Practicing modern dentistry in US w/ an RP touch -Dr. Monaliza Panganiban-Ibanez

Her patients come from near and far. And some bring gifts like home grown vegetables, souvenirs from travels and even sandwiches!

The object of the patients? affection is Dr. Monaliza Panganiban-Ibanez, a petite Filipino American dentist who graduated from Centro Escolar University in 1991 in Manila. As a student, she loved dentistry so much that as a student, she perfected her stitching techniques on pigs (dead ones) and after graduation did an externship with the Philippine Marines where she pulled teeth and learned how to boogie. Although Dr. Ibanez is petite, she can do extractions just like a man because as she says, ?It is done not by brute force but by proper technique.?

She reunited with her family in New Jersey in 1998 and then obtained her DDS, from NYU. That year, she married and moved to Maryland where she started her practice while working as an associate.

As a general practitioner, she treats entire families by providing routine examinations with subsequent cleaning and fillings to the latest cosmetic treatments like Invisalign?s computer generated invisible retainers used to correct crooked teeth. A complete list will include crowns, bridges, implants, dentures, partials, root canals, sealants, gum treatment, cancer screening, bonding, bleaching and veneers.

Having three young children, she is quite effective in motivating kids. When an 8 year old girl clammed up, she said, ?If you don?t let me fill this cavity now, I will have to pull the tooth out later.? With that, the child opened her mouth.

Patients from as far as Hagerstown, Eastern Shore and Frederick frequent her clinic at 50 West Edmonston Drive Suite 605, Rockville, Maryland. To accommodate their schedules and long commutes, Dr. Ibanez opens her clinic on Saturdays. And when she meets with her patients at the Pampanguena cafe, they chat like old friends. On the other hand, Dr. Ibanez takes her family to their birthday parties or association dances whenever time allows. But between shuttling the kids to soccer practice, attending household meetings with Couples for Christ and watching CSI, there isn?t that much left. Despite that, Dr. Ibanez ensures that her craft is state of the art through her membership with the Academy of General Dentistry and ongoing training. You can always refer to her website: www.FilipinaDentist.com or call (301) 762-2255 for details about her practice.

Read the Manila Mail article