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Dr. Johnston's Blogs
Here we go!Friday, September 26, 2008
Well, we are finally off and running here at Ascent Dental Group. Its been a very long year for me and I have finally created a dental office I have dreamed about. It didn't come easy!After graduating dental school in San Antonio, TX, (2004) I decided to stay in San Antonio and work for a dentist as an associate. Things soon slowed down and the dentist could not keep me busy. After about 4-5 of these associate rotations with different dentist, I decided I needed a change! Having no kids, no wife, or nothing to hold me back, I moved to Colorado in Feb. of 2006, (why? skiing, mountain biking, hiking, rafting, etc!) and started working for a private group office. As an independent contractor to this office, I was the only dentist in the office and was not any ones understudy anymore. I worked here for 2 and a half years. Finally, it came time for me to make a decision, the owner wanted me to buy into the office and I had decided not to, that I could establish a better office. After about a year of looking at rental spaces, spaces to buy, existing dental offices for sale, I decided to build my own and start from scratch. Not an easy road to take by any means! I picked the Cherry Creek area, because it was a central location in Denver, and my fiance and I live in a small condo in the area. (If your wondering, I am getting married Sept 19, 2009 hopefully in the mountains)
Why Ascent Dental Group? I pondered many many names, and everyone had their own opinion! I wanted an A- for alphabetical purposes, I also wanted something mountain, Ascent - like ascending the mountain. Group? Well lets just say I don't want to be by myself for long, this implies future growth.
In May of 2008, I signed a rather scary rental agreement and dug in. No, literally I dug in! The space I rented needed a slight remodel, so I started ripping down the walls and ripping up the floor, before I knew it I had done the demolition all myself! Construction commenced and finally finished (the contractor also allowed me to paint, to save money of course, so I enjoyed hours of painting fun!) Then the shopping began! I have hit every store in Denver I think to find the best deal for decorating, etc. Long story short, this summer (08') has been a wild ride with architects, contractors, dental equipment salesmen, marketing salesmen, many telemarketers, bankers, loaners, lawyers, plumbers, electricians, air conditioning guys, landlords, you name it! I have learned so much this summer of 08'!
Now we are open, and now I am learning patience! Its been somewhat slow, but we are getting people in. Its so exciting to see peoples faces when they come in the office! They are excited about seeing a TV above the chair, a couch in the reception room and the numerous other details I have put into the place to make your visit more comfortable. I think of this place as a result of all my past growing pains, from all the dental offices I worked in and for, a collaboration of all the ideas I have seen from these offices.
My enjoyment is getting to treat you, its even more enjoyable when I hear you say you had a great experience.
See you in the chair. (remember it massages!)
Dr. Johnston
