office visit "I am an artist by nature. I love drawing, painting and sculpting. I majored in fine art in college and was contemplating pursuing a career in architecture and design. I even had some of my artwork on display at local art exhibits in New York. In orthodontics, I found a career that perfectly fit my personality. I get to express my artistic side in creating and designing beautiful smiles while tremendously affecting people's lives and self-confidence." Let's talk shop. What's your philosophy on treatment? I'm a big believer in a face-driven treatment approach. I feel privileged to have been trained in a residency program that was largely influenced by the teachings of Dr. Larry Andrews. Andrews is known for the straight-wire appliance and the "Six Keys to Optimal Occlusion." What he's less known for, but is one of his largest contributions to orthodontics, is "The Six Elements of Orofacial Harmony." These are optimal treatment goals for the areas where orthodontists should have diagnostic responsibility and treatment influence. They take into account 32 SEPTEMBER 2017 // orthotown.com the entire orofacial structure for optimal facial aesthetics and harmony. I am especially keen on the element that deals with the anteroposterior position of the maxilla and the anterior limit of the upper incisors relative to the face. That's why we routinely take profi le smiling photos as part of our diagnostic records. I combine these ideas with Dr. Tom Pitts' "Smile Arc Protection" principles into my treatment plans and bracket placement. I think our focus on excellent outcomes in facial and smile aesthetics sets us apart clinically. What's the biggest challenge facing the profession? It certainly is an exciting but challenging time to be an orthodontist. With competition lurking everywhere from corporate chains to direct-to-consumer options, it's becoming increasingly difficult for young private practitioners to distinguish themselves in a saturated market. Having said that, more and more patients are seeking orthodontic treatment than ever before with the help of the internet and social media. You must establish an identity of who you are as a practitioner and communicate what makes you different to the potential patient. It is something we certainly deal with on a daily basis.http://www.orthotown.com