20 Questions with Dr. Michael Krochak: Part ll
Dr. Michael Krochak is an award-winning Dentist, having been named one of America’s top dentists in 2019 and 2020. He has been practicing General Dentistry since 1984. A graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Michael Krochak is committed to staying at the forefront of general dentistry by continually taking advanced education courses. It’s been 37 years since Dr. Krochak began practicing dentistry, and he’s happy to report that it’s still his passion to this day.
Because Dr. Krochak has an incredible amount of knowledge and experience in the field of dentistry and dental education, we wanted to take the time to feature our founder and pick his brain about his journey, from his undergraduate studies to where Dr. Krochak is now, a nationally recognized Dentist.
Our interview with Dr. Krochak will take place over the course of 4 special blog posts. Below you’ll find part ll of our interview. Enjoy!
Was there an individual or organization that influenced your decision to enter the field of dentistry?
A college dean's office advisor asked me what I enjoyed and what I was good at? After discussing being both right-brained and left-brained because I was good at math and science but also good at creative arts like painting and drawing, she said, "Have you considered dentistry?". "Why?", I asked. It was then explained to me that Dentistry is a great blend of art and science and I became instantly drawn to it. With all of today's sophisticated esthetic dental techniques, it truly lives up to her billing.
What was your experience like when you graduated dental school and began working in the field for the first time?
There is very little time in the dental school curriculum to teach any business of running a practice or practical information as to career development. For that reason, it is difficult to open a practice straight out of school. Like most graduates, I found part-time associate positions in multiple practices in different neighborhoods. My attitude was not to only generate an income and become more efficient and knowledgeable about dentistry but to observe and learn the business of running a practice and staff. I was very aggressive at the time of learning from these positions. If I wasn’t learning clinically or learning about the business and there was no real opportunity for me other than being a hired hand, I would move on and find another job to continue my “real life” education. I learned both good and bad from these experiences and ultimately rented a room in a practice to begin to develop my own patient following. After 5 years, I then took the leap of faith, went into major debt, and built out my own office.
Did you immediately open your first practice upon graduating?
No, I worked for others for a few years to gain the practical knowledge necessary to run my own practice at some point.
What was the field of dentistry like when you first became a Dentist?
Dentistry was exploding with the advancement in materials and techniques so it was ultra- exciting. You need to dedicate yourself to a lifelong learning process of taking continuing education courses to stay on top of this explosion of knowledge. This is why I immediately joined the Academy of General Dentistry whose sole mission is to support lifelong continuing education for the profession. This explosion of advancements in the profession continues today. The dynamic nature of dentistry is one of the things that makes it so enjoyable over the course of your career.
Do you have any advice for a dental graduate entering the field for the first time?
Dedicate yourself from the start to continued learning. Realize that dental school only teaches you the basics and prepares you for the licensing process. It is up to you to continue your quest to be the best that you can be clinical. In addition, there is a multitude of practice management courses also available to help you develop your business skills for success as well.
The Dr. Michael Krochak Pre-Dental Scholarship was developed to encourage young Men & Women to enter the field of Dentistry. The scholarship helps students pursuing careers in dentistry to meet the rising costs of their college tuition. For additional information on the Dr. Michael Krochak Pre-Dental Scholarship, please visit our website.