By Chanda Levy

It was our wedding day—our WEDDING DAY!—and I was about to begin my honeymoon in the office of a dentist I’d never met!?! Just two hours after my new husband and I exchanged vows at the Palm Beach County Courthouse, my newly betrothed, Paul, and I sat in a Fort Lauderdale dental office waiting to meet Dr. Yolanda Cintron for the first time. It was to be a match made in heaven.

As a travel consultant who specializes in sending clients on inspiring spiritual and wellness vacations, while also pursuing my certification as a nutritionist, it was extremely important for me to find a dental practitioner committed to holistic dentistry. Since my husband and I were new to South Florida, the search was really on to find a dentist I could trust to help me. I’d heard of Dr. Cintron through a few publications and read that she was committed to the removal of mercury fillings—critical because I had several that concerned me. I also learned of her reputation for root canal ‘rehabilitation’ and cosmetically creating beautiful and healthy smiles. Dr. Cintron also had an established history of doing missionary work, voluntarily bringing her talents to countries where modern dentistry is little more than a rumor. My husband and I are strong believers in giving back, so we both felt even more encouraged.

Before my visits with Dr. Cintron began, Paul and I had spent time helping first through fifth grade students learn English through reading and games, making water filters for underprivileged families in areas with poor water quality. Dr. Cintron’s good will really resonated with us. I had faith I heard she spread through her travels, and later because of the spirit that permeated her office during every visit. The second Paul and I walked into Dr. Cintron’s office, I knew this was like no other dental operation I’d ever experienced. I was embraced by a warm welcome that never let go. The staff made me feel like I was part of a family—their family. I had heard stories about Dr. Cintron’s husband and the obviously strong love and faith they share. I met Ilene’s young daughter, saw pictures of Jay and his beautiful family, and learned of Joey’s trip to his hometown of Rochester, N.Y. I conversed with Lucy and Hamilton, with all of them. Placing my trust in this staff was as easy as brushing my teeth. I wasn’t exactly entering their world kicking and screaming, but I also knew there was going to be a lot of work required to get my mouth to the healthy state I wanted and needed—and I had no idea what that would entail.

Thank God for Dr. Cintron and her wonderful staff. From the minute I walked in the door, they walked me through every procedure. They even made sure my husband had a thorough every procedure. They even made sure my husband had a thorough understanding of their detailed, overall plan. There would be no surprises, no secret instructions whispered behind our backs. Dr. Cintron went out of her way to empower us, to establish that this was a group effort. We had ultimate say, but her knowledge, confidence, and command let us know that she was in charge. God bless her for that. My first visit was on a Tuesday in July. I’ve visited her office several times since. I was never intimidated; her gentle manner just doesn’t allow for that. Some of the visits were extensive. Twice, she dedicated her entire day to me. We got to know one another—even during times when I physically could not hold up my end of the conversation. But I found myself actually looking forward to my dental visits. I even got into the habit of taking photos with my phone of the beautiful scriptures that greet the patients at the front desk. The only drawback I can contemplate was the time, after a lengthy dental surgery, that she told me I could not kiss my new hubby for five days. (Confession: Paul’s not always the most reliable when it comes to following instructions. Blame him, Dr. Cintron.) In December, Paul and I renewed our vows on the beach—a lovely, joyful wedding full of our faith, a bit more traditional—much more so than our July visit to the justice of the peace! This time, I wore a gorgeous gown. There were beautiful flowers. Family and friends beamed and so did I. There was one other major difference in our nuptial ceremonies— my smile. It glowed. Thank you, Dr. Cintron. I could not have asked for a better wedding gift.

From Dr Cintron: Thank you Chanda and Paul for such kinds words. I went to see your websites www.neshamamama.com & www. Lokatravel.com for your travel services, discovering the world through the eyes of Yeshua!

“For I am not ashamed of the Good News, of the gospel of Jesus Christ, since it is God’s powerful means of bringing salvation to everyone who keeps on trusting, to the Jew especially, but equally to the Gentile.” Romans 1:16 -17

photo credit: Amani K. Fitzgerald

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