Dr Bill Dorfman has spent more than four decades transforming smiles, building a reputation as the go-to dentist for some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
The 67-year-old rose to international fame through the hit television series Extreme Makeover, has appeared on major programs including Oprah, The View, The Today Show and Dr Phil, and is the author of the New York Times bestselling book Billion Dollar Smile.
But despite helping create some of the world’s most recognisable smiles (think Anne Hathaway, Eva Longoria and Ozzy Osborne, to name a few), Dr Dorfman says good oral health still comes down to a handful of basic principles.
Speaking to SkyNews.com.au, the celebrity dentist said the biggest mistake Australians make is putting off regular dentist appointments.
“I’m very close to a lot of Australians, and I know that a lot of you guys- especially Aussie men, they don’t go to the dentist till it hurts,” he said.
“I have a news alert for you. By the time it hurts, it’s too late.”
Dr Dorfman said routine check-ups every six months can help identify problems before they become serious and expensive.
“If you go in and you’ve got a little problem or a little cavity, it’s a super easy fix,” he explained.
“If you wait till it hurts, it’s either going to be an implant or a crown or a root canal or something like that.”
The second biggest mistake is failing to floss.
While many people brush their teeth diligently, Dr Dorfman says brushing alone won’t remove the harmful bacteria that accumulate between teeth.
“Brushing alone doesn’t work,” he said.
“When you brush, you can get the top, you can get the sides, but the most detrimental bacteria are in between, and if you’re not flossing, you’re not getting it.”
The celebrity dentist has a simple response for patients who question whether flossing is really necessary.
“Only floss the ones you want to keep,” he joked.
His third warning concerns toothbrushes.
Many Australians mistakenly assume harder bristles provide a better clean, but Dr Dorfman says they can actually damage teeth over time.
“People who buy hard toothbrushes, they end up brushing away the enamel,” he said.
Instead, he recommends extra-soft toothbrushes or electric models that help users brush for the correct amount of time and reach all areas of the mouth.
“I think my favourite one is the Oral-B Io toothbrush,” he said.
“You push the button, it goes for two minutes- so you can do 30 seconds in each quadrant, and then you’re done. And it really cleans better than you can by yourself,” he said.
“But if you’re buying a manual one, you should always buy extra soft.”
The fourth mistake is chasing cheap cosmetic dentistry overseas.
The popularity of dental tourism has exploded in recent years, with many Australians travelling abroad for discounted veneers and smile makeovers.
However, Dr Dorfman believes many people are prioritising cost over quality and putting their long-term dental health at risk.
“Look- if you want to have cosmetic surgery done, go to a reputable dentist- don’t do this dental tourism thing and end up miserable- because I’ve seen how bad it can get.”
He added: “The thing about doing it in the US or doing it in Australia is that we are held accountable for what we do.”
“If somebody comes into an Australian dentist and the dentist messes it up, the dentist will lose their licence.”
He said too many patients return home requiring extensive corrective work after undergoing procedures overseas.
“I honestly don’t think that’s the place to cut corners when it comes to your teeth,” he said.
“Go to a reputable dentist, hopefully somebody that a friend has maybe recommended to you, but definitely go to a great dentist who has a great reputation in the country where you live.”
However, Dr Dorfman stressed that veneers themselves are not the problem.
In fact, he estimates the overwhelming majority of Hollywood’s biggest stars have undergone cosmetic dental work.
“Almost everybody in Hollywood has veneers,” he said.
The key, according to the celebrity dentist, is ensuring the treatment looks natural and complements the entire face.
“You have to have everything balanced and in harmony,” he said.
“They have to be the right size, not too big, not too small, not too white, not too yellow.
“My goal in doing cosmetic dentistry is to make it look like you were born that way.”
Among the celebrities he believes have the best smiles in Hollywood today are actress Anne Hathaway and singer Usher, whom he first treated when the future superstar was just 19 years old.
The veteran dentist also says the rise of social media and video conferencing during COVID has transformed the way people view their appearance.
“What has really changed cosmetic dentistry more than anything? Zoom,” he said.
“People sat at home on Zoom looking at themselves all day long, saying, ‘Oh my gosh, I hate my teeth’.”
During the pandemic, when his clinic was closed for two months, Dr. Bill was inspired to create two new products for his patients to use at home: POOOF! teeth whitening strips and Kickballz, sugar-free caffeinated gumballs.
“POOOF! are whitening strips that dissolve on your teeth- in 15 minutes they melt, and they’re twice as effective as the leading tooth whitening products in the US,” Dr Bill said.
“The Kickballz are kind of like Red Bull in a gumball; it’s 110 milligrams of caffeine with no sugar, and man, they hit fast. They’re so much more convenient, and you don’t have to drink as much coffee.”
Away from dentistry, Dr Dorfman has built a career that spans television, publishing, business and philanthropy.
For the past 19 years, he has worked with the LEAP Foundation, a leadership program held annually at UCLA that helps young people develop life, communication and business skills.
The initiative has welcomed hundreds of Australian students and featured guest speakers including Sir Richard Branson, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Mark Wahlberg and Eva Longoria.
“We’ve had over 600 Aussie kids come,” he said.
” I have spent so much time in Australia. I love your country. I love your culture. I love everything about Australia. So if you’re are a parent and you have a student who’s 15-25, think about enrolling them in LEAP.
“It may be too late for this year, but look at next year, and you know, keep your eyes and ears open.”
The program holds special significance for Dr Dorfman, who grew up in a low-income household before earning a scholarship to attend UCLA.
“My mantra in life is learn, so you can earn, and then return,” he said.
“I’m in the return phase of my life.”
After more than 40 years in dentistry, Dr Dorfman believes maintaining a healthy smile is one of the best investments a person can make.
“You only get one set of teeth,” he said.
“Unlike hair, teeth don’t grow back.”
POOOF! and Kickballz are coming to Australia soon.