Everyday Oral Surgery

Getting a Squamous Cell Carcinoma diagnosis will, for some people, be one of the worst moments of their lives. As an oral surgeon, it’s your responsibility to walk your patients through this moment, and the process that follows. In today’s episode, Dr. Nicholas Callahan is here to share his thoughts on the kindest and most effective way to do this. We discuss everything from indicators of a potential Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the mouth and how to do a biopsy of an oral cavity lesion, to delivering a diagnosis to a patient, treating the cancer, and dealing with the potentially major life changes that take place after surgery. Nick also shares the importance of being open-minded as a dental student; you may be surprised by which areas of oral surgery make you feel fulfilled!Key Points From This Episode:Dr. Nicholas Callahan shares an overview of his background in oral surgery and his current areas of focus.Factors to take into consideration when choosing a fellowship or a residency training program.Reasons for the negative connotations associated with oral cavity cancer.Symptoms on the inside of the mouth which may signal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.Areas inside the mouth that are high risk for Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Why Nick worries more about painless ulcers than painful ones.Unlearning what you were taught at dental school about how to biopsy a potential cancer lesion.Why Nick prefers private practitioners to contact him directly when they have identified Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a patient.The initial screening process for a patient with Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Advice for delivering a Squamous Cell Carcinoma diagnosis to a patient.Steps to treating Squamous Cell Carcinoma.The survival rate for T4 cancers. Possible long-term effects of Squamous Cell Carcinoma surgery.The power of a positive mindset amongst cancer patients.Valuable advice for dental students: be open-minded and take advantage of every opportunity!A rapid-fire round with Nick.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Nicholas Callahan Email — ncall@uic.eduChicago Max Face on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/chicagomaxface/?hl=en  The Road by Cormac McCarthy — https://www.amazon.com/Road-Cormac-McCarthy/dp/0307387895Ghostbusters — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087332/  Everyday Oral Surgery — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/ Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/?hl=en Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/ Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059

Dr. Vladimir Polyakov is an OMS running not one, but two practices in the LA area, the first of which he started from scratch straight out of university. In this episode, we hear about what it takes to successfully start a practice from scratch and the lessons Dr. Polyakov learned along the way. We discover how he has managed to halve his number of patients while being more financially successful than ever before, and how his practice has become completely insurance-independent. Dr. Polyakov explains why emotional intelligence and the way you communicate with patients and referring doctors is, in fact, the key to success, and fills us in on how best to nurture those relationships! Tune in to hear about Dr. Polyakov’s admirable journey, and his astute advice for young practitioners, particularly those looking to start their own practices.Key Points From This Episode:Dr. Vladimir Polyakov’s training history and current practice setup.How he started his own practice directly after graduation.How he acquired his second practice in 2015!His involvement in the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.The changes he’s made over the years to the way he runs his practices.How he manages to see fewer patients and be more financially successful than before. Dr. Polyakov’s procedure focus.The key to success, according to Dr. Polyakov, and what sets practitioners apart.How to establish a trusting relationship with patients.The importance of having a well-trained team within your practice.Dr. Polyakov’s plan to set himself and his practice up for his retirement.Notable turning points for improving his practice!The most valuable things he learned from the Levin Group.In what cases Dr. Polyakov will perform guided implant surgery.Crucial considerations prior to starting a practice.Advice for young oral surgeons and those looking to start a practice from scratch.Dr. Polyakov answers our rapid-fire questions!Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Vladimir Polyakov Email — vpolyakov@synergyoms.comSynergy Implant and Oral Surgery Center — https://synergyoms.com/Dr. Vladimir Polyakov on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/wisdomteethdentalimplantsoral/Dr. Vladimir Polyakov on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/synergyomsDr. Vladimir Polyakov on Twitter — https://twitter.com/synergyomsAmerican Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery — https://www.aaoms.org/Levin Group — https://levingroup.com/Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind — https://www.amazon.com/Sapiens-Humankind-Yuval-Noah-Harari/dp/0062316117Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059

Traditional approaches to teaching and learning are rapidly becoming outdated. Past teaching methods do not take into account the range of expertise, different schedules, and continual advances made in medicine resulting in students feeling less equipped in real-world scenarios. In today’s show, we delve into a progressive alternative to teaching and learning in the realm of dental medicine with pioneer Dr. Martin Steed, Associate Professor and Chair of the Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine in the Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Steed found a passion for oral maxillofacial surgery early in his career and strives to continually improve his field within the academic domain. In this episode, we learn more about Dr. Steed and the SCORE curriculum, a curriculum designed to improve the education of surgical trainees through a standardized, peer-reviewed curriculum. In our conversation, we learn about Dr. Steed’s professional background and why he chose the academic career path. We also dive deep into what the SCORE curriculum is, how it first came about, what the benefits are to both students and teachers, how the program can be customized, what the main aims and goals of SCORE are, the assessment criteria, other ways it can help students, ways in which it is continually improving, and much more. Be sure not to miss out on the next step in learning and teaching with Dr. Martin Steed. Key Points From This Episode:Brief background about Dr. Steed’s training and current practice setup.Reasons behind his decision to choose an academic career path.Details about the current school curriculum and the opportunities it provides.What the ultimate goals, focus, and benefits of SCORE curriculum are.Dr. Steed shares examples of the approach and lesson plans used.Examples of the extra modules that Dr. Steed has added to the program.Outline of other benefits to residences, such as preparing for the board exam.He explains where the program has the potential to grow.Breakdown of the support that Dr. Steed has received for the SCORE curriculum.The structure of assessments is explained briefly. Whether the SCORE curriculum is being adopted at other Universities.Who acts as sources of new information for the SCORE curriculum.Dr. Steed shares some advice for people wanting to access the program.We end the show with our usual rapid-fire questions for Dr. Steed.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Martin Steed on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-steed-05253036/Dr. Martin Steed Phone — 843-876-7645Medical University of South Carolina — https://web.musc.edu/Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine — https://dentistry.musc.eduAAOMS — https://www.aaoms.org/SCORE for OMS — https://www.aaoms.org/education-research/oms-faculty/score-for-omsEveryday 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

Becoming an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is not an easy task. It takes years of grueling training, during which you’ll undoubtedly experience many failures and setbacks. It can be especially tough if you take an unorthodox route to becoming one. In today’s episode, we sit down with Dr. Ashkan Mobini to talk about the non-traditional journey he took to becoming an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and how he found the grit to continue despite the immense obstacles he faced. When he first graduated in 2011, Dr. Mobini knew he was interested in becoming an oral surgeon but student debt and the opportunity to pay it off while working as a dentist encouraged him to delay that decision. In our conversation, Dr. Mobini explains what it was like applying for residency two years after his initial training and why this posed so many obstacles. We hear why he was no longer considered a good residency candidate in 2013, and why he pursued a non-categorical internship to become a better candidate and obtain a residency. He shares why it was one of the hardest things he’s ever had to do, how he found the strength to persevere, and why he’s so glad he did. We also discuss what it was like obtaining his residency after two years as an intern and why it’s so important to maintain a good perspective on yourself and be tenacious in your desire to become what you want to be. Tune in for an honest conversation about what it takes to become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, why it’s okay to take a non-traditional journey to get there, and why perseverance pays off!Key Points From This Episode:Introducing today’s guest Dr. Ashkan Mobini.Learn about Dr. Mobini’s training and how he became an oral surgeon.The obstacles that Dr. Mobini faced on the path to becoming an oral maxillofacial surgeon.The unorthodox path that Dr. Mobini followed to becoming an oral maxillofacial surgeon.Why Dr. Mobini decided not to apply to a residency after graduating in 2011.The challenges that Dr. Mobini faced due to applying for residency two years after graduation.How being a Canadian citizen affected Dr. Mobini’s studies in the US.How pursuing an internship improved Dr. Mobini’s opportunities as a residency candidate.How Dr. Mobini prepared for his CBSE and what it was like taking it.The difference between a categorical and non-categorical intern.The challenges of persevering as a non-categorical intern.Why doing a second year as a non-categorical intern helped Dr. Mobini become an excellent residency candidate.Dr. Mobini answers our rapid-fire questions.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Ashkan Mobini on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashkan-mobini-10411236/Dr. Ashkan Mobini’s email address — ashkan.mobini@gmail.comToronto Oral Facial Surgery — https://www.tofs.ca/aboutAtomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones — https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break-ebook/dp/B07D23CFGREveryday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/ Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/?hl=en Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/ Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059

In this episode, we do a deep dive into causes, risk factors, and recommended treatments for a variety of fibro-osseous lesions. Our guest today is Dr. Robert Marx, a recently retired oral surgeon who is now pursuing stem cell research. Robert has a wealth of knowledge on fibro-osseous lesions; from periapical cemental dysplasia and florid cemento-osseous dysplasia to fibrous dysplasia and cherubism. After listening to this episode, you’ll know when you should treat a fibro-osseous lesion and when you should “let sleeping dogs lie,” symptoms to look out for when diagnosing patients, which patients will need lifelong follow-ups, and which lesions are and are not hereditary. Fibro-osseous lesions are commonly misdiagnosed, so tune in today to prevent making that mistake!  Key Points From This Episode:An explanation of what fibro-osseous lesions are.Periapical cemental dysplasia: causes and risk factors for this type of lesion.How to treat focal cemento-osseous dysplasia.When patients with periapical cemental dysplasia or focal cemento-osseous dysplasia will experience pain.A rare problem that can occur in patients with florid cemento-osseous dysplasia.How to identify fibrous dysplasia. Advice for undertaking an osseo sculpting procedure.The potential for regrowth of fibrous dysplasia. Why a quiescent period is recommended when fibrous dysplasia is identified.An overview of the four types of fibrous dysplasia.The cause of all types of fibrous dysplasias.How cherubism got its name. Symptoms of the three different types of cherubism.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/ Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/?hl=en Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/ Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059

Welcome to our Resident Series, where we’ll be discussing relevant topics and updates from the leaders in our field. Today, Drs. Grant and Jake Stucki delve into the recent AAOMS Position Paper on Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ), published in May 2022. We’ve discussed MRONJ in previous episodes, but today we’re taking a closer look at the changes observed by the leaders of our specialty. In this episode, we cover all the bases of what MRONJ is, what causes it, its risks, and the various treatment options. We discuss the medications associated with causing MRONJ, and what constitutes a high-risk candidate for developing the condition. We break down the three critical diagnostic criteria and the four stages of MRONJ and explain why it’s crucial to know these back to front. Tune in to find out the degrees of risk when it comes to extraction and implants, and how to reduce the risk of MRONJ before, during, and after oral surgery. And be sure to join us for the next installment of the Resident Series!Key Points From This Episode:Defining MRONJ: Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw.The medications associated with causing MRONJ and what they’re used for.Which patients are at high risk for developing MRONJ.The various terms used for MRONJ in the recently updated AAOMS Position Paper.How bisphosphonates impair osteoclast function causing MRONJ.Why osteoclast function is intentionally inhibited in certain cancer patients.How long bisphosphonates can remain in the body, beyond treatment.The pathogenesis of MRONJ.The diagnostic criteria for MRONJ.The four stages of MRONJ: inexplicable pain (no exposed bone), asymptomatic exposed bone, exposed bone with pain, and pain with exposed bone and radiographic changes.The importance of knowing the stages and the diagnostic criteria for MRONJ!Factors to consider when determining a patient’s risk for developing MRONJ.Reasons for using antiresorptive medication.The risk of MRONJ following tooth extraction.How to reduce the risk of MRONJ before, during, and after oral surgery.The role of existing inflammation in causing MRONJ.Non-surgical and surgical treatment for MRONJ.Clinical scenarios: how to decide whether to extract a tooth from a patient who’s on antiresorptive medication.How Drs. Grant and Jake Stucki communicate the risk to patients.The low risk of implants causing MRONJ.The importance of informing your patients of the risk.Look out for our next Resident Series episode!Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:AAOMS Position Paper on MRONJ 2022 Update — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35300956/Dr. Thomas Schlieve: Changing the way you think about MRONJ — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/podcast/Everyday Oral Surgery — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059Dr. Grant Stucki on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgeryDr. Jake Stucki — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-stucki-ab19a593/

When you start your private practice you need to choose what you want to prioritize and build your team from there. Today on the show we talk with Dr. Jason Edwards, an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery based in Tampa Florida, about his hiring practices, how to build a team based on your values and priorities, and what he learned from facing an unexpected lawsuit. Dr. Edwards is a huge fan of collaboration and it’s played a substantial role in shaping his business. In our conversation, we delve into the hiring process, how to get the most out of your interviews, and how to foster a thriving and cohesive team. Dr. Edwards explains why he looks for qualities like adaptability and care in his new hires, and how to identify particular values and traits during interviews. We also discuss the minor lawsuit Dr. Edwards had to contend with, how the case got thrown out, and the pivotal role that reviews play in any lawsuit. Today’s episode is filled with excellent recommendations on hiring, team building, the reviewing process, and much more. So make sure you tune in to learn from the best!Key Points From This Episode:Get to know today’s guest Dr. Jason Edwards, including his training, and his current office setup.What Dr. Edwards learned from his father about business and a high work ethic. Why Dr. Edwards chose to do several business classes during his undergrad.How Dr. Edwards got started in private practice and chose his team.Why Dr. Edwards isn’t afraid to fail or collaborate.Why a sophisticated system of operation is so valuable.Choosing whether to prioritize service or sales and how to hire accordingly.The qualities that Dr. Edwards looks for when hiring new team members.Recommendations on how to interview for qualities like adaptability.Why you should hire slow and fire fast based on trust and cooperation.How Dr. Edwards conducts his training and separates the front and back of his office.Why you should start your training in a stress-free environment.Tips on how to ensure that your new hire is a good fit for your team.Why you should interview your team as well as their new teammate for feedback.Details on the lawsuit against Dr. Edward’s practice and how they won.The pivotal role that reviews play in any lawsuit.How Dr. Edwards structures the review process.The benefits of separating financial compensation from the review process.Why there should always be a third-party present during the review process.Dr. Edwards answers our rapid-fire questions.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:The One Minute ManagerVoodoo in New OrleansDr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059

In residency, it’s easy to romanticize what your life is going to be like when you get out into the world of private practice or academia, but the reality is often different from what you would expect. This episode will ensure that you are better prepared to handle the challenges that you are likely to experience in life after residency! Joining me today are Dr. Paul Rollins, from the private practice side, and Dr. Ben Hechler from the academic side, to share the biggest shocks that they received when they left residency, and their advice for overcoming them. From the importance of communicating your mistakes with your patients (yes, mistakes are inevitable!) to how to lead a team, this episode covers (almost) everything you need to get your head around the challenges of being in practice.  Key Points From This Episode:The importance of not romanticizing life after residency too much.Why procedures that become easy during residency are a lot more challenging when you start practicing.Phases that define school, college, and residency, but not life after residency.Value in planning ahead for every procedure that you do.Why you shouldn’t place too much emphasis on speed.The importance of openly communicating the possible complications of procedures with your patients. Don’t expect to be perfect! Advice for interacting with patients. Parallels between academia and practice. How social media distorts our perception of reality, and why this is problematic. Words of encouragement for those who are struggling with self confidence after residency.What to do when you make a mistake.Why you should get your license as soon as possible after residency.Factors to take into consideration when starting out in an academic position.The importance of doing a trial period before committing your career to a particular practice or academic institution.Keys to dealing with referrals in a way that keeps everyone happy.Recommended reads for advice on running a practice.Thoughts on the digital information sharing era that we are living in, and how the impact of this changes between residency and practice. A rapid fire round with Ben and Paul. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Benjamin L. Hechler — https://www.dukehealth.org/benjamin-l-hechler-md-dds Dr. Paul Rollins — https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-rollins-25248848/ Uncomplicate Business by Howard Farran — https://www.howardfarran.com/product/uncomplicate-business/ How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Cernegie — https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034 The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt — https://www.amazon.com/Righteous-Mind-Divided-Politics-Religion/dp/0307455777 Big Fish — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0319061/ Inception — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1375666/ Dare to Lead by Brené Brown — https://brenebrown.com/book/dare-to-lead/ Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059

The scope of what CBCT scans can expose is unmatched, but it’s of utmost importance that we know what to look for or consult someone who does. Dr. Barett Andreasen is an oral and maxillofacial radiologist practicing in Salt Lake City Utah. He has his own practice, Radiodontics, which offers radiology reports and CBCT scan reviews to practicing dentists and oral maxillofacial surgeons. In this episode, we discuss the legal responsibility practitioners have for CBCT scan findings, and the role and responsibility of oral radiologists to ensure no dangerous pathology goes undiagnosed. Dr. Andreasen emphasizes the importance of documentation in radiology and how best to document CBCT scan findings and fills us in on when it’s best to enlist an oral radiologist to review your CBCT scans. Dr. Andreasen also has some astute advice for those reviewing their own CBCT scans and shares tips on what to look out for when dealing with vascular malfunctions, sinus issues, and more! Tune in for this insightful conversation about the invaluable niche that is oral and maxillofacial radiology.Key Points From This Episode:Dr. Barett Andreasen's in-depth training to become an oral and maxillofacial radiologist.The extensive services Dr. Andreasen offers at his practice, Radiodontics.The legal responsibility practitioners have for CBCT scan findings.Why it’s important to work with an oral radiologist and when you should have them review your CBCT scans. The scope of what CBCT scans can identify.The importance of documentation in radiology and how to document CBCT scan findings.Oral radiology fees and insurance structure.Dr. Andreasen’s thoughts on the recent news topic of a dental malpractice lawsuit.The role and responsibility of oral radiologists.What phleboliths are and why they’re important to take into account.What to look for when dealing with vascular malfunctions, if no phleboliths are detected.Why it’s so important for oral radiologists to be meticulously thorough.Dr. Andreasen’s recommendation for those viewing CBCT scans: take more time!The ineptness of panoramic radiographs for evaluating the sinuses, versus CBCT scans.Dr. Andreasen answers our rapid-fire questions.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Barett Andreasen — https://www.linkedin.com/in/barett-andreasen/Radiodontics — https://www.radiodontics.com/Dr. Barett Andreasen Email — info@radiodontics.comThe Martian — www.amazon.com/The-Martian/dp/B082BHWQCJDr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059

We are very happy to welcome back Dr. Aaron Liddell to the show today, as he is a perfect candidate to talk about today's subject! In our discussion, we cover the pros and cons of the different private practice models that are available to professionals in the field. There have been a number of requests from listeners to cover this, and so we thought we would share the lessons we have learned from all of our past successes and failures! This conversation should interest anyone finishing up a residency and wondering what to pursue next, and how to best satisfy goals and preferences in the long run. We look at joining a practice as an associate, starting a solo practice, and creating a group practice, sharing good and bad points for each, based on our personalities and priorities. Themes include autonomy, tax ramifications, founders syndrome, social support, and more! So to get some clarity on these important decisions, be sure to join us.Key Points From This Episode:A brief look at Dr. Liddell's path after his time in residency. The biggest pro about joining a practice as an associate: no pressure from the business side of things. Less control and decision-making power around equipment and processes as an associate. The helpful element of having someone next door that you can call on. Financial and tax implications of being employed as an independent contractor. The potentially stressful groundwork that goes into setting up a private practice.  A look at the traditional solo practice ownership model and the control and freedoms that this entails.The marketing that goes into starting things from scratch. How running a solo practice can lead to less vacation time and pressure from your patient base. Fun and social energy in a group practice; what we like about this model. The financial drawbacks of joining a group practice.   Looking at how Dr. Liddell's group practice is run and the pros of having a third-party management system.The uncertain future and growth of partnering with outside management.  Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Aaron Liddell Email —  aaronliddell@gmail.comDr. Aaron Liddell — https://www.coloradooralsurgery.com/meet-us/dr-aaron-t-liddell-md-dmd-facs/U.S. Oral Surgery Management — https://www.usosm.com/Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059