What You Should Know About Dental Fillings
We offer a full range of thorough and comprehensive dental services that cater to all age groups including: general dentistry; pediatric care; cosmetic dentistry including whitening, bonding and veneers; implants and denture work. We pride ourselves on being a thorough, compassionate and well trained team that’s here to give our patients the best experience we can!
What makes your client experience unique?
Now located in fantastic Uptown Waterloo right on King Street, our facility is modern, state of the art and gorgeous in every way to appeal to all the senses. The moment our clients step through our door they feel like they are in a spa environment, not a dental office. Beyond the warm greeting, great background music and beverage selection, we believe that what really sets us apart is the individual, undivided attention we give each patient. We carefully limit the number of patients served each day so that every Waterloo Smiles patient can experience our very best service. We offer free Wi-Fi and iPad stations to keep our clients, both young and old, occupied and at ease while they wait for their turn or a loved one. Our treatment rooms focus on comfort and quality by providing TVs, soothing massage chairs and state of the art equipment. From beginning to end, our focus is on putting our clients at ease and making their trip to the dentist as positive an experience as possible. Looking for home massage for relief your body the you have right place.
What was the motivation to open your own practice?
After practicing as an associate dentist for ten years, I took the leap and established my own practice in 2006. It was a busy time in my life with 2 very young children at home, but I knew that I wanted to start something that was my own. I bought a small family practice and over the next few years, built a successful general practice that has grown wonderfully.
How has your practice grown over the years?
Eight years after I opened my practice, I took another leap and built a new facility. Starting the 20th year of my career, most people would think… “Why now? Why take such a risk? Why take on so much debt?” I was passionate about having a space that spoke my name. We are very proud of the facility we have designed and built. Never having done it before, it has been an incredible learning experience. Surrounding myself with talented, hardworking people was key and I am now embarking on the next stage of my career in an awesome space with an awesome team.
What 3 “I believe” statements reflect your personal and professional values?
I believe in putting my family first. Each working day, I commit to either dropping off or picking my kids up from school. I don’t want to miss out on their lives because of work. My motivation for working hard and building a successful business is my kids. I believe that integrity trumps profit. Money cannot be the motivation to be successful. I believe that my mental habits and state of mind predict my future. I challenge myself to continue learning about business and dentistry and most importantly to be coached, and to coach my team, so that we don’t become stagnant, and ultimately continue to succeed and grow.
How do you maintain balance in your work/personal life?
I try to work 4 days a week and while those days are busy, I try to take some time for myself. Even if it’s just a half hour before bed to unwind – I meditate, do yoga and try my best to exercise. My husband and I schedule a date night every couple of weeks to make sure we stay connected and I make certain every night to have just a few minutes alone with each child to check in and see how they’re doing.
What do you like most about what you do?
My exposure to all the different people that I meet and the ability to help people achieve the best oral health possible. Describe the way you work in just a few words. Passionate, engaged, focused and efficient.
What is something that gives you a daily sense of pride?
Accomplishing everything I set out to do that day. I’m a planning type of person, so I always have a list of things to do, which includes making sure the kids complete all they need to do.
What is one of the positive traits that you have learned about yourself?
I’m an optimist.
How important is mentoring and being mentored to you?
Extremely! My husband, kids, parents, brother, good friends and team members continue to be an important part of my support network. As well, I am professionally and personally coached by a management company and their motto is: “Extraordinary practice, extraordinary life.” It’s been a life changing experience for me to have been taught the skills needed to be a better me, to be a better leader/mentor, and, most importantly to keep learning and improving. I bring these lessons into the mentoring of my own team. During team meetings once a week, I coach regularly on better practices at work and team building.
What inspires and motivates you?
I am motivated by fantastic family and friends and how they lead their lives, how they rear their children. I am lucky to have incredible relationships in my life.
What is one of the not-so-positive traits that you have learned about yourself?
I’m an emotional person. I easily get hot under the collar, but I just as easily cool down.
What can you never go to bed without doing?
Brushing and flossing! No matter how tired I am, even if I fall asleep on the couch, I just have to get that done.
What makes you laugh out loud?
My kids and their incredible sense of humour.
What hobbies do you enjoy?
Reading, cooking, novice photography and planning the next magical vacation. I’m also thinking about taking up painting.
What do you do to boost your confidence?
A talk with myself, and find a moment to focus!
What do you do to relax and unwind?
I enjoy dinner out, movies, reading a good book, playing a game on the iPad.
What role did your parents play in helping you get where you are today?
My parents were very engaged and encouraged me from an early age to think about school and education and to be focused. They taught me to be conservative in financial matters so that I would be prudent in the decisions I made once I started to make money.
What are three key lessons you have learned that you would want to share with someone making a major personal or professional decision?
1) Take the time to write out your goals. Be specific and have a timeline, then have a plan. 2) Make sure you know the pros and the cons of the decisions you make as best as you can, which comes from analyzing well the first time. 3) Be accountable and responsible for the decisions you make and the results they produce, without regret.