My name is Dr Akintonwa Oluwayemisi. I am the head dentist and founder of DentistAtYourDoor dental clinic, the first mobile dental clinic in Lagos which brings dental care and oral hygiene needs right to the doorsteps of many Nigerians.

I founded this company about a year ago and I was inspired by the need to be a better and more effective dental professional. The idea came to me when I was trying to provide a solution to the existing problem of patients having to reschedule their appointments due to traffic and impromptu business meetings. Also, I realised over the years that sometimes clients feel lazy and do not want to make the trip to go see the dentist. So I set up DentistAtYourDoor and as a result eliminated the need for patients to go to the clinic for dental appointments and instead, bring dental services right to them in the comfort of their homes.

We currently provide the basic dental care which include scaling and polishing, treatment of gum disease, treatment of cavities (fillings), child dental care, dentures, teeth whitening etc. We hope to provide more services over the next few years.

So far, my business has received a lot of positive attention and remarks by Lagosians and Nigerians at large. The clients I have treated so far tend to be more relaxed once convinced that I am a well-trained dental professional and give into the service. Once a certain level of trust has been achieved between me and the client, they often refer me to their friends and family. Lagosians are generally more welcoming and receptive to change and innovative ideas so I was very optimistic when I started the business that it would thrive.

Living and growing up in Lagos has given me the can-do attitude to life. I love the throbbing pulse of the city which makes me feel energised and makes me feel anything is possible.  Lagos is also my state of origin which often made me think that if outsiders can come make a better life for themselves here, what’s stopping me from doing exactly the same thing. Spending my entire life in Lagos brought out the true hustle in me by taking me way beyond my comfort zone and challenging me in several ways I didn’t imagine possible. It has definitely nurtured and prepared me for being an entrepreneur.

 

I have been faced by several challenges that arise when starting a business and they range from funding to structuring, staffing and branding. The most pressing challenge however was brand awareness and positioning as I needed to convince Nigerians about this unprecedented, yet affordable and accessible practise which will see to all their dental needs. I overcame these challenges mostly by trial and error. I was not afraid of falling and failing as I saw it as part of my road to success and thus embraced it. Most successful entrepreneurs I know have failed at one point or the other but that didn’t stop them from moving on. They stood up and tried again time after time until it yielded results they were aiming for. I have over other the years tried to emulate this behaviour and mind-set and it has proven very effective in managing my business.

My greatest achievement will definitely have to be the numerous compliments and referrals I have received from my clients. For me it is just indicative of the excellent work and service we provide as we always ensure utmost compliance with the highest possible hygiene standards.

Over the next few years we hope Dentist at your Door would be a household name that bridges the gap between the dentist and patients, and the go to clinic for busy professionals, entrepreneurs and all kinds of people looking for quality dental service in the comfort of their homes.