After serving the community for 45 years, one local dentist is hanging up his drill.
Dr. Laurence C. Roth, DDS, who ran a family and cosmetic dentistry practice in Throggs Neck for over four decades, has treated several generations of families.
On Thursday, October 2, Dr. Roth celebrated his 75th birthday. The local dentist, who has been a long time fixture within the community, only recently decided to pursue retirement.
Through the years he watched his younger patients have families of their own. These patients kept the family tradition alive by bringing their children to him for dental check ups, cleanings and all other forms of dental work also.
What makes this particular dentist unique from his peers is his compassionate nature and deep sense of understanding his patients’ wants and needs, his staff proclaimed.
One testament to his incredibly generous character is that Dr. Roth always strived to lessen his patients’ overall wait time as much as possible. This was his ongoing goal throughout the course of his extensive career.
“I once asked him about that and he told me and I quote, ‘I decided a long time ago that my patients’ time is as important as mine’,” Jamie Gilbert said. “That is so like him to be considerate of others. Dr. Roth is a kind, gentle, hard working man and I have been privileged to work for him for the past 28 years.”
Gilbert, like many staff members and his patients, are sad to see him retire, but they wish him the best of luck in his life’s newest chapter.
Roseann Umlauft has worked as receptionist in Dr. Roth’s office for the past three and a half years.
“He is well respected and loved by all,” Umlauft said. “He has a calming effect on even the most nervous patients.”
A native of the Bronx, Dr. Roth was raised in Parkchester.
He is a graduate from New York University. Dr. Roth also had a highly successful career in the U.S. Air Force where he obtained the rank of captain.
For a brief amount of time when he first started out on his own, Dr. Roth had a dental practice in Scarsdale, but eventually would establish his dentistry practices on Brunkner Boulevard, near East Tremont Avenue.
The dentist raised his two children, Amy and David, with his wife, Roma, who passed away eight years ago.
Currently, Dr. Roth resides in Manhattan and the Berkshires, a beautifully lush natural highland region situated on the western parts of both Massachusetts and Connecticut, with his partner, Doreen.
Following his retirement, the couple hope to enjoy the endless possibilities and rewarding pleasures in which retired life has to offer them. They are both looking forward to traveling and seeing the world, as well as exploring a variety of hobbies.
One wish he has had for the longest time will soon be granted.
They are planning to travel to Israel which has long been a dream destination for the dentist.
After a full career of treating others, Dr. Roth will soon be able to treat himself to a long relaxing life, filled with endless wonders and dreams – all, ready to become reality.
