Dr. Jill Smolarek joins TRC’s Dunkirk Dental office

The Resource Center is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Jill Smolarek to the staff of the Dunkirk Dental Office.

She joined the Dental Clinic in January as the only full-time Dentist.  She works alongside Dr. John Vona and three dental Hygienists. 

“It’s been great so far.  I like it,” said Dr. Smolarek.  “It’s a real change of pace.”

Before joining The Resource Center, Dr. Smolarek worked in private practice at Smolarek Dental Care in Elma, and prior to that she was a Dental Assistant for a practice in Buffalo.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Canisius College before obtaining her doctorate in dental surgery from the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.  She completed her residency at Erie County Medical Center.

“It’s pretty exciting here, I’m enjoying it.  I get to do a lot more hands-on patient care, and that’s why I went into dentistry.  It fit into what I originally set out to do, and there’s more exposure to a different patient base, which is something I’ve transitioned to pretty easily.”

“Dr. Smolarek brings a high level of enthusiasm and expertise to The Resource Center’s dental services,” said Steve Riczker, Director of Health and Health-Related services.  “She is very much in tune with the needs of our patients, and we feel very fortunate to have her on staff.”

Dr. Smolarek’s patient base extends far beyond the reaches of Western New York.  Through the UB Dental School, she traveled to Ghana and spent a little under a month caring for the underserved. Described as a sort of a missionary trip, Dr. Smolarek and others visited 15 different villages and provided dental care to those remote areas.

“It was an amazing, eye-opening experience,” she said.  “You watch documentaries on TV, but when you’re actually there, it’s very different.  Hundreds are standing in line for care.  We took out bad teeth and tried to provide some education as well.”

And while she enjoys helping others overseas, she admits and recognizes there’s a lot of need in our own country as well.

In her spare time, she enjoys roller derby and is in her first season competing as a member of the Queen City Roller Girls.  Her team nickname is, not surprisingly, Novocain, but don’t let that scare you from visiting her at the clinic and making an appointment.

“I’m very appreciative of being offered the position here,” Dr. Smolarek said.  “And the staff is amazing, so come to the dentist.”

TRC’s Dunkirk Dental Clinic is located at 314 Central Avenue.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, phone 366-1661.