The Florida SBDC at FAU is helping Advanced Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry, Inc., access strategic capital for growth. Growing up in a family of doctors and dentists in Columbia, Dr. Alexander Morales has always had a vision of helping people and giving back to the community. He was partly inspired by his grandfather, a pioneering teacher in the dental art. In 1997, Dr. Morales earned his dental degree at one of the most prestigious dental schools in Latin America, the Javeriana University School of Dentistry, completed a year of General Medicine in 1998, and then collaborated with the opening of two multidisciplinary clinics with doctors and microbiologists on board .
Along with his goal of becoming a prosthodontic surgeon, he moved to South Florida to attend Nova Southern University School of Dentistry. He soon received a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, pursued a 3-year full-time course in Prosthodontics and a Master of Science in Dentistry, and had the honor of presenting three tabletop clinical presentations with the American College of Prosthodontics – the 41st annual session in Arizona, the second at the 42nd annual session of the American College of Prosthodontics in Maryland and the third in the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics.
As an experienced dental surgeon and prosthodontist, Dr. Morales began his practice as an already established surgeon and specialist in implant dentistry. Located in Delray Beach, the staff at Advanced Prosthodontics & Implant Dentistry Inc. specializes in Dental Surgery, Periodontology, Endodontics and Advanced Prosthodontics.
Even as a seasoned professional in his field, he quickly discovered the difficulties of navigating the process of starting a business – from accessing capital to the right information about financial structure and business development strategies. During many years of training in preparation to become a specialist in advanced dentistry and dental restoration, the complex logistics of setting up one’s own practice was not part of the curriculum. In its daily business routine, the medical sector has many challenges that extend beyond basic business operations to the complex ever-changing insurance system and the high cost of complex high-tech medical equipment.
Like many businesses affected by Hurricane Irma, Dr. Morales’ Florida dental revitalization business felt the impact. After learning about the Florida SBDC at FAU through a friend of Dr. Morales signed up for website consulting and connected with Angel Rentas, Florida SBDC at FAU, a certified business consultant and financial specialist with banking and SBA expertise. SBDC Rentas Consultant was able to assist Dr. Morals with access to capital, loan development and business financing and planning.
Dr. Morales said he was hesitant at first after several bad experiences with local professionals, but “finally found an organization and a great person [Consultant Rentas] who mentored me and taught me how to organize, set business priorities, create a plan and work with banks to access capital. This consulting service not only helped structure and grow my business, but enabled me to offer more to my employees.”
Dr. Morales can now focus on his mission, “to apply the art of science to his dental practice by doing what he can for patients, restoring patient trust and helping the community by providing consistent quality patient care and exceptional work”.
“It is imperative for any business owner, especially new businesses in the medical field or any field, to consult with the SBDC, organize a plan, identify a future projection and see your plan evolve into the future. You have no idea what it was like before I started working with Angel – I had to work multiple offices to keep this one afloat, working 6 days a week. Now this business is starting to take off.”
