Why He Was Nominated

Dr. Mortensen is drawn to both the clinical and entrepreneurial sides of dentistry. Owner or co-owner of five practices across four states in the western U.S., he has plans to open four more this year. He loves to practice, and sees patients five days a week.

Favorite Aspect of Dentistry

“I love working with people. Teeth are boring; people are fascinating. I’ll talk your ear off and hope you’ll do the same.”

Philosophy

“Keep it simple: Don’t oversell, don’t undersell. It’s just teeth,” Dr. Mortensen says. If that sounds flippant, he maintains that his priority over the two years, on average, that he treats a patient is to build a personal relationship, and he will go to great lengths to make that happen. “Bend over backward,” he says. “Stop by a patient’s home if needed, personally return phone calls, show parents that you genuinely care about their children.”

Sage Advice

“You’re not as smart as you think you are,” Dr. Mortensen says, “but you’re not as dumb as you think you are, either.” Remembering both is crucial to maintaining an even keel. Also, keep your student debt to a minimum: “Debt can severely limit your practice possibilities after graduation.”