More than simply being the “Dentist to the Stars,” the chairman and CEO of Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC) and Novodental clinic chains is also an advocate of general health and medical tourism , having extended his topnotch services to Filipinos from all walks of life. Because, in his book, everyone deserves a good, healthy smile.
By MAAN D’ASIS PAMARAN
The Philippine Dental Association recently revealed that seven out of 10 Filipinos have some form of tooth decay. What’s more, 50 percent or five out of 10 Filipinos suffer from various forms of gum or periodontal diseases. This is certainly nothing to smile about, as oral health is said to be the gateway for general health and well-being.
Through his work, oral surgeon Dr. Steve Mark Gan is trying to save more Filipino smiles and, in the process, promote good health. As chairman and CEO of Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC) and Novodental clinic chains, Gan is slowly but surely changing the game on how dentistry is practiced in the country. Through the years, he has also been on a mission to change the Filipino mindset with regards to how they approach oral health.
“Going to the dentist is associated with bunot or extractions and is associated with pain. Then once you go to the dentist, that’s where they also try to educate you with preventions, but the reputation in North America and Europe is, ‘I have a cavity; I have to go to the dentist!’ Here, you only go to the dentist when you’re in pain. So, I wanted to change that concept with my practice,” he says.
Building an empire
Inspired after being mentored by Dr. Peter K. Moy, an accomplished oral maxillofacial surgeon and UCLA professor, Gan went back to the Philippines and started his career with a small clinic equipped with a third-hand dental chair in Binondo, Manila. Over the years, his talent, dedication to his practice and the reputation he earned among loyal patients who sought him out for his expertise led to the rise of his empire, beginning with a chain of GAOC dental clinics.
“Today, we have 10 premium GAOC clinics that are state-of-the-art and a masterpiece that no other dental clinic chain can probably equal. From the structure to the finer details of the architecture, drainage system to the quality of the instruments, everything is of the highest quality,” Gan asserts. Even the sterilization is of the highest level. This feature, in turn, inspired confidence even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when strict, unprecedented protocols were in place.
As head of the first dental clinic chains to open during that time, he was approached by the government to establish protocols that needed to be adhered to by other dental clinics to ensure everyone’s safety.
And his growing list of prominent clients include A-list movie stars, prominent personalities and influencers. But you don’t have to be a celebrity, successful businessperson or CEO to avail yourself of Gan’s services. To cater to a bigger segment of the population, Gan launched the Novodental clinic brand to offer more Filipinos access to quality dental services at more affordable rates.
“I felt my calling to help people regardless of their station in life. I’m a dentist and oral surgeon, and we want to help more people, especially people in pain, by giving them the safest and highest quality of dentistry that is available,” he says. “When I rose to fame, they started calling me ‘Dentist to the Stars,’ and all the affluent patients started coming to me. Then, here comes the segment composed of ordinary people who asked, ‘What about us?’ At the end of the day, it’s all about service to humanity. So we made Novodental’s services more affordable for the Filipino people, for the Filipino family.”
Novodental currently has 15 operating branches. Gan and his Novodental team are targeting to end the year with 20 branches. By the end of 2025, he hopes to run 30 Novodental branches across the country. As an offshoot to all these developments, the GAOC Dental Academy was established in 2023. It has 35 international faculty members who are among the world’s best dental practitioners educating Filipino doctors.
Gan’s expanded portfolio also includes Samurai Dental Laboratory, which is the biggest dental laboratory in the Philippines.
“We started Samurai in 2011 with only seven dental technicians, and now we are the biggest of its kind, making teeth for other dentists. We have 4,500 dentist clients and we sell high-quality, superior dental equipment and instruments and biomaterials.”
To further his advocacy of spreading healthy smiles, he established the GAOC Foundation that supports the education of indigent children while funding organizations such as Operation Smile, which helps poor children with cleft palates.
Breaking new ground
With these said, one would think that Gan would have more than enough on his plate. Yet he reveals to PeopleAsia that he will soon venture to new horizons in the coming year.
For one, the dentist, whose skin is inarguably as radiant as his smile, is soon venturing into dermatology. He is also putting up a state-of-the-art imaging center for CT scans and MRIs. “In 2025, we are expanding beyond the dental ecosystem, but it will still be about health care,” he says.
One of his latest achievements is receiving accreditation from the Department of Tourism (DOT), certifying GAOC and Novodental as the country’s first dental tourism clinic destinations. The development, in turn, positions the Philippines as a premier destination for world-class dental care in the Asia-Pacific region.
“The award from DOT is both an honor and a responsibility. It’s a responsibility because we are representing the country. Thus, at GAOC and Novodental, we make sure that we will give foreign visitors the best oral treatment possible, and it will make their visit to the Philippines a very fruitful one.”
Changing perceptions
Gan further talks about the impact he has made on the industry. “Modesty aside, we have changed the landscape of dentistry. GAOC is synonymous to Philippine dentistry in the world right now,” he declares. “If you talk about dentistry in the Philippines, it’s the GAOC group. Basically, it’s an integrated dental conglomerate. When we talk about fashion, smiles, implants, veneers, dentistry is now associated with glamour, lifestyle and luxury. Everybody just wants to have a good and healthy smile. I can say that we’ve really achieved our goal here.”
For his work in challenging the status quo and changing dentistry’s perception in the country, he is often referred to as the G.O.A.T. or Greatest of All Time — the Michael Jordan, if you will, of Philippine dentistry.
“It’s really flattering, but I’m just humbled by it all. It’s an affirmation that all my hard work has paid off. I was just a regular kid in school, and I’ll always say that hard work will make you lucky. Like Thomas Edison said, ‘Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.’ So, I’m very humbled and, of course, honored to have been given such a title.”
After 26 years in practice, Gan also talks about the legacy he will eventually leave behind. For starters, he makes sure to pass on his skills and expertise to a new generation of doctors through the GAOC Academy.
“I’d like to be known as the ordinary person who dreamt big,” he says, turning a bit sentimental. “That dreams do come true, and it can happen to anyone. Nobody really thought I’d even become a great dentist when I graduated from dentistry. They thought I would simply go into business because I was very entrepreneurial.”
Gan has since proven his doubters wrong. Aside from cementing GAOC’s place as a leader and pioneer when it comes to world-class dentistry and premium dental customer experience, he is also setting his sights on using robotics and artificial intelligence to usher in a new era for Philippine dentistry.
“Right now, I’m also part of a research group into AI and robotics that can change dentistry. One scan of your face and in seven minutes, they can make the preparations. As for robotics, doctors will still be guiding and doing the treatment plans but with the use of software and hardware, which are the robots. Dentistry is going to be so fast and precise, and it’s going to change everything.”
Despite the amazing leaps and bounds doctors like him have seen in the field of dentistry, Gan’s dream since the day he started remains the same: quality dentistry for everyone.
“Ultimately, I would like to be remembered for my work and advocacies,” he concludes. “For being an example to other dentists and the Filipino people on the priority and hard work I put in to attain good health care beyond oral healthcare for everyone. Starting with dentistry, the Philippines can become like Singapore, Korea or Hong Kong — places known both for their quality dentistry and medical care. We Filipinos also deserve the best. It’s time we start working on providing quality health care that is accessible for our people.”
Photography by MARK CHESTER ANG
Art direction by DEXTER FRANCIS DE VERA
Styling by STYLELIST INC.
Grooming by KAYE MISAJON
