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DENTAL STREET BLOG

Dr. Gary Hopper - Retirement: Looking Back 

5/5/2016

8 Comments

 
Published by: Dene LeBeau 
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On March 23, 2016, Gary Hopper performed his last dental procedure at the Palm Desert dental office. Gary is one of the original Kois mentors and his dentistry epitomizes the excellence taught at the Kois Center. I first met him in 1995 at a dental meeting in Aspen, Colorado when he asked me if I would do some work for him. He took great effort in explaining how he was merely average in every way, but loved his employees and patients, so he was motivated to always do his best. Our long conversation left me convinced that I had just heard the essence of HUMBLE, spoken at a perfect pitch that was coming from the very heart of this man who now had me dying to work for him!
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The small cases came first and he did not disappoint. Impressions so clean that they appeared to have been taken over a typodont model. Fig. (A)
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The anterior work was much the same high quality with beautiful preps and impressions that allowed me to perfectly identify the margins by breaking the soft tissue stone away with my fingers. Fig. (B) We soon learned how much his staff and patients loved him and it was easy to tell by looking at his cases, Gary had gathered a great team of specialists to support his vision of excellence.
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Gary and his staff were a winning combination and the beautiful smiles and personalized treatment provided a steady flow of new patients. The practice became so successful that they began restoring #6 through #11 on a routine basis the same way most practices restore molars. Fig. (C-D-E) 

​The practice drew a wide variety of patients from dentists to dental employees; the general public and they even restored a number of high profile celebrities. The good times rolled on for that truly great practice and my lab was blessed to be part of it for over twenty-one years. Gary Hopper’s dentistry is awesome!
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A few years ago I was giving Gary and his beautiful wife Erica a ride from the Sea-Tac Airport to the Kois Center. Crammed in the back seat of my BMW, Gary was in a hurry to get out of my car as we arrived. Thinking that the back seat door was unlocked, Gary began to apply serious pressure to the door handle and sure enough, he ripped it right off of the door, then calmly handed it to me.
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At the dealership the following week, the mechanic said, “I have never seen this happen before, this guy must be a powerful dentist, you should give him a trophy.” I took that as great advice and you can view the door handle mounted on his personalized trophy...Fig. (F&G)
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Humble people are most likely confident and competent in themselves so much that, as a result they seem to self-actualize by helping others. To be humble is not to think less of oneself, but to think of oneself less. That description fits you perfectly Gary and as you read this, I am certain that your mind will race to assign the credit of your success to all of us around you. On behalf of your patients, staff, peers and friends, thank you from the bottom of our hearts because you touched all of our lives in a positive way. You are a great leader, a loyal friend and one awesome dentist. We will all miss you!
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8 Comments
jeff gray link
5/5/2016 02:45:29 pm

Gary,

It has been and still is a joy to call you a friend and a mentor. You are not only a fine dentist but an even better human being

Sincerely

Jeff Gray

Reply
Dan Clader link
5/11/2016 09:17:58 pm

Gary-

We will miss your presence.
Actually, we will miss Erica more!
Enjoy Texas.
I never tired of your fabulous shoe collection.

Dan

Reply
Jim Polley
5/17/2016 05:43:00 pm

We will indeed miss you and miss occasionally seeing your nice patients who found themselves wandering around in Las Vegas.

Thank you for the wonderful memories and your classy example.

All the best,

Jim

Reply
Mike Young link
5/17/2016 08:24:39 pm

Dear Gary,

I can't tell you how much I loved getting to know you! I will miss the stories and the laughs. I hope I will get to see you again.

Warm regards,
Mike Young

Reply
Sam Romano link
5/18/2016 02:54:52 am

Gary
Congratulations on your retirement. I'm sure your patients and staff will miss you dearly.
I want to be you when I grow up!
Best Wishes
Sam Romano

Reply
ed borio
5/18/2016 05:20:54 am

Gary while you may be retiring your influence on dentistry will be enduring. Those who know you are better because of it and I feel fortunate to be your friend. Congratulations on your retirement and I know whatever your next chapter is you will enjoy success and happiness.
Ed

Reply
Dean Ramus
5/23/2016 05:48:03 pm


Dear Gary,

I wan to thank you for being such a great colleague. I'll miss our conversations and your mischievous smile. I wish you all the best in your new life.

Warmest regards,
Dean Ramus

Reply
Gary Hopper
6/9/2016 07:06:01 pm

Thank you one and all, but especially to Dene, for the gracious and wonderful comments- I feel you are talking about someone else. Will miss my time with all of you and hope to return to the center at a later date to catch up

Jeff- always time well spent- you are an inspiration- truly.

Jim- you were the fist person I meant at the center and still remember vividly you asking if I had the peri/restorative - scared the bejeebies out of me😊Plus you were at my graduation- now that was a night.

Sam- you quit coming to the bar but we forgave you- time with you was time well spent

mike- just keep doing what I taught you- now you tell the stories .

Ed- what can I say, Marlin is a fantastic dancer💋 Please give my regards- you are heir apparent to the throne !

Dino- my smile? What about yours? Nobody nicer in our clan- still have those tapes you gave me.

Dan, Clader Clader Clader that about sums it up for you amigo!

Again thanks for the thoughts- all is extremely well with me. If ever in Texas - Fredericksburg about 1 1:2 hours west of both Austin and San Antonio
760-578-0694
gary@garyhopper.com

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