, nervous and defeated if worn on our faces. But separate studies have shown that smiling is a universal sign of happiness, and that happy people are more attractive to others. It's true. And when you smile, you also influence the mood of those around you. That's why smiles are contagious. They're also good for you. According to Dr. Mark Stibich, a smiling PhD in health behavior from Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, smiling relieves stress, boost your immune system, lowers your blood pressure, releases endorphins and even makes you appear younger. That's worth smiling about. For all these reasons, as an employer, I value positive, resilient people who handle stress with aplomb and bring the benefits of positivity to the workplace. So, smile.