Starting Out - A Young Dentist Finds the Pathway to Success at Heartland Dental Care

Ana Paula Ferraz has a quick smile and sparkling eyes. To see her out shopping with her friends or dining with her fiancé at one of the hip night spots in St. Augustine, Florida, you’d think she was an average, happy-go-lucky college co-ed.

But with just a short conversation, you’ll learn that this first generation immigrant from Brazil is fluent in four languages and a recent graduate of Nova Southeastern University’s prestigious College of Dental  medicine. And while she may indeed be happy-go-lucky, Dr. Ferraz is uniquely driven and dedicated to her personal commitment to be a successful dentist in every way.

“I felt drawn to dentistry as soon as I decided to go into medicine,” said Dr. Ferraz. “But I can’t believe how much I enjoy the daily work of dentistry and the wonderful relationships I’ve built with my patients. It’s so different than what I expected while I was in dental school, and I think it’s the Heartland systems and business practices that have made the difference.”

Borrowing hundreds of thousands of dollars to start her own practice was not an option, she added. So she and many of her fellow graduates sought out established practices to join. After six months with Heartland, Dr. Ferraz now realizes what a great choice she made in coming to Heartland.

“When my friends from dental school and I get together and share experiences from our different practices, I’m amazed at all I’m doing and learning, especially compared to what they are not doing and learning.”

Dr. Ferraz reeled off several examples that have caused her to appreciate the variety of opportunities Heartland provides.

Dr. Ferraz is encouraged to stretch and grow by working on harder cases or those in which she might not have as much experience. Another experienced doctor in the office can assist, provide advice or review the case at the end of the day—whatever they think would best help her grow and improve in her quest for the professional excellence Heartland strives for.

“I’m amazed at how much I get to do and the training Heartland provides through my personal mentor and continuing education classes!” exclaimed Dr. Ferraz. (A list of Hearland’s clinical and leadership classes for 2009 can be found on the back cover of SMILING.)

She is encouraged to participate in decision making with the other doctors and senior team members even though she is a new dentist just out of school.

“I’m learning how to run a successful practice—which is definitely not taught at dental school,”  Dr. Ferraz added. “I’ve learned in a short time that if all the practice’s team members are following Heartland’s game plan, we’ll be successful at the end of the day, month, quarter and year.”

Heartland has a proven track record for practice management. It’s simple, direct and based on doing the right things for the patient.

“Heartland wants me to learn and grow in my technical skills as well as my leadership skills,” said Dr. Ferraz. “It’s a valuable opportunity I do not see my classmates from dental school receiving from their employers. And I intend to learn as much as I can.”

“I am very proud to be a part of Heartland Dental Care, and I love how passionate every single person is and how dedicated we are to provide the best care for our patients,” she added.

Dr. Ferraz admits that when she made her decision to come to Heartland she only thought it was the right  decision; but after a few months, she knows it was the best decision she could have made.

Ana Paula Ferraz, DMD,

is a new dentist at

St. Augustine Family

Dentistry in St. Augustine,

Florida.

 

Heartland Dental Care Works for you! 

- Heartland Dental Care is a collection of hometown dental practices and provides quality, life-time dental care to all patients – 

Heartland Dental Care’s founder, Rick Workman, DMD graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in 1980.  Dr. Workman established his first practice in Effingham, Illinois.  His thriving practice became the model for what would become the largest group practice in the Midwest.  Heartland Dental Care was created as Dr. Workman successfully developed, managed and expanded into several states.  We now manage close to 230 dental practices located in the states of Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia and we continue to grow.   

We offer our doctors and team members the opportunity to practice in a state-of-the-art facility with all of the necessary equipment and technology to provide the most up-to-date services.  When doctors give the highest standard of care possible and the entire team is committed to this process – helping patients achieve “Lifetime Dental Care” – the financial aspect of the practice falls into place. 

Dentists join Heartland Dental Care for many reasons: autonomy, ability to network with other doctors, training programs and continuing education, and administrative support.  We are different than other group practices because our dentists have pride and a sense of ownership in their practice.  Dentists know that they work with their own practice and team, diagnose and treatment plan their own cases.  The autonomy Heartland Dental Care provides to the doctors enhances their practice.  It empowers them to be the dentist they always wanted to be – without having to invest in a practice to get it! 

Another tremendous advantage Heartland offers dentists is the ability to resource and network with their more than 300 dentists.  All of the doctors network on a regular basis and attend company-sponsored training events.  Some dentists also meet regionally in study clubs or leadership council meetings to discuss what is happening in their practices or talk about clinical issues or situations of interest.  This provides the opportunity for new graduates to mentor with more experienced dentists. 

Heartland has a strong commitment to constant and never-ending improvement.  We offer more than 150 hours of continuing education to our doctors and team annually.  Our doctors receive regular training on rotary endo in addition to supplemental programs on restorative techniques, prosthetics, and the use of new technologies and products such as the Diagnodent, Chairside Multimedia, Vizilite, Arestin, Intra Oral Cameras, Invisalign, and more. 

Visit http://www.heartlanddentalcare.com/postings.shtml today to find an opening near you!