25 years of dental innovation: An interview with Anastasia Opanasjuk, co-founder of the Interdisciplinary Dental Center.

The dental market today is saturated with modern technologies, yet only a few clinics offer an integrated approach to treatment. The Interdisciplinary Dental Center named after Opanasuyk, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, is one such establishment. For a quarter of a century, the center has not only maintained high service standards but also shaped new trends in Ukrainian dentistry. Co-founder Anastasia Opanasuyk shared key milestones in the company's development, challenges of wartime, innovations, and the future of digital dentistry in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.

— This year, the Interdisciplinary Dental Center named after Opanasuyk marked its 25th anniversary. What key milestones would you highlight over the years?

— Yes, the company began its journey in August 1999. It was then that Yuri and Ivan Opanasuyk, together with like-minded individuals, founded the Institute of Progressive Dental Technologies (the company's first name). At that time, it was truly an innovation in the dental field, as we all remember the Soviet and post-Soviet memories of visiting the "dentist": fear, unpleasant odors, pain...

In the 90s, the first private offices began to open, which were hardly different from state ones. The distinctive feature of the founders of IPDT was the desire to elevate dentistry to a new level. The result was a large clinic on Khreshchatyk, where patients were greeted by friendly staff. Each doctor was a narrow-profile specialist (not a "jack-of-all-trades"), and treatment was conducted in a comfortable atmosphere with minimal pain.

A significant advantage was and remains its own dental laboratory (meaning all types of work are performed in one place, in a closed cycle). A challenge at that time was the lack of quality modern materials and equipment. Therefore, a decision was made to develop an additional area of activity – representation and distribution of advanced materials and technologies in Ukraine.

Moreover, the founders realized that quality treatment is impossible without knowledge and skills, which is why a training center was opened on the premises of the clinic. Doctors from all over Ukraine finally gained access to knowledge from world-renowned lecturers and professionals with impressive experience.

Of course, like any business in Ukraine at that time, the company faced various challenges. Subsequently, in 2015, we changed our location and rebranded. Now in the name of our center, we proudly carry the name of one of the founders – Yuri Vladimirovich Opanasuyk, and in dentistry, while maintaining the quality of medical services and service, we continue our work within these walls.

— 25 years is a considerable time for any organization. What, in your opinion, has allowed the clinic to remain successful and grow over a quarter of a century?

— First and foremost, it is a team approach in our work. There are no secondary roles here: from the director to the cleaner, everyone is always heard, and the result that the patient receives depends on the coordinated work of all.

Additionally, it is the pursuit of development and an axiom embedded in the "genetic code" of our medical center: everything must be done at the highest level of quality.

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Our patients have stayed with us throughout these years due to a systematic approach, interdisciplinary vision, and demanding quality from each doctor who currently works in these walls. And also – curiosity. We never "back down" from difficult cases with patients. Very often, people come to us with little hope for improvement. Yet, relying on extensive experience and constantly deepening our competencies, we do our job to the best of our ability.

Teamwork and Challenges of Wartime

— How has the war affected the center's operations? What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?

— Certainly, the full-scale invasion has changed the lives of most Ukrainian businesses. But it is precisely in turbulent conditions that business is tested for resilience and viability.

As a responsible company, we made every effort to preserve our team. Until April, we did not accept patients in the clinic but remained in contact, coordinating their care almost worldwide. In situations where possible, we found appropriate doctors. After the liberation of the Kyiv region, we happily opened our doors to patients.

For a time, there were issues with the supply of necessary materials for work. However, thanks to good relationships with various suppliers and the excellent performance of our procurement department, our patients did not feel this shortage.

The biggest challenge remains the shortage of staff. This primarily concerns junior and middle medical and service personnel. On our part, we provide our employees with decent working conditions, a good social package, and fair wages. The search for these categories of staff continues almost continuously, as everyone understands how many people have left Ukraine.

Overall, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, we have preserved 90% of jobs, paid over 18 million hryvnias in taxes to the state budget, and confirmed our accreditation from the Ministry of Health (which only a small number of dental institutions possess). We continue to train future doctors: this year, a new recruitment for internships took place.

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Popular Services and a Unique Approach to Diagnosis

— Your clinic offers a wide range of dental services. Which areas are currently the most popular among patients?

— Among our regular patients, dental disease prevention is undoubtedly a priority. We actively explain the importance of quality dental care, help schedule preventive visits, and provide professional hygiene for both adults and children.

Cosmetic dentistry and gnathology are also popular areas. These two fields are inextricably linked: a high level of smile aesthetics can only be achieved through a comprehensive approach – working with muscles, joints, posture, as well as ensuring the health of teeth and gums. For a truly quality result, it is rarely enough to just "put on veneers" – first, it is essential to restore oral health. And for veneers to last long, proper bite alignment must be established, along with muscle work and, surprisingly for many, posture correction.

Another trend today is the concept of "your teeth, only better," which is why teeth whitening remains one of the most sought-after procedures.

— Every business strives to stand out among competitors by offering unique services. How does your dental center differ from others? Do you have services that are rarely found in other clinics?

— Our pride is comprehensive clinical-functional diagnostics. This is a thorough examination of the entire dental system that lasts about three hours in the dentist's chair. As a result, we obtain a complete picture of the patient's health status. After that, we hold a council where doctors discuss all nuances of the problem and develop an individualized step-by-step treatment plan.

Next, we gather a team of doctors who will work specifically with this patient, and together we present the diagnostic results and treatment plan. This is indeed a unique approach, as the diagnostic protocol is developed by our specialists and is based on knowledge from leading dental schools worldwide. Almost every patient is impressed by such a high level of qualification and attention to detail.

Another advantage we have is the availability of all necessary specialists in the clinic simultaneously. Families can come to us – from the youngest to the oldest – and during one visit, consult all the needed doctors. In today's world, where free time is a luxury, we find this approach very convenient.

Our center is aptly named "Interdisciplinary": we work closely with a myofascial therapist who collaborates with us within the clinic. The myofascial therapist specializes in working with muscles and fascia – the connective tissue that covers muscles and organs. Due to stress, poor posture, or muscle strain, fascia can lose elasticity.

Using special techniques such as massage, stretching, or myofascial release, the therapist alleviates tension and improves blood circulation in problematic areas. This helps reduce pain, enhance jaw mobility, and balance the muscle function of the face, neck, and shoulder girdle.

— Patients often wonder: how to choose a reliable clinic and doctor? What should one pay attention to when choosing a clinic or specialized expert? What are the advantages and disadvantages of large dental networks?

— First of all, I would advise paying attention to the doctor's specialization: the narrower it is, the more the doctor develops in that field. A doctor who performs hygiene cleanings, treats canals, places braces, and crowns simultaneously is unlikely to have enough time to delve deeply into each of these areas. In our clinic, each doctor performs only their tasks: orthopedic, surgical, pediatric dentist, orthodontist, hygienist, periodontist, endodontist. Thus, a whole team of specialists works with the patient. Therefore, the first conclusion is to choose not only a doctor but also a clinic.

When choosing a clinic, first and foremost, pay attention to cleanliness – in hallways, restrooms, and offices. Adherence to sanitary norms is also crucial: all tools must be sterile, and consumables should be single-use. If there are many tools and materials on the doctor's table exposed, I would definitely leave.