Dr. Jude Fabiano

Utilizing the experiences and intellect others will transform an idea into action much more quickly that trying to do it yourself alone.

 

Dr. Jude Fabiano is a dental professional with over four decades of experience. Throughout his career in the Greater Buffalo area, Dr. Fabiano has established himself as a respected authority on the subject of oral health care and dentistry.

Dr. Jude Fabiano completed his General Dental Residency with Millard Fillmore Hospital in the late 1970’s after earning his DDS. Prior, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Niagara University after graduating from Bishop Duffy High School.

From 1978 to 1999, Dr. Jude Fabiano operated his own private practice. He was responsible for the direct provision of oral health care, overseeing all practice operations, and maintaining compliance with governmental regulations. Above all, patient care was his favorite part of the job. A medical condition forced Dr. Fabiano to retire after 21 years at his practice, but that only led to the next great step in his career.

In 1999, Dr. Jude Fabiano joined the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, where he served as a Clinical Associate Professor, Director of the Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program and as Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs. His passion for patient care inspired him to develop two organizations at the university.

Dr. Jude Fabiano founded the Counseling, Advocacy, Referral, Education and Service (CARES) Program with the School of Social Work to assist patients to overcome barriers to dental care, such as mental, financial or transportation-related and others. The American Dental Association recognized the success of the program.

While CARES worked to help the people of the Buffalo area, the Buffalo Outreach and Community Assistance (BOCA) Program was a missionary-type program that arranged outreach missions to provide free dental care to underprivileged areas in the rural United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and Africa. The program helped the doctors and students involved — Dr. Fabiano included — as much as it helped the patients.

Since 2013, Dr. Jude Fabiano has served as the Director of Corporate Education at Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc. in Amherst, New York. Here, part of his responsibilities include creating an integrated learning organization by developing and aligning organizational learning activities to meet business goals.

Over the past fifteen years, Dr. Jude Fabiano and his wife Eileen, a Registered Nurse with over 40 years of clinical experience, have made nearly twenty outreach trips to various regions in need. In their spare time, Jude and Eileen enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren, and they’re also active participants in the local Buffalo community. Dr. Jude Fabiano has been involved with organizations like Project Homeless Connect, the Special Olympics of New York, Central Amherst Little League, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Stop Hunger Now, Cub Scout Pack 629, the American Dental Association, the American Heart Association and more.

Where did the idea for your company come from?

I grew up as a second generation American. I had an uncle, a first generation American, who was the first in the family to graduate from college. He then finished first in his dental school graduating class. He was someone I looked up to and used as an example to follow.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I have had three separate careers in dentistry and a “typical” day varies depending on which career is addressed. I practiced clinical dentistry for 21 years, enjoying the patient interaction and delivery of care immensely.

After a physical condition forced me to discontinue clinical practice, I taught at a dental school for the next eleven years. I found that interacting with students and their patients was just as satisfying as my experiences in clinical practice.

For the past six years, a dental product manufacturer has engaged me as its director of corporate education. I fully enjoy this role as a provider of information and educational modalities throughout its global subsidiaries.

I am fortunate to have had a variety of experiences in my career. It has limited the number of “typical” days.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I believe that two or more minds are better than one and I am definitely a “team player”. I enjoy interacting with others to solve problems and develop improvements and solutions. Utilizing the experiences and intellect others will transform an idea into action much more quickly that trying to do it yourself alone.

What’s one trend that excites you?

The “Internet of Things (IoT)” is an exciting concept that is already in use. IoT allows different devices, such as cars, home and work gadgets and appliances, etc., to be connected through the internet. It can be used to provide improved efficiencies in both our professional and personal lives.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I listen, particularly to others who are experts in their field. Doing so allows one to learn and improve as a professional and as an individual.

What advice would you give your younger self?

My advice to my younger self would be to not be too hard on yourself. I have learned over time that, while you should always try to attain perfection, no one is perfect. Open yourself to accepting who you are while always trying to change for the better.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

While in clinical dental practice, I always believed that if you provided quality care, treated your patients well and gained your patients trust and confidence, financial success would follow. Moreover, it did.

Many professionals in health care, business, and industry, unfortunately, place financial concerns and goals before quality products and services. I believe this is shortsighted and is a path to failure.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I read. I read books on varying topics – fiction, non-fiction, biographies, mysteries, sports, science, relationships and more. Reading is mind-expanding, eye opening, entertaining and enjoyable.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

I have gained people’s trust. Doing so is a long process and takes, honesty, consistency and consideration. My most satisfying moments in dental care were seeing the confidence and trust in the eyes of a previously fearful and anxious patient. As a practicing dentist, this became my best practice-builder.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

This is more of a character issue than a business failure. In my career, I was too naive and trusting of others and their intentions. I have experienced less than ideal results with colleagues, business associates and service providers by taking them at their word. As time passed, I became more inquisitive and probing in my professional interactions.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Phonic Translational Services. My current position in corporate education involves instruction to employees who speak many different languages. We have searched for a company who can translate narration of online presentations but with no success. Development of software to perform translation of narration into select languages would fill a void in worldwide education.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I have a dental school classmate, now retired, who travels to Mexico twice a year to provide free care to remote communities there. I recently sent him a donation to help cover his expenses while he is there.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

I use Twitter to keep up with news and current events. It is instantaneous and can easily be filtered to my preferences.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

“Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl. This autobiography is a very moving story of man’s inhumanity to man and the unbelievable ability of a person’s will to overcome it.
The author then uses his experiences to help better humankind.
The lesson learned is that inner strength, determination and hope can overcome even the worst of circumstances.

What is your favorite quote?

“When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.” – Mark Twain

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