Business Spotlight
Artistry in Action
At Northway Dental Associates the doctors apply creativity and science to keep their patients smiling. By Gail Ivers
At A Glance Northway Dental Associates 1500 Northway Drive St. Cloud, MN 56303 (320) 253-7700 northway-dental.com Business Description: Advanced family and cosmetic dentistry for every dental need. Number of employees: 25 Established: 1974 Original dentists still with the practice: Drs. Bruce Kudak and Gary Thompson Owners: Drs. Sarah Layne, Bruce Kudak, Gary Thompson, Greg Lehman, Jeffrey Flemming, and Brent Deragisch
n, Sarah Layne, From left: Drs. Amanda Sperl, Greg Lehma d). (seate isch Derag Brent ing, Jeffrey Flemm
Locations: St. Cloud and Clearwater Chamber member since 1987
Business Central met with several of the dentists at Northway Dental Associates and asked “Why dentistry?” Business Central: What got you into dentistry? Dr. Flemming: I had a very nice result from my orthodontist when I was in high school. I liked biology and I wanted to be a business owner. Dr. Deragisch: I enjoy working with my hands, fixing things. I was always interested in healthcare. Dr. Lehman: I majored in biology and chemistry in college. I really enjoyed the sciences and medicine. Dentistry offered a career based in the sciences, as well as a way to be of service to people. I am also mechanically and artistically inclined, and dentistry uses those skills. 54
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Dr. Layne: My dad was a dentist (retired after 42 years). I wanted a career in healthcare -something with variety everyday and working with people. BC: What has been your biggest challenge? Dr. Flemming: The education, in terms of time and cost. Dr. Deragisch: Every person, every tooth is different Dr. Lehman: I think being a business owner, as well as a clinician, is the biggest challenge. In dental school, we were not taught how to run a business. That’s not why I went into the profession, and is why I chose to practice in a group setting. We have a wonderful staff here who expertly run the business on a daily basis, and allow us to focus on the clinical aspect. I know too many colleagues who have to bring
the business aspect home with them at the end of the day. I feel fortunate to have such an excellent business manager and support staff to do that for me. Dr. Layne: Finding a good life/ work balance. Helping people overcome their anxiety and fear of visiting the dentist. We’re nice people! <grin> BC: What do you like best about dentistry? Dr. Flemming: Helping someone achieve better health. Dr. Sperl: The daily interaction with patients. And I like the artistry involved in restorative dentistry. Dr. Lehman: Dentistry, like medicine, is such a dynamic profession. New advances in technology, material sciences, and biology require you to continually educate yourself to stay abreast of those changes.
I love to learn and incorporate that knowledge in my practice. I also enjoy the daily interactions with my patients. Dr. Layne: Getting to know my patients and their families. Learning from them and talking to them about more than teeth. BC: What’s the best part of being a business owner? Dr. Flemming: The freedom to set your own schedule, plus working with some really great partners and staff. Dr. Deragisch: I’m my own boss. I get to set my own hours and schedule. Dr. Layne: Working with my partners to create an environment that is productive, fun and somewhere we all want to be on a daily basis.