Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Brian F. Shaughnessy.
Dr. Shaughnessy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In 1991, I left Boston and migrated south with the “sows ear”(BS in PT) en route to Pinecrest Rehab Delray Beach Fla (where I was the first co-opstudent) awaiting a $5k sign on bonus ($1500 of which I spent on my first suit-hand made, taupe double breasted Italian); Fall ’92 reconnected with my wife Jordan who I met on my first co-op in ’87.
Was thoroughly enjoying working as a PT and “living the life” with a great group of friends in South Florida. 11/29/1992-I was training for a biathlon when I was struck while running by a drunk driver in a pick-up truck traveling 35 mph. Ironically I ended up being admitted comatose as a “John Doe” patient to Delray Community Health Center where I had done rotations as a PT. I awoke delirious 8 days later in the ICU. Fortunately, I was recognized by a nurse who remembered me and eventually my family was notified. Dx-TBI (closed), blunt renal trauma, spinal cord contusion at T-10, loss of spinothalamic tract LLE, fractured R elbow with subchondral cyst in radial head, generalized road rash. Spent some time wheelchair bound which gave me amazing perspective as a provider. Spent the next few months in/out of clinics (including Upledgers) attempting to treat my U/L paresthesia, limited ROM, and generalized “dolor de cuerpo” to no avail. Moved to Key West to convalesce, discovered Bikram yoga which I did religiously 1-2x daily, within 3 months I was able to work again as a PT. Ran the Florida Easter Seals on Stock Island (outpatient), worked outpatient at Marathon Hospital, and did VNA/Hospice work in the Lower Keys on the ride back to KW from Marathon.
In 1994, I returned back to Boston with my expectant wife for her to begin grad school at Tufts and I began work at Spaulding Rehab outpatient in Medford. Bought our first house-3 family in Charlestown high atop Bunker Hill (gut rehabbed). Sabine (our 1st daughter) arrived. Sabine just graduated from Barnard College/Columbia University. Eventually transitioned to Home health within the Spaulding/MGH network 1995-2001 (serving Boston and its suburbs by bicycle).
Moved to Brookline in ’98 (where I currently live in an old NU fraternity house that we have been rehabbing since buying it in 2010). After falling in love with the elderly population while doing home health, I began taking post-bac classes and summer school at Harvard in preparation to become a geriatrician. Worked part time in the orofacial pain center at MGH. There I was able to observe oral surgery procedures in the OR and decided to go to dental school. Completed post-bac work, 2nd daughter Maya arrived the eve of my O-Chem final in 2000. Got into D-school.
Moved the family to CT, bought our 2nd home, D-school 2002-2006, fell in love with pediatrics (felt more connected to my kids to whom I was a bit estranged from due to studies). Lily our third daughter arrived in 2004, residency in pediatric dentistry 2006-2008 at Harvard U/ Children’s Hospital Boston (where I am still an attending). Groomed to take over a practice in Wayland MA ’08-’10, decided it wasn’t a good fit, offered a job in Saratoga Springs NY @ “The Smile Lodge” working with two other docs I knew from Children’s Hospital Boston. Still commuting there (now monthly instead of weekly). 2012-Helped to start an NGO-CommunityHealthPartnership-Honduras where I serve as dental director and travel every May to provide free care. Founded Greater Boston Smiles Pediatric Dentistry in Quincy MA in 2014 where I am a solo practitioner and predominantly treat underserved kids doing comprehensive dentistry including sedation (general anesthesia and oral conscious). Plan to phase out of NY and open a satellite clinic in Woods Hole or on Martha’s Vineyard where I plan to eventually retire as an octogenarian.
I am thrilled to be “returning to my roots” to start and run a pediatric dental practice near where I grew up in the Lower Mills section of Boston. I completed my pediatric dentistry specialty training at Harvard University/Children’s Hospital Boston where I served as chief resident and currently maintain a staff position.
I received my dental degree from the University Of Connecticut School Of Dental Medicine where I served as class president and received the distinct honor of being named “best all-around student “.
I have been the recipient of many other leadership and academic awards including publication of my research entitled “Oral Health and Bone Density in Adolescents and Young Women with Anorexia Nervosa” in the Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry.
I began my career in healthcare after graduating cum laude in physical therapy from Northeastern University. I practiced as a physical therapist at numerous institutions in the Boston area including; the Massachusetts General Hospital, Spaulding Rehabilitation, and Shriners Hospital for Children. Working at Shriner’s Hospital and having children of my own inspired me to continue my education. My career as a PT taught me the importance of prevention which continues to be my focus as a pediatric dentist.
I am a board certified member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, as well as the Massachusetts Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and Massachusetts Dental Society.
My wife Jordan and I celebrated our 23rd anniversary this year and we are the proud parents of three incredible daughters: Sabine (recent Barnard College grad), Maya (11th grade), and Lily (6th grade), as well as a chocolate lab named Quinn.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As a young boy I recall an Irish proverb hanging in our kitchen that said-“Life is like a cup of tea. It’s how you make it!” That being said, it seems that there are things in life one can predict and plan for, others just happen for better or for worse. As I’ve grown older I’ve come to realize that I have always been attracted to stress and that I am an inherent risk taker. This has been a blessing and a burden. I have always felt that the harder I worked the luckier I got, but hard work brings lots of stress both physical and mental not only to oneself but to all of one’s friends and family. Although elusive at times, finding that “sweet spot” and having balance in life is key. Being a pediatric dentist, father of three fantastic daughters, happily married for over 23 years to a woman I have the utmost respect for I consider myself very lucky. I truly love what I do and love who I do it with that includes all of my family, friends, and staff members/colleagues. FYI-I like my tea black and strong 😉
Greater Boston Smiles Pediatric Dentistry – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Greater Boston Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is proud to provide the unique technical and behavioral skills of pediatric dental services for infants, children and teens including children with special health care needs from the Boston and Greater Boston area including but not limited to: Quincy, Milton, Braintree, Weymouth, Randolph, Norwood, Canton, Holbrook, Dorchester, South Boston and many other communities throughout Massachusetts. Our office is committed to providing parents and their children the necessary tools to attain and maintain a healthy smile for life. We believe in access to care for everyone and are open six days a week including Saturdays and Wednesday evenings. We are also accessible by the MBTA.
For unsurpassed excellence of clinical care, Dr. Shaughnessy is a board certified, specialty trained, and licensed pediatric dentist, who continues to maintain a staff position at Children’s Hospital Boston. We are a one stop office and provide nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and in office general anesthesia for those patients that need it. We are qualified to treat both tongue and lip ties as well as other surgical procedures.
Appreciating the busy lives that our patients and their families have, we offer same day service as available and strive to complete all treatment in one visit to reduce the need for further loss of work and school hours. We are a high energy, super kid-friendly office where everyone loves what they do!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is personal. It can be very simple and also pretty involved depending upon one’s goal and what it takes to get there. It is typically achieved as a product of hard work and determination, but I’ve found perseverance to be the most important element.
Contact Info:
- Address: Greater Boston Smiles Pediatric Dentistry
21 Totman Street
Suite 201
Quincy, MA 02169 - Website: www.greaterbostonpediatricdentistry.com
- Phone: 617-472-5437(KIDS)
- Email: kids@greaterbostonsmiles.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Greater-Boston-Smiles-170129509845367
- Yelp: http://yelp.to/gTKg/0Ozgoj6gVD
- Other: https://www.google.com/search?q=Top+&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i57j0l2j69i60j0.4423joj8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
