Hidden Gems: Meet John Oganesyan of Downtown Endodontics

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Oganesyan.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Originally from the San Fernando Valley, dentistry is in my DNA as my father and sister are also dentists. I’ve been
practicing dentistry in Southern California since 2016. As far as my journey to practice ownership, I started as an associate at Downtown Endodontics in January 2022. I worked there for about 1.5 years before the previous owner decided to sell the practice and I bought it in late 2023.

For my background here is my bio.

Dr. John Oganesyan is a board certified endodontist who completed his undergraduate, dental, and specialty endodontic training at the University of Southern California. During his time at USC, Dr. Oganesyan distinguished himself academically and clinically, earning the prestigious Paul K. Hill Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in Endodontics, awarded to only one graduating student each year.

Deeply committed to community service, Dr. Oganesyan was a core member of the USC Mobile Clinic, a student-run initiative dedicated to providing dental care to underserved populations. He also played an active role in the Dental Humanitarian Outreach Program (DHOP), a collaborative effort between USC students and faculty to deliver dental services in countries such as Jamaica, the Philippines, Belize, Nicaragua, and Panama. Notably, Dr. Oganesyan established the endodontics department within DHOP, expanding the program’s capabilities to include root canal therapy alongside general dental care for communities in need around the world.

Following dental school, Dr. Oganesyan pursued a two-year advanced specialty residency in endodontics at Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. He achieved board certification from the American Board of Endodontics in 2022. As an active member of the American Association of Endodontists, Dr. Oganesyan remains at the forefront of his field, continually integrating the latest advancements and technologies into his practice to provide the highest standard of care for his patients

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Initially a lot of our struggles had to do with switching over all of our accounts to new ownership. Dealing with insurance companies is something of an extreme sport. Buying an existing dental practice is beneficial in that it comes with existing clients, but it also comes with a lot of systems in place that may not work under new ownership. Making changes when the staff have been doing things the same way for 10+ years can be challenging.

Beyond the first few months, the main difficulties are similar to what any small business may face. Managing staff, dealing with day to day finances. Trying to provide value for your clients while also trying to make a profit. It’s especially challenging in dentistry because we are dealing with peoples health. Most people already dislike being at the dentist, so making that experience more pleasant is a priority as well. So how do you make sure each patient gets the necessary attention and proper care, has a pleasant experience, feels like they are received good value for their money, and is also seen on time without waiting too long… all while trying to run a small business and stay profitable ? I guess that’s what I spend every waking moment trying to perfect. I can’t say it gets easier but you do learn how to manage your time and problem solve better.

As you know, we’re big fans of Downtown Endodontics. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are a a dental office that specializes in Endodontics. The branch of dentistry concerned with diseases and injuries of the soft tissues inside a tooth (the dental pulp). AKA “Root Canal Specialist”

We offer a full range of services related to our speciality. We rely on general dentists to refer us their patients to complete specific procedures. Primarily root canal treatment. I would say at least half of what I do is redoing root canals that were not done properly. What sets us apart is our extremely high standards and commitment to patient centered outcomes. Doing right by our patients is our highest priority and I think that comes through to people. It’s the reason our referrals continue to trust us with their patients. We do use a lot of technology to help us accomplish this. Examples are CBCT machines, dental microscopes, and the use of lasers in our disinfection protocol. I always try to stay up to date with any emerging techniques or equipment that may add value to our practice.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Good dentistry, happy patients, mountain biking, and of course my lovely wife 🙂

It’s not always easy to keep you spirits up when you’re running a business. You’re constantly working. Always worried about keeping the schedule full. Keeping your referrals and patients happy. It’s important to remember to take care of your own mental and physical health. You’re no good to anyone if you lose sight of that. If you don’t take the occasional step back you can lose sight of the bigger picture.
I like to spend my free time traveling with my wife. Hanging out with friends and family. I am also an avid mountain biker. These all keep me grounded and energized so I can continue to work and serve my patients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.downtownendodontics.com/
• Instagram: @downtownendodontics
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/downtown-endodontics-los-angeles-9
• Other: @socalendo on insta is my work page

Image Credits
Photos by Suren Ginosyan