Today we’d like to introduce you to Troy Bonin.
Hi Troy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Back in 1984, I graduated high school with big dreams of becoming a Hotel/Restaurant manager. I landed a job right after graduation with this new company called the “Pappas Corporation.” You might recognize them as the folks behind Pappas Seafood House, Pappadeaux, and Pappasitos. Through hard work and effort, I quickly moved up the ranks into management, and the possibility of running my own store seemed attainable in a relatively short time.
But after about four years of working there, reality hit me hard. The general managers would show up at the crack of dawn, around 4-4:30 AM, and wouldn’t leave until 5-6 PM every single day, six days a week! I remember thinking, “This lifestyle and these hours aren’t exactly conducive to the family life I hope to have someday.” I have to say, though, those GMs and managers were some of the hardest-working people I’ve ever met.
So, around 1988, I decided to switch gears in my academic pursuits. I was attending Texas A&M University and commuting back and forth to Houston for work. I started racking up my pre-med hours at Texas A&M and eventually got accepted into the University of Texas Dental School at the Medical Center in Houston. At the age of 23, in 1989, I embarked on my journey through dental school, and by 1993, I proudly graduated with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS).
Now, here’s a funny twist: My wife and I actually got married during my freshman year of dental school. I know it sounds crazy, but besides my faith, Terri, my wife, has been the biggest blessing in my life. As we built my dental practice, we also built our family. We’ve been blessed with a total of 12 children, although we sadly lost one in early pregnancy. Our quiver is full, and we couldn’t be happier.
Throughout the years, I’ve continued to explore other areas of medicine to enhance my skills as a dentist. While I wouldn’t call myself a biological dentist, I’ve pursued additional training at Trinity School of Health and expanded my knowledge in fields like Naturopathic medicine, Nanotechnology, and Epigenetics. I’ve found ways to incorporate these disciplines into my practice, which has proven beneficial for my patients and improved treatment outcomes.
Fast forward to today, and I’ve been running my own private practice for about 25 years now. It’s been quite the journey, filled with ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life has a way of humbling everyone. I wouldn’t dare say it’s been easy, but when I look at all the ups and downs, HI’s and lows, mountain top experiences, and valleys, when the dust settles, there is no doubt in my mind that I am the one who has been blessed.
I remember in dental school, my wife and I were so poor, we would visit many church food pantries in need of basic supplies just to help us get by and to make ends meet. She worked so hard during that time as she was our only means of financial support. I took some odd jobs every now and then like throwing the newspaper for the Houston Chronicle. But getting up at 2 AM, starting school at 8 AM, and ending my evening studies at 10 Pm could only last so long. I was not able to provide much financial support during this time, and Terri basically carried the burden during this time while I was focused on surviving Dental school… Terri basically was the sole provider at this time to help us meet the obligations of things like the light bill, water bill, and rent.
But all in all, as rough and tough as slim and thin things might have been, I acknowledge and know how blessed I am to have the mind and skills of my hands to practice dentistry. And as if that were not enough, knowing even more how blessed I am to have the family that only others might dream about, I would say that the sum total has definitely weighed to my favor.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
The name of my dental office is Favour Dental (Old English. Favour not Favor). We are a family practice, and I love what I do. I practice at the back of the Woodlands/Magnolia area around 242 and FM 1488. I have been in private practice for 25 years. I am a GP and tend to have more of a conservative bend in my approach towards dentistry. I do practice all disciplines in dentistry, such as oral surgery, Implants, root canals, periodontal treatment, minor Orthodontics, etc… But in general, I find the less I do to my patients, the better off they are. “The old cliché, “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” Please do not misunderstand, “absolutely nothing wrong with being proactive. There are very many successful, hardworking, talented, ethical dentist who offer great dentistry with this approach. However, my philosophy simply tends to bend a little more conservative.
Here at Favour Dental, I have the best, well-trained, and talented staff that a doctor could ask for; in fact, I don’t believe I could be nearly as efficient or perform to my current standards without the professionals that currently surround me. In fact, I believe we offer such a warm welcoming environment that this is reflected by the fact that we are approximately on a 4-6 month wait simply to get in for a simple cleaning. This is good…and bad. But I believe it speaks to our approach and wellness care that we offer our patients, my philosophy and style of practice, and as such, is reflected in our schedule.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Many people have influenced me and my desire to be a competent, successful dentist. Of course, I had the best training in the world as I received my training from the University of Texas. I am thankful that the University of Texas believed in me and saw the potential that existed in me, that they took the initiative and risk in accepting me as a dental student so many years ago. I do not take for granted the fact that there were plenty of other qualified applicants who could have easily been substituted for my spot. The mere fact that the University of Texas believed in me was the starting point.
And, of course, I must mention the one who kept me going. I remember after my first year of Dental school and how brutal it was. After that first year, I was not sure I would be able to finish the training. One morning, as I was reading and praying, filled with doubt and insecurity, I remember my wife sliding her arms around my neck, bending over, and whispering into my ear…”You can do this.” That’s all it took. Something welled up inside of me, a confidence that was strong. I went back my sophomore year and proverbially chewing gum and kicking butt. I say this not for any recognition on my part, actually to the contrary. But rather to point out what an encouraging word in a time of discouragement can do for a person. I will always be and am still thankful for my wife of 35 years and impact she has had on me and this walk we call “life”. I am a blessed man.
Contact Info:
- Website: Favourdental.org
