I was 12 years old when I first walked into the orthodontic office. I was sitting in the chair, probably a little nervous, definitely curious, and had absolutely no idea how much this initial moment would shape my future.
At the time, I was convinced I was going to be a pediatrician. I loved the idea of working with kids and was drawn to healthcare and science, but orthodontics wasn’t even on my radar yet.
Then I got my braces on at this very office in middle school.
What It Felt Like to Be a Patient
I still remember the feeling of being in the orthodontist’s office. There was almost certainly Grateful Dead playing — Dr. Stein was a huge fan, and music posters lined the walls to prove it. Upbeat classic rock, a team of smiling faces, kids in every chair laughing and talking with each other. It had the vibe of a friendly barbershop more than a medical office. It didn’t feel clinical or intimidating. It felt like a place you actually wanted to be. I found myself paying attention to everything: the tools, the process, the way each visit built on the last.
And then there was the result.
I went from being extremely self-conscious about my smile to feeling completely confident about the way I looked. From covering my mouth when I laughed and talked to loving photos where I was smiling. That shift, especially at such a young age, stays with you. It changes how you carry yourself in ways you don’t fully realize until later.
Shadowing Dr. Stein: The Moment Everything Changed
A couple of years later, when my sister got braces at the same office, I came back and spent time shadowing Dr. Scott Stein. I was probably 14, maybe just starting 8th grade, and that was the first time I saw everything from the doctor’s point of view. What I remember most is how much fun he looked like he was having. He was moving from patient to patient, asking about the latest sports win at their school or how their performance at the school concert went. It felt completely social, relaxed, and personal. The opposite of anything clinical. I watched how much precision and intention went into each step, but none of that got in the way of the experience. It wasn’t just about the outcome. It was about the entire thing, start to finish.
Somewhere in that moment, something clicked:
I decided I wanted to be an orthodontist.
The Road Through Dental School and Back to Rochester
From then on, that goal stayed with me. Four years at Binghamton University studying Chemistry, four years at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, and two years at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health completing my orthodontic residency. I explored different areas of dentistry along the way, but orthodontics was always the one that felt right. It combines science, creativity, and genuine relationships in a way that nothing else quite did.
After finishing my training, I came back to Rochester and had the opportunity to learn from two people who shaped not just how I practice, but how I lead. Dr. Brandon Comella and Dr. Jeremy Bateman are both incredible clinicians, and the way each of them approaches patient care and their practice left a real mark on me. I carry pieces of what I learned from both of them into everything I do at Squires Orthodontics today.
Eventually, I reconnected with Dr. Stein as he was preparing for the next phase of his career, and the timing aligned in a way that felt perfectly natural.
A Practice with Deep Roots in the Rochester Community Since 1973
There’s something rare about practicing in a place where the community has been coming for generations. This office opened in 1973 under Dr. Kodesh, who practiced here for decades before Dr. Stein took over and built Stein Smiles into a name families across Pittsford knew and trusted for years to come. Families come in and mention that their siblings were patients here. Parents tell me they had their braces done in this office. Some are now bringing in their own kids. That kind of continuity isn’t something you can build overnight; it’s earned over decades of showing up for people, appointment after appointment.
What makes it especially meaningful is the day-to-day reality of it.
I practice in the same rooms where I once sat as a patient. The view outside is still the same, overlooking the Erie Canal in the village of Pittsford. The walls have changed, the technology has evolved, but the feeling is the same. It’s welcoming. Unhurried. It feels like a place you actually want to be.
What Makes This Work So Meaningful Every Day
Now my team gets to recreate the amazing experience I had for my own patients every single day.
I get to meet patients at a stage in life where confidence is still forming. Kids coming in for early treatment, teens navigating braces or clear aligners for the first time, adults who finally decided it was their turn. One of my favorite things is when someone comes in and tells me they just got engaged and have always wanted to fix a gap or a crooked tooth before their wedding day. I get to be part of that, and then over the course of their treatment I hear about all the planning, the ups and downs, the decisions big and small. By the time they come back for their retainer check they’re showing me photos from the day, smiling in every single one. Those are the moments that stay with you.
Orthodontics isn’t just about straight teeth. It’s about how you feel when you walk into a room. How you smile in photos. How you carry yourself when you finally feel like yourself. Whether someone is 7 or 47, that shift is real, and I don’t take it lightly.
I absolutely love what I do.
Building on a Legacy While Making It Our Own
There’s a long history at our Pittsford office, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of it.
My goal is to continue building on what has made Squires Orthodontics special: the warmth, the relationships, the sense of family. All of that, carried forward with my own approach to every patient we see. That means using the latest digital technology, offering treatment options that fit real lives and real budgets, and making sure every visit feels personal and worth your time.
Whether you’re exploring braces, clear aligners, early treatment for your child, or something in between — we’ll find the right path together. And we’ll make the journey as enjoyable as the result.
Sometimes a single experience, at the right time, can shape everything that comes next.
If you’re ready to start your own story (or help your child start theirs), we’d love to meet you!