This dentist has been called crazy—on more than once occasion

Crazy or genius? Because of his fearless strides to improve the dental healthcare system in the country which, perhaps to many, are a tad beyond the usual, he has been called crazy by his fellow dentist-friends and even his wife.

Dr Steve Mark Gan

Before “implant dentistry” became popular in the country, he was pursuing it. When every other dentist was shying away from purchasing expensive dental equipment, he was heavily investing on them. While many are against the “Mutual Recognition Agreement,” (more of this later) he was rooting for it.

But every time he's been called crazy, he redeems himself and prove naysayers wrong. For Gan, nothing stands in the way of giving his patients the best dental treatment they could ever have. He might be a genius, after all.

The result of his endeavours is Metro Dental, a top-notch dental healthcare center for Filipino families that Gan put up with business partners. With clinics in strategic areas, it offers distinct dental experience with the use of the latest in dental technology and the services of some of the country’s leading dental practitioners.

“I take my job as a dentist [and CEO of Metro Dental] very seriously,” said Gan, the group chairman of Equicom Group of Companies that runs Metro Dental. “We try to be the benchmark in the Philippine dental industry.”

With over 15 branches in key areas in the country (and about 15 more opening before the year ends), Metro Dental and its pool of full-time licensed dentists allow it to be accessible to more people looking for dental services ranging from conventional check-ups to cosmetic dental procedures; from orthodontics (braces) to endodontics (root canal therapy); from restorative dentistry to tooth extraction.

One of the state-of-the-art equipment at Metro Dental

“We try to have out-of-this-world latest equipment,” he said, referring to a newly purchased machine that scans oral cavity in 3D (three dimensionally) as compared to the usual panoramic view. The equipment was imported from Korea and cost P15 million each unit.

“Fellow dentists ask how we get the money back from the equipment we purchase. We don't. It's about having the latest technology. If it makes our patients feel better even by 10 percent, then it's worth it. It's not always about financial investment,” he said.

Besides, he said, he believes Filipinos aren't a nation of mediocre dentists. He refused to be left behind by other countries when it comes to dental healthcare system.

As a dentist, Gan's dream, and perhaps his own contribution to society, is to change Filipinos' views of dental health care. For him, it's all about educating the public to change their habit of going to their dentists only when there's already something wrong.

He said: “I know it won't happen overnight. But, in the future, I want people to say 'hey, going to the dentist is fun!' like how it is the USA where individuals look forward to visiting their dentists.”