How I Did It: DRMR

Manrina Rhode explains how she built DRMR, a dental practice with soul.

I still have moments when I walk through the door of DRMR and think, wow. Especially if I’ve been away for a few days, or I’m coming back from holiday, I’ll step inside, look around, and feel it all over again: this is mine. I created this.

What makes it even more special is seeing it through other people’s eyes. Patients, colleagues – even dentists visiting from abroad who have followed my work online – often stop in their tracks after stepping inside. When they react with that same sense of awe, I relive the excitement of building it. It still feels fresh. It still feels new.

From associate to principal

My journey to this point wasn’t quick. I worked as an associate for 18 years before deciding to open my own practice. Like many associates, I loved clinical dentistry. I still do – it’s my favourite part of the day. It puts me into a flow state that feels effortless and fulfilling.

What I underestimated was the leap from associate to principal. I had no real concept of the sheer volume of work involved in running a business. Looking back, I almost want to revisit my former principals just to thank them. They made it look easy – I now know that it isn’t. It’s a huge responsibility, and the learning curve is steep.

Opening a squat practice, especially one at the top end of the market, was an intense, all-consuming experience. It challenged me in ways I hadn’t anticipated. But it also accelerated my growth, both professionally and personally, in a way nothing else could have.

DRMR: a personal vision

From the beginning, I knew DRMR had to reflect me completely. That was non-negotiable.

I wanted to create something exceptional – something beautiful, distinctive and recognisable. This wasn’t just about opening a clinic; it was about building an environment that aligned with my values, my aesthetic and my way of working.

I wanted it to attract patients from all over the world – and that’s exactly what has happened.

I’m actually quite risk-averse by nature. I like certainty and structure. But opening a squat practice didn’t feel risky to me, because I already had patients seeking me out. I knew that wherever I went, they would come.

That gave me the confidence to focus entirely on delivering the vision. This practice has my soul in it.

Every single detail – down to the shade of gold on a door bolt – was chosen deliberately. If something wasn’t right, it wasn’t good enough. I couldn’t build my dream and then live with compromises that would irritate me every day.

I’m incredibly detail-focused, which is why cosmetic dentistry suits me so well. I approached the design of the practice in exactly the same way I approach smile design. I didn’t ask someone else to interpret my vision, I created it myself.

I thought through every moment of my working day:

• What frustrates me?
• Where are the inefficiencies?
• What could be better?

For example, I’ve always disliked holding a mirror up for patients during consultations. So I designed a solution: a mirror on wheels that could be moved seamlessly into place. It didn’t exist, so we made it.

That process repeated itself throughout the build. I visualised my workflow, identified problems and designed solutions. Nothing was left to chance.

The finished space

There are so many elements of the practice that I love, but one room stands out above all: my treatment room.

To me, it’s the most beautiful surgery in the world. Every detail – from the cabinetry to the finishes – has been meticulously designed. When people walk in, there’s always a moment of silence followed by: ‘wow’. That reaction never gets old.

Even the patient bathroom has its own story. The resin floor was hand-poured and mixed on-site, inspired by a technique I’d learned in a glass-making class. It’s those unexpected, creative touches that bring the whole space to life.

The first six months after opening were intense. I worked constantly – often only sleeping and working, with little time for anything else. It was demanding in a way I hadn’t experienced before, but it was also transformative.

This journey has changed me. It’s made me more resilient, more capable and more confident. The growth has been exponential, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Reflections

If you’re considering opening your own practice, my advice is simple: don’t underestimate it.

Life as an associate can be wonderful, and there’s no obligation to take this step. But if you feel a deep, persistent desire to create something of your own – something you can’t ignore – then you have to do it. Just know that it won’t be easy.

It will be challenging, stressful, and at times overwhelming. However, if you go into it with the right mindset, it will also be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.

I feel incredibly proud of what I’ve built here.

This practice has elevated my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined. It’s not just a place of work, it’s a reflection of who I am and what I believe in.

Would I do it again? Without a doubt!