A complimentary toothbrush, maybe a lollipop and some words of encouragement — these are all standard fare in the world of dentistry.
But what about the intangibles? How does dentistry go from “standard” to “elite”?
Enter the Dr. Lovely & Associates advantage.
And there are many.
Netflix on screen while you’re being worked on. A blanket for added comfort. Uber rides to and from the office for those receiving implants. Follow-up calls.
This is the pinnacle of dentistry in New Westminster and beyond.
“It’s how you make the patient comfortable that makes all the difference,” says Dr. Stephen Yoon, principal dentist and owner of the clinic. “Sometimes, the dentist isn’t fun. You have to add a human element in to this job as well.”
While that commitment to excellence will never change, some things at Dr. Lovely & Associates will — namely, the name.
Come later this year or early 2023, the clinic’s name will shift to New West Dentistry & Implant Centre. Yoon took over the practice from Dr. Douglas Lovely in the last year and as part of that transition comes a new name.
“A lot of patients came to him because of the name and they’d have a good laugh about it,” Yoon says. “When I tell people that I’m taking over the business they often ask me, ‘Are you sure about keeping that name?’”
Yoon and his staff pride themselves on being a full-suite dentistry practice. They serve general dental needs, IV sedation, implants, wisdom teeth and other surgical procedures.
Another feather in Yoon’s cap is the recent purchase of a SOAN machine that makes needle injections far less painful — this service can be requested for no additional charge.
“A patient can barely feel anything with this machine and we explain each step through the process,” Yoon says.
That process includes waiting for at least 10 minutes after topical anesthetic is applied to ensure any needles are virtually painless.
“That alone makes a huge difference,” Yoon says. “Above and beyond that, we spend a lot of time explaining each procedure and give patients the necessary room they need mentally before we begin. We don’t just stick a needle in their mouth when they arrive.”
Yoon has been a practicing dentist for seven years, two of which have been in the Royal City. His post-secondary studies in sciences and dentistry took place at UBC.
Yoon credits the steady, precise hand required in his line of work to a curiosity for all things gadgets — and an enduring love for Lego.
“I really like doing things with my hands, and I really like mechanical parts and making things,” Yoon says. “But it also speaks to the artistic side of my brain as well. In dentistry, there’s a combination of that artistic component, beauty and the mechanical aspect: building and making things.”
For more information and to book your appointment, visit newwestminsterdentists.com.
