Father/Son Dentists Make Room for Expansion in Houston Family Dental Practice

Lukin Family Dentistry - Sugar Land, Texas | Stephen Lukin, DDS & Mark Lukin, DDS

Sugar Land is a Houston, Texas suburb that has attracted many young professionals and families. It has been the home of Lukin Family Dentistry since 1990 when Dr. Steve Lukin relocated his general dentistry practice to this booming city. In 2007, his son, Dr. Mark Lukin, graduated from dental school and joined his father in the practice. In 2018, the pair moved into a beautiful new office that they had built together—a true family-dentistry practice! This father/son partnership has been on the fast track ever since, operating in a state-of-the-art, gorgeous location that allows them to offer same-day dentistry and excellent patient care inside a beautiful and spacious facility.

High Visibility in Family-Friendly City

Located on a busy thoroughfare surrounded by popular retail stores and restaurants, Lukin Family Dentistry’s new office was constructed from the ground up, on a stretch of real estate that offers superb visibility and accessibility. The practice is 3,600 square feet of laid-back luxury. Inviting, with refined finishes and décor, its breezy color palette of soothing white, green, gray, and beige provides an uplifting atmosphere.

Above the reception area, massive custom-crafted wood beams line the coffered ceiling and enhance the rustic sophistication of the stacked-stone accent walls. With a backdrop of textures making the seating area inviting, the custom furniture offers plenty of room for patient comfort. A curved check-in desk, topped with granite, easily enables several front-desk team members to work side by side, allowing patients to be greeted and attended to quickly without bottlenecks. Large 12” x 12” tiles line the floor in a classic staggered design, leading patients through the practice in a circular workflow that winds to the right for the clinical area, and to the left for the consultation room and administrative and employee areas. A durable, luxury laminate faux-wood floor brings warmth to the eight cutting-edge treatment rooms.

The previous office contained just five treatment rooms and, according to Dr. Mark, they were all in use all of the time. While the doctors had made it work and even added technology to the practice, such as patient monitors and 3D imaging, the location had reached full capacity and there was no room for further expansion.

“We looked into adding on to the existing space, but the layout was not feasible,” explained Dr. Mark. “So, we began working with a real estate company to find the right location, and then we began the design phase, which went through many iterations. Finally we looked at equipment, and that is when we called on Henry Schein to aid in this important process.”

The doctors were introduced to their Henry Schein Equipment Sales Specialist by their Field Sales Consultant Ryan Hesse, who also contributed to the project.

“Lukin Family Dentistry has been a great family practice that is a staple in the community,” said the Equipment Sales Specialist. “They needed to expand and update the office in order to accommodate new technologies and a growing patient base. The site they chose has high traffic counts, and the office turned out beautifully.”

As the doctors talked through different plans and designs, the Henry Schein team provided feedback and suggestions on equipment and design options.

“They took us to the A-dec facility for visualization and for a design course with Dr. Mark Tholen, and they met with us multiple times to help determine the right equipment and layout,” said Dr. Mark.

Eight Operatories Give the Doctors Space to be More Productive

Today, the layout of the office is not just stunning, it’s also highly efficient. Eight operatories line the outer edge of the office. Floor-to-ceiling windows run the entire length of the practice, creating a wall of windows in six operatories, with spectacular views of the sparkling lake outside.

“Having three additional operatories has allowed for increased efficiency and production,” explained Dr. Steve. “They have allowed us to schedule emergencies and same-day treatment more effectively. We’ve also been able to bring in an associate and accommodate new patients who are attracted by our increased visibility.”

On the way to the operatories, which are equipped with A-dec chairs and cabinetry, patients pass by the imaging alcove, which stands in the hallway, open to view. The practice uses Progeny intraoral X-rays and DEXIS sensors.

Technology Takes Center Stage

Same-day dentistry is a component of the Lukin's patient care, and they use a CEREC intraoral scanner to capture precise images and produce restorations in-house.

“Patients are pleased to be able to have crowns completed in a single visit and have their busy schedules accommodated,” said Dr. Mark. “Showcasing the technology highlights our commitment to state-of-the-art dentistry.”

The attention to tying patient flow into the practice’s processes has helped to streamline operations, maximizing the use of time for the doctors and their staff. They have discovered that because the office has been optimized to promote efficiency, they are actually more productive while serving a greater number of patients!

“Patients are constantly mentioning that their friends raved about their experience and the facility!” Dr. Mark proudly noted. ♦