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Dr. Tony Stefanou, DMD
New York, NY
What is your educational background?
I graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in Biology from Hofstra University and then received my D.M.D. degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 1987.
How long did you practice dentistry, and why did you enter the profession?
I was in private practice for almost 20 years and sold my practice about 5 years ago to focus on the "business" side of dentistry. I still keep my license active though! As a kid, my favorite subjects were always science and math and I knew early on that I wanted to be a doctor. However, I decided in college that being a physician didn't interest me for a few reasons (mainly due to the long hours and being "controlled" by the hospitals, drug companies, and insurance companies), and I explored the dental profession and felt it was the right fit!
Do you still practice?
I don't currently practice but now focus on the sales, marketing, training, and consulting side of the industry. I have founded a few companies, one being the Dental Sales Academy, which works with dental companies and sales reps to train them through workshops on how to better sell their products and services to dentists. I also work as a sales and marketing strategist for companies about to launch new products into the industry.
What did you enjoy most about being a dentist?
I enjoyed the "lifestyle" the profession offers. In dentistry, you can still enjoy the benefits of being in private practice: setting your own hours, doing the types of procedures you enjoy doing, and spending time with your patients.
When were you introduced to Oxyfresh?
I answered an ad in a dental publication back in 1993 that said, "Where will you be financially in four years?" and it intrigued me. It had a picture of the product line AND a dentist (Dr. Ron Scheele) enjoying life in a private plane. Dr. Bill DiPietro called me about the ad and I soon realized I had gone to dental school with his younger brother Chris so we hit it off right away. He told me about the success he was seeing with his patients but also that he was following a business plan with some other dentists to provide a residual type income by introducing other colleagues to the program. I tried the program, and within two weeks went to an Oxyfresh conference, and started to do what Bill was doing!
What is your favorite Oxyfresh product and why?
I love the Power Rinse. I really feel the combo of chlorine dioxide and zinc acetate is a perfect complement to a progressive soft tissue management department in any dental office.
What are your hobbies and passions in life?
It's a tie between the power rinse and the fluoride paste. I helped develop both of those products back when I was Division Leader so I REALLY know how incredible they are! It is very exciting to me to see how effective they have been over the years for tens and tens of thousands of people!
What are your hobbies and passions in life?
In addition to speaking (hosting workshops and training sessions), which is very gratifying to me, I am a sports nut, especially hockey and baseball!
Who is the most influential person your life that played a major role in your success?
There have been several, but first I'd say my dad who I really miss since he passed away about seven years ago. I grew up in NYC in the 70s which wasn't that easy, as you could imagine, and he always did a great job of helping me balance my life: keeping straight "A"s in school and also being my coach on my Little League teams and encouraging me to do whatever I enjoyed and had an interest in. Also, my wife, Genevieve, needs to be acknowledged. I do a lot of traveling and also had to make a major decision to leave practicing, and she has always been very supportive even with her busy schedule of running her own dental practice as we raise a daughter who is now in high school.