Some people are born knowing what they’re meant to do. Some people have guidance from family and then count their blessings that they did.

For Dr. Pirino of Debary Dentistry, it was all of the above.

“I don't really remember a time when I didn't want to be a dentist. My grandpa did have a big part in that,” Dr. Pirino shared in a sit-down about his story with Operation Dental.

Dr. Pirino’s grandfather practiced at Conway Oaks Dental for over 40 years, an office that would eventually become an Operation Dental practice. “I visited his office in the summers. I lived down the street from it, and as I got older, I would actually help out in the lab; of course, I wasn’t great at it, and it wasn’t for actual patients, but I got to see some of his day-to-day work, shadowing him and seeing him interact with his patients. That was neat for me to share that joy with my grandpa.”

Even at that young age, Dr. Pirino knew it was essential to create his own path and participate in the legacy his grandfather built; he just didn’t quite know what it would look like. Fast-forward to dental school in chilly Halifax, Canada, where Dr. Pirino was in his third year, thinking about the transition ahead of him.

“I was down in Florida for the summer with my uncle, enjoying the sunshine, going fishing. And I'm starting to think in the back of my mind, “Wow, I graduate next year, and I'm going to need a job. I need to know where to go.”

He knew he would land a job, but it was the type of job that worried him as he realized he didn’t want to go full-blown corporate. “It would be nice not to go with a sell-your-soul sort of situation,” he laughed. “I didn't really want to work at a Heartland or Aspen-type of organization, so I was interested in Conway Oaks Dental, the office my grandpa sold to another dentist. My uncle was, and still is, a patient at Conway Oaks with the current Dr. Lyman, so there seemed to still be a connection there.” After a couple of conversations, Dr. Lyman called to see if Dr. Pirino (at the time, Nathan) would be interested in coming to look at the practice.

“I was happy to go in and check things out, and I really appreciated how Dr. Lyman actually took time out of his day to speak with me about school and my plans after school. He gave me Peter Kelly's number and said, “Next year, you just give him a call.”

As the CEO of Operation Dental, a newer DSO, Dr. Peter Kelly was looking for talented, patient-centered dentists. What he didn’t know was that this young man was the grandson of the dentist whose practice he had purchased about 10 years earlier.

“And so, that next Christmas season, I reached out and said “You might not know me, but my grandfather's name used to be on the door,” Dr. Pirino remembers. Then Peter called him back. After a couple of interviews, Dr. Kelly knew what a great fit Dr. Pirino was and told him they had a spot for him at Debary Dentistry.

The transition from dental school to practice was slow, steady, and paced at Dr. Pirino's comfort level. “They didn't just throw me right into the wolves. Operation Dental has a really good practice in Altamonte Springs, called Palm Springs Dental with Dr. Stallard and Dr. Gibby, who are like machines. So Operation Dental said, “This is our most productive practice. We want you to go shadow these guys for two weeks.” And so he did.

Experiencing how the professionals do it in the real world was very eye-opening for Dr. Pirino. “It made me excited to work and to see how things were done.” In fact, the shadowing went so well that both dentists gave him their numbers and said, “Anytime you have trouble with anything or questions you want to bounce off of anybody you know, don't hesitate to call.”

“I've used both of them on several occasions,” Dr. Pirino shared.

As Dr. Pirino expanded his tool belt during his time with Debary Dentistry and Operation Dental, he pondered the future. “I'm dipping my toes into implants. Different root canals have different complexities and I am enjoying learning that. I also do removable prostheses like partials and dentures. I'm happy where I'm at with many things, and I know that Operation Dental has the continuing education that I need when I decide it’s time to pursue more. They don't pressure. They get some excellent courses with controlled conditions at no cost to the doctor. They’re just willing to help me get more comfortable with whatever I want to pursue.”

Dr. Pirino's story reveals some of Operation Dental’s core values, legacy, continuing education, and flexibility.

“Another example, outside of my grandpa and the mentorship from Dr. Stallard and Dr. Gibby, is that they're happy to provide anything I need for materials. If I don't like using a certain lab, they don't mind. They'll have plenty of recommendations in other places. I can try other materials, and it’s not so rigid like I’ve heard other organizations are.”

Whether it’s lab materials or joining in the inheritance of one’s family and legacy, Operation Dental is committed to supporting its dentists through every season and with every tool possible.