How to Open a Tongue-Tie Clinic, with Dr. Richard Baxter
Oct 10, 2023
auto_awesome
Dr. Richard Baxter, a pediatric dentist and author of "Tongue Tied," discusses the essentials of opening a dedicated tongue-tie clinic. He shares insights on scaling practices and the logistics of space management. Richard offers practical tips for effective patient communication and post-procedure care, especially for infants. He also dives into local anesthesia protocols, ensuring young patients experience minimal discomfort. With over 10,000 procedures under his belt, his advice is invaluable for professionals navigating the tethered-oral-tissue movement.
Dr. Richard Baxter emphasizes the importance of understanding patient demand and scaling practices to open a dedicated tongue and lip-tie clinic.
The podcast highlights the growing awareness and consultations regarding tongue and lip ties among infants, reflecting a significant trend in pediatric dentistry.
Logistical considerations for establishing a clinic include space requirements, staffing needs, and patient load management for effective practice growth.
Deep dives
Balancing Continuing Education and Family Life
As dental professionals progress in their careers, balancing the demands of continuing education (CE) with family commitments becomes increasingly important. The speakers reflect on their experiences and the value they place on attending CE events as their practices grow. Initially, many new dentists focus heavily on establishing their practices and managing student debt, often sidelining the pursuit of additional learning opportunities. However, as time goes on, they recognize the significance of dedicating time for CE, both for their professional growth and to connect with colleagues in the field.
The Growing Concern Around Tongue and Lip Ties
The conversation highlights the surge in consultations regarding tongue and lip ties among infants, emphasizing the rising awareness of these conditions. One speaker notes a remarkable increase in such cases, with a noticeable influx of consultations over a short period. Their personal experience as a parent has sparked a deeper interest in understanding the impact of these conditions, leading them to seek updates and insights on best practices. The podcast focuses on updating professionals about current discussions and advancements surrounding the evaluation and treatment of tongue and lip ties.
The Transition to Specialized Tongue Tie Centers
The discussion reveals the evolution of pediatric dental practices to incorporate specialized centers for treating tongue ties, identifying a growing trend within the profession. One practice began as a traditional pediatric dentistry office but transitioned to establish the Alabama Tongue Tie Center, responding to increased patient demand and recognition of these issues. This shift has allowed practices to streamline processes, enhance patient care, and become leaders in a niche area. The speakers discuss how the establishment of dedicated centers has positively influenced patient outcomes, emphasizing the importance of treating tongue ties effectively.
Logistics of Setting Up a Tongue Tie Clinic
The podcast delves into the logistical considerations of setting up a clinic focused on tongue tie treatments, sharing practical advice based on firsthand experience. It explores vital aspects such as patient load, office space requirements, and staffing needs to ensure a clinic's viability. The speakers suggest starting with a small practice that can expand as demand grows, emphasizing the importance of adequate training and patient management techniques. They caution against overcommitting until a practitioner has built a solid foundation of experience, providing examples of successful clinic models.
Understanding the Nuances of Treatment Decisions
A significant part of the conversation involves discussing the complexities associated with diagnosing and treating tongue and lip ties, particularly in young patients. The speakers stress the importance of thorough examinations and the evaluation of a range of symptoms to make informed treatment decisions. They highlight that not all ties require intervention, as some patients may present with minimal symptoms or appearance while still experiencing functional challenges. This nuanced approach ensures that practitioners provide optimal care, balancing intervention with patient comfort and well-being.
Dr. Richard Baxter is a previous guest on the podcast. He is a young pediatric dentist leading the charge to educate and bring awareness to the tethered-oral-tissue movement. He is the author of the best-selling book Tongue Tied, founder of the Alabama Tongue-Tie Center, and prominent speaker. He has performed over 10,000 lip and tongue ties in his career.
On today's episode, we talk about when it makes sense to scale your practice and expand to create a stand-alone tongue and lip-tie clinic. Richard reviews the business side of the discussion, what the physical space should like look, and when you have sufficient patient-demand to make it feasible. We also spend a little time talking about local anesthesia with a Light Scalpel, and how to release the infamous posterior tongue-tie.
You can find Dr. Baxter's book "Tongue Tied" on Amazon. He also created and teaches the virtual Tongue-Tied Academy Program, and he's giving Brews and Tiny Teeth listeners a $400 discount with a promo code he announces at the end of the podcast.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode