by Rachel Schreiber

Dr. John Farah has accepted and welcomed change throughout his life. A Palestinian born in Bethlehem, he grew up in Jerusalem. After high school he arrived in the US and attended college. Dr. Farah spent his first year at UM in Flint. He then transferred to Ann Arbor’s UM campus in 1964 to study aerospace engineering. Two years later he was looking for a summer job, and it just happened the dental school was looking for a person with an engineering background to conduct materials testing. Dr. Farah says, “I worked part time at the dental school doing testing and helping a graduate student with his dissertation in dental materials.” While in graduate school, he was encouraged to join the dental materials department, and work towards a joint degree in materials and aerospace engineering. “I thought the research was interesting, and I saw benefits from having a dual degree. I was well paid as a student, enjoyed Ann Arbor and wasn’t in a hurry to leave,” he says.

In 1974, Dr. Farah enrolled in dental school to strengthen his background in the field. His original intentions were to conduct research and teach, but he discovered he loved working with and helping people. He expands on that insight. “When I started working with people, I really enjoyed it, and for me it was a natural extension from research to practice. I was helping patients, and loved what I was doing. That was what made me shift from teaching and research to practicing dentistry. He received his PhD in 1972, and in 1978 he earned his D.D.S.”

Kendra Hires states, “Dr. Farah has formed long-term, close relationships with his patients and people we know by first name have been coming here for 20-30 years.” Kendra is Enspire Dental’s General Manager. She says, “My position covers human resources, practice management, and attracting new patients through service, marketing and advertising. Kendra is a native Ann Arborite, who attended the University of California and earned a degree in art and design. In 1994, Kendra returned to Ann Arbor and transitioned to the dental field into an office in Toledo. She recently joined Enspire Dental.

Dentistry has seen many changes over the past two decades, particularly in the field of technology.  One recently introduced advance is the ability to scan teeth instead of taking impressions. The benefit of the scan is that it can be emailed to the laboratory so the technicians can make the restoration.  Another desirable benefit is the result of the scan is a much higher accuracy. Dr. Farah states, “I tell patients that dental school taught me all of the basics, but I don’t think there’s anything I was taught in dental school that I’m still doing now. The changes and the new technologies are what keep me in dentistry. I’m always interested in the newest and best materials and the latest technology.” Dr. Farah enjoys educating his patients, and he welcomes and encourages questions to ease their comfort level. “I try to make it fun, yet I know many patients would rather be elsewhere. I’ve developed a great rapport with patients, and our technology is always cutting edge. Patients love it. At times, they’ve taken pictures of the scans on the computer screens with their cell phones to email to their spouses.”

Enspire Dental team includes Doctors Lori Brown and Santine Anderson who are partners with Dr. Farah. Dr. Sabiha Bunek is the newest addition to Enspire Dental, bringing the team to approximately 30 very dedicated individuals.

If you have found this story, interesting, informative or inspiring, please let Dr. Farah or Kendra know!  Enspire Dental is located at 3100 W. Liberty Road, Suite A, Ann Arbor, 48103 734.663.6777, info@enspiredental.com.