A striped pattern of soft maple and cherry woods lead to honeydew colored walls that make up the Allisonville Dental Centre, an African-American owned and operated business that has withheld its roots in the Indianapolis community for 25 years.
Several years ago, faculty members told Roschelle Major during her dental school entrance interview that she would not be accepted into the school and if she did, she would not complete the program. The faculty commented that her household location was too far from the school while another stated that no one in her family had graduated so what would make her any different? These opinions fueled the fire behind now Dr. Major-Banks, D.D.S. and she let nothing stop her from graduating from the Indiana University School of Dentistry. Today she and her husband, Terry Banks manage two successful dentistry operations.
“We have a lot of patients who’ve been with us for the entire 25 years. We’ve had patients who’ve started with us as children and now they’re married and I’m seeing their children,” said Major-Banks. “Of course you don’t think about how much time has passed until you begin reflecting.”
Banks, her husband, said it feels as if it has only been about 10 to 15 years.
“Once you do something for so long it becomes a part of you, a part of the routine. But once you reach a certain age, time really flies,” he said.
On opening day back in 1989, the couple had two patients scheduled. The first patient cancelled but the second continues to sit in their chairs today. Since Major-Banks handles the medical practice of dentistry and Banks controls the lab, the couple work hand in hand each day. The two have been married for 28 years and met while Major-Banks worked as a dental assistant where Banks also worked.
“It’s hard to separate business from personal but the upside is I know I have someone that has my back,” said Major-Banks.
Banks, thinks of the duo a little differently.
“By a woman’s nature, they are more emotional than a man, which isn’t bad. Sometimes that spills over into making business decisions so that has taken time and has enabled me to become more patient,” recalls Banks who mentions that his wife constantly has the best interest of the business in mind.
“The thing is, when you’re the person responsible for not only the livelihood of your family but the livelihood of your employees, it’s not a burden but something you’re constantly aware of,” she said.
The couple said they are blessed to have a chance to serve the community and know their success has not been accomplished alone. Raising two children and running a business can be a big task in addition to being African-American owners.
“In the society we live in, being a minority is challenging. If you look at the salary of what a dentist makes normally versus a minority dentist, it is about a 20 percent difference and not just for the dentists, but for all minority professionals,” said Banks.
In addition to the Allisonville Dental Centre, the couple also owns Sleep Apnea Dentist in Carmel, Ind. that specializes in sleep apnea treatment. Both offices have been accredited and according to Major-Banks the two were the first two practices in the state to be accredited by The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.
The couple is looking to expand their Allisonville location and grow their staff.
“Even at 25 years, the business is still growing,” said Major-Banks. “The blessing in all of this is that we’ve always worked together and no matter the disagreements we may have had, we always realized we’ve had each other.”
For more information, visit Allisonville Dental Centre at 2811 E. 46 St. or sleepdocbanks.com.
