THE WHY: The Owner’s Story
Bow Trail Dental is a well-established practice located in the downtown core of Calgary, Alberta. This featured space is their proudly-built relocation. The owner and visionary leader, Dr. Sean Wong, graduated from the University of Alberta in 2010. Working as an associate for five years in a bustling practice enabled him to gain precious clinical experience and a foundational understanding of how a practice runs. During these years, he craved to own a practice that fully represented his unique tastes, clinical interests, and values. As a generally quiet person, he had to overcome some internal reservations about leading a team and growing a business. That’s when a trusted colleague reminded him that “sometimes not taking a risk is the biggest risk you can take.” So, in 2015 he decided to take the entrepreneurial plunge by acquiring a highly effective three-chair general practice.
THE HOW: Planning & Preparation
Dr. Wong had initially explored a start-up location as it seemed to be the better option during what appeared to be a seller’s market where many practices were selling for above the asking price. After sending a letter of intent, the first opportunity fell through, so he decided to pivot his focus by acquiring an existing practice in the highly saturated and competitive downtown Calgary core. Strategically, he felt that paying above market value would grant him access to a highly desirable business already generating consistent profits. At the time of purchase, the three-operatory, 850-square-foot facility was becoming quite tired and dated in its appearance. In many respects, it did not fulfill his passion for a beautiful, modern high-tech facility. So in 2020, after five profitable but stressful years in that location, he found a new, much larger facility just a kilometre away on a highly-desirable ground floor: a corner unit of a two-story architecturally awarded medical building.
THE RESULTS: Technical Design Features
The practice has a serene, modern atmosphere that proudly displays its mission statement on the walls to highlight its down-to-earth, people-centred passion for healthcare. Design elements include black iron accent walls, vibrant blue accent seating, marble flooring, and wood-like vinyl plank flooring seamlessly transitioning the front of the house into the clinical treatment areas. Each of the six modern operatories is identically set up for efficient, timely workflow. They created a unique, tactically-stocked cart storage system outside each operatory for quick and easy setups to be rolled in for the next treatment. This allows team members to transition patient care from room to room and patient to patient with greater organization, ease, and comfort.
THE IMPACT: Empowered Practice Outcomes
The new location has been an absolute blessing for the patients, the team, and the business. Since moving, staff retention has been fantastic. The environment is more professional, spacious, bright, and comfortable for everyone to work in. It has put a renewed bounce in everyone’s step and enabled the staff to evolve into a prouder, more passionate and aligned high-performing team. Patients also love the new environment. They enjoy the more peaceful, heart-centred, high-tech vibe. Dr. Wong loves how digital dentistry has changed their office: from onboarding patients with iPad forms to TVs inside the operatories and planning treatment with digital scanners. They are also building a significant online presence that has motivated Dr. Wong to connect with the community in various ways in front of the camera. The team is proud to work as their authentic selves out of a space that celebrates people at the forefront of everything they do.
Interior Design: Stoever Jones Design
Equipment Supplier: Henry Schein
Construction: Permission Construction
About the Authors
Darcie is co-founder of Bella Vita Designs Inc, an interior design company specializing in creating beautiful, functional spaces for start-ups, remodelling, expanding, or relocating your dream practice. To discuss your office space needs or to have your proud story & unique design featured, she can be reached at darcie@bellavitadesigns.ca / IG @bellavitadesignsinc / 905-716-8528.
Peter is the Founder of Practice Mastery Inc., a Business Development Coaching company that serves the growth & development needs of your practice. His unique coaching empowers teams, principal dentists, associates & industry companies across North America to achieve extraordinary growth, higher income, and exceptional quality of life. FMI IG @peterbarrycoach, peter@practicemastery.com, www.practicemastery.com, 416.568.5456.
