Growing up, Dr. G. Athanasi Orfanos dreamed of being a dentist. As a child, he would tell people that he was going to be a dentist when he grew up.
“My dad is a physician and my family is in healthcare, so dentistry fits nicely into the mix,” he said.
Dr. Orfanos attended Texas Christian University where he met his wife. Following his undergraduate studies, he attended Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas and then returned to McAllen to begin his career.
“I previously worked with a couple of doctors who were great mentors in paving my success today,” Dr. Orfanos said.
Orfanos Dental
After approximately three years of working in the industry, Dr. Orfanos opened Orfanos Dental last March in Edinburg, nearby his father’s pediatric practice. He employs five staff members: two receptionists, two dental assistants, and an office manager. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on select Saturdays.
“I’m a general dentist, so I see kids from their first tooth to adults that need some teeth repaired,” he said. “We try to get to know our patients and see what their needs are. A warm, friendly environment is always important. What I expect if I were to go to a dental office, I want my patients to feel comfortable and to trust me.”
Wanting the best smile for each of his patients is why Orfanos Dental offers a wide variety of dental services. In addition to general, preventative dentistry, and restorative dentistry (repairing or replacing a tooth) Dr. Orfanos offers cosmetic dentistry, such as teeth whitening, tooth-color matching fillings, veneers to give the teeth a more classically-shaped look, and Invisalign treatments to straighten teeth without braces.
“My favorite part of dentistry is helping people achieve a beautiful smile,” he said. “I love that dentistry is a profession in which you never stop learning. Everyday, I learn something new.”
This carries over to educating his patients by providing information to help improve their health and their smile. Operating his own business allows Dr. Orfanos to combine what he has learned to determine the best individual care for his patients.
“I get to pick and choose my own techniques and materials as a dental business owner,” he said. ”I’m always trying to provide the best care to my patients by piecing together techniques I have learned through my mentors and continuing education.”
Outside the Office
Dr. Orfanos’ favorite thing to do is to spend time with his family. They enjoy spending time outdoors — walking the Second Street trail, going to local parks, or visiting Quinta Mazatlan and the International Museum of Art and Science. He also enjoys fishing in the bay at South Padre Island and hunting.
Dr. Orfanos has a few favorite lunch spots — New York Deli, the Blue Onion, and City Café — and can be spotted grabbing a coffee from local coffee shops. These are just a few of the reasons he chose to return to the RGV after Dental School.
“The RGV is a great place to practice dentistry and a great place to raise a family,” he said. “My daughter recently started school and it’s a great feeling to know some of her classmates’ parents. I am blessed that my family is a part of the RGV community.”
