From family dentist to purpose-led paediatric practice

The business of care

His achievements don’t stop there though. Alongside his clinical and academic work, Dr Lucas has also built a thriving business. His practice, Lucas Dental Care, gained strong momentum early on and now operates across three locations: Glen Iris, Bundoora and Mornington.

“We opened the first surgery in Glen Iris in 2003 to provide general family dentistry, as well as treatment for children and patients with special needs,” he says.

It soon became clear there was overwhelming demand for specialised care. In response, the practice expanded to Bundoora and Mornington, with both locations dedicated to supporting children with medical and behavioural needs.

Dr Lucas values the collaborative environment. “[Like Glen Iris], the Bundoora and Mornington practices are located within dental hubs where specialists can share infrastructure,” he says. “We consult with each other and often treat the same patients, which works well for everyone.”

A long-term partnership

Dr Lucas’s relationship with NAB stretches back decades, beginning with a loan for his first home and evolving alongside his career and growing practice. As Lucas Dental Care expanded from a single surgery into a multi-site operation, access to the right financial support became increasingly important.

That support was particularly critical when the Glen Iris building was earmarked for redevelopment.

“We decided to buy and rebuild a property, and NAB helped us every step of the way,” Dr Lucas says. “That’s now our three-story flagship dental practice, which opened in 2019.”

Over the years, Dr Lucas has also embraced new tools and services as they’ve emerged. He began banking with NAB Health when it was launched and, by coincidence, was already using Medfin for leasing and equipment purchases when it became part of NAB. He has also used HICAPS since its introduction to streamline claiming and transaction solutions and improve cash flow.

“When you’re developing practices as we have, you need confidence in the people providing finance and advice,” Dr Lucas says. “That’s always been the case with NAB. Andrew Francis, my relationship banker, is excellent –knowledgeable, practical and very helpful.”

John Avent, Executive, NAB Health, says the relationship reflects NAB’s focus on supporting health professionals as their businesses evolve. “It’s a pleasure to hear James talk about the different ways we’ve supported him and his practice over the years,” he says. “We look forward to continuing that partnership in the years ahead.”

A commitment to community

Dr Lucas has no plans to expand the footprint of his business, but he is focused on extending its influence and depth of expertise.

“That may mean bringing more paediatric dentists into the practice and supporting them to help build an even more specialised centre,” he explains.

Alongside clinical excellence, Dr Lucas is equally committed to supporting children’s wellbeing more broadly. The practice sponsors the Children’s Program at the Melbourne Fringe Festival, as well as Polyglot Theatre – one of Australia’s leading children’s theatre companies – which takes performances directly into schools.

He also regularly visits kindergartens and primary schools to give children a gentle, positive introduction to dental care. In addition to authoring research papers and academic chapters, Dr Lucas has co-authored a children’s book about dentistry.

“Our brand is about making children feel happy and comfortable,” he says. “That’s something I’m keen to keep building on in the years ahead.”