About The Practice

Dwight H. Pate, D.M.D.

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• Dwight H. Pate
  D.M.D.

Dr. Dwight H. Pate graduated from the University of Florida College of Dentistry in 1985. He then completed a residency program in General Dentistry at The University of Alabama in Birmingham where he began acquiring considerable knowledge in the concept of comprehensive dental diagnosis, treatment planning and treatment delivery. With this background he opened his private practice in Auburndale, FL in 1988. He continued his pursuit of comprehensive excellence by placing a strong emphasis on continuing education in order to stay current with the leading edge materials and methods available. This led him to complete extensive studies with The Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Study in St. Petersburg, FL and The Institute for Advanced Dental Studies in Swampscott, MA near Boston. Also studying with The Pride Institute, these studies and other ongoing continuing education have helped him to develop his philosophy of comprehensive state-of-the-art dentistry and help him to keep his diagnostic and treatment planning skills current and up to date.

More recently his professional interests have been directed toward cosmetic, implant and advanced restorative dentistry. He completed the prestigious Nash Institute for Advanced Cosmetic Dentistry as well as distinguishing himself as a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists* by presenting and documenting competency in completing over 200 implants.

As such, he is able to offer his patients the very best, most esthetic and most predictable dentistry available to establish and maintain optimal oral health, and to design and deliver the attractive smile that everyone desires.

Dr. Pate is a member in good standing of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, the West Coast Dental Association, the Polk County Dental Association and the Vision Study Club a component of the Seattle Study Club.

Dr. Pate and his wife Becky are enjoying their first and only marriage since 1982. They are the proud parents of 2 girls and 2 boys. They love tennis, boating, snorkeling, skiing and Auburn football.

*INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ORAL IMPLANTOLOGISTS IS NOT RECOGNIZED AS A BONA FIDE SPECIALTY ACCREDITING ORGANIZATION BY THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION OR THE FLORIDA BOARD OF DENTISTRY.

Heidi P. Sichelman, D.M.D.

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• Heidi P. Sichelman
  D.M.D.

Dr. Heidi P. Sichelman earned her Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 1999. She then received her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 2003. During her one year general dental residency with the Hillsborough County Dental Research Clinic in Tampa she focused on palliative dental treatment and care for the medically indigent. Since her completion of this program in 2004, Dr. Sichelman has been practicing dentistry in the Tampa Bay area.

Additionally, Dr. Sichelman has studied with the renowned Nash Institute for Dental Learning in Charlotte, North Carolina. The curriculum places an emphasis on the most state-of  the-art cosmetic dentistry techniques and procedures.

Dr. Sichelman is a member in good standing of the Polk County Dental Association, West Coast District Dental Association, and Florida Dental Association. She volunteers in the dental clinic at Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine on a regular basis.

Dr. Sichelman resides with her husband, Dr. Monte Sichelman, in Lakeland. Her hobbies include swimming, tennis, reading, and traveling. She speaks Spanish fluently and has visited Spain in addition to several other European countries.

Ashley Helms, R.D.H.

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• Ashley Helms
  R.D.H.

Ashley Helms graduated magna cum laude from South Florida Community College in early 2008 where she earned her degree in dental hygiene. During her time in the program, she served as Vice President of her class helping to organize and implement numerous community projects for dental health awareness. After graduation and completion of both the National and State board examinations, she began practicing dental hygiene in Polk County. Ashley volunteers in the dental clinic at Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine as well as the annual Give Kids A Smile day where dentists and hygienists come together to provide dental services for underprivileged children and teenagers.

Since working for Drs Pate and Sichelman, she has and continues to educate the patients on the preventive treatment necessary to maintain good oral health. Preventive care includes routine and periodontal cleanings, x-rays, fluoride, and sealant treatments. One program Ashley has implemented in our office is the service of Arestin antibiotic therapy. This antibiotic is offered to periodontally involved patients after he/she has undergone scaling and root planing. This therapy is an effective way to treat periodontal pockets and infection which reduces and sometimes eliminates the need for further treatment or surgery.

Ashley and her husband Jordan reside in Auburndale. She enjoys staying active in her church and working with the children's ministry. When not at work or church, she loves to shop, read, and spend time with her family and friends.

About Our Team

Our primary focus centers on listening to you and trying to understand your heartfelt wants, needs and desires. From the moment you call or visit our office, you will see and feel evidence of this every step of the way. Our team of experienced, highly trained and friendly professionals strives to make you feel relaxed and comfortable with your visit. We are eager to answer any questions regarding your dental care. Please feel free to share with us your needs and concerns.

Our next most important focus is that our staff is exceptionally, friendly and helpful. They take great pride and satisfaction in what they do, and they have a commitment to high standards of quality and integrity. Our entire team, from the administrative staff to the dental assistants to the doctors and hygienists, one and all, are licensed professionals with many hours of training and continuing education. We are all eager to help you achieve and/or maintain optimal oral health and a beautiful healthy smile that communicates confidence and quality to everyone you meet.