The Articulate Dentist - A Blog by the Metro Denver Dental Society

I am MDDS: Dr. Vinicius Lime & Dr. Maria Petroche

Vinicius Lima, DMD & Maria Petroche, DMD, MSD
Synergy Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry
Lakewood, CO

Dr. Vinicius Lima and Dr. Maria Petroche met in dental school and bonded over their passion for community outreach and their love of music and soccer. Like many dentists, they fell in love with the Centennial State and moved here after completing dental school and their respective residencies. In 2022, they took their partnership to the next level and opened a private practice together in Lakewood, CO. Join us as we sit down with them and learn how through a love for the profession, fitness, a healthy mindset and shared interests they support each other personally and professionally.

What inspired you both to pursue careers in dentistry?
We wanted a field where we could help people and be hands-on. Dentistry was the perfect blend of science, art and direct patient care. We love the balance it brings to our lives.

After living in multiple places, what made you decide on the metro Denver area as a place to settle?
We are very outdoorsy people and love all the beautiful nature Colorado has to offer. We have both completed and are currently training for Ironman triathlons, so having lakes, mountains and beautiful trails for training is unbeatable. Apart from that, we feel like we have formed very good friendships in the past few years, which has been so welcoming.

Can you share a little about your practice philosophy?
We offer a high level of service and provide patients with individualized care and a comfortable dental experience. We take pride in nurturing patient relationships as a fundamental component of proper dental care. We discuss lifestyle choices and diet, tailoring patient treatment plans to their individual needs while using state-of-the-art technology, which we know is important for the most precise diagnoses.

What unique strengths do each of you bring to the team? How do you complement each other?
Dr. Lima is a general dentist with a wealth of knowledge in occlusion and full mouth rehabilitation thanks to his training at the Dawson Academy and additional residency training at Tufts University. Dr. Petroche is a Boston University trained board-certified periodontist focused on minimally invasive surgery. She also practices at a periodontal focused practice in Centennial, Denver Periodontics, where she collaborates with other general dentists in the Denver Metro area. We both use microscope technology, CT scan imaging, digital impressions and work with multiple local specialists to provide patients with the most comprehensive dental treatment possible. We both bring thorough surgical and restorative components to the practice which we believe is so important when treating any patient, especially complex patients with aging dentition.

Burnout is a real issue in dentistry. How do you support each other and balance your personal and professional lives?
Dentistry has changed so much in the past ten years, and we have witnessed this change manifest as burnout in many of our colleagues. Having a support network is huge, being part of a community, a study club or a sports club outside of dentistry can really help maintain perspective. The MDDS offers programs such as the Professional Development & Coaching Group with monthly meetings where dentists are able to discuss daily challenges in our profession. We are also involved with Spear study clubs, and we started a run and triathlon club with our close colleagues who enjoy physical activity. Having an outlet is such an integral part of a good lifestyle balance, whether it’s art, sports, or a supporting community, we love advocating for healthy outlets to help balance the stress we encounter in our field.

Can you share a memorable experience from your practice that highlights your teamwork?
When we first opened the office, we did not have any employees yet, so we had to assist each other in procedures which helped us bond in a different way. That’s when we found out dentists don’t make the best dental assistants, but it was all part of the growth process, and we are grateful to have had those learning moments.

What advice would you give other couples considering going into practice together?
We occupy different roles in the office, which helps us balance our personal lives. Dr. Petroche loves being involved in social media and community outreach, while Dr. Lima does a lot of the administrative behind-the-scenes work. Having different roles is an integral part of the success of the practice and helps minimize unhealthy stress. We also do our best to maintain conversations about work and dentistry during working hours and focus on our hobbies and home life when we are home. This helps us to be present and focus on our physical and mental health outside of work.

You’ve been open about wellness and fitness being a huge part of your lifestyle. Are there lessons from Ironman races have you applied to dentistry?
Dentistry is an incredibly rewarding profession in so many aspects, but it can also be hard on our bodies, so maintaining an active lifestyle is so important. Our training has not only helped us with our overall fitness, but the mental health benefits keep us sane. We have been working on our mental fitness since we started our triathlon training with our coach and this added element in our fitness journey has helped us become more patient with ourselves and has taught us persistence and discipline. Mental toughness has also helped us overcome worries and doubts about running a practice. It has helped us have a clearer and more positive mindset amid chaos and the daily stressors we encounter in our profession. Triathlon training has brought us to enjoy nature and spend more time exploring new trails and lakes. We love to encourage our colleagues to find healthy outlets that keep the brain and body sharp.

What would you be doing if you were not in dentistry?
I think we would be involved with a global health organization still helping people but on an international scale. We would also open a dog-friendly coffee shop/brewery and play live music for customers and their pets. Both opportunities are still possibly on the horizon.

The Articulate Dentist is a blog by the Metro Denver Dental Society, providing members with insight into the dental industry, practice management tips, tech trends and best practices as well as Society news and updates.