Person Behind The Place: Jonathan Ip
March 1, 2022 - by Sandy Vo
Person Behind The Place:
Jonathan Ip
Owner | Bellevue Dental Studio
Dr. Jonathan Ip has lived in all four corners of the country. After attending dental school in Boston, Ip made a big move to Los Angeles for residency where he quickly realized living in the Golden State wasn’t what he thought it would be. Fed up with the traffic and continuous hustle, Ip moved to Downtown Bellevue and found a tight-knit community that fit his lifestyle.
Bellevue’s continuous growth inspired Ip to invest in Downtown by opening a state-of-the-art dental office in the heart of the city. Located in Skyline Tower, Bellevue Dental Studio offers a unique dentistry experience. He strives to build authentic relationships in a modern and relaxing environment. Learn more about how Ip is changing the perception of dental offices and his favorite places to visit in Downtown Bellevue.
How does the design of your office stand out compared to a typical dental office?
We built our office from the ground up, so we chose the design of our space. It’s modern with splashes of color. Our amenities offer comfort to the patients, like TVs hung on the ceiling so they can take their minds off the procedure. We have noise-canceling headphones, blankets and coffee in the reception area. We’re also a fully digital office meaning patient forms and scheduling appointments are conveniently available online. Going to the dentist can be nerve-wracking, so our goal is to alleviate the pressure of making an actual dental appointment and create a positive dentist experience.
It must be exciting working at a dental studio inside an office tower. Do most of your patients come from Downtown?
Most of the patients we see are people ages 25 – 40 who work in Downtown Bellevue. This ranges from Microsoft and Amazon tech workers to small business owners. However, we do see a wide range of young kids and elders too. Working in a downtown setting that still has a small-town feel is great because when I’m out grocery shopping or having dinner, I end up running into my patients. It creates a deeper connection and relationship.
How has the pandemic affected you?
It’s been a crazy ride. When the pandemic began, our construction had to stop so it took us way longer to open than we had initially planned. Our office depends on the employees working around us, so our patient flow was nonexistent. We didn’t see an increase in patients until November 2021. Now, we’re adding more chairs to accommodate the growth when the Bellevue workforce returns to full scale.
Speaking of growth, where do you see Downtown Bellevue in 5-10 years?
When I moved here, things were so different. The growth here is impressive. I see a lot of possibility for change. It’s been incredible to see this place grow into a vibrant and diverse city.
What do you love about working Downtown?
I’ve lived in Miami, Boston, Los Angeles and Seattle, but nothing compares to living in Bellevue. It’s such a great mix between suburbia and an urban downtown. I love how easy it is to grab lunch here, and I love to attend community events like Bellevue Beats Music Series, Bellevue Downtown Arts Market and Jazz & Blues Music Series. Downtown Bellevue has a great vibe.
Do you have a favorite place to dine out?
FogRose Atelier is an excellent spot if you’re looking for an intimate dining experience. Central Bar + Restaurant is a wonderful place to grab some drinks and I love their environment. Minamoto Japanese Restaurant has great omakase and of course, Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi makes my list for the great view and vibe.
Any hidden gems in Downtown you'd like to share?
Meydenbauer Bay Park got revamped and the layout looks fantastic. They have an excellent park for the kids and the water is so calm. I'm excited to see the REI Boathouse come back. It’s a great place to watch the sunset on the benches or picnic tables.
Where do you see yourself in 5 – 10 years?
Dentistry is a long-haul job, so hopefully, we'll still be in the same spot. We want to expand, but at the same time, my mission is to provide a personalized dental experience that doesn’t feel rushed. We hope we’re able to keep up with the growth of Bellevue but still build authentic relationships with our patients in the future and deliver quality dental care that lasts. That’s what matters most.
Follow Bellevue Dental Studio for more information on their services and their unique mission.
Person Behind The Place is part of the Heart of Bellevue: our campaign to showcase local businesses while connecting you with stories of activity, creativity and recovery. Find out about our campaign and explore more of what’s happening around Downtown.
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Bellevue Dental Studio
10900 NE 4th St
Bellevue, WA 98004
