Everyday Oral Surgery

There is still some stigma that exists around oral surgeons performing cosmetic surgery, but not nearly as much as there once was, and that is largely due to today’s guest, Joe Niamtu. Joe developed a love for cosmetic facial surgery while doing his residency, but he had to fight for the right to pursue his dreams. Luckily Joe is not someone who takes no for an answer, and after a lawsuit and a change to the Dental Practice Act, he became the first person in Virginia to receive a cosmetic facial surgery license. Although his work has its downsides, which Joe candidly shares in today’s episode, he has never looked back, plans on never retiring, and spends a lot of his time educating others about his specialty (his eighth book is coming out next April!). According to Joe, the golden years are far from over for surgeons, and he has some valuable words of wisdom for anyone who is on the path to becoming one. Key Points From This Episode:Joe’s educational background, and his introduction to cosmetic surgery. A lawsuit that was filed against Joe, and how he fought against it by opening the Dental Practice Act.Requirements for getting a cosmetic surgery license, which Joe was the first in Virginia to acquire.The number of facelifts that Joe has done throughout his career.Educational resources that Joe has created.Advice for any oral surgeons who want to follow in Joe’s footsteps down the cosmetic surgery path.A surgeon is a surgeon, but there is still some stigma around oral surgeons performing cosmetic surgery. The positives and negatives of being a cosmetic surgeon. Why people skills are so important as a surgeon. Platforms Joe utilizes to market his services. Joe explains the variety of surgeries that he does. The flaw that Joe sees in the dental school education in America. Three fundamental elements to succeeding as a surgeon. How the paper route Joe had when he was younger has positively impacted his career as a surgeon. Always look out for the people who can’t look out for themselves. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Joe Niamtu on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-joe-niamtu-b20235b/ Dr. Joe Niamtu on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCclm79ii5IyeeuZL2TfIEw Cosmetic Plastic Facial Surgery — https://www.lovethatface.com/ Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720 441 6059

Oral surgeons, as our title suggests, belong in the operating room. Unfortunately, an increasing number of oral surgeons are spending more and more time in their offices and less and less time in theatre. This is something that greatly concerns today's guest, Dr. Morton Goldberg, who struggled for many years alongside other professionals to successfully lift the oral surgery profession out of the shadows. Morton’s colorful life and love for storytelling make for a fantastic episode, in which you will hear about his most influential year of education, the challenges he has faced during his career, and the achievement he is most proud of. Morton also shares what you can expect to learn if you read the book he wrote, The Humpty Dumpty Syndrome, how he came up with the name, and some stories from his 89 years around the sun that you are not likely to forget anytime soon!Key Points From This Episode:Work Morton has been doing since he retired.Morton’s experience at Harvard’s dental school. Why Morton was drawn to oral surgery.Challenges that Morton faced when he attempted to get into medical school.What Morton learned during the year that he considers the best educational experience he ever had.A question that Morton was asked during a residency interview, which had a profound impact on him.What the term, which is also the title of Morton’s book, The Humpty Dumpty Syndrome, means.The 20 year process Morton went through from conception to publication of his book. How oral surgery has advanced over the years.Morton shares one of the things he is most proud of achieving in his career.A rundown of how Morton’s book is structured, and what you can expect to learn from reading it. Concerns Morton has about the future of oral surgery.The most bizarre implant experience that Morton ever had.A very important part of resident education that isn’t being taught. Morton shares a story of a malpractice case that he was involved in. Valuable advice from Morton to all oral surgeons.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720 441 6059

Today’s guest, Dr. Stephen Saxe, was the 19th oral surgeon in Nevada! During his career, Stephen has had to deal with more trauma than most oral surgeons ever will, as he was one of the surgeons on call after the 2017 Las Vegas shooting. In this episode, you’ll hear about some of the physical and emotional trauma that he witnessed firsthand during the aftermath of that tragedy. Stephen is a firm believer that being an oral surgeon is about a lot more than simply removing impacted molars; it’s about maintaining a presence in one’s community, and in order to do that, oral surgeons should be doing things like responding to trauma call and imparting knowledge onto the next generation of oral surgeons. In today’s episode you’ll gain insights into what Stephen’s professional life consists of, and the journey he took to get to this point. His passion for his work is palpable and he shares advice that all oral surgeons will benefit greatly from hearing. Key Points From This Episode:A brief rundown of Stephen’s educational and professional background. Stephen’s experience of opening his own practice right after university, and why that likely wouldn’t be the experience of an oral surgeon starting out today.The 2017 Las Vegas shooting, and Stephen’s involvement in the aftermath. Examples of wounds that Stephen saw the day after the shooting.Huge amounts of emotion that Stephen had to deal with when speaking to the families of the victims.How the profession of oral surgery has evolved over the years.Stephen’s opinion on private practice doctors taking trauma call. What Stephen thinks the future holds for single operator anaesthesia. Career paths that Stephen’s three children have taken. How Stephen structured his days when his children were young. The dental school work that Stephen now does in the afternoon, and why he finds this work so fulfilling.Stephen’s unusual hobby.Additional stress that residents are now having to deal with because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Tweetables:“There was so much personalization that was necessary in order to communicate. You had to put yourself in their shoes. I was emotionally exhausted from it.” — Dr. Stephen Saxe [0:13:49]“Taking call has this socioeconomic facet where we have to maintain our presence in our community as doctors, not just dentists.” — Dr. Stephen Saxe [0:18:14]“It’s important that all of us, in our own way, maintain some kind of connection to the profession outside the doors of our office.” — Dr. Stephen Saxe [0:34:44]Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Stephen Saxe — https://www.nvjawdoc.com/ Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720 441 6059

Due to a gene abnormality, the World Health Organization labeled the odontogenic keratocyst as a tumor, but that is not the case. Today we are joined by an expert on the subject, Dr. Robert Marx, to discuss the nuances of diagnosing and treating odontogenic keratocysts. Dr. Marx is the Chief of oral maxillofacial surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and has a wealth of experience dealing with this particular condition. He explains that they are not tumors but in fact cysts. Tuning in, you’ll hear about what symptoms patients with odontogenic keratocysts experience, how to diagnose them, and what radiographic features distinguish them from other types of cysts. Dr. Marx discusses the difference between decompression and marsupialization, how to save the unerupted teeth associated with these cysts, and he talks about his experiences with BMP. Find out when to biopsy and nucleate at the same time, when you should try to shrink a large lesion down prior to nucleation, and how to identify signs of basal cell nevus syndrome in a patient with more than one keratocyst. For some clarification on this somewhat confusing subject, tune in today. Key Points From This Episode:An introduction to Dr. Robert Marx and his career as an oral maxillofacial surgeon.Why Dr. Marx believes that odontogenic keratocysts are cysts and not tumors and why there is confusion about this. What types of patients are high-risk for odontogenic keratocysts.The radiographic features that distinguish them from other types of cysts. The symptoms of odontogenic keratocysts and how to diagnose them.How best to treat odontogenic keratocysts to reduce the risk of recurrence. The difference between decompression and marsupialization.How to deal with unerupted teeth associated with odontogenic keratocysts. Dr. Marx’s experiences with BMP.When to biopsy and nucleate at the same time.When to try to shrink a big lesion down with a decompression tube prior to nucleation. Signs of basal cell nevus syndrome to look for in a patient with more than one keratocyst. Why you shouldn’t worry about recurrences: they are usually new primaries. Why you should do a follow-up on a yearly basis and what you should look for.Hear about Dr. Marx’s favorite quote and how cleaning fish helps him with his oral surgery skills in the four rapid-fire questions. Dr. Marx talks about the novels and the non-fiction books he’s written. Closing thoughts by Dr. Marx on the importance of oral maxillofacial surgery as a profession.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Robert Marx on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-e-marx/ Miller School of Medicine — https://med.miami.edu/Killing Crazy Horse — https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Crazy-Horse-Merciless-OReillys/dp/1627797041 Books by Dr. Robert Marx — https://www.amazon.com/Robert-E-Marx/e/B004LUVCSY?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_6&qid=1624351335&sr=1-6 Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720 441 6059

Until you show your patients that you care, it doesn’t matter to them how much you know; that is one of the biggest lessons that Dr. Dan Tran learned through his experience of being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer during his second-year residency. Another is that we never know how much time we have left on earth and it’s so important that we make time for the things and people we love. Although Dan has been living a close to normal life for the past three years thanks to a miracle drug he has been taking, it is unclear how long the power of the drug will last, and his future is very uncertain. As you’ll hear in today’s episode, Dan manages to stay positive amidst this uncertainty, and we can all learn a lot from his inspirational outlook, as well as his expertise as an oral surgeon and assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Key Points From This Episode:How Dan ended up in the academic world, after always thinking he would work in private practice.Dan’s main focus at the moment, and what he loves about his work. The initial symptoms of the cancer that Dan was later diagnosed with.What finally encouraged Dan to get an MRI, and the first thing he thought when he got the results.Procedures that Dan underwent following his diagnosis.The medication that Dan has been taking for three years, and the uncertainty of his future. Lessons that Dan has learned through his cancer diagnosis, from both a doctor and patient perspective.How Dan balances the things that are important to him, knowing that he may not have long to live. A mentor of Dan’s who still hovers over him in his mind. Why working with computers and 3D printing throughout his life has helped Dan in his career. There are always a team of people behind any success story Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Dan TranVirginia Commonwealth UniversityThe White Coat Investor

 As oral surgeons, we spend a lot of our lives in positions that aren’t good for our bodies, and which can end up causing us a lot of pain. Your host, Grant Stucki, knows this all too well. Today’s episode is a lesson in what so many of us are doing wrong, and how we can start looking after ourselves better. Our guests today are Dr. Julie Chaves, an oral surgeon, and Chuck Turner, a personal trainer; the two of whom have been working together for almost 10 years in order to help Julie correct the damage that she has done to herself through her work and to educate others on how to prevent the onset of musculoskeletal disorders. Oral surgeons are so focused on helping others that we tend to neglect our own health, but this shouldn’t be the case. Julie and Chuck highlight the importance of listening to our bodies and being aware of all our movements. Whether or not you are currently experiencing back and neck pain, this episode could change your life!Key Points From This Episode:Julie’s circuitous route to becoming an oral surgeon.The journey Chuck went on to find the career that he is passionate about.Education that Chuck provided to people working in corporate settings.How Chuck and Julie’s relationship formed.A pattern that Chuck noticed amongst his clients.An example of an exercise that Chuck gives to his clients, and how it improves posture and reduces pain.The toll that oral surgery has on one’s body.Measures that can be taken by oral surgeons to prevent pain.Chuck shares some ways to make a standing position less harmful for your body.A paper that Julie and Chuck are hoping to publish soon.Why we should start treating our bodies how we treat our cars.Changes that Julie has made since the pandemic and the positive impact this has had on her.Major back issues that Grant suffers from.The importance of listening to your body and bringing awareness to your movements.A lesson from Chuck on how to do certain movements correctly.Not all exercise is good for you. Tweetables: “There’s a lot of damage that takes place over time but people think when they get injured it was an actual incident.” — Chuck Turner [0:06:40] “What I do is important but what you do and making you aware of what you do outside at work is even more important.” — Chuck Turner [0:11:48] “Strengthening ourselves in certain ways can help us to weather the storm a little bit better.” — Dr. Julie Chavez [0:16:17] “The best position at work, regardless of what you do, is the next position.” — Chuck Turner [0:20:08] “What’s the point of working hard for 30 years and retiring if you’re decrepit and in chronic pain and you can’t enjoy yourself?” — Dr. Julie Chavez [0:24:20]Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:The Sustainable Surgeon Project

If you’re a young surgeon who has been taught to believe that starting a dental business is incredibly difficult, you are far from alone. Our guest today, Dr. Jeffrey Carter, is here to explain why this is not the case, and how his company makes it much easier for oral surgeons to become independent contractors. Jeffrey’s vision for OMS Logistics is to provide a platform where surgeons can network, expand their services, and provide collateral support to one another, without the need to buy expensive equipment or make rigid time commitments. This conversation covers numerous topics, including the value of anaesthesia tracking in the oral surgery space, the technology that Jeffrey is implementing which could change the discomfort that the medical world feels with around oral surgeons using anaesthetics, trends that Jeffrey has noticed amongst the younger population of dentists that are looking for work, and the gaps in terms of dentists’ understanding of their capabilities. Tune in for a deep dive into all of this and more! Key Points From This Episode:Hear about Jeffrey’s education and his career trajectory. What Jeffrey’s company, OMS Logistics, does, and how it has grown over the years.Pairings that Jeffrey has experimented with through OMS.Reasons it benefits surgeons to work through OMS Logistics, rather than directly with a DSO. Why OMS has had a lot of success with surgeons who are on active duty in the military.Anaesthesia registries; what they are and why they are so useful.Discomfort that the medical world feels about oral surgeons doing anaesthesia. Where you can find industry norms for anaesthetic deaths and transfer rates. The importance of the rule of large numbers.Trends that Jeffrey is seeing amongst people who are looking for work. Advice for young oral surgeons who are on the job search. Why the garden-variety oral surgeon isn’t attractive to hospitals.Young dentists have been brainwashed to believe it’s incredibly difficult to run a business.How OMS Logistics does quality control on the people who are hired. One of the major gaps in academic oral surgery. Jeffrey’s surprise at the range of productivity levels amongst dentists across the United States.The importance of understanding what your capabilities are, and the huge knowledge gap that exists with regard to this. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Jeffrey Carter OMS LogisticsJeffrey Carter Email — jbc@jbcarterinc.comDr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720 441 6059

Owning and running your own oral surgery practice isn’t for everyone, but if you are able to handle the challenges that come along with it, it can be an extremely gratifying experience. After leaving the job he had working for someone else, Dr. Michael Goulston went out looking to buy a practice, and ended up deciding to start his own instead. Over the past six years he has acquired a huge amount of experience working with a very diverse client base, and on the show today he shares with us both the ups and the downs of his journey. We discuss the methods Michael utilized to find clients when he was starting out, the types of advertising that he finds most useful with regard to his practice, and the difficulties that sometimes arise when Michael sees patients who are culturally different to him. Michael puts a lot of effort into his relationships with his patients and his staff, and he explains some of the personal touches that he implements in order to ensure that he is keeping everyone around him happy.  Key Points From This Episode:A brief rundown of Michael’s educational and career history. Why Michael decided to start his own practice, rather than buy an existing one.Personal touches that Michael used to find clients, starting from a base of zero.The length of time it took for Michael to cover his costs. Advertising practices that Michael thinks are the most useful. Michael’s strategy for dealing with insurance. Reasons that Michael decided to leave the job he had working for someone else. Challenges that come with running your own practice. Elements of Michael’s work that he finds particularly gratifying. The experience Michael had when he brought in an office manager. Difficulties that sometimes arise when Michael sees patients who come from a different culture to his own. How Michael personalizes the experiences of his patients to make sure they are all comfortable and happy. Methods that Michael uses to ensure that he maintains healthy relationships with his staff, and an enjoyable office environment. Why Michael has moved towards using more moderate anesthetics. Golf; how this hobby positively impacts Michael’s work.Value that Michael gets out of listening to the Everyday Oral Surgery Podcast. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Michael GoulstonOral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Implant Specialists of MiddlesexDr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720 441 6059

If you are interested in learning how to make the most of your time as a dental professional, this is the episode for you! Dr. Aaron Liddell has managed to get to a point where almost all of his time is productively spent, and he has a team of people positioned around him to do the rest. Aaron explains how he ended up taking the road less traveled in terms of the dentistry fields that exist, and although it may be the more difficult path, the passion he has for his work is unwavering. Among other topics, our discussion covers the benefits of partnerships (when you are ready for them), why it sometimes makes much more sense to hire mid-level practitioners than associates, and Aaron’s thoughts on why there aren’t more dentists doing the kind of work that he does. Work out what you want to do, how you are going to do it, and stick to it! Key Points From This Episode:Aaron’s educational and professional background, and where he is currently working. How Aaron found his way into the field of dentistry that most dentists don’t get a chance to work in. Types of procedures that Aaron usually does. Benefits of being part of Trauma and Emergency Subspecialty Surgeons (TESS).Why partnerships are so key in Aaron’s field of dentistry.How Aaron and his partners deal with revenue. Gaps between production and collections in Aaron’s specific line of work.Bringing in partners; how this process works in Aaron’s practice.Advantages that have come through the merger with US Oral Surgery Management. The importance of being ready for a partner before you bring anyone on.Aaron’s experience as an associate. Value that you can bring to your practice by hiring mid-level practitioners.Research work that Aaron gets involved with. Why we don’t see more dentists doing the work that Aaron does. What cycling has taught Aaron that he carries into all spheres of his life. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Aaron Liddell Colorado Oral SurgeryTESSUS Oral Surgery ManagementCan’t Hurt Me Dr. Grant StuckiDr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720 441 6059

We’re calling today’s episode the one-upper! Tuning in, you’ll hear Dr. Grant Stucki and Dr. Mike Hall share some of their best dental stories, partly for comedic relief but also to impart some important lessons about client communication, adequate sedation techniques, and careful employee selection, as well as what you can learn from your patients about different cultures and mindsets (and kinks). We hope that this episode leaves you with a lot to ponder and, hopefully, is as insightful as it is hilarious. Make sure not to miss it!Key Points From This Episode:Why Dr. Hall thinks that dentists should be keeping a record of their best stories.While we all want our practice to appear professional, Dr. Stucki believes there is a lot to be learned from mistakes.Dr. Hall’s first funny oral surgery story, which involves a Halcion-induced parking lot accident.The moral of the story: always over-communicate with patients taking oral sedation meds!Dr. Stucki shares a propofol sedation story about a wisdom extraction that required an osteotome on a military veteran.Why adequate sedation is crucial, especially when the patient poses a physical threat!Dr. Hall’s next story is more of a classic office drama regarding false accusations of an affair.The importance of careful employee selection and having a good no-tolerance policy.The funny next story comes from the time Dr. Stucki’s brother was shadowing him in Tucson.The unbelievable things patients will say and do that make for a good story and introduce you to different cultures and mindsets.Dr. Stucki’s last story involves a somewhat different Jamaican interpretation of his last name.How grinding down a patient’s molars taught Dr. Hall a lot about that patient’s kinks!Find out why Dr. Stucki is considering creating an “Only in dentistry!” bumper sticker.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. Mike Hall on LinkedIn — linkedin.com/in/michael-hall-aa8379109Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.comDr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720 441 6059