Armed with her years of experience and a vision for her own practice, Abdelrehim worked with Lasser to put her ideas on paper. The resulting floor plan was an intimate, 1,800-square-foot space that emphasized a network of rooms equipped to deliver quality care rather than serve a large quantity of patients.

There is no clutter in the office, a reflection of Abdelrehim’s concern over cross-contamination and belief that patients should not be kept waiting for their appointments (there is no coffee or television in the reception area, for example). Patient check-in was designed to be paperless on an open iPad and Eaglesoft practice management ensures the paper-free features continue from front to back. CAESY patient education presentations are delivered electronically chairside with the option of printing documents as needed.

To maintain sterility in the operatories, Abdelrehim selected the A-dec 511 Continental delivery system with electric handpieces, which keeps all cords above ground and away from the patient. LED lights overhead don’t overheat and therefore don’t need to be touched and adjusted as frequently. And once instruments leave the operatory, they’re sterilized in an A-dec ICC no-touch sterilization center.

“The office is an open concept, with bright, calming colors. It doesn’t smell like a dental office and doesn’t look like one,” she says. “It’s the exact feel I wanted to give this community, a combination of northern America/French Quebec style, also very modern but with New England colors. I travel and brought a little from my favorite places and put it together.”

Abdelrehim also carefully selected her team, with the vision that each member would contribute to the practice legacy she hoped to establish. “There was a lot of thoughtfulness and effort in the planning for the past five years, including selecting my team,” she says.

On November 1, 2013, Abdelrehim officially opened her doors along with two team members. “Our goal was attention to detail, efficiency, accuracy and a sterilized environment. And the community of south Nashua was very supportive. They cheered us through our first year as a business in our neighborhood. We were touched by the referrals and the newcomers,” she says.

After a year in business, Greenwood Dental Care now has more than 600 active patients and is averaging 50 new patients each month as referrals from colleagues and friends.