Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Work Hours
Monday to Friday: 7AM - 7PM
Weekend: 10AM - 5PM
About
Dr. Allen Leko's Story (cont.)
The good news is stepping aside gave me the time I needed to heal physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Now I’m back and would love to share my experiences to help others in the dental profession. But before I do, I would like to tell you a little bit of my own story!
When I was younger, I always wanted to work in healthcare. I had a stethoscope around my neck, bandaid in hand, and medical bag by my side. Anytime someone had a scrape or cut, I was first on the scene. That was until I saw the sight of blood. Then I ran like Usain Bolt out the door!
It’s funny how things can change in an instant. One day I was playing in our basement and sliced my finger on a piece of metal from one of the columns. The emergency team at the hospital immediately stitched up the deep wound. They gently wrapped my hand in the necessary protective garments. I remember the colour red coming from my hand, but don’t remember panicking. I still have the two-inch scar on my finger. Its permanent imprint reminds me of the compassionate healthcare team who took care of me. It represents the day my fear of blood was conquered. That day cemented my desire to help others in healthcare.
It took me many years to decide what profession intrigued me the most. Dentistry won out in the end. It’s a fascinating career when you think about it. Our dental and medical knowledge gets translated into the work done by our hands. The end result of our efforts are displayed for all to see by our patients’ beautiful smiles. In addition, dentistry allows for private practice ownership, business incorporation, a healthy income stream, and community recognition. It was a no-brainer in the end.
“Success in dentistry isn’t just about mastering clinical skills; it’s about cultivating meaningful relationships with your patients, continuously enhancing their experience, and adapting to their evolving needs. Your practice thrives when your patients feel valued, understood, and cared for.”
Dr. Allen Leko D.D.S. — Dental Coach & Consultant
I graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto in 2007. My first three years of dentistry involved working as an associate at various offices. Memories of my first day still trigger some anxiety. I showed up over an hour early to make sure I wasn’t late. My palms were sweaty and my mind racing. All different scenarios popped into my mind. What if I missed something during my medical history exam? How would my patients handle to local anaesthetic? What if I have to fix a deep carious lesion close to the pulp? Needless to say, the day ended up being great. The principal owner was there to greet me, settle my nerves, and assure me I was prepared. And you know what? They were right. Sometimes we get into our own heads. We have to trust and believe in ourselves. There’s a reason we’ve made it this far!
Working in multiple practices is great. Each office is different providing valuable insight into what you may envision for your own office. Learn from each opporunity. What works well for one dentist may not be the same cup of tea for another. Analyze various practice setups. Work with different dental equipment and materials. My associateships helped determine what identity I wanted to create as both a practice owner and clinician.
One day I get a call out of the blue from one of my associate offices. The owner has suddenly decided to retire and move overseas. I am offered to purchase the practice, but must decide soon as they are leaving in two months. Did I mention I’ve been attending this practice as a regular patient since I was 10 years old? I am recently married, have student debt, and a mortgage on my home. Am I ready to be a practice owner? Are my clinical skills good enough? Are my spouse and I ready to take on another financial loan? I’m sure these are just some of the questions many of us have faced when deciding to take the jump into practice ownership. But at 29 year of age, I decided to take the plunge. Looking back, it was the best decision in my dental career.
I don’t think dental schools prepare you sufficiently to run a dental practice. Focus is primarily on developing clinical skills. There is a disconnect between learning the clinical and business aspects of dentistry. I found this out the hard way, especially with no mentor. It can be very overwhelming, even daunting, when you approach such a monumental task on your own. What administrative protocols do I implement? Who do I turn to for employment-related issues? Are all infection control measures up-to-date based on current guidelines? Everyday was a learning experience. But that’s life. We learn and try to be better each and every day. We owe it to our patients. We owe it to our staff. We owe it to ourselves.
The next few years were challenging. Everything worthwhile usually is. Learning how to effectively run a dental practice while gradually changing and implementing new standards and protocols is not an easy task. It takes time, commitment, and trust in the process. All staff members must be on board, as change is both collective and collaborative. Listen to feedback from both patients and staff. Have open communication. Seek advice and guidance from experts in their fields (service technicians, sales reps, accountants, employment lawyers etc.). Everyone has an important contribution to make in the growth and success of your practice.
Lastly, please take time out of your busy careers for yourself and your family. Do not work 60+ hours/week and risk burning out. You want a career of both longevity and financial succcess. Working harder and longer in the initial stages of your career may provide quicker success and financial gain, but reduce your career lifespan. Create a positive work-life balance. Find ways to destress. My clinical journey ended due to a long-standing struggle with ulcerative colitis. I was diagnosed 6 months after purchasing my dental practice. If I learned proper stress management and maintained a better work-life balance, who knows? Maybe things would have turned out differently.
Many of us have gone through similar situations and ended up stronger because of it. I truly believe having someone to support and guide you along the way, whether it be in-person, video chat, telephone call, text message or email, helps relieve some of the pressures we feel on our shoulders every day. If anyone needs help or just a friendly ear to listen, I’m here for you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Allen Leko
Are You Ready to Elevate Your Dental Practice?
Embarking on your own dental journey can be thrilling but daunting. If my story resonates with you and you’re seeking guidance to navigate the complexities of dental practice ownership, or if you simply need a supportive voice to guide you through your professional challenges, I’m here to help.
Let’s Connect! Schedule a Free 30-minute call with me and start transforming your dental practice today. Together, we can tailor a path to success that suits your unique needs and aspirations.
Let’s work together in this endeavor. It is important for all of us and for the future of dentistry.
I want to connect with you and discuss whatever burining issues you have currently. We can grow your practice, and I would be honored to do it with you.
Ask Me Anything!
“I’m sharing my journey in the hopes of helping others navigate their own struggles. I want people in the dental profession to know they are not alone.”
Dr. Allen Leko D.D.S. — Dental Coach & Consultant