When we met with Dr. Anil Makkar, Managing Partner of Victoria Court Dental in Truro, Nova Scotia the recurring theme of our conversation with Dr. Makkar was pride. He takes pride in his hometown of Truro. He takes pride in what he and Dr. Roger Daya and Dr. Ronald Rix have built. He takes pride in everyone that he works with, his Dental Hygienists, Practice Coordinators, Dental Assistants, Treatment Co-ordinator, Hygiene Co-ordinator and his Dental Centre Manager. He takes pride in operating the most tech-savvy Dental Office in Colchester County and maybe even Nova Scotia. He takes pride in charging what is recommended by the Nova Scotia Dental Fee Guide. And did I mention that he takes pride in his hometown?
By David MacDonald I grew up in Truro, Nova Scotia. Truro is a great town. That’s why I came back to practice here,” Dr. Makkar explained with a serene certainty. “I did my Undergrad- uate at Dalhousie University in Halifax and graduated from the Dalhousie Dental School in 1989. I was lucky enough to do all my schooling here in Nova Scotia. But I always knew I wanted to come home to Truro. The people here are very innovative. They’re very open to the concept of collaboration here. Part of it is that we’re a small town, so everyone knows that their business is going to benefit in some way. But another part is that we like to reach out in this community. It’s part of our spirit. I love the people here – and, I think, it shows. We’ve got great patients at the Practice. They’re always friendly and some of them have become like family. I’ve practised my entire career in Truro, almost 30 years as a practising dentist, so you can understand how close my ties are to this community and its people.”
Like a growing family, Dr. Makkar’s Practice has done its fair share of moving. He originally started a small Practice – just shy of 1200 square feet – in the Truro Mall in 1989. “I was there for 10 years and then from 1999 to 2005, I was in a place called Victoria Court, which is a strip mall in Downtown Truro. That location was around 1,400 square feet. In 2005, I developed a 5,000 square foot facility which houses three dentists and seven dental hygienists. Our neighbours operate a 2,000 square foot Medi Spa and while we’re separate tenants, we collaborate where we can.” Dr. Makkar’s neighbourly duty goes beyond next door. His “Next Town Over” story is truly touching. “The first time I went to the Dentist was in grade 11,” Dr. Makkar chuckled. “And I may have had one or two cavities,” he broke out in laughter. “It was in Bible Hill, a community just outside Truro, at Dr. Robert Rix’s Practice. He was very influential to me. He’s
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SEPTEMBER 2018 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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