There are only a handful of dentist offices in Detroit south of Gratiot. The latest one, Diamond Smiles Dentistry, opened Monday afternoon in the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood. The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit City Councilman Andre Spivey (District 4) and community members joined business owner Aisha Akpabio, D.D.S., at the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the official opening of Diamond Smiles Dentistry, a Motor City Match (MCM) winner.
Diamond Smiles Dentistry is a fully-equipped practice with the latest technology and delivers a full-scope of dental services to a community with a growing need for treatment. Returning home to Detroit after practicing in Los Angeles and New York City, Akpabio, expects to hire at least 10 individuals in her first three years of business.
“I’m committed to providing the highest quality dental care by making patients my number one priority,” Akpabio said. “Having the opportunity to do what I love in my hometown has always been a dream of mine. It is a blessing to serve my community.”
Akpabio represents the continued opportunities MCM creates for its awardees. In Round 13, she received a MCM space award to help secure her building. In Round 14, she received a cash grant of $65,000, which she used to purchase state-of-the-art imaging equipment.
“Having someone like Aisha return to her hometown to help create a healthier Detroit showcases the type of investments Motor City Match is built to support,” Mayor Duggan said. “All small businesses are important to building neighborhood stability and employment. Aisha’s dental practice is especially critical in that it helps residents grow roots and develop long-term relationships with medical providers they can sustain for a lifetime. I couldn’t be happier to welcome Aisha back to Detroit.”
Akpabio’s new dental practice helps MCM celebrate a tremendous milestone as the first dental practice awarded by the program to open its doors.
“That’s significant because neighborhoods need all types of goods and services to attract and retain residents,” said Pierre Batton, interim vice president, Small Business Services, DEGC. “Not only is Aisha the first MCM dentist, she owns one of only two practices in the 48215 zip code. That demonstrates how great the need is for facilities like hers in Detroit’s neighborhoods.”
Akpabio completed her General Practice Residency at Bronx Lebanon Hospital in New York after earning her Doctorate of Dentistry from the University of Michigan. In addition to building her practice, Aisha works in the community to promote good oral health at schools, senior centers and health fairs.
“Aisha demonstrates what we know to be true about Detroiters,” said Councilman Spivey. “We are intelligent, resourceful, generous and tremendously loyal to our city. Aisha could have opened her business anywhere, but she chose Detroit because that is where her heart is. The Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood is deeply grateful to Aisha for fulfilling the dream of owning her own dental practice right here in her hometown.”
Diamond Smiles Dentistry offers a full range of dental services, including dental examinations, fillings and sealants, crowns and bridges, root canals, dentures, implants, bite guards and a state-of-the-art imaging machine, which was purchased with the help of MCM. The practice is located at 13334 E. Jefferson Ave. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8-4 p.m. For more information about Diamond Smiles Dentistry, visit diamondsmilesdentistry.com.
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