R E F LE C T I O NS In June 2007, I was two years out of dental school when for reasons unbeknownst to me now; I decided to open a scratch-start office in Bellevue. I went to dental school in Detroit, had no local connection, and best of all, I had no prior business experience. However, this was dentisty, and how hard could it be? The economy was going great, I asked US Bank for a $100,000 loan and they offered me $300,000. After my buildout and setting up my office, I was half a million in debt. I asked what the bank what they wanted for collateral, they said not to worry about it, dentistry is a great field where everyone does well. Good luck. About a year later I got married, and it was large affair with nearly 500 people in attendance. A month after the wedding, Lehman Brothers collapsed. My timing was impeccable. In the meantime at my office, I made sure that the 3-4 patients I had booked every day at least saw each other, so that I would look busy. In retrospect, I should’ve been bankrupt by the end of 2008. As I look back, I have a good idea as to why I survived with all of my naivete and inexperience, and the reason being the Washington AGD and Mastertrack whom I owe a great debt. Dr. Puneet Aulakh,WAGD President
More than the lectures, hands on participation, and the camaraderie between the participants; it was the ability to lean on people in the Mastertrack for advice and guidance. You learn quickly after dental school that, not only do you not know a lot, but that there is SO much to learn. The main reason I am here today is because of Mastertrack and the people in Mastertrack. They are the reason I have my fellowship (FAGD) and mastership (MAGD) in the AGD, and they are the reason I am involved with the WAGD and the AGD as board member, delegate, and the WAGD president. In order to be a successful dentist, you have to have a support structure. The support structure includes having people you can ask questions, advice, and provide guidance. I have asked collegues about what they find to the best implant system, if I should buy a Wave 1, or what composite they use and why. I recall an incident where I had a patient come to me with an implant he had placed somewhere in Vietnam. I had no idea what type of implant it was, and thus I started out by sending an email to the group. By the end of the day, I had 5 answers to my question. Dentaltown a great resource, but it is also useful to call/ email our colleagues for advice and guidance. I always tell people there are 3 things that made me a better dentist: the WAGD, Dr. Tucker, and Mastertrack. Reflections on a start-up practice. Looking back If you could go back and do something differently, what would it be? I made many mistakes, but looking back; I wouldn’t change much because I learned from those mistakes. The learning was invaluable. If I had to do something differently, it was the fact that I bought too much equipment, and supplies. It is important to buy things that are necessary; it is not helpful to buy things you will never use or buy too much so that it expires. As a new startup, you don’t need a lot of inventory and you should not buy in bulk because you don’t know how much you will be using. As far as building out, you need a practical office. Do not try to build a palace. Save the palace for when your practice is more mature and you are moving/buying a building.
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