Pothitakis extends legacy of Family Dentistry

FORT MADISON – Fort Madison is extending its Pothitakis commitment to health and philanthropy, not to mention the legacy of the family’s dental practice.
On Monday, Nicholas Pothitakis officially takes up residency in the Pothitakis Family Dentistry franchise in southeast Iowa. Pothitakis is the eldest son of Mark and Kara Pothitakis, who started the familiar dental practice in 1992.
Pothitakis will be on staff at the Fort Madison location as well as the Burlington and New London offices different days of the week.
Nick said he always envisioned going into some health related field, but dentistry just made good sense and is a natural fit for him.
“This just always seemed to be something in my mind. I knew I wanted to do something in the health field,” Nick said.
Pothitakis graduated from dental school this year at University of Iowa. The eight years of college he said has prepared him for the dental care part of his career, but the business side was culled over the dinner table at the Pothitakis home.
“After the undergraduate work, dental school is like a year of study and then three years of actually working with patients. We did everything from the hygiene work to extractions. We would see  patients every day and then a doctor would come in and review our work. So it was lot slower paced than what I’ll see here. There wasn’t a lot of the business side of the practice involved.”
But Nick said he’s learned much from his parents, and has gleaned a lot about running the business by just listening to conversations at home as he grew up.
“They would have conversations about that at home or during dinner so I’ve picked up some things there, but there is still a lot to learn,” he said.
Mark said one of the many great things about having his son in the practice is actually learning from him.

“There are so many things that are different now. Dentists all practice a little differently and I’m excited to learn from him, too,” Mark said.
“We’ve already ordered some new equipment that he’s suggested and wants to implement with the patients he’ll see.”
He said another plus to having Nick in the business is that it extends the type of care the communities are used to getting from Family Dentistry doctors.
“People know us for who we are and how we treat patients. We’re here and a part of these communities and this assures that continues,” Mark said.
Mark also said the timing is good for adding a new doctor to the clinic. Patient growth was demanding additional staff, as well as additional space.
The Fort Madison office is undergoing a transformation with four additional offices being constructed on the east side of the 48th Street office. Those offices should be ready for patients before the end of the summer.
Nick is a graduate of Holy Trinity High School and is one of five of Mark's and Kara’s children. Nick is married to his wife, Mikaela, and has an 8-month old daughter, Adalene.
He said stepping into the family business doesn’t add any pressure because there aren’t any expectations going in.
“There’s not a lot of pressure here. We all just want to provide the best care we can for the patients that choose us,” he said. “Everything else will be sorted out over time, but right now it’s just about the right dental care at the right time.”
Nick will join his father and four other dentists, in the group; Dr. David Courtney, Dr. Alisha Bassler, Dr. Barbara Gipple, and Dr. Mary McManis.
The Fort Madison office is located at 4723 Avenue J across from Baxter Sports Complex. You can call for services at 319-372-4882. The office in New London is located at 503 W. Main Street (319-367-2311) and the West Burlington office is at  1223 S. Gear Avenue  (319-753-2515).