The business of friendship

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

When two friends opened a practice in the Victorian city of Ballarat, they were providing a much-needed service in a place they loved. By Frank Leggett

There was certainly some risk involved when Drs Peter Apostolopoulos and Nicholas Palfreyman set up Midwestern Dental Specialists from scratch in 2016. For a start, their business concept bringing together different specialists under one roof was so rare, it was referred to as a ‘unicorn model’. While such a clinic could prosper in a major city, setting it in the regional city of Ballarat was yet to be tested.

Nearly 10 years later, Midwestern Dental Specialists is a booming success, servicing the expansive regional areas in Western Victoria all the way to the South Australian border.

Dr Peter Apostolopoulos

“Nick and I followed similar paths when we were starting out. We both attended The University of Melbourne, though he is three years younger than me, and I graduated first in 2004. After graduation, we both joined the Australian Defence Force as dental officers. We weren’t close friends at this point, but we were acquaintances. We would run into each other occasionally, but we were never posted to the same location at the same time.

“Being a dental officer in the air force is a great way to start your career. The mentoring is wonderful and you’re learning leadership and officer skills. Meeting people of different backgrounds and constantly challenging yourself is a great life experience in your mid-20s.
I spent four years in the Royal Australian Air Force and 10 years as a reservist, with no regrets.

“I returned to Melbourne University in 2013 to become a specialist periodontist. At the same time, Nick was studying to become a prosthodontist, and we ended up working together in his father-in-law’s practice in Ballarat.

“We were good friends by now and decided to start Midwestern Dental Specialists, a brand-new facility in the centre of Ballarat. This was our first time as owners and directors so there were a lot of unknowns.

“Our skill sets are complementary as prosthodontics and periodontics frequently overlap, along with the other specialist colleagues within the practice. Nick and I are infamous for crossing the corridor into each other’s surgeries to see patients together and exchange ideas and advice. Patients appreciate having all their needs met efficiently under one roof and the business has steadily grown, with our practice manager, admin staff and clinical staff all crucial members of the team.

“There are occasions when Nick and I have a difference of opinion but never in a negative way. It’s resolved calmly and we’ll seek advice from third parties and professional support where necessary. Our relationship works because we respect each other professionally and are genuinely good friends. Although I am constantly envious of how Nick can arrive at work two minutes before his first patient and is ready to go!

“Our practice includes five clinicians over four different specialities. We’re presently renovating the practice and upgrading equipment to improve our ability to help and support dentists and mutual patients. We’re both in our 40s now and we’re personally and professionally committed to the region for the long haul. This is our community and it’s our pleasure to serve it.”

Dr Nicholas Palfreyman

“I graduated from Melbourne uni in 2007 while Peter was in 2004. When I joined the Army, I served in Darwin for two years and then Brisbane for a few more. Peter and I never served in the same location, but we would bump into each other at conferences and the odd military get-together.

“Being a dental officer in the army gave me opportunities and challenges I wouldn’t get in a public or private setting. I figured I had 40 years to sit in a dental surgery and fix teeth so I should have an adventure. I also had a desire to serve my country in the best way I could.

“I had the opportunity to pursue specialist training while in the army, but my wife and I were missing Victoria. We returned to Melbourne where I completed my prosthodontics degree in 2015. I find prosthodontics to be the most mentally stimulating part of dentistry. Problem-solving for both patients and referring dentists, treatment planning, and quarterbacking complex cases are amongst the most rewarding aspects.

“Peter and I became good friends during postgraduate training. When I asked him to work with me at my father-in-law’s practice in Ballarat on the weekends, he needed little encouragement. After graduation, I wanted us to team up and start a multidisciplinary specialist practice because you can’t do what I do without a talented periodontist. He agreed and we began searching for suitable sites.

“It was a bit intimidating starting a business from scratch. Due to our military backgrounds, we didn’t have a lot of financial comprehension at that point. Having a trusted partner gave us the confidence to go ahead. We would succeed or fail together.

“It was a slow burn for the first six months but as our reputation grew, the business started taking off. While Peter and I have lots of differences over little things, there have been no major disagreements. We’re both logical people who voice their opinions and then settle on whatever is the pragmatic solution.

“The best thing about working with Peter is the complete trust we have in each other. He’s one of the most reliable people I’ve ever come across. His fastidious nature is a great asset to the practice, but there are times when he could loosen the reigns a little. I’ve
got three young kids, and Peter is always very understanding about my family commitments. 

“We‘re totally focused on the quality of our service and our treatments. The high calibre of our support staff allows us to achieve our very best. I feel lucky to work with Peter and the rest of our team.”