California Lab Offers Killer Views
"You've got to be kidding me!" That's the reaction Mike Rusznak and Chieu Cao, MDT, usually get from visitors to their laboratory, MR Smile Design, in Newport Beach, CA. Located right on the water, the facility offers unbeatable views of Newport Harbor and the yachts that line its docks. "We still come in every day and are blown away by how beautiful it is," says Rusznak. "We have to stay away from the windows to get anything done!"
The building and its location were a perfect match for the lab's needs. A former dental office with an in-house lab, it was prewired and had existing air and gas lines; all they had to do was move in their benches. Rusznak and Cao also hope the unique setting will help draw attendees to their new venture: an in-house education center for technicians and dentists.
In addition to using the lab's main production area to hold courses, the adjacent 1,300-sq-ft dental suite--previously used as a training facility--features an operatory theater with a classroom in the back; soaring industrial-style ceilings; and glass walls for an open, airy feel. Rusznak and Cao are currently seeking a dentist or group of dentists to rent the space and partner with them on offering educational courses.
LVI-trained Rusznak and Cao focus on high-end cosmetic cases--they specialize in implants and custom shades--and want to share their knowledge with the industry. "We realize that collaboration in education with dentists is necessary for providing the best restorative results for patients," says Cao, who earned his MDT in 2001. "It fosters better communication and helps all members of the dental team understand patient expectations and the desired final outcome."
In addition to growing the lab's reputation as a technical expert, the education center will also connect the lab with other like-minded dentists. "We have a goal of being able to restore the most complicated of cases that come our way and our education center will help put us in touch with doctors who also want to work on those types of cases and appreciate high-end work," says Rusznak.
So far, the lab has sponsored manufacturer courses and dentist study clubs and, this month, it began offering its own course roster as well. For more information, visit http://www.mrsmiledesign.com">www.MRsmiledesign.com.
