By Dan Shriner
Review Editor
Whoever would have thought that becoming a successful dentist would make someone a world traveler?
For Lake Orion’s Dr. Rocco Ciccone his dedication to dentistry and to the dental fraternity of Delta Sigma Delta, has taken him to some far-flung places around the globe, not to mention locations throughout the United States and Canada.
And it’s all designed to help dentists become better caregivers.
Last year, Dr. Ciccone was elected Supreme Grand Master of Delta Sigma Delta and has been fulfilling the responsibilities of the largest dental fraternity in the world. He is serving a one-year term. He has served in various capacities for Delta Sigma Delta since he was a dental student before ascending to the top spot.
Delta Sigma Delta is the oldest and largest dental fraternity in the world. There are thousands of dentists in the organization, including some 1,300 alone in Michigan. The group is involved in helping students become dentists and then supporting them in their careers.
The dentists in the fraternity spend countless hours worldwide doing charitable work and helping those in need.
As the Grand Master, Dr. Ciccone has been asked this year to visit Australia, where he spoke to groups in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth in March.
‘It was a great time to see my Australian brothers that I’ve known over the years,? Ciccone said
Back in the United States, Ciccone has visited New York, Cleveland, Boston, West Virgina, Florida and other locales on behalf of the fraternity. In fact, he has been so busy that he had to decline an offer to speak to his fellow dentists in Europe this summer.
His duties include much more than traveling. The responsibilities of the fraternity include helping dental students, both in their schooling and later when they graduate and learn their trades.
His coast-to-coast travel is often designed to help students as they learn the dental craft. He regularly attends regional meetings to help them.
The value of networking with dentists all over the world and seeking advice and assistance is priceless, Dr. Ciccone said.
‘It is a great honor to serve,? he said.
Dr. Ciccone has contacts all over the world and can call on dentists in many countries. Of course, he also can provide referrals to patients or others who are seeking a quality dentist somewhere locally, too.
It keeps him up on trends and the charitable outreach serves those in need. He said dentists often are going to less fortunate countries to provide safe and effective dental services.
In this region, students and doctors often visit places in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and South America to help.
In Australia and New Zealand, dentists regularly visit countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia and other locations.
‘This has been been great for me,? Dr. Ciccone said. ‘I have made many contacts throughout the world. I’ve met and talked shop with dentists all over Europe and the world. It’s been great. I can call on them, trust them and refer patients to them if necessary.?
After November 2015, he will become the Immediate Past Supreme Grand Master and will help as needed.
Dr. Ciccone has been a dentist since 1986 after graduating from the University of Detroit Dental School. He has been in Lake Orion since 1998. His current location is at 792 S. Lapeer, north of Clarkston Rd.
He is married with two children.