Amy Bowman

When you meet Office Manager Krista Smith and her mother, Dr. Shelley Shults, it’s clear that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Over the course of the past 15 years working together in dentistry, they’ve become inseparable.

For Nancy Shelton, DDS, attending her nephew’s graduation ceremony at Loma Linda University last spring was an emotional event. Not only because of the pride she felt for her nephew but also because she recognized that it had been 40 years since she had donned a cap and gown, taking part in Loma Linda’s dental school graduation ceremony herself.

For many professionals working in industries across the board, having a mentor was vital in helping them get from where they were to where they wanted to be.

After 29 years working as a dental hygienist, Hanna transitioned to the front office, where she now serves as office manager. With past experience helping to build three other dental offices, and a desire to work with her good friend Nancy Shelton, DDS, Hanna was confident when she approached Shelton about building a practice that would bring something different to the Pasco area.

When doctors Steven W. Ozer and Anne Norris-Ozer built a new dental practice just three blocks from the ocean in Manhattan Beach, Calif., they took the advice of the experts.

Since 2003, Laura Hatch and her husband, dentist Anthony Hatch, have been rocking dentistry. When they opened the doors at their Maryland practice, they chose a rock-and-roll theme that has carried over to their new practice in San Diego, Scripps Rock Dental, which they opened in 2008.

Opening a practice can be a daunting task full of many unknowns. One practitioner shares her top tips for making the process easier.

"So, how do you put a geeky germophobe to good use? Make him the office manager."

For Rich Cooper, DDS, starting his own dental practice had its challenges. When he opened West Loop Dental Associates in Chicago, Ill., in 2000, he realized how difficult it is to attract patients to a new practice versus buying a practice with an existing patient base. Despite the difficulty getting off the ground, he and his staff were highly motivated and excited about the work they were doing.

When graduating from dental school, many graduates know a great deal about their topic of study, but very little about where to go with all the knowledge they’ve gained. For recent graduates, finding the right dental practice may require some effort, but the payoff can be great. Finding a practice that offers the things you need to learn and grow in the profession can boost your career and help you reach your goals.

If you ask Erin Roberts, DDS, about her prior dental office she answers with a chuckle, insisting that it’s a distant memory that she tries to forget.

Mark W. Heidebrecht, DDS, is a Kansas dentist whose favorite part of dentistry is the patient interaction.

Kristen Burris, DDS, describes dentistry as a blessing that has given her the opportunity to provide a much-needed service in the small town of Shattuck, Okla., while being a part of patients’ lives. “We have celebrated with our patients over the years,” she said. “We watch them grow up, marry and have their own kids.”