In an up-and-coming area of Birmingham, Mich., last year, families on their way to the hockey or swim club or to the orthodontist watched as a new building took shape. The future home of Newingham Dental Center was being built, just 20 minutes from where Justin Newingham, DDS, grew up.

Securing the location wasn’t as simple as moving down the road to a new neighborhood. Throughout the entire search-and-build process, however, Newingham’s Patterson Dental team was by his side, making sure the doctor’s dream came to life.

When he entered Albion College as an undergraduate, Justin Newingham thought he might pursue a degree in history. After several semesters, however, the courses he was passionate about were related to biology. His parents – concerned with the steep tuition and impending graduation date – encouraged Newingham to consider dentistry.

“My parents told me I reminded them of our family dentist. They suggested I talk to him,” Newingham said. The young student spent several days with his dentist, then interned at several area practices, and soon had a new career direction. He earned his DDS degree from the University of Michigan and then returned to Birmingham, to work, learn from his mentors and enhance his education.

“I always want to do the best job possible during any procedure. That’s why I invested in the best equipment available for my office as well as my education,” said Newingham, who is now a mentor at Spear Education in Scottsdale, Arizona, and a mentor at the Kois Center in Seattle, Washington. “I knew that I didn’t know everything when I got out of school. That’s why I went to Spear and Kois, and continue to go, to stay on top of the latest advancements and deliver the best to my patients.”

Newingham purchased a practice from a doctor in the area who wanted to phase out his retirement. They worked together for several years and, during that time, Newingham and the office team grew close and developed a bond for which he is grateful.