Everyday Oral Surgery

Until you show your patients that you care, it doesn’t matter to them how much you know; that is one of the biggest lessons that Dr. Dan Tran learned through his experience of being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer during his second-year residency. Another is that we never know how much time we have left on earth and it’s so important that we make time for the things and people we love. Although Dan has been living a close to normal life for the past three years thanks to a miracle drug he has been taking, it is unclear how long the power of the drug will last, and his future is very uncertain. As you’ll hear in today’s episode, Dan manages to stay positive amidst this uncertainty, and we can all learn a lot from his inspirational outlook, as well as his expertise as an oral surgeon and assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Key Points From This Episode:How Dan ended up in the academic world, after always thinking he would work in private practice.Dan’s main focus at the moment, and what he loves about his work. The initial symptoms of the cancer that Dan was later diagnosed with.What finally encouraged Dan to get an MRI, and the first thing he thought when he got the results.Procedures that Dan underwent following his diagnosis.The medication that Dan has been taking for three years, and the uncertainty of his future. Lessons that Dan has learned through his cancer diagnosis, from both a doctor and patient perspective.How Dan balances the things that are important to him, knowing that he may not have long to live. A mentor of Dan’s who still hovers over him in his mind. Why working with computers and 3D printing throughout his life has helped Dan in his career. There are always a team of people behind any success story Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Dan TranVirginia Commonwealth UniversityThe White Coat Investor

 As oral surgeons, we spend a lot of our lives in positions that aren’t good for our bodies, and which can end up causing us a lot of pain. Your host, Grant Stucki, knows this all too well. Today’s episode is a lesson in what so many of us are doing wrong, and how we can start looking after ourselves better. Our guests today are Dr. Julie Chaves, an oral surgeon, and Chuck Turner, a personal trainer; the two of whom have been working together for almost 10 years in order to help Julie correct the damage that she has done to herself through her work and to educate others on how to prevent the onset of musculoskeletal disorders. Oral surgeons are so focused on helping others that we tend to neglect our own health, but this shouldn’t be the case. Julie and Chuck highlight the importance of listening to our bodies and being aware of all our movements. Whether or not you are currently experiencing back and neck pain, this episode could change your life!Key Points From This Episode:Julie’s circuitous route to becoming an oral surgeon.The journey Chuck went on to find the career that he is passionate about.Education that Chuck provided to people working in corporate settings.How Chuck and Julie’s relationship formed.A pattern that Chuck noticed amongst his clients.An example of an exercise that Chuck gives to his clients, and how it improves posture and reduces pain.The toll that oral surgery has on one’s body.Measures that can be taken by oral surgeons to prevent pain.Chuck shares some ways to make a standing position less harmful for your body.A paper that Julie and Chuck are hoping to publish soon.Why we should start treating our bodies how we treat our cars.Changes that Julie has made since the pandemic and the positive impact this has had on her.Major back issues that Grant suffers from.The importance of listening to your body and bringing awareness to your movements.A lesson from Chuck on how to do certain movements correctly.Not all exercise is good for you. Tweetables: “There’s a lot of damage that takes place over time but people think when they get injured it was an actual incident.” — Chuck Turner [0:06:40] “What I do is important but what you do and making you aware of what you do outside at work is even more important.” — Chuck Turner [0:11:48] “Strengthening ourselves in certain ways can help us to weather the storm a little bit better.” — Dr. Julie Chavez [0:16:17] “The best position at work, regardless of what you do, is the next position.” — Chuck Turner [0:20:08] “What’s the point of working hard for 30 years and retiring if you’re decrepit and in chronic pain and you can’t enjoy yourself?” — Dr. Julie Chavez [0:24:20]Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:The Sustainable Surgeon Project

If you’re a young surgeon who has been taught to believe that starting a dental business is incredibly difficult, you are far from alone. Our guest today, Dr. Jeffrey Carter, is here to explain why this is not the case, and how his company makes it much easier for oral surgeons to become independent contractors. Jeffrey’s vision for OMS Logistics is to provide a platform where surgeons can network, expand their services, and provide collateral support to one another, without the need to buy expensive equipment or make rigid time commitments. This conversation covers numerous topics, including the value of anaesthesia tracking in the oral surgery space, the technology that Jeffrey is implementing which could change the discomfort that the medical world feels with around oral surgeons using anaesthetics, trends that Jeffrey has noticed amongst the younger population of dentists that are looking for work, and the gaps in terms of dentists’ understanding of their capabilities. Tune in for a deep dive into all of this and more! Key Points From This Episode:Hear about Jeffrey’s education and his career trajectory. What Jeffrey’s company, OMS Logistics, does, and how it has grown over the years.Pairings that Jeffrey has experimented with through OMS.Reasons it benefits surgeons to work through OMS Logistics, rather than directly with a DSO. Why OMS has had a lot of success with surgeons who are on active duty in the military.Anaesthesia registries; what they are and why they are so useful.Discomfort that the medical world feels about oral surgeons doing anaesthesia. Where you can find industry norms for anaesthetic deaths and transfer rates. The importance of the rule of large numbers.Trends that Jeffrey is seeing amongst people who are looking for work. Advice for young oral surgeons who are on the job search. Why the garden-variety oral surgeon isn’t attractive to hospitals.Young dentists have been brainwashed to believe it’s incredibly difficult to run a business.How OMS Logistics does quality control on the people who are hired. One of the major gaps in academic oral surgery. Jeffrey’s surprise at the range of productivity levels amongst dentists across the United States.The importance of understanding what your capabilities are, and the huge knowledge gap that exists with regard to this. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Jeffrey Carter OMS LogisticsJeffrey Carter Email — jbc@jbcarterinc.comDr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720 441 6059

Owning and running your own oral surgery practice isn’t for everyone, but if you are able to handle the challenges that come along with it, it can be an extremely gratifying experience. After leaving the job he had working for someone else, Dr. Michael Goulston went out looking to buy a practice, and ended up deciding to start his own instead. Over the past six years he has acquired a huge amount of experience working with a very diverse client base, and on the show today he shares with us both the ups and the downs of his journey. We discuss the methods Michael utilized to find clients when he was starting out, the types of advertising that he finds most useful with regard to his practice, and the difficulties that sometimes arise when Michael sees patients who are culturally different to him. Michael puts a lot of effort into his relationships with his patients and his staff, and he explains some of the personal touches that he implements in order to ensure that he is keeping everyone around him happy.  Key Points From This Episode:A brief rundown of Michael’s educational and career history. Why Michael decided to start his own practice, rather than buy an existing one.Personal touches that Michael used to find clients, starting from a base of zero.The length of time it took for Michael to cover his costs. Advertising practices that Michael thinks are the most useful. Michael’s strategy for dealing with insurance. Reasons that Michael decided to leave the job he had working for someone else. Challenges that come with running your own practice. Elements of Michael’s work that he finds particularly gratifying. The experience Michael had when he brought in an office manager. Difficulties that sometimes arise when Michael sees patients who come from a different culture to his own. How Michael personalizes the experiences of his patients to make sure they are all comfortable and happy. Methods that Michael uses to ensure that he maintains healthy relationships with his staff, and an enjoyable office environment. Why Michael has moved towards using more moderate anesthetics. Golf; how this hobby positively impacts Michael’s work.Value that Michael gets out of listening to the Everyday Oral Surgery Podcast. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Michael GoulstonOral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Implant Specialists of MiddlesexDr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720 441 6059

If you are interested in learning how to make the most of your time as a dental professional, this is the episode for you! Dr. Aaron Liddell has managed to get to a point where almost all of his time is productively spent, and he has a team of people positioned around him to do the rest. Aaron explains how he ended up taking the road less traveled in terms of the dentistry fields that exist, and although it may be the more difficult path, the passion he has for his work is unwavering. Among other topics, our discussion covers the benefits of partnerships (when you are ready for them), why it sometimes makes much more sense to hire mid-level practitioners than associates, and Aaron’s thoughts on why there aren’t more dentists doing the kind of work that he does. Work out what you want to do, how you are going to do it, and stick to it! Key Points From This Episode:Aaron’s educational and professional background, and where he is currently working. How Aaron found his way into the field of dentistry that most dentists don’t get a chance to work in. Types of procedures that Aaron usually does. Benefits of being part of Trauma and Emergency Subspecialty Surgeons (TESS).Why partnerships are so key in Aaron’s field of dentistry.How Aaron and his partners deal with revenue. Gaps between production and collections in Aaron’s specific line of work.Bringing in partners; how this process works in Aaron’s practice.Advantages that have come through the merger with US Oral Surgery Management. The importance of being ready for a partner before you bring anyone on.Aaron’s experience as an associate. Value that you can bring to your practice by hiring mid-level practitioners.Research work that Aaron gets involved with. Why we don’t see more dentists doing the work that Aaron does. What cycling has taught Aaron that he carries into all spheres of his life. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Aaron Liddell Colorado Oral SurgeryTESSUS Oral Surgery ManagementCan’t Hurt Me Dr. Grant StuckiDr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720 441 6059

We’re calling today’s episode the one-upper! Tuning in, you’ll hear Dr. Grant Stucki and Dr. Mike Hall share some of their best dental stories, partly for comedic relief but also to impart some important lessons about client communication, adequate sedation techniques, and careful employee selection, as well as what you can learn from your patients about different cultures and mindsets (and kinks). We hope that this episode leaves you with a lot to ponder and, hopefully, is as insightful as it is hilarious. Make sure not to miss it!Key Points From This Episode:Why Dr. Hall thinks that dentists should be keeping a record of their best stories.While we all want our practice to appear professional, Dr. Stucki believes there is a lot to be learned from mistakes.Dr. Hall’s first funny oral surgery story, which involves a Halcion-induced parking lot accident.The moral of the story: always over-communicate with patients taking oral sedation meds!Dr. Stucki shares a propofol sedation story about a wisdom extraction that required an osteotome on a military veteran.Why adequate sedation is crucial, especially when the patient poses a physical threat!Dr. Hall’s next story is more of a classic office drama regarding false accusations of an affair.The importance of careful employee selection and having a good no-tolerance policy.The funny next story comes from the time Dr. Stucki’s brother was shadowing him in Tucson.The unbelievable things patients will say and do that make for a good story and introduce you to different cultures and mindsets.Dr. Stucki’s last story involves a somewhat different Jamaican interpretation of his last name.How grinding down a patient’s molars taught Dr. Hall a lot about that patient’s kinks!Find out why Dr. Stucki is considering creating an “Only in dentistry!” bumper sticker.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Mike Hall on LinkedIn — linkedin.com/in/michael-hall-aa8379109Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720 441 6059

It takes a lot of hard work to become a doctor, but to be a doctor who has also found massive success in other careers is something else entirely. Dr. Robert Guyette is one of those people. Today he joins us to talk about his approach to life and how it led him to have fruitful careers not just in medicine but in real estate and professional basketball too! Before our guest got his MD he was Bob Guyette, the American professional basketball player, who played five seasons in the Spanish League. But before hearing the story behind this, we kick off our conversation with Dr. Guyette's training and how he became qualified to offer both oral and facial cosmetic surgeries. From there we hear about Dr. Guyette’s days as a professional basketball player and he tells stories about being selected by the NBA, ending up signing for FC Barcelona and spending a few exciting years traveling Europe. Next up we get into Dr. Guyette’s passion for real estate, hearing him weigh in on how he got interested in the field and got a loan for his first duplex when he wasn’t much older than 20. Moving back onto the subject of Dr. Guyette’s medical career, we chat to him about the long road he traveled on the way to inventing the Porter Silhouette Nasal Mask. So for an inspiring conversation about saying yes to life, working hard to reach your dreams, and the fruits of that labor, tune in today!Key Points From This Episode:A brief history of Dr. Guyette’s training, dental career, and current practice setup.How Dr. Guyette learned cosmetic surgery which supplements his oral maxillofacial services.A story about how Dr. Guyette joined the Arizona Board of Medical Examiners.A lesson in the advantages of saying yes to things and taking opportunities.Dr. Guyette’s experiences playing professional basketball and how he got to this level.Experiences Dr. Guyette had in Europe while playing professional basketball there.How Dr. Guyette got into real estate at a young age and the value of cash-flowing assets.The story behind how Dr. Guyette invented the Porter Silhouette Nasal Mask.How Dr. Guyette found the motivation to push through the time it took to invent the mask.Dr. Guyette weighs in on one of the projects he started that was not a wild success!Advice from Dr. Guyette about persistence and not giving up on your dreams.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Robert GuyetteArizona Board of Medical ExaminersFrancisco FrancoRobert KiyosakiPorter Silhouette Nasal MaskJordan PetersonDr. Grant StuckiDr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720 441 6059

Today on the show the dynamic gets reversed because this is a recording of Dr. Stucki being interviewed by the famous Dr. Howard Farran! Dr. Farran is arguably the titan of dental podcasting, as he is the host of the widely loved Dentistry Uncensored show, and he also wrote Uncomplicate Business which Dr. Stucki is a big fan of. Dr. Stucki originally reached out to Dr. Farran, asking him to be a guest on Every Day Oral Surgery but to Dr. Stucki’s surprise, Dr. Farran asked him if he wanted to be a guest on Dentistry Uncensored instead! In today’s show, we get to know Dr. Stucki a little bit better, hearing Dr. Farran ask him about his experiences on residency, approach to a wide range of challenges oral surgeons face, the mission behind his podcast, and a whole lot more. Dr. Stucki weighs in on why he chose oral surgery as a specialization, how to overcome fear and do what it takes to get the job done, and how he manages his chronic lower back pain through posture and exercise. We hear about Dr. Stucki’s approach to sharing expertise, handling troublesome implant cases, and the question of whether oral surgeons should anesthetize their patients. We cover a whole lot more ground today, also getting the chance to hear Dr. Farran’s views on how dentistry and society as a whole could be a little more egalitarian! So for all this and more on today’s high-energy exchange between Dr. Stucki and Dr. Farran, be sure to tune in!Key Points From This Episode:Introducing Dr. Stucki, his qualifications, and how helpful his podcast is.The fruitful challenge of having kids and our guest and host’s experiences of this.Dr. Stucki’s perspectives on how to manage the difficult practice of implantology.The best postures and recovery methods Dr. Stucki used for his back trouble.Tips for dentists in situations where patients might rather need an oral surgeon.Rectifying hierarchies ingrained at dental residency and the focus of Dr. Stucki’s podcast.Getting past territorialism and ambition in the field by putting the patient first.Dr. Stucki’s recommendations for the best implant brands to use.Possible links between implant failure and the COVID vaccine.Toeing the line between atraumatic procedures and time-efficient surgery.The issue of oral surgeons sedating their own patients and how Dr. Stucki views this.The risks of totally removing a root and when it is okay to leave part of it in the gum.Whether CBCTs are needed for surgeries or if the panorex is enough.Complications in the surgery room due to patients who are smoking marijuana.Dr. Stucki’s perspectives on prescribing narcotics and using bone grafting material.Whether to remove a tooth or prescribe antibiotics to patients with infected teeth.Dr. Stucki’s experiences working at Pacific Dental Services and traveling between the offices.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Howard FarranDentistry UncensoredUncomplicate BusinessPacific Dental ServicesDr. Grant StuckiDr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720 441 6059

If an oral surgeon gets to the point where they cannot get a healing abutment off, or conversely, it keeps falling off, it can be a frustrating experience for all involved parties. So for this episode of Everyday Oral Surgery, we are exploring the things that can go wrong with healing abutments and what to do about them! We begin with the situation where a healing abutment has been screwed on too tightly and just won't budge. We lay out the possible reasons for why this could have happened, suggesting that the force of finger torque is more than enough for this part of the implant process. If for some reason it won’t come off, the techniques we cover range from using a torque wrench to the brute force method of cutting a new path in the abutment with a round bur. Moving onto the second scenario of the abutment that won’t stay on, we highlight that in most cases this is due to bone or tissue impingement. It is therefore always a good idea to make sure that your abutment is not being impinged by anything when you first install it. In this segment, we also cover the best kinds of kits to use regarding bone milling and adaptable implants. So make sure you join us today and get all the info you need for successfully installing healing abutments!Key Points From This Episode:Using a torque wrench and what to do if a healing abutment is not coming off.Errors that can happen when the dentist is taking the impression.Using endo ice on the abutment when the torque wrench won’t work.Scenarios where the driver port in the healing abutment gets stripped.Cutting a new path with a round bur or using an ultrasonic scaler.What to do when the healing abutment keeps falling off.Impingement on bone and why healing abutments can come off frequently.Bone mill kits and how to get the implant process right the first time.Changing hands and other reasons why the implant can come off.Straumann kits and the value of having a more adaptable kit.The best kinds of healing abutments to use and when to use one rather than a cover screw.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Scott WeiskopfDr. Grant StuckiDr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720 441 6059

The full mouth extraction process can be a daunting and traumatic one for patients. However through the right care and communication, it can be managed in a healthy and safe way, and joining to talk about exactly how he does this, is Dr. Scott Weiskopf! Scott is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, currently practicing in Memphis, and we get to hear all about the way he approaches his work in full mouth extractions. He talks about dentures, suturing, procedures, precautions, and more. The main point that our guest makes is around setting the patient at ease before and after the surgery, through communication and the proper care. Scott also shares some of his thoughts on alveoloplasty surgery before talking a bit about the follow-up process and how this differs from patient to patient. So for all this and then some, join us on the show!Key Points From This Episode:Lessons that Scott has learned over the years to make a full mouth extraction a little easier for patients.The improvement that is offered by the installation of dentures for extraction patients.Conversations around the available denture options and Scott's usual recommendations.The surgical component of the full mouth extraction; how Scott makes his way around the mouth.Extra measures and precautions that Scott takes to safeguard against sharp spots. Scott best tips for quick and successful suturing.How Scott goes about his alveoloplasty surgery and the extra attention he pays to his files.Scott's usual post-operation instructions to patients about their dentures. Follow-up appointments and how Scott prioritizes these measures where necessary.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Scott WeiskopfDr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720 441 6059