Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Karogiannis.
Angela, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started my business three years ago. I was working as an associate for 12 years in a wonderful office nearby. During that time I got married, had 2 children and started to feel it was time to invest in my career. The practice I was currently working in did not have a partnership option so it meant I needed to out on my own. A practice opportunity came up that was both near my home and near to my patients so it was time to make the move. The timing was not ideal but I felt I couldn’t pass it up due to the many other benefits it offered. The practice I purchased needed growth. Buying my own practice gave me the chance to create the ideal environment for my patients. I wanted a calming and inviting atmosphere where patients could receive top quality care without having the classic “fear of the dentist”.
We pride ourselves in being a modern and clean facility. This endeavor also allowed me to bring my husband’s business into the practice. He is a talented dental lab technician who loves to create natural looking teeth not just crowns. Being in the practice he is able to meet with the patients and to photograph their smiles. This allows him to recreate their natural dentition and customize their restorations to fit their needs. We wanted to combine the efficiency and precision of technology with the artistry of delicate handwork.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As with every new beginning there are always obstacles and challenges along the way. Owning my own practice was always a goal of mine however when the opportunity came up I didn’t feel ready. My daughter was still an infant and I felt I needed to be there for her a little longer but life doesn’t always happen when it’s convenient. So I decided to “rip the band aid” off and move forward. One of the major challenges was being a manager and building a team that fit my philosophy and worked well together. I knew how to perform dentistry but I had no idea of the work necessary to run an office smoothly and efficiently. Luckily my assistant who followed me from my previous practice stood by me and helped me through many challenges. We had to build a schedule, sort through all the inventory, learn to place orders and check and repair equipment. In the beginning there were many times we looked at each other and wanted to cry but we pushed through and came out of this experience stronger.
Please tell us about Wakefield Custom Dental.
We are a general practice that provides a wide range of dental services from cosmetic procedures to complex implant cases and everything in between. We cater to both children and adults and are a family centered practice. We take pride in our work and I feel the customized care we give our patients is what sets us apart from the rest. Having our own in house lab really allows to give the extra attention and care our patients deserve. We have the luxury of making adjustments and changes right in the office minimizing extra appointments. We also have an amazing staff who is highly trained to welcome patients and to deal with their questions and anxieties while making them feel comfortable and at ease.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
What I initially thought was bad luck regarding the timing of buying a practice really turned out to be good luck. It seemed overwhelming at first however it was the push I needed to start this journey. From that point on all of the pieces have fallen into place and I am very fortunate to work with a great group of people who have such a passion and a love for what we do.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1 West Water Street
Suite 101
Wakefield MA, 01880 - Website: www.wakefieldcustomdental.com
- Phone: 781-246-4244
- Email: info@wakefieldcustomdental.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wakefieldcustomdental1/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wakefield-custom-dental-wakefield
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