Cover Dr Steve Mark Gan, the founder of Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC)
Dr Steve Mark Gan, the founder of Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC)
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Dr Steve Mark Gan, acclaimed as the dentist to the stars and successful businessman, is spearheading the transformation of the Philippines into a medical tourism destination
“I’m a very driven person. I’m a perfectionist,” Dr Steve Mark Gan declared. “Ever since I was a kid, I had always been different.”
It takes a lot of willpower, perseverance and shrewdness to achieve greatness. Gan’s journey in establishing Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC) and turning it into one of the leading names in dentistry in the Philippines was not an easy one. He, like many young college hopefuls, was unsure about his path in life. His parents were both doctors, but he wasn’t certain about following in their footsteps. He did, however, display an innate entrepreneurial spirit as young as ten, selling lemonade, pens, comic books and even working as a mobile DJ in his teens.
After studying dentistry in the United States, Gan saw an opportunity to expand the fledgling dental scene in the Philippines. Instead of remaining abroad, Gan decided to return home and make a difference. What began as a modest practice in the historic streets of Binondo has since grown to an impressive collective of dental services and clinics. Since its establishment in 2001, GAOC has evolved to become one of the foremost dental centres in the country.
As a result of his work, Gan meets all sorts of people every day, helping them achieve confidence and that perfect smile. “What do I love most about what I do?” Gan mused. “It’s helping people, helping patients. You know, in dentistry, we help people, especially patients with pain, and our priority is always functional, aesthetics is secondary.” In providing quality care and service, Gan hopes to change the landscape of Philippine dentistry and transform it into one of the finest in the world.
Above The consultation room of GAOC’s Greenbelt Residences clinic
Above From a humble clinic in Binondo, Dr Gan transformed GAOC into a leading dental practice in the country
The consultation room of GAOC’s Greenbelt Residences clinic
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With such heavy expansion and busy day-to-day operations, Gan seeks moments of peace when he can. But even then, his mind is firm on improving his company. A workaholic at heart, his reward is in expanding his branches, securing the newest technologies and keeping an eye out for possible ventures in other fields. Even with the massive success of GAOC over the past two decades, Gan has gone above and beyond the role of an oral surgeon. He is a member of several dental and osseointegration organisations, and he notably served as chairman of the Philippine Regulation Commission’s Board of Dentistry. Still, Gan looks fondly towards the simpler times of his past. “My proudest award was the most outstanding alumni award in my high school,” he recalled. “I always look back at my roots, at my childhood years.” Gan still considers this as his crowning achievement, and one that set the stage for what he became today.
Smile and Wave
Above Gan inside his consultation room
Gan inside his consultation room
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“I always had a vision,” Gan shared. “What I wanted for GAOC was for it to be the largest, one of the biggest in the world.” Gan is fiercely adamant about making his clinic the best. He prioritised training a proficient staff and securing the most recent, cutting-edge technology available. With this strong, sturdy foundation, Gan expanded his operations to include ten GAOC clinics and fourteen Novodental clinics, whose branches will expand to 30 by 2025. The latter is a more affordable alternative, ensuring everyone has access to that perfect smile.
“That’s what sets us apart,” Gan remarked. “We import and we bring in the most advanced dental technology, some of which are only available in first world countries.” He places a premium on American, Italian, German and Swiss-made equipment, bringing top-notch technology to the country so he can “share it with the Filipino people”. Establishing his clinic wasn’t all smiles. “I was so broke,” Gan lamented. To finance his endeavours, he had to borrow money left and right. But by 2003, he was completely debt-free. Gan was simply focused on chasing perfection. “I’m a very big fan of Steve Jobs who said ‘Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected’,” he states, quoting the late Apple Inc founder.
He owes his clinic’s success to this mindset and singleminded commitment, but also credits his mentor, Dr Peter Moy, who taught him everything he knows. He accepts nothing less but the best for himself, and he extends this expectation to his staff. Once the dust had settled, he realised one day that GAOC had become larger than he could have ever imagined. It had raised the bar.
See more: Top of the Heap: 3 Dental Clinics That Can Help You Get That Perfect Smile
Above The reception room of GAOC, which guarantees world-class service and care
The reception room of GAOC, which guarantees world-class service and care
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“Whenever a patient comes to GAOC and Novodental, [they can] expect quality,” Gan assures. Both his clinics offer the highest quality of service, in dental implants and reconstructive surgery. He guarantees that clients and patients can walk out healthier and more confident. Aside from the aesthetic benefits that his clinic brings, Gan is driven to address those in dire need, evinced by his establishment of the GAOC Foundation and its partnership with Operation Smile Philippines. “Every year, there are over 2,000 individuals who are born with cleft lip and cleft palate,”he states. “We do dental missions, and provide scholarships as well for dental students and for our staff.”
It is through this spirit that GAOC doesn’t just treat its clientele as customers, but as beloved partners. “We want to keep our patients for life,” Gan promised. “We always promise to give them quality dentistry through consistency and proper communication.” By using the highest quality equipment and materials, Gan ensures that each visit to GAOC will exceed a patient’s expectations. This genuine, compassionate care and attention to detail is what sets GAOC apart from the rest. Gan recalls the time a young girl and her mother came into his clinic in distress. “She had very bad teeth, and a cleft lip that had not been repaired,” he recounts. The mother had saved up as much money as she could to afford the necessary procedures, but Gan did not accept her money; he performed the operation for free and transformed her smile. Four years later, the girl returned and gave Gan some good news—she had found love.
Hidden Potential
Above GAOC’s operating room is sophisticated, hygienic and equipped with the most modern dental technology available, featuring the Brumaba dental chair
GAOC’s operating room is sophisticated, hygienic and equipped with the most modern dental technology available, featuring the Brumaba dental chair
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He believes that there is great potential in the Philippines waiting to be tapped. “Filipinos are the most talented, but they have to equip themselves,” he remarked. He also asserted that Filipino dentists and oral surgeons must be provided with the best equipment possible, proudly comparing it to Formula 1 drivers and their vehicles, as he himself is an avid fan of the sport. Only by achieving this can the Philippines be globally competitive in terms of dental tourism—which is poised to be a major player in the economy.
Gan prides himself in his and GAOC’s role in leading the way in promoting dental tourism in the country, first by representing the country during the Medical Travel Conference in Singapore back in 2006. The rest was history. GAOC became the first officially accredited dental tourism destination, as recently awarded by the Department of Tourism. The trademark Filipino hospitality should also be leveraged, he says. “Filipinos are the most accommodating, most friendly,” Gan beamed. It is essentially a group effort; by warmly welcoming tourists as soon as they land to when they arrive at their target destinations, their whole experience will be improved overall.
“Dental tourism will really help contribute to the economy,” Gan explained. “All Filipinos should take pride in contributing to this effort.” Gan has helped his patients and his clinics thrive for nearly twenty years. His original values of excellence, perfectionism and compassion have persisted ever since, evinced in the high quality of care that GAOC provides. He’s a leading trailblazer, trying to put the Philippines on the map in terms of dental care and tourism. “We do our part to help our country,” Gan declared. With how far he’s come, it’s clear that his goal has not changed: to leave a smile on everyone’s face.
Schedule a visit and experience world-class service at gaocdental.com.
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Credits
Photography: JV Rabano
Photography Assistant: Jhay Baylon
Production: James Mayo, Bianca Simeon, and Micah Bailon
Styling: Gee Jocson
Stylist's Assistant: Angelo Vasallo, Jason Mago, and John Rubio
Grooming: Johnson Estrella
About
Tobias wants to write things that make people think, laugh, and reflect. He’s especially proud when he can sneak in a cheeky pop-culture reference or a pun in his titles and articles.
He possesses a deep love of history, resulting from years of books, games, and museum visits. It was this fascination with the human endeavour that fostered his love of writing, spanning genres, tones, and moods. He one day hopes to write a novel—he just hasn't decided on a genre yet. A certified homebody, you'll often find him on the computer he built himself, binge-watching Seinfeld or House, playing his favourite gacha game, or reading a book.
Work
Tobias is a features writer that specialises in branded content. Reach out to him at tobias.tomas@tatlerasia.com.
