Today we’d like to introduce you to Nader Yermian.
Nader, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always believed in treating patients how I would want to be treated (‘treated’ being in both the medical and personal meaning of the word!) After practicing in the corporate dentistry world and as an associate dentist for 8 years, I finally opened my start-up dental practice–Vicente Dental–in Brentwood, Los Angeles about a year and half ago. With the opening of Vicente Dental, my mission was (and is) to provide top-quality, minimally invasive, patient-centered care…all the while keeping a fun and light atmosphere that you just can’t find in a lot of dental offices.
My father played a significant role in my initial interest in the field of dentistry. You see, my father hated his teeth. By the time I started dental school, he had dentures for quite some time. With the exception of dental implants, he had practically every dental procedure done that you can think of: fillings, root canals, crowns, bridges, partials, and eventually complete dentures. He was the first person to tell me, “Nader, never be aggressive. Never base your treatment decisions solely on financial gains.” He always felt that his previous dentists would take advantage of him, or didn’t have his best interest in mind. This stuck with me. When I started dental school at USC, I was fortunate enough to learn from biomimetic driven mentors who emphasized a conservative approach that matched with my father’s advice. These mentors were able to help me develop my ideas into practicality.
One of the first offices that I worked for was a corporate-style clinic. I had just finished my residency at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, and it was one of the first places that hired me in my hometown of Los Angeles. I remember being new to the practice and very excited to treat patients. It wasn’t long before I realized that the corporate dental world didn’t align with my own goals and ideas about how to deliver patient care. It isn’t that I have anything against the corporate style office; it’s just that I really wanted to brand myself as a minimally invasive practitioner who focused more on the quality and cosmetics of my work rather than on seeing a high volume of patients in a day. I strongly believe that a “less is more” approach of preserving the enamel enhances the lifeline of the tooth. Eventually I jumped the corporate ship and started working as an associate in a private practice. It was here where I was able to start growing and practicing the kind dentistry I am passionate about, and eventually I felt comfortable enough to start a practice of my own from scratch in 2018.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I can safely say that office ownership is the best decision I have made as a dentist, and I only wish that I could have done it sooner. There were definitely some obstacles (both business and personal) that I had to overcome prior to getting to the point where I’m at now, though; the main one being the tragic and unexpected passing of my father about 5 years ago. He was the glue that kept my family together. The second personal obstacle being a herniated disc in my back that was causing significant daily discomfort and ultimately ended with me having back surgery, which forced me to cut back on work temporarily. Fortunately, I’m a lot more active now and notice when I work out more and stay fit, my body feels better. My favorite way to exercise and destress is through league basketball two to three days a week.
The main business challenge I’ve experienced with the opening of Vicente Dental was deciding the best route to take for growing my practice while also making it feel like ‘my own.’ The more typical route for dentists to take who want to have practice ownership is usually to buy into an office (either a partial buy-in or a complete purchase from a dentist who wants to retire.) Since I already had almost a decade of experience working as a dentist under my belt, I felt comfortable putting in the extra work and commitment it takes upfront to grow a practice from the ground up and gain a patient following rather than buying into an existing practice with existing patients. I decided not sign up with dental insurance contracts even as a start-up office (which means Vicente Dental won’t pop up when you search for dentists within an insurance company’s network,) however I do still accept all major PPO plans and our office manager verifies an explanation of benefits prior to a patient’s visit. I say to a lot of my patients: ‘Who insures who?’ Dental insurance is a for-profit business that acts more like a coupon in our industry, but a lot of patients think that dental insurance is necessary. If I were to be in-network and agree to the terms of the insurance companies, I would have to use cheaper/generic materials, cheaper labs, see a higher volume of patients, and try to sell “upgrades” all to make up for the lost income by signing a contract with insurance companies. My practice is not built this way. We take a less aggressive approach, use the best materials and local laboratories available, see patients one at a time, and choose a treatment plan that is more affordable for the patient while also having the best long term results for him or her. We also offer a membership plan to help patients who don’t have dental insurance but still want the security of having coverage for routine procedures. The best part about it is the plan is through our office rather than a third party insurer so we don’t have to worry about denied coverages and insurance runarounds. Patients love the transparency of it.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Vicente Dental – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Tooth preservation and dental conservation are at the heart of my work, which means that teeth restored in biomimetic methods are less likely to need crowns, endodontic therapy, and potential extraction later on down the road. In terms of cosmetics, we deliver beautiful porcelain restorations in a very minimally invasive way. Teeth don’t have to be aggressively drilled down to stubs in order to place a porcelain veneer or a crown. Porcelain veneers–especially in a city like Los Angeles–are highly desired, so we’re happy to be able to provide some of the best work at a competitive price.
I believe my commitment to education of future dentists also sets me apart. I volunteer teach at Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, my alma mater. I’m also a founding member of the Aesthetic Excellence Study Club and am constantly looking for and attending continuing education courses and conferences to learn from and be among the best in the field.
I know going to the dentist isn’t typically a fun thing to do for people and that a lot of people associate going to the dentist with past negative experiences and anxiety. My staff and I go out of our way to make our patients feel at home and at ease, and one of my favorite things about my job is getting to know my patients. At Vicente Dental, patients often comment on how it doesn’t feel like your typical trip to the dentist. We aim for more of a boutique feel in our office. We have Nespresso in the waiting room and offer warm blankets and Netflix in all the procedure rooms.
What role has luck (good luck or bad luck) played in your life and business?
I always feel like I’m lucky to be able to do what I do, and I’m very grateful to have the love and support from the people around me. It’s inspiring. I do believe that a lot of hard work and dedication is what got me where I am today rather than luck. If anything, I would say I had bad luck with my father’s untimely passing, which deferred me from owning my office sooner. I know my old manx would be proud to see what I’m doing today.
Pricing:
- In-Office Membership Plan: $37.50 monthly ($450 annual payment) – includes 2 comprehensive exams, 2 cleanings, 1 emergency visit, unlimited x-rays, 50% off whitening, and 15% off restorative treatment. A popular option for patients without dental insurance.
- We accept all major PPO insurance plans.
Contact Info:
- Address: Vicente Dental 11633 San Vicente Blvd Ste 308 Los Angeles CA 90049
- Website: www.vicentedental.com
- Phone: 310-207-2060
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @vicentedental
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