In a time when healthcare often feels rushed and
transactional, holistic dentistry offers a different perspective – one that
considers the mouth as part of the whole body, not separate from it. It is
within this growing and fascinating field that Dr. Diana Kopach has built her
work.
Dr. Kopach is a graduate of New York University Dental
School and completed her post-doctoral General Practice Residency at Jamaica
Hospital in Queens, where she provided care to underserved communities. Early
in her career, she chose to explore a more integrative approach to dentistry – one
that emphasizes minimally invasive techniques, prevention, and respect for the
body’s natural systems.
Trained in Biomimetic Dentistry, Dr. Kopach focuses on
restoring teeth using methods designed to mimic nature itself. Her work
reflects a balance of science and artistry, with careful attention to function,
comfort, and aesthetics.
What makes her profession particularly compelling is the
way it bridges dentistry and wellness. In 2022, she became a Board-Certified
Naturopathic Physician and is also trained as a sleep and airway dentist. Rather
than treating dental concerns in isolation, Dr. Kopach views oral health as
part of a larger conversation – one that includes lifestyle, prevention, and
collaboration with other healthcare providers. In October of 2021, she opened her own practice, Mineola
Dental Wellness, located at 192 Jericho Turnpike in Mineola, New York, where
this integrative philosophy is brought to life every day.
Outside of her professional work, Dr. Kopach is a mother
of four with a deep commitment to holistic living. Her personal interests – from
reading and teaching to meditation and wellness – naturally reflect the values
that guide her professional philosophy. In her free time, Diana enjoys Latin
dance, often sharing that passion with her husband and children.
As we feature Dr. Kopach in her birthday month of
February, we wish her continued health, inspiration, and fulfillment – both in
her work and in the life she so thoughtfully nurtures beyond it.
– Holistic dentistry is still considered unconventional by many.
What personal or professional moment pushed you to choose this path instead of
a more traditional dental practice?
– I started working for a holistic dentist straight out of
residency. It wasn’t something I planned, but once I was exposed to it, I never
looked back. Over time, I encountered many situations in my practice that
demonstrated the effectiveness of a holistic approach compared to a
conventional one. We are more than just the sum of our parts.
– Was dentistry – or holistic healthcare – part of your family
background, or was this a direction you had to carve out entirely on your own?
– I’m the only dentist in my immediate family, which meant I had
to figure many things out on my own. That said, holistic healthcare felt
natural given how we were raised. We never rushed to quick fixes or pills.
Instead, we relied on the techniques passed down by our ancestors – whether it
was cupping or mustard packs. That same mindset naturally extends to oral care.
– Choosing a less traditional route often comes with resistance.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced early on, and how did you
know this path was still the right one?
– Interestingly, most of the resistance comes from colleagues – other
dental professionals. Many people are deeply rooted in what they were taught in
school, so anything different feels foreign. Some even mock my approach, saying
things like, “Do you just walk into the room and meditate on the patient?” The
secret is… I actually do.
– Many people are curious about holistic dentistry but unsure
whether it’s necessary or different enough. What do you wish patients
understood before walking through your door?
– My mentor used to compare conventional dentistry to tooth
carpentry – like taking a hammer to every tooth while viewing the mouth as a
separate entity, rather than part of a larger, interconnected system. My
approach considers the whole person. We are energetic beings, not just isolated
parts. Because of this, there is no quick pill for results. Healing requires
effort and time, which can be challenging in a world that expects immediate
solutions.
– You work in a profession that blends science, intuition, and
artistry. How do you balance evidence-based medicine with a whole-body
approach?
– My approach combines biological and biomimetic dentistry while
integrating different elements of holistic care. I consider nutrition, sleep,
airway health, and the emotional and spiritual state of each patient. We also
incorporate acupuncture and sound therapy. When restoring teeth, I follow a
conservative biomimetic approach to give back what should naturally be there. All
these modalities are supported by research, even if they aren’t commonly taught
in dental school.
– As a working mother raising four children, what lessons from
your personal life have shaped the way you practice and care for others?
– I treat my patients like family. Any treatment I offer is
something I have already done for my own children or would be willing to do for
them. I also make myself available to my patients because I know what it feels
like to be a concerned parent. Being a mother to children of different ages and
personalities has taught me how to adapt to the wide range of families I see
every day.
– For young professionals – especially women – considering an
unconventional or integrative career path, what advice would you give about
perseverance, doubt, and staying true to one’s values?
– Nothing worth having in life comes easily. There’s a saying: you
have to choose your hard. Building a career takes effort. A healthy
marriage takes effort. Raising children who contribute positively to society
takes effort. Staying true to your values is the easier choice – it lets you
sleep well at night and move forward with confidence. Once you start
compromising who you are, everything begins to unravel.
– What is the quote or principle you live by – your lifeline – both
in life and in practice?
– «We heal the world with
love» is the motto I live by both personally and professionally”
Interview by Zoya Aminov
Mineola Dental Wellness
192 Jericho Turnpike, Mineola, NY 11501
Tel: +1 516-441-2214
