get to know
dr. maggie
Dr. Maggie Augustyn’s passion lies in encouraging individuals to give attention to the suppressed aspects of their lives, fostering connection and a sense of belonging. Her unwavering dedication to promoting a paradigm shift in dentistry is creating a harmonious balance between the experiences inside and outside of the operatory. With her remarkable ability to touch hearts and inspire change, Dr. Augustyn is making a profound impact on the lives of many.
Dr. Maggie Augustyn, FAAIP, FICOI, a general dentist, author, and inspirational speaker, has dedicated her life to helping others find empowerment, healing, and connection. Her personal journey, shaped by resilience and a deep empathy for others, has led her to become a leading voice in dentistry and a beacon of hope for those seeking their own path to self-actualization.
A Promise to Make a Difference
After experiencing a mental breakdown during her college years, Maggie Augustyn made a promise to herself. She vowed to create a world where no one would feel alone and trapped, where actions like whispering and pointing at those who suffer and stumble would no longer be tolerated. Now, 25 years later, she has fulfilled that promise. Through her extensive research, writing, and speaking engagements, Augustyn focuses on the human experience—the moments that make us hurt and the moments that make us come alive.
A Journey of Excellence
Dr. Maggie Augustyn is not only a distinguished dentist but also a recognized leader in her field. Awarded “America’s Best Dentist” and “America’s Top Dentists,” her commitment to excellence is evident in her superior training, experience, and dedication to continuing education. Completing her Doctorate of Dental Surgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), she has earned 2 bachelor degrees prior to that; Molecular Biology form Benedicitine University (1999) and Oral Sciences from UIC (2002). Benedictine University awarded her The Rising Star Award presented to an alumnus who has made considerable strides in their career and has demonstrated dedication to philanthropic endeavors. Driven by a growth mindset, Dr. Augustyn exceeds many times over the annual requirements for continuing education. She is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and the American Academy of Implant Prosthodontists, and is an exam short of a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry. She has also been bestowed the recognition as of 250 top leaders in dentistry by Dentistry Today.
Touching Lives through Writing and Speaking
Dr. Augustyn’s impact extends beyond the dental community. With a gift for evoking emotions and connecting with her audience, she has become one of dentistry’s most prolific writers. She is most proud of her role as a columnist of ‘Mindful Moments’ in Denitstry Today where she provides valuable insights and guidance to fellow dental professionals. Her works have been featured in other publications Dental Economics, DentistryIQ, and Dental Entrepreneur and Dental Entrepreneur Woman. She has been nominated for Author of the Year at the Dental Festival. Through her writings, she delves into the human experience, encouraging others to embrace their chosen paths and find fulfillment in life. While Dr. Augustyn continues to excel in dentistry, her passion lies in promoting a paradigm shift within the profession. She believes that true success lies not only in the operatory but also in the connection between our personal and professional lives. By encouraging an open dialogue and addressing suppressed emotions, she strives to create a more compassionate and holistic approach to dentistry.
Inspiring Audiences Worldwide
As an engaging and sought-after speaker, Dr. Augustyn has captivated audiences worldwide. From study club gatherings to keynote presentations of 1000+ groups of dental professionals, she ignites inspiration and encourages self-reflection. Her ability to evoke emotion and touch hearts has made her a respected voice in the dental community and beyond. Additionally, she shares her wisdom on various podcasts and lectures nationally, spreading her message of leading a fulfilling life as multidimensional humans.
Maggie Augustyn’s life story is one of triumph over adversity, dedication to excellence, and a commitment to making a difference. Through her work as a dentist, author, and inspirational speaker, she empowers others to embrace their own journeys of self-actualization. With unwavering compassion and a profound understanding of the human experience, Dr. Augustyn reminds us to listen to our suppressed emotions and connect with one another on a deeper level. Her mission to create a more compassionate world resonates with all who have had the privilege of hearing her speak or reading her impactful writings. Maggie Augustyn is truly an inspiration, lighting the way for others to find their own path to fulfillment and meaning.
Testimonials
April 1, 1998 was a day that every parent dreads. It is the kind of day that a mother and father plead with their Higher power to never let happen. It was a day that my parents received a call informing them of their daughter being taken by ambulance to the hospital. It was a day that they found out, for the first time, about the months of planning I’d done, and the steps I’d taken towards an act of ending my life. It was a day I was placed on a voluntary psychiatric hold at Good Samaritan Hospital. The battle and recovery that followed from the depths of that difficult and destructive depression took many weeks before progress was seen. My healing was aided by western medicine in a form of psychotropic medicine and an outpatient program. I also saw a Chinese herb doctor who prescribed a mix of leaves and barks to boil, stew, seep and drink.
The smell of that blend is forever connected to those memories; not just for me but my family, as it was prepared every morning before the outpatient program. For weeks, though compliant with my doctor and eastern healer’s recommendations I sat still, motionless, and absent staring at the grass outside my bedroom window. With time, I got better. And with more time I got much better. I was doing so well, in fact, that I a month into the program, I was reunited with my car. As trivial as it might seem, being trusted to drive again, knowing that I didn’t have to trouble my dad for the daily rides to and from the hospital was a win. A big one.
The first Tuesday thereafter, I woke up revigorated having made a decision to drive back to the university. I planned on meeting my friends that afternoon following my care at the inpatient program. It’s important to keep in mind how different things were in 1998.
Our school had barely started to use internet and email. Google didn’t exist. Cell phones were not used as they are today. As hard as it is to believe, texting still hadn’t been invented and calls between cell phones were extremely costly. And thus, my decision to visit with my peers that afternoon would be a surprise at campus. My friends hadn’t been in communication with me, not since the night in the ambulance. I wanted, so badly, to show them how much better I’d gotten, how much healthier I’d grown. I had allotted several hours for all of us to reconnect, to laugh, and to catch up. I drove in a few minutes early and waited outside the dated hallway for biochemistry class to be dismissed. As the door swung open my friends and colleagues began to usher out. Sadly, I was not greeted with the high fives and hugs I had anticipated. Instead, my eyes were met with their blank stares and silence. I was met with looks of examination, looks that started at my head went to my toes and then back up to my head, as I had been a foreign specimen. Holding the tears back, looking straight down at the ground, I took a walk of shame toward my car.
As I passed to the outside doors a swarm of college students parted in front of me. I was untouchable. I was unlovable. I was an outcast. Debilitated and afraid to move my gaze off the floor I could see them pointing at me in my peripheral vision. My classmates didn’t spare me from hearing their whispering, either. It was the most shameful moment of my life. I felt alone, humiliated, and disgraced. I didn’t belong. I felt punished for something that had fallen out of my control. That might have been a time in my life when I’d felt the most emotional pain. It’s a moment I’ve remembered my entire life; a moment which has now come to define who I am today and why I’m here.
As I was walking towards the heavy double glass doors, as I pushed and swung them open, as I finally let the tears fall, though controlling the screams that so badly wanted to escape, I made a promise to myself. A promise I had no idea I was going to live up to. I promised myself that one day, I’d stand on whatever stage would have me, and I would work tirelessly to make sure that no one felt as alone as I had that day. And that time, that promise, is realized here and now, and I am eternally grateful to you for allowing me to realize it.