New Dentist Spotlight

First, can you give us some general information about your practice. Where is it located? When do you anticipate opening?

My sister, Dr. Kelly McGowan, D.M.D.opened McGowan Family Dental in Mount Greenwood in 2020 after she worked as an associate for 4 years. My sister and I have always known that we wanted to be private practice owners like our father, the late Dr. Frank McGowan, D.D.S who owned a successful practice in Mount Greenwood. We grew up going to the office to help in any way we could which laid the foundation for the love of dentistry we both have. In the beginning of my 4th year of dental school, we were presented with the opportunity to buy practice from a dentist who was a former classmate of my father's. I previously worked in this office and loved the location and patients so this made the decision an easy one, and this was the start to our second location. After practicing in this office for a year and a half, we decided to remodel the practice to better suit a 2 dentist practice. We are hoping to celebrate our grand opening in early August.

Why did you choose dentistry, and are you a first generation dentist?

 My father, Dr. Frank McGowan, D.D.S was a general dentist who practiced in Mount Greenwood for 25 years. Since I can remember, I grew up going into the office to shred papers, assist, do lab work, and learn from my dad which I believe laid the appreciation, love, and passion for the dental field. I watched as my dad transformed people's smiles, improved their overall health, and made every patient laugh. I knew that being a dentist is what I would be honored to devote my life to from an early age from his guidance. 

My sister, Dr. Kelly McGowan, D.M.D. graduated from Midwestern University in 2016 and allowed me to assist her and work alongside her throughout my undergrad, masters, and dental school; which once again deepened my awe of the dental field and allowed me to learn additional roles in the dental office. 

I believe that dentistry is a unique and amazing field that allows you to build a close relationship with each patient, utilize art and hand skills and medicine and improve patients overall health. I am honored to be joining my families life work. 

What has been the biggest challenge in opening your practice?

 As of right now, the biggest challenge with opening the Orland Park practice has been closing the office and having the patients come to the Mount Greenwood location instead. Most patients love having the opportunity to choose between locations, but it was a lot of phone calls and explanations to each patient. Designing the office was challenging too because we wanted to incorporate 2 operatory rooms and 2 hygiene rooms and our space was limited. My sister, Kelly, also happens to be left handed which requires us to try to accomodate setup for both positions for the providers and assistants. After many designs, our amazing team made it work and now we are able to have our dream office! 

What are some of your long-term career goals?

 Long-term, I see myself taking additional CE's in pediatric dentistry. I have always loved that dentistry allows me the opportunity to see the entire family and I love working with kids and believe that early exposure and intervention allows kids to not fear the dentist and then develop into adults that love seeing the dentist. I would like to create an office environment that promotes dentistry in a positive way; having friendly staff that make the patients comfortable and a modern design with technology ideal for seeing kids. My sister has recently invested in a WaterLaser that I plan on using while working on kids due to no numbing needed during restorations, as well as many other amazing features, one being the frenectomie setting. My sister and I are interested in doing more tongue tie release and in connecting with hospitals, lactation specialists, and speech therapists to relieve tongue ties which can be associated with many developmental issues. 

Are you involved in Organized Dentistry (ASDA, ADA, CDS, ISDS), and if so, has that helped you open your practice? OR have there been any professors/mentors that have encouraged you?

 I am a member of ASDA, ADA, CDS, and ISDS as well as a member of the Elevated Dentistry Study Club. The Elevated Dentistry Study Club is a group of specialist and general dentist that meet once a month and discuss different topics. The club incorporating multi specialities allows for different points of view to be heard and has given me the opportunity to personally get to know the specialists that I refer to. The club also has given my sister and I an abundance of resources for advice when it comes to opening the second location which we have used while going through this process.

Many of my faculty at Midwestern University Downers Grove encouraged me and gave me advice for the future and I am still in contact with them as I go though my first weeks practicing and as we get closer to the opening date of the office!  

What do you like to do outside of dentistry?

Outside of dentistry, I am a dog owner and a runner! I adopted my Vizsla, Bowie in 2020 and now when I am free I am either going on runs with him or going to the dog park! I also come from a large family, so when I'm not working I'm usually with my nephew or nieces watching them grow up!