Surgical Placement of Dental Implant Near Me in Westwood, MA

Dr. Melvin Hanzel believes that dentistry should be about the patient, not the teeth. He has carried this philosophy with him throughout his 30-year career and has set an example to other dentists on the benefits of positive, trusting patient/doctor relationships. Dr. Hanzel is dedicated to finding solutions to his patients’ problems, even when other dentists might have given up. He often heals teeth that were previously believed to be unsavable, and he is confident in treating patients deemed medically compromised. He always offers unique treatments attuned to the patient’s individual needs, including precision attachments, overdentures, and natural-looking cosmetic partial dentures. For patients with severe dental anxiety, Dr. Hanzel can use advanced sedation techniques to put them at ease as he completes their treatments.

Dr. Hanzel earned his BA in biology at the University of Rhode Island. He attended Tufts University School of Dental Medicine where he earned his DMD. He then went to the Brookdale Hospital Medical Center as Chief Resident in Dentistry to complete a 2-year general practice residency program from 1978 to 1979. During this time, he also worked as a clinical instructor at NYU.

He moved back to Rhode Island immediately after his residency to work alongside his father, Dr. Harold Hanzel, at his practice. Since then, he has become a staff member of the Rhode Island Hospital and in 1982, he became the dental consultant for the hemophilia center. Much of his time at the hospital was spent receiving advanced training in various areas of dentistry including root canal treatment, sedation dentistry, oral surgery, internal medicine, and implant dentistry. He has also become specialized in placing tooth-colored fillings, and other cosmetic dentistry procedures.

Today, Dr. Hanzel is an active member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the Rhode Island Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the American Dental Association.

Dr. Stephen Markowitz is a third-generation dentist who is deeply committed to providing exceptional dental care in a welcoming and fun environment. Inspired by his father, Dr. Howard Markowitz, DDS, Dr. Markowitz continues the family tradition of delivering high-quality patient care while fostering strong, personal connections with his patients.

Professional Background
A lifelong member of the local community, Dr. Markowitz earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where he was honored with the Clinical Award in Prosthodontics. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Science degree. Before joining Leominster Family Dentists, Dr. Markowitz also gained valuable experience through an externship at the North Shore Community Center in Salem, MA.

Personal Life
Dr. Markowitz is happily married to his wonderful wife, Lynn, a scientist researching cancer drugs. Together, they have two energetic boys who keep them on their toes. The couple is excited to be expecting their third child soon.

Fun Facts:
 • Favorite Candy: Plain Hershey's Bar – No substitutions!
 • Favorite Sport: Golf (to play), Football (to watch)
 • Favorite TV Show: The Office – He often quotes it throughout the day!

Dr. Marco is a proud graduate of Stonehill College and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He began his career as a clinical instructor at Tufts before joining our practice in 1988. A dedicated member of the Massachusetts Dental Society, Dr. Marco has held several leadership positions, including Chairman of the Southeastern District, Chairman of the Peer Review Committee, and serving on the Council on Dental Care.

Dr. Marco’s commitment to the dental profession has earned him recognition from the Massachusetts Dental Society as a Volunteer Hero, as well as the prestigious Academy of Operative Dentistry's Award for Excellence. He is also an active member of the American Dental Association and an alumnus of the L.D. Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Studies in Key Biscayne, Florida.

Outside of dentistry, Dr. Marco is passionate about fishing, especially fly tying, and enjoys spending time on the water with his wife, Ann Marie. Their three children, Alex, Brandon, and Elizabeth, are now young adults pursuing their own professional paths.

Dr. Kevin Hagerty was inspired to enter the medical field by his obstetrician father. He graduated from Providence College and, after discovering that dentistry was his calling, earned his dental degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Herr discovered his passion for dentistry early in his education, particularly in the areas of implant dentistry, oral surgery, and prosthodontics. He finds great fulfillment in working closely with patients at Clear Coast Dental, helping them achieve their smile goals and improve their oral health. To learn more about his journey, read on.

Dr. Herr began his educational journey at Ohio State University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology. He then pursued his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree at the University of Maryland’s School of Dentistry.

During his time at Maryland, Dr. Herr stood out for his clinical excellence and commitment to the dental field, which led him to participate in a year-long clerkship focused on implant prosthodontics and oral surgery. He also completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency at the Veteran Administration, where he provided care to veterans with complex medical needs. This experience helped him gain advanced training in various aspects of dentistry, with a particular focus on endodontics, dental implants, oral surgery, and periodontal care.

Since completing his formal education, Dr. Herr has dedicated himself to ongoing professional development. He has attended hundreds of hours of continuing education courses to stay on the cutting edge of dental advancements. He is currently an active member of the Academy of General Dentistry, serving as an appointed Delegate and as the Massachusetts Vice President. He is also involved in the Massachusetts Dental Society’s Leadership Institute.

Outside of the office, Dr. Herr loves spending time with his family and friends. He enjoys traveling and is an avid supporter of the Ohio State University football team. Go Bucks!

Dr. Snehal Lakhkar puts her patients’ health and comfort above all. Her goal with each patient is to help them feel at ease in her office as she provides them with convenient, high-quality care at an affordable price. She has a flexible schedule that gives patients the freedom to choose when they want procedures completed, whether it be at 8 in the morning or 6 at night. To ensure that her patients receive only the best dental care possible, she frequently completes continuing education courses that keep her well-informed about the latest dental techniques and technologies. She incorporates modern technology into her practice, using it to provide pain-free procedures, simple extractions, root canals, and Invisalign.

Dr. Lakhkar began her dental training at Maharashtra University of Health Sciences in India. Once she earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree, she moved to New York where she began practicing dentistry with her mother-in-law in 2005. Since then, she has earned an Advanced Standing degree of Doctor of Dental Medicine from Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, from which she graduated with high honors. Today, she is a practicing family and cosmetic dentist in Rhode Island.