We recently interviewed Marc Habib, Specialist Endodontist in Dubai and owner at Beirut Endodontic Clinic – Lebanon. With a rich academic background, his passion for endodontics led him to become a professional endodontist. As a specialist healthcare provider, he continuously searches for new and enhanced tools to perfect his job and performance. Doctor Marc Habib did his undergraduate studies in Dentistry at the Saint Joseph University of Beirut and graduated with honors. He was awarded the Zareh Ouzounian prize of Endodontics in 2004.
He graduated in 2007 with a Masters Specialization in Endodontics followed by a Masters in Biomaterials of the oral Cavity at the Saint Joseph University as well.
Very skillful using the operating microscope, he is a highly skilled professional with extensive experience in endodontics. Let’s learn more about his journey through this interview below.
Start Of The Journey
We started the interview by asking, “Which career path led you to where you are today?”
Marc Habib said, “I cannot reflect on my professional journey without thinking of all the incredible people who have guided me. I was fascinated by root canal therapy during my undergraduate years at Saint Joseph University of Beirut. Endodontics is a complex discipline in dentistry yet very rich with delicate tools and techniques. In 2004, following my high ranking as an undergraduate, I was awarded the Zareh Ouzounian Prize of Endodontics, and the highlights of my athletic career, with the National Record in Long Jump, motivated Dean Pr. Antoine Hokayem to award me a full postgraduate scholarship. After enrolling in the endodontic specialist program and graduating with honors, I was integrated into the faculty’s endodontic department with my mentors. There, I gave practical courses to students, sharing my passion for the endodontic discipline.
My professional Endodontist career started in 2006; I was building experience while enhancing patient communication and care in different clinics in the Lebanese capital. I was at that same period attending international congresses, closely monitoring advanced techniques. The opening of my private specialized practice, “Beirut Endodontic Clinic,” in 2014, equipped with the latest tools, led me to manage daily complicated clinical cases.”
Inspiration Behind Building The Clinic
We were intrigued to learn about the significant factors that inspired him to start working in this industry. So we asked, “What inspired you to develop the idea of your Specialized clinic?”
Marc Habib shared, “Endodontics is a hidden and the least rewarding treatment in dentistry. The patient doesn’t get to see any esthetics or properly visualize the therapy since it is all inside the roots, which are themselves under the gum and bone.
I am always asked if the root canal is thoroughly cleaned or also questioned about the 4th canal of molars that sometimes doesn’t show on the x-rays. I wanted to offer my patients and referrals advanced solutions by providing them with detailed reports and documentation about their treatment.
At Beirut Endodontic Clinic, we use digital imaging and video recording of the treatment that could highlight the tooth situation and prognosis, especially in cracked teeth or fracture cases where the tooth is beyond saving, and the patient needs to see and understand the problem. I also wanted to create the best working environment to offer the best treatment experience to my patients.”
Evolving Priorities
Every business tends to evolve regarding priority and goals. We asked, “How have your priorities in terms of business evolved since you first started?”
Marc Habib shared, “When I first started, I was eager to learn and optimize my work scope and patient portfolio. I was also continuously searching for new techniques and tools to help perfect my work. My main priority was and still is my patients’ well-being delivered with excellent work and professionalism and by bringing the newest approaches in the field. By moving to the Emirates, this priority has evolved, and the challenge maximized; I wanted to bring my experience that was and still is being built to treat more patients and manage the most complex cases.”
Stand-Out Factors
To establish a strong position in the industry, businesses need to consider building unique services and features. We asked, “What makes your company stand out from all the other businesses, and How do you stay on top of new technologies and trends in your industry?”
Marc Habib replied, “When you are a specialist healthcare provider, your main concern is to perform professionally and ethically to the best of your abilities, offering the best health service possible. When this is your attitude, the patients can feel and appreciate your care, and your reputation will grow. Certainly, the environment and the facility are essential to creating the ideal atmosphere for professional work, referrals, and patient satisfaction. From another perspective, I continuously search for new and enhanced armamentarium to perfect my job and performance. This is why I always lecture at international congresses to share my feedback on my experience using advanced technologies and techniques.”
Available Services
To learn more about the current services offered by Dr. Marc and his clinic, we asked, “Tell us something about your services. What are you working on now?”
Marc Habib shared, We manage emergency treatments of severe pain of the inflamed pulp tissue due to caries, cracks or in post-trauma cases.
I worked recently on assembling a MicroEndodontics Success Kit designed to work under magnification with the microscope and manipulate small fragments inside the root canal system. I am very excited it is now on sale with Laschal Surgical Inc. NY, USA.
Services Offered In The Academic Field
We were interested to learn if Dr. Habib offered any courses or contributed to the academic field. So we asked, “Do you give courses or teach at dental universities? Does it help your business to be an academician?”
Marc Habib shared, “I used to be very well engaged in academic teaching at Saint Joseph University in Beirut and used to cover clinical patient sessions and hands-on training for undergraduates 3rd,4th, and 5th-year students for over 16 years. With a tight schedule in 3 practices and 2 countries today, I still give specific courses at three universities: University of Jaume 1, Madrid, Spain; Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon; and University of Sienna, Italy, part of their endodontic programs. Some of these courses are Retreatment courses, cleaning and shaping, Management of Perforations, and Guided endodontics.
Being involved in teaching is suitable for motivating the future generation of dentists, and I enjoy being part of this process by sharing my experience with all my colleagues. To some extent, it aids in building a reputation and indirectly helps the business.”
Role Of Media In Uplifting The Clinic
Media plays a significant and crucial role in business growth and success. So we asked, “What do you think about social media advertising in Dental Health?”
Marc Habib shared, “At first, it would seem like advertising for aesthetic dentistry might often be misleading to patients. Social media nowadays is essential to reach a different audience than your normal network. An essential aspect as well is that our referral dentists will be able to see cases that we do and, by that, continue to refer to us. This will also increase visibility among referrals and might get our practice new referrals. From the patient’s point of view, they might be fearful or reluctant because they have heard that it is painful or because it is their first-ever root canal treatment! Social media platforms will allow them to check our practice, have an idea of the team, and get access to read a few reviews before stepping in for a treatment.”
Advice To Beginners
Starting in a similar field will be inspiring and helpful to hear from an expert like Marc Habib. We asked, “What advice would you give to starting entrepreneurs?”
Marc Habib said, “I would say, in the medical sector, always work with passion & keep yourself informed about the latest technologies, tools & techniques because the patient deserves the best treatment available today.”
Visions For Self-Growth, we asked Marc Habib
“Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
Marc Habib replied, “God willing, to grow a bigger network of referrals in the Emirates, doing high-end root canal treatments and giving courses in endodontics.”
