Bonnie Helfner, DDS

Dr. Bonnie Helfner, has been a member of the Commack and Dix Hills community since 1980. Dr. Helfner graduated from Commack High School in 1986, earned her Bachelor’s 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. One Saturday morning at the age of 6, she landed herself in big trouble by brushing toothpaste into her family’s red carpet while waiting for her parents to wake up! 

As a 1994 graduate of the SUNY at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, one of Dr. Helfner’s fondest memories is taunting Buffalo Bills fans during each of their four consecutive Super Bowl losses. During her senior year at SUNY, 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 by 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. Shortly after successfully completing her residency program, Dr. Helfner opened her own office in Commack in 1997. Still to this day, Dr. Bonnie Helfner dedicates herself to a lifetime of ongoing learning. She is a member of various dental study clubs that are specifically designed to keep dentists abreast of the latest dental technology and enhance their skills and technique in all phases of their profession. 

Dr. Bonnie Helfner is consistently an active part of the Commack and Dix Hills community by volunteering her time with dental presentations to students in Commack’s primary and intermediate schools, generously donating dental-related gift baskets to the local PTA organizations, participating annually 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.

Her commitment to philanthropy is truly remarkable. 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. In 2002, Dr. Helfner was recognized 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 her patients, and for her general compassion and humanity. 

Dr. Bonnie Helfner currently lives in Dix Hills with her husband, Mike, and their children, Drew and Dara. Those who know Dr. Helfner know what an avid, diehard New York Mets fan she is. Her son’s middle name is actually Shea! With a strong sense of family and a deep loyalty to her community, Dr. Helfner takes great pride in her many accomplishments and remains enthusiastic about fulfilling her life with a sense of purpose by contributing to her community as a dental health professional and striving for the bright fulfillment of her many hopes and dreams.