Orthotown October 2024 - 32

OFFICE VISIT
Which lessons seem most obvious
to you after 15 years in practice?
One of the most valuable lessons I've
learned is the importance of mentorship.
I would advise anyone entering
the profession today to seek out as
many mentors as possible. There's
so much wisdom to be gained from
other orthodontists, and with the
abundance of online forums like
Orthotown, study groups and professional
organizations like OSOs, there
are plenty of opportunities to connect
with more experienced colleagues.
Learning from others' successes and
mistakes can help fast-track your
own development.
Continuing education is another
General dentists are often the first
medical professionals patients see,
and they play a crucial role in identifying
when orthodontic treatment is
necessary. The more general dentists
understand about orthodontics, the
better they can advise their patients.
Which features in your office
are you especially proud of?
Our practice is designed to provide
comfortable care for our patients
while fostering open communication
with their families. Although we have
an open bay layout, each treatment
chair is separated by cabinets, which
gives patients a sense of privacy
without cutting them off from the
relaxed, communal atmosphere we
aim to create.
I love the built-in benches at the foot
of each chair. We encourage parents
to come back during their child's
appointments, and it's not uncommon
to have a parent with a couple of kids
sitting on the bench, watching the
treatment and engaging in conversation.
This setup facilitates better
communication between the patient,
parent and orthodontist: It's easy to
discuss treatment progress, compliance
or any concerns when everyone
is present.
Another unique aspect of our office
is that I often bring my toy poodle,
who happens to have no teeth, into
the practice. She's become something
of a mascot, and many patients know
her by name. Her presence leads
to natural conversations about the
importance of teeth, oral health and
the way teeth provide facial structure.
Her friendly demeanor also helps put
anxious patients at ease. The atmosphere
is welcoming and a little more
personal because of her, and it's amazing
how much of a difference that can
make to both kids and adults.
OCTOBER 2024 | 32 | ORTHOTOWN.COM
critical piece of advice. Early in my
career, while still a dentist, I earned
my FAGD award in just three years
because I believed so strongly in the
value of expanding my knowledge.
Attending orthodontic meetings
and continuing education courses not
only helps you stay on top of the latest
advancements in the field, but it also
provides you with a network of peers
who can offer support and advice.
What was your most recent
major investment?
Bringing 3D printing into the office
five years ago. While it has been a
significant change for our practice,
the transition was more difficult than
I anticipated. Changing our systems
and adapting our scheduling to
accommodate the new workflow took
longer than expected, and the training
required for the new technology was
also more intensive than I had planned.
One issue we encountered was
that a couple of our clinical chairside
assistants wanted to move to the lab,
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Orthotown October 2024

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