Everyday Oral Surgery

Kathie Lumbard, an executive and Gallup Strengths coach, discusses the often underappreciated importance of people skills in patient care. She explains why these ‘soft’ skills are actually some of the hardest to master and highlights their direct correlation to profitability. The conversation delves into building trust through effective communication, fostering a feedback-safe environment, and the value of using names in interactions. Kathie also shares strategies for enhancing team dynamics and emphasizes the role of emotional intelligence in today’s tech-driven world.

Maintaining full-scope skills in busy group practice takes more than just surgical expertise; it takes teamwork, vision, and smart systems. In this episode, Dr. Samir Singh and Dr. Alexander Faigen share how they’ve built a thriving oral and maxillofacial surgery group practice while continuing to perform full-scope procedures. They talk about their career paths, daily workflows, and their collaborative culture. We explore how they’ve grown their orthognathic surgery caseload, how they coordinate treatments, and run their operating rooms. They also touch on full-mouth rehab cases and the planning that goes into them. As usual, we end with some rapid-fire questions and hear final thoughts from our guests. Whether you’re building a group practice or refining your current one, this episode is for you!Key Points From This Episode:Welcoming today’s guests, Dr. Samir Singh and Dr. Alexander Faigen. A brief history of our guests’ career, their practice, and what their days look like. How they have managed to maintain their full-scope skills in their busy careers. Their relationships with their associates and the incredible camaraderie in the practice. How they’ve managed to build their orthognathic surgery caseload. Planning and coordinating their treatments and how their operating rooms are run. What their cases look like in the realm of full-mouth rehabilitation. Our guests answer some rapid-fire questions. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Samir Singh on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-singh-dmd-facs-b762b568/ Dr. Samir Singh Email — ssingh@nposa.comDr. Samir Singh on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/ssingh_dmd_facs/ Dr. Alexander Faigen on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-faigen-dmd-81647a61/ Dr. Alexander Faigen Email — afaigen@nposa.comDr. Alexander Faigen on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/pghoms/ North Pittsburgh Oral Surgery — https://www.northpittsburghoralsurgery.com/ North Pittsburgh Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/northpittsburghoralsurgery/ North Pittsburgh Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/northpittsburghoralsurgery/ Never Split the Difference — https://www.amazon.com/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended/dp/0062407805 Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/ Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/ Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059

The bulk of an oral surgeon’s business comes from referrals by general dentists. However, not all referrals are the same, and many oral surgeons still don’t understand the power their referring doctors hold over their practices. Once again, we are joined by Dr. Roger Levin, the founder and CEO of Levin Group, Inc., and an internationally recognized writer, advisor, management consultant, and dental business visionary. Dr. Levin is here to walk us through a concept he had a hand in developing 41 years ago, starting with the definition of “referral sources”, their importance, and how they inform marketing protocols. Next, we learn about the burden of generating new referrals, how to classify referral sources, the ins and outs of A referrals, and how to replenish your A database. Dr. Levin also explains why you always need to treat your patients well, why we consider B referrals as the least-interesting category, how to rise above the biggest challenges posed by C referrals, and how to curate long-term goodwill among your referring doctors. We end with the missed opportunities and common mistakes made with D referrals, the costs of marketing across the four referral categories, and the best practices for approaching and generating new referrals. Key Points From This Episode:Dr. Roger Levin describes referral sources and how they inform marketing protocols.Why the burden of generating referrals lies with the surgeon or surgical practice. A, B, C, D: How to classify referral sources. The ins and outs of A referring doctors and advice on how to replenish your A database. Where patients fit in, and why you always need to treat your patients well. Unpacking B referrals and why we consider this the least-interesting referral category. The biggest challenges with C referrals and how to rise above them. Long-term considerations for curating goodwill with referring doctors. How surgeons can be a general dentist’s gateway to improved services and technologies.Common mistakes made with D referrals and the opportunities that are often missed.The costs of referral marketing and how it differs across the four referral categories.  Exploring the best practices for cold calling and approaching new referrals. Dr. Roger Levin’s final thoughts on referrals and referral marketing.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Roger Levin on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-levin-69ab744/ Levin Group, Inc. — https://levingroup.com/ Levin Group, Inc. on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@LevinGroupInc American Association of Orthodontists — https://education.aaoinfo.org/  Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/ Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/ Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059

Managing and growing a multi-office practice is no small feat. Today, we’re joined by returning guest, Dr. Roger Levin, Founder and CEO of Levin Group, to take a closer look at how to do it right with 10 tips for success in a multi-location setup. Dr. Levin begins by explaining the challenges of having a large and varied referral base. Then, we discover what oral surgeons can learn from orthodontists, marketing recommendations for multi-office practices, tracking and analysis difficulties, and debunking common cost and money-related myths. We also assess the best practices for communication, the importance of partner and stakeholder agreement, the necessity of consistent management performance analysis, and the importance of having adequate and efficient systems in place across multiple locations. Plus, Dr. Levin shares his thoughts on the curse of high IQ, what we can do to overcome it, and how the career stage of individual doctors affects the entire multi-office setup. Tune in for practical strategies to strengthen and scale your multi-location practice!Key Points From This Episode:The challenges of having a large and varied referral base. Orthodontics as a leading economic indicator, and why this matters for oral surgeons.  Marketing recommendations for multi-office practices. Why tracking and analysis get more difficult with more than two locations. Overheads, debunking common money-related myths, and the role of office managers.Best practices for improving communication in a multi-office setup.How agreeing with partners and stakeholders influences a practice’s effectiveness.Management performance analysis: staying on top of your KPIs. The importance of having efficient systems in place.Unpacking the curse of high IQ and how to avoid this particular pitfall. Reasons to pay attention to the career stages of each doctor at every location. The inevitability of failure and how to quickly realign.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Roger Levin on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-levin-69ab744/ Levin Group, Inc. — https://levingroup.com/ Levin Group, Inc. on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@LevinGroupInc American Association of Orthodontists — https://education.aaoinfo.org/ How The Mighty Fall — https://www.jimcollins.com/books/how-the-mighty-fall.html Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/ Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/ Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059

Dr. Andrew Jenzer, a Duke University resident preparer, and Dr. Elisa Hannan, an oral surgeon from Connecticut, dive into critical medical emergencies for office-based surgeries. They discuss scenarios like cardiac arrest and bronchospasms, highlighting vital emergency protocols. Listeners learn about the intricacies of administering epinephrine, recognizing high-risk patients for syncope, and the importance of activation of emergency services. Their insights aim to equip both residents and seasoned surgeons with the skills needed to manage any crisis effectively.

Persistent dental pain without a clear cause can be one of the most frustrating challenges in oral surgery. In this episode, Dr. Hayley Vatcher, an Oral Medicine Specialist at Charleston Oral and Facial Surgery, unpacks the complexities of atypical odontalgia, also known as phantom tooth pain, persistent idiopathic dentoalveolar pain (PIDP), or persistent dentoalveolar pain disorder (PDPD). She explains how this neuropathic condition is often misdiagnosed, leading to unnecessary dental procedures, and emphasizes the importance of identifying its characteristic features, such as constant, localized pain that persists despite normal imaging and testing. Dr. Vatcher walks through her diagnostic approach, treatment options, which range from tricyclic antidepressants to localized Botox injections, and how harnessing the power of neuroplasticity can help break the pain cycle. Tune in to learn how understanding this underrecognized condition can change outcomes and restore trust for patients living with chronic oral pain!Key Points From This Episode:Exciting updates and announcements: upcoming book club and Everyday Oral Surgery blog.Today’s guest and topic: Dr. Hayley Vatcher discusses atypical odontalgia (AO).Additional terms for AO: persistent idiopathic dentoalveolar pain (PIDP) or persistent dentoalveolar pain disorder (PDPD).The definition of AO, PIDP, and PDPD: chronic oral pain without an identifiable cause.Why PIDP doesn’t respond to conventional dental treatments.How misdiagnosis of PIDP can lead to unnecessary procedures.Typical PIDP symptoms: constant, localized pain in one region of the mouth.Diagnosing PIDP: ruling out other causes like sinus issues, TMD, or trigeminal neuralgia.First-line treatment options, including tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants.The high success rate of localized Botox injections for targeted relief.Other treatment options, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and meditation.Benefits of topical compound rinses as a conservative treatment.Why Dr. Vatcher doesn’t recommend extractions and irreversible procedures for PIDP.Anatomy features and demographics that make you more likely to experience PIDP.Dr. Vatcher’s guide to using Botox treatment for PIDP patients.A breakdown of PIDP as a neuropathic pain condition.The important role of neuroplasticity in long-term pain relief and breaking the pain cycle.Helping patients feel heard and validated through proper diagnosis.Lifestyle tips for PIDP: anti-inflammatory diet, exercise, TMD-friendly foods, and more.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Hayley Vatcher — https://www.charlestonoralandfacialsurgery.com/hayley-vatcherDr. Hayley Vatcher on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/hvatcher/ Dr. Hayley Vatcher on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/dr.hayleyvatcher/Dr. Hayley Vatcher Email — hvatcher@gmail.comCharleston Oral and Facial Surgery — https://www.charlestonoralandfacialsurgery.com/ Everyday Oral Surgery Blog — https://everydayoralsurgery.blog/ The Dichotomy of Leadership — https://www.amazon.com/Dichotomy-Leadership-Balancing-Challenges-Ownership/dp/1250195772Bell’s Oral and Facial Pain 7th Edition — http

What do you need to do to become a good surgeon? According to today’s guest, it’s all about having a good skill set, understanding anatomy, and planning ahead. Dr. Shahrokh Bagheri is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon working in Atlanta, Georgia. In this episode, he joins us to discuss his tips for having a successful career as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, from the three most essential skills to have and core qualities to develop, to leveraging technology to better support your patients, and more. We discuss some advice for succeeding as a private surgeon, building a good surgical skill set, and working with other clinicians to achieve the best possible outcomes. Tune in for a detailed discussion about the pillars of a successful career in oral surgery and how to focus on your skills and qualities to best support your patients!Key Points From This Episode:How AI has changed the OMS space in the past year. Essential skills and core qualities of being a good surgeon.How Dr. Bagheri is leveraging technology to better support his patients.Recommendations for surgeons and decision-making tips.Considerations for becoming a private surgeon.Keys to success in private practice.Perspectives on what builds a surgical skill set. Learning to become a good surgeon in order to navigate any issue.Why it’s so important to work with other clinicians.Dr. Bagheri’s recommendation to diagnose a patient before proceeding.Being mindful of the future as you build your practice and support your patients.The book that Dr. Bagheri wrote in the past year. Why he loved Gladiator 2 so much.His advice for ending your day to find peace. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Shahrokh Bagheri — https://drsbagheri.com/ Dr. Shahrokh Bagheri on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/bagheriomfs/ Clinical Review of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery — https://www.amazon.com/Clinical-Review-Oral-Maxillofacial-Surgery/dp/0323171265  The Current Economic Landscape of Oral Surgery — https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-current-economic-landscape-of-oral-surgery-and/id1535284898?i=1000664569102 Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/ Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/ Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059

As the country experiences strange financial anomalies only prevalent in economic downturns, we’ve decided to show you how to prepare for the worst while still expecting to turn a profit and grow your dental practice. We are joined once again by Dr. Roger Levin, Founder of Levin Group – the leading practice management and marketing consulting firm in dentistry – and he begins today’s conversation with his thoughts on the current economic climate and how economic downturns have affected dentistry historically. Then, we discuss what dentists and surgeons should be hyper-aware of at this time of financial uncertainty, why uncertainty is the only guarantee, how financial pressure affects the way practices operate, and the undeniable importance of paying careful attention to your referral marketing program. We also unpack the three stages of success, what fee-for-service practices should be focusing on, how referral marketing helps boost ROI, and the upside of being optimistic amidst a recession. To end, Dr. Levin examines patient financing options, the correlation between staffing and economic turmoil, the dangers of cutting all expenses as a knee-jerk reaction (especially those that pertain to practice efficiency and staff morale), and why he’s willing to fully reimburse your purchase if you don’t like the books he recommends. Key Points From This Episode:Dr. Roger Levin explains how previous economic downturns have affected dentistry.Why uncertainty reigns in the current economic climate. What dentists and oral surgeons should expect and look out for during these uncertain times. How the economy affects practice behavior and protocols – more work for general dentists.Why surgeons need to maximize their referral marketing potential to stay ahead.The three stages: Achieving success, maintaining success, and protecting success. How fee-for-service practices fare in economic turmoil, and what they should be focusing on.  Strengthening relationships with referral doctors and how referral marketing boosts ROI. The upsides of recession and the role of optimism in succeeding in uncertain times. Unpacking doctor and patient behavior in economic unrest and how to avoid common pitfalls.    A quick look at patient financing options. How staffing and financial instability correlate. The dangers of the knee-jerk reaction to immediately cut all expenses; production vs profit. Dr. Levin’s recommended books, and why he’s willing to reimburse unsatisfactory purchases.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Roger Levin on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-levin-69ab744/ Levin Group, Inc. — https://levingroup.com/ Levin Group, Inc. on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@LevinGroupInc American Association of Orthodontists — https://education.aaoinfo.org/ Conquering Crisis — https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217182453-conquering-crisisThe 5 Types of Wealth — https://www.the5typesofwealth.com/  Kingmaker — https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203956642-kingmaker Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/ Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/ 

What leads skilled doctors to make dangerous mistakes in OMS sedation, and what can we do to work towards putting a stop to it? In this episode, Dr. Steve Yun, a board-certified M.D. and dental anesthesiologist from Southern California, sheds light on the most high-risk sedative used in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS). If you want to better understand the risks, challenges, and how to improve safety in sedation practices, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. As they delve into the conversation, you’ll hear three real-life examples of OMS sedation cases gone wrong, including the tragic story of six-year-old Caleb Sears. Dr. Yun unpacks the research on ketamine, the fine print found on every manufacturer’s box, and what’s really happening when it’s used as a rescue sedative. They also discuss the safest places for the sedation provider to be during any procedure, how Caleb’s Law has reshaped sedation and anesthesia practices in California, and Dr. Yun shares details of the upcoming Snow & Sedation Conference in 2026. For all this and more, start listening now!Key Points From This Episode:Background, training, and current practice setup for Dr. Steve Yun.We dive into a discussion on the most dangerous sedatives in OMS sedation.Dr. Yun shares the first real-life practical example of an OMS sedation case.Case number two of a real-life OMS sedation case: losing the airway.The last example: the case of Caleb Sears, the death of a six-year-old boy.The most dangerous sedative in OMS sedation: Ketamine.Rethinking the effects of ketamine. Dr. Yun shares some research regarding the use and effects of ketamine.We look at the drug manufacturer's instructions on a box of ketamine: the small print.What’s happening when you use ketamine as a rescue sedative.Dr. Yun shares his tennis analogy: the safest places for you to be during sedation. How Caleb’s Law affects the practice of OMS sedation and anesthesia in California.Last words from Dr. Yun: Snow & Sedation Conference.Rapid-fire answers from Dr. Steve Yun.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Steve Yun, M.D. — https://www.dentalanesthesiamd.com/ Dr. Steve Yun, M.D. Email — yunsteve@gmail.com Premier Sedation — http://www.premiersedation.com Dental Board of California — https://www.dbc.ca.gov/ Snow & Sedation Conference 2026 — https://snowandsedation.com/ ‘The effect of low-dose ketamine on fentanyl-induced respiratory depression’ — https://associationofanaesthetists-publications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1046/j.1365-2044.1998.00519.x ‘Association of ketamine use during procedural sedation with oxygen desaturation and healthcare utilisation: a multicentre retrospective hospital registry study’ — https://www.bjanaesthesia.org/article/S0007-0912(24)00204-6/abstract ‘Rethinking ketamine as a panacea: adverse effects on oxygenation and postoperative outcomes’ — https://www.bjanaesthesia.org/article/S0007-0912(23)00747-X/pdf  UCLA Dentistry — https://dentistry.ucla.edu/ Caleb’s Law — http://www.calebslaw.org/ James —

How can residents shape the future of oral and maxillofacial surgery? In this episode, Drs. Jai Kumar Mediratta and Jeremy Figueroa-Ortiz join Dr. Grant Stucki to share how the Resident Organization of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (ROAAOMS) gives residents a powerful voice within the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS). They discuss the organization's work in advocating for residents’ needs, expanding mentorship opportunities, promoting diversity, and supporting wellness while going through the challenges of training. You’ll also find out how initiatives like Day on the Hill, scholarship programs, and mentorship networks are helping to connect residents, influence legislation, and strengthen the specialty’s future. Tune in to learn how early involvement with ROAAOMS can open doors, build lasting relationships, and make a real impact in oral surgery!Key Points From This Episode:Introducing Drs. Jai Kumar Mediratta and Jeremy Figueroa-Ortiz.An overview of ROAAOMS and its role within AAOMS.Ways that ROAAOMS advocates for resident needs, mentorship, and wellness.The importance of resident representation at AAOMS leadership meetings.ROAAOMS subcommittees: driving advocacy, education, wellness, and outreach.How residents and students can get involved through program liaisons and social media.Initiatives at ROAAOMS to introduce dental students to oral surgery.The role of mentorship in supporting underrepresented and diverse dental students.How promoting diversity strengthens the OMS specialty.Supporting resident wellness and burnout prevention at ROAAOMS.Mentorship programs that help residents navigate career development.How ROAAOMS promotes scholarships and conference participation.The impact of Day on the Hill and other legislative advocacy efforts.Building community, leadership skills, and lifelong connections through ROAAOMS.An overview of upcoming conferences and events.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Jai Kumar Mediratta on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaikumarmediratta/Dr. Jai Kumar Mediratta on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/jaikumarmediratta.dds.md/Dr. Jai Kumar Mediratta Email — jai.kumar.mediratta@gmail.comDr. Jeremy Figueroa-Ortiz — https://medschool.umich.edu/profile/jeremy-figueroa-ortiz-md-dmdDr. Jeremy Figueroa-Ortiz Email — jxfo@med.umich.edu The Resident Organization of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (ROAAOMS) — https://aaoms.org/education-meetings/academics/oms-residents/ROAAOMS LinkTree — https://linktr.ee/roaaomsROAAOMS on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/roaaoms/ROAAOMS on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/ROAAOMS/Day on the Hill — https://aaoms.org/education-meetings/meetings/day-on-the-hill/Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/ Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/ Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://ww