Medford dentist, oral surgeon Ben Keyser opens new practice at 101 Main St.

Ben Keyser hasn’t always wanted to be a dentist — he had until he was in high school to look for other career options.

“I had some family members in dentistry,” said Keyser. “When I was in high school, there was an oral surgeon in Somerville that I shadowed. It’s been 14 years since high school and I’ve had a lot of training and have been working at a number of practices over my career.”

But his goal has always been to open up his own practice. And on Nov. 5, that dream will become a reality, as Keyser officially cuts the ribbon on the Greater Boston Oral Surgery & Implant Center at 101 Main St. right here in Medford.

“One of my reasons was to be closer to where I live,” Keyser said, of why he picked the medical building. “I felt like there was a big need for services that are more local. There was an oral surgeon in Somerville, but he retired, so there’s no one who can do oral surgery. I’m a specialist in my field and I think that’s great for the community. I love the Medford community.”

That might be because Keyser and his wife live here in the city with their children.

Keyser said he’s excited at the prospect of finally opening up his own business, especially in the community where he lives. Over the past year, the idea really took hold.

“I’ve always had the idea of being able to have my own space and taking care of patients,” he said.

It was a chance happening when a second-floor suite at 101 Main St. opened up that made Keyser realize the time was right.

“It was a pretty welcoming, sizable space,” he said of Suite 201, where the office is located. “The layout seemed to work. Things just seemed to align.”

The work has been ongoing for the past few months, as contractors have worked on the space to put in equipment and get things the way Keyser wanted. He said it’s been a lot of stress and fun at the same time.

“It’s such a huge endeavor,” he said. “I had to make sure everything was done properly, with all the logistics. But it was fun, too, picking out the color schemes and building the website. I want people to see our practice. I can’t wait to showcase it to the public.”

But aren’t most people afraid of dentists?

“It’s one of the biggest things we try to convey,” he said. “A lot of people don’t know that we can do anesthesia or IV sedation for our patients. People don’t know there are options.”

Keyser, who is  a graduate of Colby College in Maine, of dental school at University of Pennsylvania, and a six-year degree from the University of Maryland in dental education, said his patients will know what’s what when they finally sit in the chair.

“We want them to know the details and be thorough about all the things that will happen,” he said. “We want people to be educated.”

Keyser’s practice will begin taking consultations with patients in November following the grand opening. He urged people to reach out via his website to schedule a time to come in.

“I am so excited,” Keyser said. “I know there’s a lot to starting a new business, a small business and all the things that come with that… but I am very excited to get started.”