LIVEMagazine #219 October 9, 2015

photos by Dimitri Halkidis
Many consider going to the dentist a major stressor
in life, due to an all too common case of dental
phobia. Most people have it. However, when I
visited Dr. Bruno Lemay’s practice in Cathedral
City, I was comforted by a dentist with the finest
technology available. And this professional is able
to perform the most unbelievable procedures in
the dental field.
Dr. Lemay, DMD has a fellowship from the California Implant Institute and
is the founder of CMI Institute (The Canadian Mini-Implant Institute). CMI
specializes in the education and training of dentists throughout Canada and
California in the Mini-Implant technique that he has utilized and improved
since 2001.
With a debonair flair and fine artistic talents, Dr. Lemay is helping change
how dentistry is perceived. He appears on local and national news
programs showcasing advances in cosmetic dentistry. His twenty-three
years of experience make him a complete practitioner in every sense of the
expression. With Dr. Lemay’s extensive experience, patients are offered all
possible alternatives for their dental related needs, not only one solution.
Hence the name, Desert Dental Alternatives.
Lemay practices all fields of dentistry from cosmetic procedures to the most
complex root canals and dental surgeries. This enables patients to be in
control of their dental choices. Patients may have most dental treatments
performed at his office, rather than being referred to other dentists.
Few practitioners have left as indelible of a mark on the profession of
dentistry as has Dr. Bruno Lemay. As the sole owner of Desert Dental
Alternatives for Esthetics in the heart of the Desert, Dr. Lemay, provides
cutting-edge continuing education for dentists from all over the globe.
To some, Dr. Lemay is known as a celebrity dentist. He treats A-Listers and
high-end clientele on a weekly basis. But the dishy dentist is quick to point
out that although he is known for this, he opens his doors to all.
“I’ve been at this location for twelve years now,” Lemay told Live. “I am well
known in the community and I have built up the trust of my patients. Most
of them have been coming to me since day one. That says a lot about me.”
To dental professionals , he is known as a pioneer in the field of esthetic
dentistry. He is known as a top speaker who attracts large crowds and
lectures on the most progressive topics in dentistry. To a four year UCLA
dental alumni, he may be regarded as all of the above.
But more than anything, Dr. Lemay is a living embodiment of dental royalty
known throughout the Coachella Valley— an ambassador who has set
the highest standards of achievement in the peerless profession we call
dentistry... Not only that, Bruno Lemay is totally HOT too!
Live Magazine was lucky enough to interview the ‘deserts dishiest dentist’
and we even made him our cover boy!
Sean Borg: When you first graduated from dental school, what was your
vision for the dental career you wanted to have?
Dr. Bruno Lemay: I was excited to create things… like little pieces of art one
by one and see the patient’s expressions… I was excited to change their lives
and perception of themselves and to improve their self-confidence.
machine. For example, I am the only general dentist in the valley who has a 3
dimension CT scan. They are usually in specialist offices and hospitals. They
are over $130 000 but I was able to buy one and now my patients benefit
from it by not having to go anywhere else. And paying much less. Having
the latest technology helps me achieve more predictable better results, with
better success rates. And at lower costs for my patient.
Sean Borg: What types of cosmetic cases are most rewarding for you?
Dr. Bruno Lemay: Anything that involves changing the appearance and
having positive feedback from patient: whitening, veneers, crowns and
sometimes dentures. Or, giving fixe teeth to someone who struggles with
movement in their teeth, or not having teeth. When the patient looks at him
or herself and starts crying of joy! This is the peak of my day.
Sean Borg: Aside from where you graduated from (of course), do you feel
that new dentist graduates are prepared enough to face the challenges
pertaining to patient’s demands, practice management, and clinical
readiness?
Dr. Bruno Lemay: Absolutely not… We have no training whatsoever on how
to deal with employees, or deal with money issues with patient or insurance
challenges. I lost over $300,000 on my first 5 years because I was not getting
paid by the patient at the time of their visit and would open an account
for them ... Even technically at the chair, there is so much that we are not
trained for that it is almost scary. I realize now, after 25 years of being a
dentist, how little I knew when I opened my office right out of school.
Sean Borg: In terms of becoming a top cosmetic dentist, what are some of
the best courses to take?
Dr. Bruno Lemay: I am a cosmetic dentist as well as implant dentist and all
my courses are mainly taken with the ICOI… International Congress of Oral
Implantology and they have the best course internationally on implantology
and cosmetic dentistry. I also like the Spear Institute in Scottsdale which
focuses a lot on cosmetic technique, new technology and materials in terms
of cosmetic treatments.
Sean Borg: What advice do you have for new dentists who want to become
the next Dr. Bruno Lemay?
Dr. Bruno Lemay: GOOD LUCK, Lol … My main advice is that they have to
take a lot of post graduated training to know as much as possible in order to
be able to achieve very high success and please their patient. Because one
unhappy patient can ruin your day and put you in a lot of stress and after
couple of years bring you into a big depression… It is very hard to satisfy
everybody but the more you are able to do it, the less stress you will have
and the longer you will enjoy your practice.
You also need to distinguish yourself from anybody else. Do something
different; either in advertising, or the service you give...
Sean Borg: Being known as a top cosmetic dentist and a clinician who
is passionate about progressive dentistry, what were some of the early
successes and challenges in the fields of esthetic dentistry early on in your
practice?
Dr. Bruno Lemay: Challenges are to stay in tune with the new technology
that changes everyday in the dental field, and be able to afford the best
Sean Borg: What have you been most proud of in your career?
Dr. Bruno Lemay: When a patient tells me how much I have changed their
lives…Not just their look, but their lives… Because the smile and chewing
ability is a major part of life and personality… Just one bad front tooth and
the personality changes. People are not as confident, etc… Imagine the
challenge when someone can’t eat properly.
Sean Borg: If you could wave a magic wand, what would you change about
the future of dentistry?
Dr. Bruno Lemay: More gorgeous guys on my chair, Lol! No, seriously, that
would be free dentistry for everybody. And that the cost would not be a
limit for anyone. Like when I used to work in the Canadian Army. We would
treat the patient, regardless of the cost.
Sean Borg: If you could change the smile of a high profile person, who
would it be?
Dr. Bruno Lemay: Woody Harrelson, Mike Tyson or Sean Borg.
Sean Borg: A perfect way to end… with a mention of me... LOL!