Writing this blog offers me a platform to have a voice. I speak about Dentistry - the challenges practices face and offer practical solutions that work. I have the ability to travel, meet clients (and potential new clients) and see practices first hand. I am able to help dentists - near and far. I don’t work alone though. I work with a team of brilliant minds who all share this mission - to help. 

Amid all the negativity surrounding covid, political ads and riots, there is something to celebrate today. Practice Liaison, Victoria Paquin is celebrating ten years with Design Ergonomics. Show of hands, who does not know Victoria Paquin? Even if you have never worked with Design Ergonomics, it is likely you have read one of her Facebook posts or one of her thousands of contributions to Dentaltown. For those of you who have worked with Victoria, you know you couldn’t have done it without her. 

 To commemorate the contribution Victoria Paquin has made in dentistry over the last decade, we asked her to share her “Why”. 

My favorite clients...

My favorite client/doctors are the ones that call us up and complain they have to pay for design services and then proceed in doing so. The situation happens frequently and always renders the same result! They become our biggest fans, they get such a personal and knowledge filled experience and support from our team that they know they couldn't have gotten it anywhere else!! Being as vocal as they are, they often try to apologize. Little do they know, I absolutely loved it! I know they are on the threshold of something huge when they start tearing my head off... ? You know who you are!! I don't need to name names!! 

My favorite part about helping dentist...

This is super selfish... BUT my favorite part about helping dentists has been helping patients like myself all over the country! I have a terrible anxiety when it comes to dentistry. I have always been passionate about our concepts and designs that provide an easier practice environment and experience for scared patients that have been neglecting their oral health for years! I used to be one of them.

Over the past decade...

Over the past decade I've enjoyed the candid conversations with dentists across the country. So much so, I think they broke my New England accent! Inspirational stories of doctors leaving legacies for their children who would follow in their footsteps, doctors giving back to charitable organizations, doctors committing to goals that terrify them, the persistence in obtaining the right property, ect... I enjoy setting realistic expectations, talking about the tough stuff like misaligned goals, low budgets, too small of space, ect... knowing no other company is going to slow them down and set them up the RIGHT way. I've enjoyed the dentist that work with us the most! Odd hearing this from someone with dentophobia, right?!

On a work level, Victoria’s own happiness and success is determined by the success and happiness of others - specifically our clients. Jeff Haden, contributing editor of Inc. writes, “Many people have the ability to feel another person’s pain and help them work through that pain. A few, a special few, have the ability to feel another person’s dream and help them work towards those dreams - and to help open doors that might otherwise have remained closed.” 10 Habits of Remarkably Giving People. 

On a personal note, Viki is my friend. We have spent countless (after work) hours discussing clients and comparing notes but regularly check in to talk about family and life in general. She is very smart. The girl has a lot of fans. In fact, Dr.Howard Farran asked my(our) boss Dr. David Ahearn in a recent Dentistry Uncensored podcast, “when posting on Dentaltown, who is more smart, you or Victoria Paquin?” Dr. Ahearn’s response, “Victoria Paquin.” https://youtu.be/BE88aZDlxj4

To Victoria: There is no doubt that you have made your presence an invaluable one in our company and in the dental industry as a whole. You are a trailblazer - a fearless go getter. Congratulations on your ten year work anniversary. The sky is just a starting point for you. 

Please join me in congratulating Victoria on this monumental anniversary. And for those of you thinking of starting down the exciting journey of building a new practice - trust me - give Victoria a call. You couldn’t ask for a better guide.