Provider Bio

Dr. Gittess believes education is a life-long endeavor. A precocious and a bright student, Gittess skipped two grades in school and entered college when he was 16. Adept with his hands, his hobbies have included sculpting and woodworking. After Gittess graduated from high school, the family moved to Coral Gables where he earned a degree in chemistry and philosophy at the age of 20 from the University of Miami.

Wanting to combine his talents and aptitude, Gittess decided on the field of dentistry. “Dentistry gave me the opportunity to be scientific and also creative.” He continued his education at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, becoming a Doctor of Dental Surgery.

After Gittess opened his private practice in Miami in 1977, he found that “more and more of my free time was spent in the nearby orthodontic office.” That’s when he decided to further his dental education and pursue orthodontics. Dr. Gittess attended the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia for three years to receive his certificate in orthodontics.

Dr. Gittess concluded that Central Florida was the place to be. His private practice in orthodontics and TMJ therapy was established in 1981. Central Florida became home when he married Beth, a respiratory therapist, in 1989. Their first child, David, was due on their first anniversary; their second, Annie, arrived around their second anniversary. When not devoting time to his practice, Gittess is totally immersed in family life. “My wife and I spend a lot of time together,” he says. The family enjoys taking day trips to Silver Springs, Weeki Wachee or Cocoa Beach. Gittess also finds time to golf. He wishes he could pursue his interest of woodworking. However, he cannot risk injury to his hands. His hands are his livelihood and his patients depend upon his hands to put smiles on their faces.