Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce: What was your inspiration for starting your own practice?

Fauzia Khan:  I graduated from school in 1999, and that was what I always wanted to do, and I just finally got to a point where I was ready.  I wanted to run my practice the way I wanted to—I wanted it to be my own so that I could treat all my patients in the best way possible. And here I am!

 

LFLBC:  What is one thing that one thing that you want people to know about Lake Bluff Family Dentistry?
FK: When I built out my office space, I wanted it to be very patient-focused. I spent a lot of time designing and building it, and I really wanted it to feel like home to a patient. I want them to be comfortable and at ease. I have personalized appointments. Everyone has different desires and different needs. So, when patients come in, I listen to them and I really try to understand what they're feeling, what they're going through and what they would like. And I do very thorough exams.

 

LFLBC: What is your business vision?
FK: My vision is to be the premier dental office in the area--and to really help people.

 

LFLBC: What has been your greatest business initiative?
FK: I wanted to do dentistry differently. I want people to feel comfortable, but I also really understand that [the dentist] is oftentimes a scary place for people. Some of my patients come with lots of dental ‘pasts.’ So, we make a point that when we welcome a patient into our office it is with care, warmth and respect. And people feel that. Superb client service is really important to me. And we are committed to providing the highest level of dental care.

 

LFLBC:  Do you work with any other local businesses?

FK: Yes. I recently hosted a Women's Wellness Open House at my office, and I invited other newer, women-owned businesses that came in for an opportunity to promote themselves or sell their products. My friend, Ellie with Elliestyled helped me put it all together. Kristin Weisberg was here with her essential oils, my friend Charlotte Music was here with her jewelry, MJ Moore who does Lake Bluff Massage Therapy, the girls from Blue Sun Yoga, Flowers by Katie Ford, Molly O'Neill and Jen Buettner with their yoga practice. It was a great lineup of people, and we had a really good turnout. I look forward to more collaboration like that with so many health and wellness businesses in our community.

 

LFLBC: How do you give back to the community?

FK: I have kids at Lake Forest High School (and I am an LFHS grad as well), so we work with [the high school’s] Open Doors career exploration and service program. We have had three kids come in back in November -- a freshman, a sophomore and a junior. We did a whole program for them to provide insight into a career in dentistry. For example, they got to brush each other's teeth laying in the chair and had to realize they had to do it upside-down! They really enjoyed it—I got great feedback from that.

Also, I recently gave a presentation at the Lake Bluff Public Library about how to care for teeth as we age called ‘Dentistry over the Age of 40.’  I support the Lake Forest High School hockey team. And last fall, we had a really successful book drive –we collected about 200 books to donate to kids in need. And last year, we marched in the Lake Bluff 4^th of July parade! I grew up here, so I’m really interested in being involved in the community.

 

LFLBC: Is there anything else you’d like to share?

FK:  From a very young age I loved science and wanted to work in the healthcare field. I decided to go into dentistry, and primarily, that was driven by my relationships with people. I love to talk to people. I love to help people. I love to listen to people. And I love smiles and I love teeth!  So, for me [dentistry] was just the culmination of everything I love! And having my practice here in Lake Bluff, is just perfect. I could not be more happy with it!

 

6.24.19