Dr. Leroy R. Polite is an experienced entrepreneur and retired Owner/President of Economy Dentures and Economy Dentistry for Children. He is a recognized dental doctor,pharmacist, and professional speaker whose life has impacted many. Born in Bronx, New York, and the oldest of six siblings, he is a 1962 graduate of New Stanton High School in Jacksonville, FL. Dr. Polite received a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from Florida A& M University (FAMU) in 1967.
An entrepreneur at heart, he owned and operated Parkview Rexall and Davis Pharmacies in Atlanta, GA prior to returning to school for further graduate studies at Atlanta University in 1972. Dr. Polite met Dr. Samuel Gully who encouraged him to enter the dental field. After 26 attempts at trying to get into professional school he was one of six blacks admitted into and to graduate in the class of 1978 at the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry.
Upon graduation, re-location from Georgia to Florida brought new opportunities. The first being Dr. Polite’s first dental practice: Soutel Dental Center. Its doors opened in 1980. After an interim hiatus in 1997due to a bout with cancer, Dr. Polite opened, Dunn Dental Center in 2002. With all of the successes of these two original practices, the best was yet to come in Economy Dentures formation in 2006. Economy Dentures was “Home of the One Day Dentures.” Its five locations were in Jacksonville, Daytona, Lake Mary, Kissimmee, and Hudson FL. Economy Dentistry for children, was established in 2012. Two locations in Jacksonville and one in Kissimmee, FL met the general dental needs of children. In 2016, Economy Dentistry for Children was the recipient of a $1.5 million grant administered by the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration.
Under this grant, general dental treatment was provided to uninsured, underinsured, and underserved children in Duval County. Economy Dentures evolved into more than just a dental practice. Its sister companies, under the leadership of Dr. Polite, included Affordable Medical & Dental Supply (AMDS) and The Academy of Removable Prosthetic and Implant Dentistry (ARPID) International, an AGD PACE certified continuing education institution for dental providers. Economy Dentures and Economy Dentistry for Children at its height had over 130 full time employees consisting of experienced dentists, lab technicians, dental assistants, dental hygienists, dental receptionists, office managers and support corporate office staff. In 2018 the denture offices were sold to Affordable Dentures and Implants.
In 2020, Economy Dentistry for Children was sold to Lakeside Dental Management. Dr. Polite’s philanthropic work has included providing dental services to the homeless and underinsured through Volunteers in Medicine, support for Hearts for Children, and summer outreach for Youth at Woodlawn Presbyterian Church. Dr. Polite has served on the State of Florida Prostate Cancer Task Force. He is a former board member of the State Attorney’s Literacy Task Force. He served as a board member for the Jacksonville Electric Authority. Dr. Polite is an active member of the National Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, and Sunshine State Dental Association.
Academy of Restorative Pediatric and Implant Dentistry International
501 (c)(3) Non-Profit Organization.
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