--- title: How to Build a Legacy of Care description: A female dentist shares her journey, challenges, and insights on thriving in dentistry while balancing family and leadership roles. image: https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/hubfs/Dr.%20Vondrak%20Blog.webp --- [** 1.877.378.3548](tel:18773783548) [tel:18773783548](tel:18773783548)[** info@tokuyama-us.com](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/contact-us/) [Login](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/how-to-build-a-legacy-of-care#) ![](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/hubfs/Tokuyama%20February2018%20Theme/images/bg_header.png) [![](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/hubfs/Tokuyama%20February2018%20Theme/images/icon10.png) ![](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/hubfs/Tokuyama%20February2018%20Theme/fonts/icon10.png)](https://www.tokuyama-us.com/cart/) Search this site on Google Search Google # [How to Build a Legacy of Care](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/how-to-build-a-legacy-of-care) [Read More →](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/how-to-build-a-legacy-of-care) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.tokuyama-us.com%2Fhow-to-build-a-legacy-of-care) - [**](https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.tokuyama-us.com%2Fhow-to-build-a-legacy-of-care) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/how-to-build-a-legacy-of-care) [All Posts](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com) # How to Build a Legacy of Care - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Leave this world a better place than you found it. “by Robert Bowden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts.  As I navigate my way through my 20th year in dentistry, this quote resonates with me. I think about all of the changes I have experienced in practice. From the explosion of digital technology, to ever changing economic landscape of dentistry, to my personal life as a young graduate dentist to a first-time mother dentist to single mother of 3 breadwinner dentist to multi-dental practice owner, writer, and speaker. In all of this, 2 truths: one, it’s been quite the journey and two, I far from done. After all, “leave this world, a better place” is determined by the legacy we leave behind, right? So, what do I want my legacy to look like? As a wise coach and mentor of mine once said, “always measure backwards.” As a health center dentist, I’ve always believed in the relationships I create with my patients and my team. I’ve always felt that relationship building is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling aspects of a dental career. Let’s take Anna, for example. When Anna first came to my practice, she was an awkward middle schooler so scared of dentistry that her parents we’re contemplating IV sedation for routine fillings. I met with Anna just to talk at first. My team got to know her and they held her hand. We worked through her fears slowly and patiently until we conquered them tooth by tooth even straightening the crooked ones and completing her smile. I think about Donna, a bubbly smiley extroverted joy of a person. Donna, who at our first meeting, refused to remove her hand from the front of her mouth. She held her fingers together and a perfect cup shape blocking all visibility of the broken decayed teeth inside. Again, I listened and learned about Donna. Together we made a plan removing the hopeless teeth, crowning what we could and using implants to create the rest. Donna’s full mouth rehabilitation gave her the smile that had always been there just trying to find a way out. And last, but not least, I think of Alexis. A young girl, I recently helped on her search for confidence in the tricky teenage years. Her two central incisors had distinct hypocalcification spots that had been there as long as she could remember. With the technological advancements in single shade composites, I was able to beautifully restore these teeth with minimally invasive techniques. Her hug when leaving my office, said it all. To me, the Legacy of what we leave behind is in the lives we touch. I have seen this as a practice owner when working with team members who fail to see their potential and worth. Individuals that become professionals when respected and valued in their work life. Likewise, I have experienced the joy of teaching dental colleagues to be confident in the services they offer, to think outside the box when treatment planning and to understand the power of a health-centered philosophy. My gift to you is to look around and be proud of the practice you have created. To take a moment and think about how you “will leave this world a better place than you found it.” And I promise, to continue, to do the same. ![Stephanie Vondrak, DDS](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/hubfs/Stephanie-Vondrak.webp) ###### Stephanie Vondrak, DDS Dr. Vondrak believes education is paramount to comprehensive patient care and has pursued over 600 hours of post-doctorate education in TMD, occlusion, orthodontics, and sleep apnea including the Pankey Institute, the Schuster Center, and the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain. Dr. Stephanie Vondrak owns and operates a private practice in Elkhorn, Nebraska. Advanced services offered in her practice include: Temporomandibular Joint Therapy, Sleep Apnea Appliances, Orthodontics, Invisalign, cosmetic and therapeutic Botox/Xeomin, injections, Craniofacial Growth Appliances, ALF therapy, and Cosmetic/Rehabilitative Dentistry. Credentialed, Dr. Stephanie Vondrak has earned Fellowship Status with American Academy of Craniofacial Pain and Diplomate status by the American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine. In addition, Dr. Vondrak is recognized as a premier provider for Invisalign orthodontics, is a Key Opinion Leader for Tokuyama. Dr. Stephanie Vondrak has published numerous articles on the benefits of wellness-driven dental care including the Omaha World Herald, Livewell Nebraska and Metro Quarterly. Dr. Vondrak is honored to lecture for the University of Nebraska Medical Center General Practice and Oral Surgery Residencies and advanced educational programs for Creighton University. In 2013, Dr. Vondrak was chosen by the Midlands Business Journal as a “40 under 40” award recipient for excellence in professional development as an entrepreneur. ### Subscribe to Email Updates - Recent - Popular - Categories ### Lists by Topic - [OMNICHROMA (11)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/omnichroma) - [Composite (10)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/composite) - [One-Shade (7)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/one-shade) - [OMNICHROMA FLOW (6)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/omnichroma-flow) - [Flowable (5)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/flowable) - [Corporate Social Responsibility (4)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/corporate-social-responsibility) - [Tokuyama Empowers (4)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/tokuyama-empowers) - [Estelite Bulk Fill Flow (3)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/estelite-bulk-fill-flow) - [Tokuyama Universal Bond (3)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/tokuyama-universal-bond) - [Denture Reline (2)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/denture-reline) - [EsteCem II & Tokuyama Universal Bond System (2)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/estecem-ii-tokuyama-universal-bond-system) - [Estelite Omega (2)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/estelite-omega) - [Sofreliner Tough (2)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/sofreliner-tough) - [Bonding Agent (1)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/bonding-agent) - [Desensitizer (1)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/desensitizer) - [EsteCem II System (1)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/estecem-ii-system) - [Mental Health (1)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/mental-health) - [Rebase II (1)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/rebase-ii) - [Shield Force Plus (1)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/shield-force-plus) - [cement (1)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/cement) - [stress (1)](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/tag/stress) [see all](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/how-to-build-a-legacy-of-care#) ## Subscribe to Email Updates ### Subscribe to Email Updates ## Related Posts ## [Repair Don't Replace: The Smart Solution for Fractured Restorations](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/repair-dont-replace) While replacement of a fractured porcelain crown remains the ideal treatment option in many cases, it is not always practical for every patient. The financial impact of replacing an existing restoration can be significant, particularly in today's economic climate where patients are increasingly seeking solutions that balance quality care with affordability. - [Tokuyama Dental America](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/author/tokuyamadental) - 4 min read - Jun 26, 2026 ## [One Appointment, One New Smile](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/one-appointment-one-new-smile) As a dentist, sometimes the most meaningful cases arrive unexpectedly. In a spur-of-the-moment decision, a patient will abruptly opt to address an insecurity. - [Daniel A. Campeas, DMD](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/author/daniel-a-campeas) - 4 min read - Jun 12, 2026 ## [Dentistry, Content Creation, and the Pursuit of Improvement](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/dentistry-content-creation-pursuit-of-improvement) As I overlook the Tokyo skyline writing this blog, I cannot help but reflect on the aspects of this country that made me fall in love with it. There is an overwhelming emphasis on perfection of craft, efficiency, consistency, and predictability. - [Matthew Kaiser DDS](https://blog.tokuyama-us.com/author/matthew-kaiser) - 6 min read - May 29, 2026 - [CONTACT US](https://www.tokuyama-us.com/contact-us/) - [CAREERS](https://www.tokuyama-us.com/careers/) [**](https://www.facebook.com/TokuyamaDentalAmerica/) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/680259) [**](https://twitter.com/TokuyamaDental) [**](https://www.youtube.com/user/TokuyamaAmerica) - [SITE MAP](https://www.tokuyama-us.com/site-map/) - [SAFETY DATA SHEETS](https://tokuyama-dental.com/msds/) - [PRIVACY POLICY](https://www.tokuyama-us.com/privacy/) - [TERMS OF USE](https://www.tokuyama-us.com/terms/) ### SIGN UP FOR EXCLUSIVE OFFERS Tokuyama Dental America Inc.·  740 Garden View Ct., Suite 200·  Encinitas, CA 92024Phone: (877) 378-3548E-mail: info@tokuyama-us.com©2018 Tokuyama Dental America Inc.