A graduate of the New York University College of Dentistry’s orthodontic residency program and a board-certified practitioner for more than two decades, Dr. Len Ellis started Ellis Orthodontics in Mount Laurel 25 years ago and has been positively impacting local families ever since. Blending technological advancements with old-school orthodontic techniques and a down-to-earth demeanor, Dr. Ellis takes pride in being a trusted source for helping patients achieve beautiful, confident smiles.
“I’m always myself and hopefully that translates to being relatable,” says Dr. Ellis, who is known as the “Hockey Doc” around the area. “I think you have to be a little lucky, but if you do really good work and take care of people, everything else will fall into place.
“It’s about building relationships with the people and I’ve been fortunate to have multiple generations of families coming in. It’s an honor for me to watch these kids grow and develop and see what they do with their lives.”
Ellis Orthodontics differs from other doctors’ offices in several ways, notably in that patients’ time is valued and they won’t be kept sitting around in the waiting room for long periods. Much focus is put into making every visit a pleasant one, with a warm environment where music is playing and friendly banter fills the rooms. That all starts with Dr. Ellis but also trickles down to his staff, several of whom have been with the practice from the start, which goes a long way in increasing patients’ comfort levels.
Dr. Ellis is a strong believer in a hands-on approach to orthodontics and applying the lessons he learned as a student, but at the same time he embraces modern technology. He has undergone extensive training and is a Premier Platinum Provider for Invisalign, which is especially popular with his adult patients. He also offers diode laser treatment to assist with gum sculpting, canine exposures and soft tissue procedures.
“That has really enhanced the aesthetic of our orthodontic finishes,” he says. “Parents are amazed when they see their child after I do the sculpting procedure and unveil these beautiful smiles.”
Having that kind of impact, particularly in the lives of children, is important to Dr. Ellis because that is how he got interested in orthodontics in the first place. As a teenager wearing braces, he witnessed the joy his orthodontist had for his work and vowed to follow his lead.
“He was the happiest guy in the world and it was hard to not notice that,” he says. “He followed my hockey career and he was always checking in on me. He was just a positive influence. I told him when I was 13 years old, ‘I’m going to do what you do.’”
Of course, hockey has always been and remains a passion of his. Dr. Ellis played Division I college hockey and had the opportunity to play in Europe for several seasons. He continues to play to this day and is currently a member of the Flyers Alumni team.
Dr. Ellis considers himself blessed to be able to pursue two of his loves, orthodontics and hockey, which is why he enjoys paying it forward. He has a mentorship program in his office, where students from middle school to college with an interest in orthodontics can shadow him and ask questions about the field. He also supports a wide variety of local charities, including those funding cancer research, autism awareness and educational programs.
“I’ve been so lucky and I appreciate that every day, and it feels good to give back,” he says. “I know what it’s like to struggle and it’s really nice to help people who are struggling.”
Dr. Ellis lives in Marlton with his wife of 20 years and their two boys. As much as he enjoys orthodontics and hockey, his greatest love is for his family. He has coached his boys in hockey and lacrosse, and he and his wife live for taking the boys to their various athletic activities and watching their enthusiasm for life grow. He also enjoys skiing and golfing as a family. In the office, Dr. Ellis has a simple philosophy: “Treat patients like family. That’s how I feel so that’s what I do.”
Ellis Orthodontics
4600 Church Road | Mount Laurel
(856) 638-1800
EllisHockeyDoc.com
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 12, Issue 7 (October 2021).
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