Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Dr. Charles Martello had already been practicing dentistry for more than a decade before he first became aware of, and subsequently involved with, the Arcolian Dental Arts Society in 2002.
Martello graduated from Loyola University’s dental school in 1987 and joined several other dental societies when he began his career, including the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society, and Chicago Dental Society.
“I wish that I had been a member (of the Arcolians) when I was back at Loyola,” Martello says. “It is a great group but I didn’t know of it and when you’re at that level you’re really, really busy just trying to keep your head above water.”
He first got involved with the Arcolian board in 2004, but Martello’s ascent up the leadership ladder was delayed because of the many other organizations he is involved with.
“I had to bow out because I was also going up the ladder in the prosthetics society and was president of that in 2018 and 2019,” Martello says. “I couldn’t do both. It was tough but the Arcolians understood.”
But his time to lead the Arcolians has finally come. Martello will accept the presidential gavel from Immediate Past President Dr. Lauren Allegretti at the organization’s installation night dinner on April 28 at Joe & Giuseppe Restaurant in Arlington Heights.
Joining Allegretti as officers are Dr. Megan Ratliff, president-elect; Dr. Robin Gallardi, vice president; Dr. Antonietta Caporale, treasurer; Dr. Nancy Cozzi, secretaryl; and Dr. Michael Unti, dinner chair.
Martello says his top priority as president will be to boost the society’s membership.
“There are still a lot of Italian dentists around who are not yet involved,” Martello notes. ““I would love for all Italian dentists to come out and see what we do. If we added even just three to four members a year that would be better than losing.”
He says he’d like to have more social events that would attract new members such as a bocce tournament.
Established in 1935, the Chicago-based society is a social and educational nonprofit organization for aspiring, practicing and retired dentists and dental specialists. Its mission consists of increasing participation in dental schools by Italian Americans, recording the past and current role of Italian culture in dentistry, providing high-quality continuing education, and supporting charitable endeavors. Members must be of Italian descent, and dental students can join the society free of charge.
The group meets regularly from September to April at Italian restaurants throughout the Chicago suburbs,where they hear presentations by dental health professionals. The nonprofit hosts a golf outing in July and a black-tie Christmas party, during which it recognizes an Arcolian of the Year, disburses donations and bestows scholarships.
One of the group’s top fundraising events is their January raffle, which Martello says was another big success.
In October 2023, ADAS member Dr. Jeffrey Gentile published the book, “A History of the Arcolian Dental Arts Society: Italian American Dentists of Chicagoland.” According to Gentile’s research, the society’s name is derived from a pioneering dentist and scholar named Giovanni d’Arcoli who lived in northern Italy in the 15th century.
Martello heaped praise upon Gentile and his book. “Let’s make it another 100 years and write another book if we can,” Martello says.
Martello is a prosthodontist, which means he specializes in dental prosthetics such as crowns, bridges, dentures and other dental implants. He runs his practice in Frankfort.
“I love what I do, I think I’m blessed,” Martello says. “Dentistry has been very good to me.”
In addition to working with dental societies, Martello has worked with the Special Olympics Special Smiles program since 2009. And he has been involved in the Donated Dental Services program, which connects medically compromised people with volunteer dentists for free care, since 1988. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbous in Frankfort.
For make reservations for the April installation or for more information about the society, click here.
https://arcoliandentalartssociety.com.
