After 44 years in dentistry, Dr. Joe Sepe has decided to retire and has handed his Ridgefield-based practice over to Dr. Phat Ly.
Sepe has been working since he was 15 years old and is excited about what his future holds.
“I’m 67 and I’m ready to retire,” said Sepe. “I’m looking forward to it. We got some travel plans already on the docket and it would be nice to shift gears.”
He said that at 15, he worked at a concession stand at Jones Beach in Long Island, which was where he grew up. Sepe then went to the University of Washington where he got his bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. He then went back to the university to get his doctorate degree in dentistry and later participated in a residency program at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). He became an associate dentist in Vancouver. After that, Sepe opened his practice in Ridgefield in 1997, which is now operated by Ly.
Sepe’s father and brother inspired him to become a dentist.
“My dad worked for the railroad and he always wanted his children to be professionals,” he said. “They’d go out on strike and he saw the downside of that kind of occupation, so my older brother became a physician and I became a dentist.”
Sepe, who was a dental hygienist for some time, said his father told him he “needed to be your own boss,” which led him to become a dentist.
Sepe said a lot has changed in the dental industry over the years.
“In 1977 we were still wearing masks … but we weren’t wearing gloves,” he said. “It’s really advanced on so many levels now, from technique to materials to even the makeup of dental offices.”
He noted that many dental offices have become corporatized and now feature several dentists working under one company. Sepe said he’s always preferred a smaller dental practice with one dentist and a small staff.
“That’s what we used because you really can develop relationships with patients and I think the patient base likes that,” Sepe said. “(It’s a format) where they come to the office and know who they’re going to see and who’s operating on them, seeing the same face in the front office. Those sorts of things that are not necessarily in play anymore.”
Sepe said a smaller office is also less intimidating for people who may fear going to the dentist and it allows patients to build trust with their provider.
“It makes a big difference when it’s your name on the door instead of a generic corporate name,” he said.
In February, Sepe plans to go to the Redwoods and Napa Valley. He also wants to go see his son in Arizona. Depending on the weather, the family plans to hike in Utah. He said he would also like to travel to Italy.
Ly is excited to take over for Sepe. He has renamed Sepe’s practice, Dr. Joseph F. Sepe Family Dentistry, to Dimples Family Dentistry. Ly said he chose the name with his wife because his goal is to “make everyone happy.”
“I’m looking forward to continue the great work that he does,” said Ly. “I’ve been reading online about him and looking forward to (continuing) his great process of taking care of the community.”
Ly said his empathetic approach has changed the way some of his patients view dentistry and has allowed them to become more comfortable with it. To help ease patients’ fear, Ly said he talks and listens to other people’s points of view and addresses whatever worries they may have.
“It’s not about medications or technology, but it’s about understanding what their fear was to begin with and letting them know what I plan to do,” Ly said. “Many doctors can be quick-handed and force things onto patients, but for me, my personal goal is understanding they can leave before I do anything.”
Ly said he’s stopped some appointments because of the anxiety his patients felt. Instead of pressuring them to continue, he discussed the next steps they would take if the patient returned. He has been in dentistry for 17 years. Rather than revamping the practice, Ly said he plans to simply continue what Sepe started. Although he changed the name of the practice, Ly said he will keep the current staff.
“He handed me the baton and we’re just continuing on,” Ly said. “He’s a great doctor and a great mentor. We have a strong staff that works well together, making it a good experience for the patients.”
