DBT40 Honoree: Andrew Swiatowicz

Age: 35
Owner/Dentist, Delaware Dental Sleep Medicine/Swiatowicz Dental Associates (Wilmington)

Why should you be chosen for DBT 40? Because I am one of the only dentists who works collaboratively with other health-care providers to provide optimum health results for our mutual patients. I work with special care physicians, sleep doctors, pulmonologists, physical therapists, chiropractors and many others to ensure our patients get better. Instead of going at it alone, I have created an informal network of healthcare professionals who communicate and collaborate for our patients’ well-being, something that is rare to find in dentistry.

Professional accomplishments: I am proud to have become a business owner at the age of 29. With no formal business training, I have grown our practice each year, even starting an additional, specialized practice. Being the owner and sole dentist presents a unique challenge. The practice success has allowed us to be recognized by the professional community. I earned my Fellowship in 2015. I became Delaware’s first board certified sleep dentist by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. I have been a top dentist (voted on by my peers) in Delaware Today for special needs and geriatrics for three years. I have been invited to lecture on dental sleep medicine across the nation. And through this all, I have been able to keep focus on the most important thing, my patients.

Leadership examples: I have been active in, and elected president-elect for the state’s Academy of General Dentistry. One of the areas I will be focusing on is the education of dentists on LGBT issues.   I am Delaware’s dental representative on the Medical Care Advisory Committee. I advise the Department of Health and Social Services on issues that impact the oral health of Delawareans. By helping to shape public policy, I have the chance to improve health outcomes for at-risk populations.

Community service: I use my skills and knowledge as a dentist to help those in a variety of ways. I have been an active participant in the state’s “Seal-A-Smile” Program, where we go directly to schools to screen and treat children. These schools are typically in areas of low access to care. Since we know that dental cavities are linked to lower socio-economic status, it is critical that I use my skills as a dentist to help those who are most vulnerable. I work closely with many groups dedicated to special needs patients (Autism Delaware, LIFE, etc.) where we sponsor events and even screen patients. I also am active in mentoring and educating pre-dental students and residents in the state.

Tell us a few things that aren’t on your resume or your LinkedIn profile: I was a collegiate rower and continued to row competitively on an amateur level for five more years. I’ve completed seven marathons and am an avid Crossfitter.  I have a love for Disney World. The joy it brought me as a child has continues as I start my own family. It is where I proposed to my husband and continue to make lasting memories. I am a proud member of the LGBT community. My journey to acceptance of this was a long one, with many bumps along the way. However, I believe it helped make me more compassionate, understanding, and forgiving.

Reading habits: I’m reading “Lethal White” by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling’s mystery sobriquet). Agatha Christie is my favorite author, and my favorite book by her is “And Then There Were None.”

What did you want to be when you grew up? I actually wanted to be a high school biology teacher, even before I had ever been in high school or taken a biology class. I was even an education major for three years in college. Even though I didn’t go into teaching as a profession, I still scratch the itch by teaching at ChristianaCare’s dental residency program and giving continuing education courses to dentists throughout the country.

Go-to song: Usually I’ll put on some show tunes, but if I need a real pick me up, I’ll play Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (no matter what season we are in).

Family and education: I’m married to my awesome husband Brandon and we are looking to expand our family through adoption or surrogacy. I received my bachelor’s degree in biology from U.D. in 2006 and earned my dental degree from the University of Maryland in 2010. I received a Fellowship from the Academy of General Dentistry in 2015. And this year I became Delaware’s first Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine.