Everyday Oral Surgery Comprehensive Treatment Planning: How to Run a Ground Rounds Approach with your Referring Docs (with Dr. Vic Martel)
Nov 20, 2025
In this discussion, Dr. Vic Martel, a Florida-based general dentist and educator, dives deep into comprehensive treatment planning. He highlights the gap in dental education that leaves professionals underprepared. Martel emphasizes the transformation from a reactive approach to a holistic view that considers occlusion, periodontal health, and overall patient needs. He shares insights on building trust with patients and the value of a strong referral network, as well as ways to overcome barriers in treatment planning for better outcomes.
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Big-Picture Dentistry Wins
- Comprehensive treatment planning is a detailed roadmap addressing overall oral health, not just the urgent problem.
- Vic Martel says looking at cause and effect prevents reactive “tooth fixer” dentistry and improves long-term outcomes.
Treat Now, Plan Fully
- When a patient arrives in pain, treat the immediate problem but schedule a full comprehensive exam for planning.
- Vic Martel recommends slowing down to assess the whole mouth, then sequence care appropriately.
Find Hidden Causes First
- A comprehensive exam reveals hidden contributors like opposing tooth eruption that affect implant success.
- Detecting those causes early avoids complex sequelae like orthodontics or crown lengthening later.