In 2000, Slava Abdelrehim, DDS, was just out of residency, eager to learn everything about dentistry. As an associate at Ted Morgan’s private practice in Gorham, Maine, however, she received more than just a clinical education; Morgan introduced her to the value of a partnership with Patterson Dental and the first-class equipment, technology and service that accompanied it.

When she left that practice in 2002, Abdelrehim joined the second largest office in southern New Hampshire. For more than 11 years, she worked in a high-volume learning environment, eventually growing her patient pool to more than 20 patients per day.

During her tenure at the large office, Abdelrehim never forgot the private practice where she got her start. And as a resident of southern Nashua, the urge to serve her community and neighborhood only grew stronger with each passing year.

One day, as she was leaving her home, she noticed the land across the road was being cleared for development. Abdelrehim spoke with the landlord and learned that an urgent care and family practice were being built, and that they were looking for a dentist as well.

“I said, ‘Wow, I guess this is a sign.’ It ignited in me the idea of wanting to be the community dentist, where my neighbors and the local elementary schoolchildren don’t have to travel five exits north to have their dental needs met,” she says.

Abdelrehim was excited to finally pursue her dream of owning her own practice. “I did some research and decided to let my partner know that it was time for me to be on my own.”