In a recent meeting, the Lakeside Dental team had an opportunity to ask Dr. Bergen some questions about his practice, his style of dentistry, personal interests, thoughts on second opinions, and retirement. Here is what he had to say...
What is the history of Lakeside Dental?
In 2008, I sold Stone Road Dental, a busy and successful five-chair dental office in Virgil. Part of the plan was to graduate to something different, and somewhat unique: a boutique operation: a fully equipped, one-chair dental office, in my home. Our clinic would look out over my gardens and Lake Ontario.
What is unique about your style of dentistry?
We have deliberately decided to see only one patient at a time, creating a very different world from the usual multi-chair, multi-provider situation.
As well, we have the luxury of time. We schedule extra time for each appointment so we can be unhurried in discussing dental concerns, and life beyond dentistry.
What do you like about doing what you do?
There are a number of things that I like about life as it is:
-Good people come to see me with interesting problems, and I get to solve them.
-I am in the office three days a week, so every weekend lasts at least 4 days.
-I look forward to the challenges of Monday morning, and I look forward to Wednesday afternoon when I can enjoy not being so focused.
What do you do when you are not doing dentistry?
Gardening, woodworking and skiing are my primary hobbies. Travel also fits in there as well: I left school for a year back in 1968, worked for 6 months to pay for things and hit the road with a backpack. I turned 19 in the middle of Iran. It was a good beginning.
Currently, one of my great joys is bringing our four grandkids to our cottage up in North-Eastern Georgian Bay, loading them into a sixteen-foot inflatable boat and heading off to explore the scores of deserted islands nearby.
What are your thoughts on second opinions?
Second opinions are useful. They take advantage of different perspectives and different experiences. We are happy to offer a second opinion, and if it is a straightforward situation, we usually do this at no charge. When one of our patients requests a second opinion, we encourage them to do so and forward any pertinent records as requested.
When are you going to retire?
No time soon, I hope. I am enjoying this stage of my career enormously. My mother ran 2 miles a day, five days a week, until the age of 94. I’m hoping I got a good share of those genes. So, I hope to keep living my life the way that I am for as long as is reasonable.
