Dentist to provide service with a smile

Here’s some news that will make Longboaters smile: Soon, residents won’t have to leave the island for dental care.

Dr. Lawrence Kassouf is opening Longboat Key Dental Aug. 1, in Suite 110 of Mediterranean Plaza, 595 Bay Isles Road, and is currently accepting appointments. Kassouf will practice on Longboat Key full-time with hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; emergencies will be seen the same day. Longboat Key Dental will accept insurance. The practice offers dental examinations and cleanings, dental implants, porcelain veneers, crowns and teeth whitening. Kassouf uses digital dental imaging, which results in up to 50% less radiation than traditional radiography and also results in a virtually paper-free practice.

Kassouf and his wife, Carole, discovered Longboat Key while vacationing in the Sarasota area and saw a need for dentistry on the island. Last year, Dr. John Mengelberg closed his practice in the office where Longboat Key Dental will operate. In recent years, Dr. Richard Tschida and Dr. Robert Gordon each moved their practices to mainland locations.

Kassouf earned his dental degree from Ohio State University and has served on the staffs of Medina Community Hospital, in Medina, Ohio, Boca Raton Community Hospital and The Fisherman’s Hospital, in Marathon. His most recent practice was located in Asheville, N.C.

The Kassoufs will live on Longboat Key, and he has already become a member of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key, St. Armands Circle Association and Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce. Kassouf said he is looking forward to bringing dental services back to the island and getting involved with the community.

“I really enjoy my work,” he said. “The greatest thing about dentistry is you’re helping people, and it’s extremely rewarding.”

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].