Dr. DuCoin's Biography

By Joanne Bovee

It takes more than ambition to succeed in a demanding field. It takes character, ingenuity, dedication, and, of course, the will to succeed. And, for some, it takes an educational and career path with many interesting twists and turns. This is the case with Francis J. DuCoin, D.M.D., M.S., who, today, rates among the most influential dental implantologists in the state.

Dr. DuCoin, who founded the DuCoin Center for Dental Implants in 1987, provides the highest quality of dental care for the young or the young at heart. At the DuCoin Center, which is a leading dental implant facility in Florida, the emphasis is on helping people. "No problem is small to the patient. Some problems are easier to correct while other more significant dental problems may require the stability of secure dental implants to support new teeth." This outstanding care, from examinations and diagnosis to advance implant surgical and reconstructive procedures, is due to someone who does care.

A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Francis DuCoin is a Drexel University graduate. Usually it requires five years at Drexel to earn a Bachelor's degree. It took Dr. DuCoin five years to obtain both a B.S. in Science and a Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering. Living in the city made him very aware of the situation of underprivileged children. Wanting to help, he became a teacher of high school science in the Philadelphia inner city public school system. After five years, and pondering other avenues to explore for a future career, Dr. DuCoin realized the challenge of dentistry appealed to his commitment to help others and afforded him the opportunity to continue learning in science, medicine and engineering. Interestingly enough, this sudden realization occurred to him while he was having a cavity filled.

Dr. DuCoin attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine on a scholarship from the U.S. Public Health Service. This scholarship, which was one of only seventeen awarded nation-wide that year, required Dr. DuCoin spend three years practicing dentistry in a rural area. He selected Okeechobee of which he said, "This was an extremely rewarding experience because I was individually responsible for treating a wide range of people with a multitude of dental problems."

To receive his Oral Implantology training, Dr. DuCoin has traveled thousands of miles around the country learning the most advanced techniques. These trips have taken him from small places like Leawood, Kansas to major centers such as the Medical College of Georgia and Northwestern University.

As Dr. DuCoin's reputation has grown, so has his professional affiliations. He was one of the first dentists in the United States to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry. Continuing his desire to share his knowledge, he has lectured nationally on dental implants and general dentistry. Dr. DuCoin has served on the Board of Directors of the Dental Research Clinic at Palm Beach Community College, where he was also Co-Director of the Dental Implant Section.

The move after dental school to the Treasure Coast was by choice not chance. After living in the city, Dr. DuCoin knew he wanted to raise his family in a peaceful, friendly, healthy community. Stuart was the answer. While there may have been greater financial gain in Philadelphia, he does not believe that is the way success is measured. Equally devoted to his community, Dr. DuCoin served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Jensen Beach Community Church, and has been active in the Jensen Beach Youth Athletic League, local parent/teacher organizations and the chamber of commerce.