LIVE Magazine EXCLUSIVE by Sean Borg Dr. Bruno Lemay, DMD “The Desert’s Dishiest Dentist” For more information on Dr. Bruno Lemay, DMD and Desert Dental Alternatives visit: www.desertdentalalternatives.com 69450 Ramon Road Cathedral City, CA 92235 Phone: 760- 324-4450 Email: info@ desertdentalalternatives.com
photos by Dimitri Halkidis Many consider going to the dentist a major stressor in life, due to an all too common case of dental phobia. Most people have it. However, when I visited Dr. Bruno Lemay’s practice in Cathedral City, I was comforted by a dentist with the finest technology available. And this professional is able to perform the most unbelievable procedures in the dental field. Dr. Lemay, DMD has a fellowship from the California Implant Institute and is the founder of CMI Institute (The Canadian Mini-Implant Institute). CMI specializes in the education and training of dentists throughout Canada and California in the Mini-Implant technique that he has utilized and improved since 2001. With a debonair flair and fine artistic talents, Dr. Lemay is helping change how dentistry is perceived. He appears on local and national news programs showcasing advances in cosmetic dentistry. His twenty-three years of experience make him a complete practitioner in every sense of the expression. With Dr. Lemay’s extensive experience, patients are offered all possible alternatives for their dental related needs, not only one solution. Hence the name, Desert Dental Alternatives. Lemay practices all fields of dentistry from cosmetic procedures to the most complex root canals and dental surgeries. This enables patients to be in control of their dental choices. Patients may have most dental treatments performed at his office, rather than being referred to other dentists. Few practitioners have left as indelible of a mark on the profession of dentistry as has Dr. Bruno Lemay. As the sole owner of Desert Dental Alternatives for Esthetics in the heart of the Desert, Dr. Lemay, provides cutting-edge continuing education for dentists from all over the globe. To some, Dr. Lemay is known as a celebrity dentist. He treats A-Listers and high-end clientele on a weekly basis. But the dishy dentist is quick to point out that although he is known for this, he opens his doors to all. “I’ve been at this location for twelve years now,” Lemay told Live. “I am well known in the community and I have built up the trust of my patients. Most of them have been coming to me since day one. That says a lot about me.” To dental professionals , he is known as a pioneer in the field of esthetic dentistry. He is known as a top speaker who attracts large crowds and lectures on the most progressive topics in dentistry. To a four year UCLA dental alumni, he may be regarded as all of the above. But more than anything, Dr. Lemay is a living embodiment of dental royalty known throughout the Coachella Valley— an ambassador who has set the highest standards of achievement in the peerless profession we call dentistry... Not only that, Bruno Lemay is totally HOT too! Live Magazine was lucky enough to interview the ‘deserts dishiest dentist’ and we even made him our cover boy! Sean Borg: When you first graduated from dental school, what was your vision for the dental career you wanted to have? Dr. Bruno Lemay: I was excited to create things… like little pieces of art one by one and see the patient’s expressions… I was excited to change their lives and perception of themselves and to improve their self-confidence. machine. For example, I am the only general dentist in the valley who has a 3 dimension CT scan. They are usually in specialist offices and hospitals. They are over $130 000 but I was able to buy one and now my patients benefit from it by not having to go anywhere else. And paying much less. Having the latest technology helps me achieve more predictable better results, with better success rates. And at lower costs for my patient. Sean Borg: What types of cosmetic cases are most rewarding for you? Dr. Bruno Lemay: Anything that involves changing the appearance and having positive feedback from patient: whitening, veneers, crowns and sometimes dentures. Or, giving fixe teeth to someone who struggles with movement in their teeth, or not having teeth. When the patient looks at him or herself and starts crying of joy! This is the peak of my day. Sean Borg: Aside from where you graduated from (of course), do you feel that new dentist graduates are prepared enough to face the challenges pertaining to patient’s demands, practice management, and clinical readiness? Dr. Bruno Lemay: Absolutely not… We have no training whatsoever on how to deal with employees, or deal with money issues with patient or insurance challenges. I lost over $300,000 on my first 5 years because I was not getting paid by the patient at the time of their visit and would open an account for them ... Even technically at the chair, there is so much that we are not trained for that it is almost scary. I realize now, after 25 years of being a dentist, how little I knew when I opened my office right out of school. Sean Borg: In terms of becoming a top cosmetic dentist, what are some of the best courses to take? Dr. Bruno Lemay: I am a cosmetic dentist as well as implant dentist and all my courses are mainly taken with the ICOI… International Congress of Oral Implantology and they have the best course internationally on implantology and cosmetic dentistry. I also like the Spear Institute in Scottsdale which focuses a lot on cosmetic technique, new technology and materials in terms of cosmetic treatments. Sean Borg: What advice do you have for new dentists who want to become the next Dr. Bruno Lemay? Dr. Bruno Lemay: GOOD LUCK, Lol … My main advice is that they have to take a lot of post graduated training to know as much as possible in order to be able to achieve very high success and please their patient. Because one unhappy patient can ruin your day and put you in a lot of stress and after couple of years bring you into a big depression… It is very hard to satisfy everybody but the more you are able to do it, the less stress you will have and the longer you will enjoy your practice. You also need to distinguish yourself from anybody else. Do something different; either in advertising, or the service you give... Sean Borg: Being known as a top cosmetic dentist and a clinician who is passionate about progressive dentistry, what were some of the early successes and challenges in the fields of esthetic dentistry early on in your practice? Dr. Bruno Lemay: Challenges are to stay in tune with the new technology that changes everyday in the dental field, and be able to afford the best Sean Borg: What have you been most proud of in your career? Dr. Bruno Lemay: When a patient tells me how much I have changed their lives…Not just their look, but their lives… Because the smile and chewing ability is a major part of life and personality… Just one bad front tooth and the personality changes. People are not as confident, etc… Imagine the challenge when someone can’t eat properly. Sean Borg: If you could wave a magic wand, what would you change about the future of dentistry? Dr. Bruno Lemay: More gorgeous guys on my chair, Lol! No, seriously, that would be free dentistry for everybody. And that the cost would not be a limit for anyone. Like when I used to work in the Canadian Army. We would treat the patient, regardless of the cost. Sean Borg: If you could change the smile of a high profile person, who would it be? Dr. Bruno Lemay: Woody Harrelson, Mike Tyson or Sean Borg. Sean Borg: A perfect way to end… with a mention of me... LOL!