In this episode, our host Dr. Dennis Hartlieb talks with Dr. Jeffrey Rouse about his dental journey that has led him toward becoming a prosthodontist. 

This episode, the first of two parts with Dr. Rouse, focuses on getting to know Dr. Rouse and his particular journey leading him into airway. Dr. Rouse's central research question was a simple one - why do people grind their teeth? However, this preliminary inquiry led to a career of pursuing the answer to this question and what it meant for his patients and their treatment plans. Listen in to hear Dennis and Jeff discuss the significance of pursuing education and training opportunities after dental school, the struggle to pay bills while also furthering your education, the importance of taking a chance when opportunities to collaborate and to try new things come, what private practice looks like, and so many other fascinating topics. 

For a full transcript and more, head over to this blog post: https://www.dothandson.com/blog/jeff-rouse-journey-toward-specialization.

Dennis and Jeff discuss Dr. Rouse's training, his background, and his current work in the Sharecast. This information below about Dr. Rouse's professional life comes from his Spear Education page.

"Dr. Rouse is recognized as a pioneer in the field of airway prosthodontics — the impact that a compromised airway has on the stomatognathic system. Along with fellow Spear Resident Faculty member Dr. Greggory Kinzer, he developed the "Seattle Protocol" to recognize, control and direct resolution of airway distress in a restorative dental practice.

"Dr. Rouse maintains a private practice in San Antonio, Texas, and practices with Dr. Kinzer and Dr. Frank Spear in Seattle. He is also an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Prosthodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Among his dental accolades, he has written numerous journal articles, including a portion of the 'Annual Review of Selected Dental Literature' published each summer in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Most recently, he co-wrote a textbook by Quintessence titled 'Global Diagnosis: A New Vision of Dental Diagnosis and Treatment Planning.'

"After graduating from dental school in San Antonio, Dr. Rouse completed a two-year general practice residency at the University of Connecticut Health Science Center. He practiced family dentistry for 12 years before returning to school to earn his specialty certificate in prosthodontics from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2004. He is a member of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry and American College of Prosthodontists and past president of the Southwest Academy of Restorative Dentistry."