CATEGORY 106 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST AQUISITIONS from the fact that I received a return on my investment in the practice from the deal, I am still working in my old familiar surrounding doing what I do best as a dentist. “Of course,” he hastens to add, “I also feel a huge sense of relief because I no longer have to contend with a lot of backend management work, which from experience, can add up quickly and become very timeconsuming.” The silent switch e uniqueness of Ekera Dental lies in its approach of not assimilating practices but rather allowing them to maintain their essence and integrity. In Dr Ayoub’s case, this means that DentalArt Clinic continues to operate with the same branding, clinical setting, values, principles, and the familiar face of Dr Ayoub himself. e dentist also prefers not to reveal the management change to his patients – unless asked or when he needs to provide an ironclad reason to prevent discount haggling. Otherwise, the seamless ownership transfer is something he relishes. “ e reason is that, in human behaviour, some people resist change,” he explains. “ ey might start assuming that the management or the quality of materials would change. But when they see the same familiar faces running the show for 15 years, they still have that trust.” No questions asked However, not everything survived the changeover. e OPG machine malfunctioned about a week after Ekera Dental took over the practice, although to be fair, it had absolutely nothing to do with the changeover or the company. Nevertheless, Dr Ayoub felt bad and wanted to chip in for repairs of the $15,000 unit. But within two days, the Ekera team had arranged for a brand new unit to be installed. “ ey managed the entire process very smoothly,” Dr Ayoub praises. “To be honest, I thought I might have to share some of the costs with them, but they didn’t even ask. ey said, ‘It’s our practice now; we’ll take care of it.’ It’s amazing.” No dull dentistry for me! After graduating with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Otago (NZ) in 2001, Dr Ayoub has immersed himself in numerous post-graduate courses and seminars. His areas of specialisation include implant surgery, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, and laser dentistry. In 2008, he achieved accreditation as an Invisalign provider and secured certi cation from the Australian Society of Implant Dentistry (ASID). In 2012, he became a Member of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (MRACDS). As a dental practice owner, time is often a luxury, with long hours juggling between patient care and business management. But now, with the support of Ekera Dental, Dr Ayoub is seizing the opportunity to follow his dreams – which is, continuing to hone his skills as a clinician, in order to better the patient care and experience at his beloved clinic. “I nd great enjoyment in dentistry, but it’s crucial to keep it challenging to make it more interesting and enjoyable,” he explains. “ e best return on investment, in my opinion, is education. Investing in yourself is a personal journey, and it allows you to advance your knowledge. Otherwise, it can become a routine job.” To date, Dr Ayoub has successfully completed the GIDE Dental Institute program in both Australia and the United States. His current emphasis is on achieving a Diploma in Implantology in Edinburgh, England, with future plans to pursue a master’s degree in Germany. “I also hope to allocate time for studies in Istanbul or Germany in the coming year,” he adds, “this decision to sell the practice primarily stems from my educational aspirations.” In addition to professional development, the courses provide a unique opportunity to travel with his wife and children. ese academic ventures encapsulate the essence of what joining Ekera Dental means for the indefatigable learner – the ability to preserve both his professional identity and personal life. Finding work-life balance in a stressful industry Asked what he nds di erent between life as a dental owner and now as an employed dentist, after 20 years of owning his own clinics, he reveals: “Practicing dentistry is still enjoyable for me, with fewer headaches. In the past, despite having a good practice manager in my wife, I still needed to spend at least two to three hours per week on administrative tasks, not to mention keeping up with accreditation requirements for the practice, which can be cumbersome. “I also nd the new media marketing aspects rather challenging. I often lack the SEO skills or enthusiasm to actively promote our services on platforms like Facebook and Twitter.” Since relinquishing his management duties, Dr Ayoub started going to the gym three times a week, and swims once a week with his family and in-laws. Outside dentistry, he enjoys tennis, volleyball and cycling. “A good lifestyle is essential,” he advises. “It helps reduce stress, which is crucial in this day and age when the industry is already stressful. Dr Fady Ayoub believes that his postEkera Dental workload has reduced by about 40%. “It’s the little things that can weigh on your mind. You keep thinking about issues like network problems or a broken computer. ese small concerns can add up. But now, it’s all worry-free,” he chuckles. “Yes, I still want the practice to be successful, and we’re committed to maintaining it, but it’s much more comfortable now.” u BETTER SEE BACK COVER 1800 806 450 www.amalgadent.com.au ZIRCONIA CLEANER ZIRCONIA BOND TOGETHER Footer Ads #101.indd 3 18/10/2023 5:27:39 PM
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