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Meet Dr. Helfner
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Dr. Bonnie Helfner, has been a resident of the Commack/DixHills area since 1980. She graduated from Commack High School in 1986, earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biology and graduated with honors from SUNY at Stony Brook in 1990. Ever since she was a child, Dr. Helfner knew she was destined to become a dentist when, at age 6, she landed herself in big trouble by brushing toothpaste into her family's red carpet while waiting for her parents to wake up one Saturday morning!
A 1994 graduate of the SUNY at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, one of Dr. Helfner's fondest memories is of taunting Buffalo Bills fans during each of their four consecutive Super Bowl losses. During her senior year, Dr. Helfner was awarded the coveted Pierre Fauchard Academy Award, presented to an outstanding student for exhibiting leadership, excelling in the clinical aspects of dentistry, and academically attaining superior grades. Upon graduation, Dr. Helfner continued her education, completing a General Practice Residency program at the Veteran's Administration Medical Center in Northport, NY in conjunction with emergency dental training at the University Hospital Medical Center in Stony Brook, NY.
Dr. Helfner has been in private practice since 1995. However, in 1997, at the urging of her father, Dr. Helfner opened her own office in Commack. She is consistently an active part of her Commack / Dix Hills community, serving as a Dentistry merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts of America, volunteering her time to give dental presentations to the children in Commack's primary and intermediate schools, generously donating dental related grand prizes for the annual PTA fashion shows, participating in the Commack High School shadowing program, designed to provide students with observational and hands-on opportunities in dentistry, and establishing an annual scholarship for Commack High School graduates. The Bonnie Helfner, DDS Beat the Odds Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who has shown significant improvement in his or her high school career by overcoming adversity and showing that by persevering, success is possible. Dr. Helfner was recognized in 2002 as one of Commack High School's Alumni of Distinction for her efforts in reaching out to her community, improving the dental health and quality of life of the people who seek her professional services, and for her general compassion and humanity.
Dr. Helfner dedicates herself to a lifetime of ongoing learning. She is a member of various dental study clubs, designed to keep dentists abreast of the latest dental technology and to enhance their skills and technique in all phases of their profession. In addition, Dr. Helfner has participated in the Smithtown Business & Professional Women’s’ Network, offering her support to other local female professionals.
Those who know Dr. Helfner know what an avid, diehard New York Mets fan she is. Her son's middle name is actually Shea!! However, most people are probably not aware of her interest in the Brady Bunch, Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley and true-life stories, particularly E! Entertainment’s True Hollywood Stories.
Dr. Helfner currently lives in Dixhills with her husband, Mike, and their children, Drew and Dara. She takes great pride in her many accomplishments and remains enthusiastic about filling her life with a sense of purpose, contributing to her community as a dental health professional, and realizing the bright fulfillment of her many hopes and dreams.
