Today we are going to talk about the business of general dentistry like the one at Uxbridge Dental Care, where family dental care is the focus. It’s a huge elephant of a topic and given the gravity of the subject, I think Dr. Wibowo may tackle in a few series of interviews. The reason being time, and line space on this blog. We won’t let him ramble on about his favorite topic. What do you know about the business Dr. Wibowo?

General dentistry itself is a great profession but not an easily managed business. It’s a very personalized business. The age range is widespread, so it allows the clinician to really follow a patient along and be an important part of their health care needs. Lifespan, cradle to grave care, spanning generations of a family and potentially over a very long span of a dentist career. After all these years, you know it’s not all about the money, it’s cliche but it’s true. I would and will continue to serve my patient as long as I can, simply because I love doing what I do. And I enjoy running the business, that’s one reason why I started Uxbridge Dental Care. And it’s always fun to meet new people.

I knew the topic would get you all excited. Tell us more about your most recent departure from Sunridge Dental, how did some of your patients react to that? Were there any changes in the business itself following your departure as owner?

It was bittersweet for sure, most patients are familiar with the room at the back corner with a door I seldom used. I have lived there since 1999. The room door was only closed to attain privacy or when we needed a quiet moment. The senior patients with hearing aids know this room very well because it allows them to have some rest from the noise of the dental office. So in the last few months I have been telling patients individually about leaving. All have asked where I was going and I have been very careful to not solicit them to the new office at Uxbridge Dental Care, but advised them they can probably still search me out. Some thought I might have been retiring, but alas it was not to be. Not for quite a while longer anyways. I’m still young-ish, sort of. There are many G-rappers older than me still going strong, so age is not a reason.

Sunridge Dental has been a cornerstone of my dental existence and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to run the business. We were given a great opportunity to purchased the business from Dr. Stephen and Barry Lee and have taken it to a new level of success with each phase. After I exited from the partnership in 2019, Dr. Ulka Parmar remained as sole owner and subsequently sold the office to a large dental corporation. So that’s where it is today. The patients have been unaware for the most part of this transition and it probably did not affect them much. Sunridge Dental is a fantastic business with its own work culture, great core values and work ethic. I hope to emulate and redevelop this again at the new Uxbridge Dental Care. You can’t beat an owner operated business where the principal is present. That’s what I intend to recreate at Uxbridge Dental Care, with an emphasis on owner operated principal dentist, hygienist and care providers.

You make a great point about the owner being present, and I know you have a great work life balance. You take lots of breaks from time to time, how do you juggle that?

Yep, I love taking time out of the office to be outside of the office. My schedule is usually planned about a year in advance to allow for work and life balance. In the past the clinic was always staffed by a team of associate dentists, great auxiliary staff and administration. This way, every staff had an opportunity to be able to follow their out of work activities and family plans. Work and life balance is indeed one of our core values, it will be again at Uxbridge Dental Care as well.

Knowing what you know now about the business, what do you think will change in the near future and how do you foresee the new business at Uxbridge Dental Care? Can you comment on the target demographic you wish to serve?

Dentistry in northwest Calgary is competitive, very competitive. There are many new offices that open up in every part of the new residential areas. I have heard of only a handful that have closed or amalgamated into other offices.

It will be a new beginning for myself and Ms Kal Sangha who will also be running her hygiene consulting business out of this location. This reflects the change in the dental business which now often requires a consultant to improve the flow and management. Kal hygienist has been in the industry for a long time as well. She understands the need to share the knowledge of experience in dental hygiene Calgary. The hygiene consultancy is her passion project. For Uxbridge Dental Care, it will be a great environment for existing and new patients to come for their dental care. I personally welcome them all. I hope to be providing dental care to the surrounding areas of University Heights, St. Andrews Heights, Parkdale, Market Mall, Montgomery, University of Calgary, Foothills Medical Hospital, Briar Hill and Hillhurst.

How about the age demographics? What ages are you seeing in the clinic?

All ages, I see patients from age 2 all the way to 60+ and beyond. Many of my patients have the whole family over a few generations. I especially enjoy seeing seniors, because they tell me all kinds of stories when I’m trying to work on their teeth. I like young people too, because they always have so much to look forward to in life. Come to think of it, I like all the age groups, each have their own set of dental care needs and niche.

I feel there will be a fair number of hospital staff that will be able to come for great care literally within minutes. And did I mention PARKING WILL BE PROVIDED? Yes, underground or surface parking will be provided for all patients.

PARKING WILL BE GREAT!!! I feel you only touched briefly on the business side of the discussion, you should talk more about actual running of the business. Staff hiring process perhaps?

Woo, that’s a loaded topic. Ok, looking forward to it.