Today we’d like to introduce you to Bonner Morren.
Hi Bonner, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey to pursue a career in dentistry and open my dream office began when I was a kid growing up in Dallas. I had a lot of issues with my teeth when I was younger. I underwent comprehensive treatment which involved significant work with my dentist, orthodontist, and oral surgeon. Upon completion of all my treatment, I experienced a much needed boost in self-esteem and confidence during my youth. I am extremely appreciative of the doctors and all their hard work. This experience had a huge impact on my life and set my focus towards dentistry.
After completing my undergraduate degree at Texas Tech University, I went to University of Texas School of Dentistry in Houston. My experience in dental school confirmed my passion for my career choice. I enjoyed serving my patients, getting to know them, improving their health, and helping them accomplish their goals. While I was in school, I met my wife who is also a dentist. Upon graduation, we moved to her hometown here in Austin.
Early in my career, I worked in multiple offices around town. I was lucky to see different practice models and work with a lot of great team members. I quickly identified areas of the patient experience where I could improve. I noticed certain aspects in dental offices that were confusing or intimidating. Having been in the dental chair myself all those years allowed me to identify with my patients and to be empathetic towards their fears or anxieties. That is when I knew that I needed to build an office with every detail carefully designed to maximize the patient experience. That is when Austin Dental Company was born.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I imagine entrepreneurs in any industry with any business venture involves significant obstacles. My journey with Austin Dental Company is no exception. The road was long and bumpy. We signed our lease in a new shopping center in Steiner Ranch in August of 2019. The shopping center was scheduled to complete construction in the fall of 2020, and we planned to open our doors in December of 2020. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit…
The pandemic impacted the whole world. Everyone was struck with fear and skepticism about the future. We were terrified about what this would mean for the new office and our profession as a whole. My wife and I both lost our jobs. We were on the hook for the lease and the bank loan, with no certainty we would be able to get back to work. This time period was riddled with sleepless nights, feeling like the world was crumbling around us. We leaned on our faith and prayer to navigate these trying times. We decided to concentrate on what we could control and never abandon our dream to open our office.
We took advantage of our time out of work. We worked hard during quarantine researching the latest technology in dentistry and outlining the ideal environment for our patients. We worked with a graphic designer to develop a unique and authentic brand for our practice that represents our vision.
As the world began to resume, we got back to working with our contractor and suppliers to begin construction on the office. Dealing with vendors and supply issues during the pandemic was challenging. We learned to keep an open mind and to expect delays. We had to be flexible, think outside the box, and get creative to find solutions to move our project forward. We finally opened our doors and began seeing patients at Austin Dental Company in August of 2021.
Looking back, I am thankful for everything we had to endure to open Austin Dental Company. I learned many valuable lessons along the way that have made me stronger. I feel better prepared to navigate new obstacles as they will undoubtedly arise.
We’ve been impressed with Austin Dental Company, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Austin Dental Company, our mission is simple, Quality Dentistry, Honestly Delivered. Staying true to our mission starts with creating a comfortable environment for our patients. Each detail of the office is carefully considered to deliver an exceptional and unmatched experience. Our office decor and theme is true to our name. Our branding and murals throughout our office thoughtfully highlights the city of Austin and the state of Texas.
The experience does not stop with the welcoming interior design. We have TV’s, Netflix, Spotify, Beats Noise Cancelling Headphones, laughing gas, and blankets available at each appointment. We’ve also invested in the latest technology that dentistry has to offer. Our 3D imaging software and HD TV’s lets our patients see their teeth in a new light. This allows us to clearly communicate our patients’ dental needs and to build the necessary trust. Our team of smile experts love working with our patients, and we pride ourselves on being the best at reducing dental anxiety that many suffer from. We take the time to get to know each of our patients and work with them closely to help them achieve their goals. We are a general dentist office that offers a full range of services, including cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign, and implants.
What’s next?
We plan to continue to grow and help as many patients as we can. I believe that our influence and positive impact grows with each new patient that we serve in our office. We are active in the community and plan to get involved in more community outreach events. We are constantly evolving and honing in on developing the best patient experience.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@austindentalco.com
- Website: www.austindentalco.com
- Instagram: @austindentalco
- Facebook: @austindentalco
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4606rGJrEWR27zgiy12ufg
