Dr Mehdi Yazdi purchased Crown Bank Dental in Cheshire in 2017, which has since developed into a flourishing business. He takes a look back on how it all began.
I knew that I wanted to own my practice and I looked across the country for the best location. There were two crucial elements that I was looking for – the chance to design the practice and the opportunity to grow it in my own way. The goal was not to buy the finished article and just work within what was there.
A premises in a picturesque market town in Cheshire was found that lent itself well to what I wanted. It could be operational straightaway but there was huge potential for growth and development, with space in the attic, for example. The acquisition was completed.
The building was full of character in its own right, so our intention was to complement the existing features and enhance them with renovations, without deviating too far from the original feel of the site. Located in a conservation area, we had to submit planning permission for any external changes such as the outdoor signage and lighting, remaining mindful of what the requirements were to be in keeping with the surrounding area. The initial plans required some alterations, but permission was later granted to proceed.
The refurbishment of the practice was carried out in stages, with consideration for the business’ changing financial situation. All work was also completed while the practice was open, so decisions were made to ensure downtime was minimised. The first builder we approached wasn’t quite the right fit, so we ended up working with our practice manager’s husband. He and his team had a good knowledge and understanding of our needs as a dental practice, which proved vital. We also worked with an architect to design and create the best spaces for the building.
Despite this, a big challenge was maintaining the patient experience with building work going on in the background. We did decide to delay any treatment that required sedation during this time – the last things anxious patients need is background noise and a change in routine. There were several jokes made about whether the drilling was from the dentists or the builders on major construction days, but this was all in good humour thanks to understanding patients.
A lot of the building work went into moving the staff room into the attic so that the old space could be converted into a new surgery and consultation area. The upstairs area was completed with a staff changing area and kitchen facilities, before attention moved down to the surgery. This was intended to ensure minimal disruption to, and maximum comfort for, the team. It also meant we had to be mindful of where we could put stock and were often moving stationary around in the evenings ready for the next day’s tasks.
The other challenge I faced was going completely over budget! We had a lot of wiring and tubing that needed to be replaced before we could move it, but the old building made it more complicated than initially anticipated. The increased costs were therefore unavoidable and factored into the long-term plan accordingly.
When the time came to finally furnish the new surgery, both staff and patients were excited to see the final result. I had chosen Stern Weber dental chairs, because I was impressed by their functionality and liked how they would fit into the space we had created. It was important to me that we had uniform equipment across the surgeries, as this allows both dentists and dental nurses to be comfortable while working in any of the rooms. They could build familiarity with the equipment and know that everything works in the same way should they need to see patients in a different surgery.
I approached RPA Dental for the supply, installation and support of the Stern Weber dental chairs. I really believe in creating strong and long-lasting relationships with service providers who support your practice, and that’s exactly what we got with RPA Dental. They really had our best interests at heart from the start, going above and beyond to help us build the high-quality practice we envisioned. Ever since the initial product selection and installation, they have remained an important part of your business development team. Indeed, I am currently looking to build a second practice in a neighbouring town, for which I am absolutely working with RPA Dental once again! The plan is for this to become a satellite practice to provide routine care and hygiene, with the original site focusing on more advanced treatment plans and referrals.
It has been quite the journey so far, but we still have more to come, which is exciting. I have learnt that it’s crucial to work with people who are comfortable with the nuances of dentistry. They need to understand your vision and how to make it happen within the specific regulations of the industry before they can successfully guide you. With a good team around you and a passion for delivering excellent patient care, you are far less likely to go wrong!
For more detail about RPA Dental please visit www.dental-equipment.co.uk,
call 08000 933 975 or email info@rpadental.net
