I sat down with top women dentists to learn how practitioners can develop a well-informed plan to continue their education, add services, and set their practices apart.
Christina Do, DDS
While I view myself as someone who prefers to work behind the scenes, my new role as president of the Orange County Dental Society has encouraged me to discover new strengths. I am fortunate enough to create new support systems for dentists in the form of networking events, mental health initiatives, and forums to discuss the latest technological advancements. In dentistry, it's important to find your tribe and stick together.
One such tribe is Guiding Leaders, a business and leadership development program designed by Glidewell for female dentists. This program introduced me to a network of like-minded dentists and helped me refine my nonclinical skills, including public speaking, case photography, and personal branding-which helped me obtain more visibility and influence.
I assembled a small panel of Guiding Leaders alumni to gain insights on current practice-building strategies. These women sought out the proper training to back their services with a high level of expertise and continue to push themselves toward better dentistry.
Implant dentistry
With Amanda Sheehan, DDS
Dr. Christina Do: What inspired you to use implants in your practice?
Dr. Amanda Sheehan: I did my residency at the Roswell Park Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York, so we saw a lot of patients who had parts of their faces missing. I was impressed by the different prostheses doctors used. It made me passionate about surgery and how life-changing it can be for people.
Then, about two years into practicing, I told my boss I wanted to learn how to do implants. She pushed back a little, but I didn't take no for an answer. I started training in dental implants soon after that.
CD: Wonderful. So, what do you think are the barriers to adding implants to a practice?
AS: People believe they can't do it. We have a joke at the Resnik Implant Institute that if you can do a buccal fissure sealant, you can do an implant because it's far more difficult to isolate. The hardest part isn't being a good implantologist; it's about being a good diagnostician.
CD: What kind of continuum is essential?
AS: It's important to find a comprehensive, scientifically backed course that guides you through the whole process. It should have hands-on training and support from faculty to make sure you're getting one-on-one feedback.
CD: Do you think your patients know a lot about implants or do you typically have to educate them?
AS: Both. We have some patients who are very well read and come in with intelligent questions, but we also have some who are "price shoppers." I make sure to talk to all my patients during the medical evaluation; even if they don't use our services, we want to make sure they are getting good imaging and transparency with their providers.
Sleep dentistry
With Diana Batoon, DMD
Dr. Christina Do: In your opinion, what role do dentists have in addressing sleep issues and disorders?
Dr. Diana Batoon: I think dentists should screen every patient who walks through their doors. Because sleep-disordered breathing and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can affect people of all ages and backgrounds, there are many people we can help.
CD: When you screen patients, are there any red flags we should be aware of?
DB: Fatigue, weariness, and snoring-in any position-is bad. Oftentimes it's a sleep issue, and they might have tried everything or just accepted it and don't realize the source. I love helping those people and families get a better night's rest.
CD: How has specializing in sleep set you apart from other practices in your area?
DB: I'm surprised by how much it has elevated my practice. We have been able to incorporate other services like clear aligners and same-day crowns to supplement the work we do with sleep or airway cases. It's also increased my referrals within the medical community. A lot of my new patients come from medical providers.
Applications of neurotoxins
With Mary Shields, DMD, MPH
Dr. Christina Do: What do you use neurotoxins for, specifically?
Dr. Mary Shields: I use botulinum toxins in my practice in a variety of ways. I help patients feel better by addressing overactive masseter and temporalis muscles, providing relief to the patient. I also enhance their appearance by balancing their gingival display and increasing their lip volume.
CD: Are there any state-specific restrictions or liabilities associated with the use of neurotoxins?
MS: Most states allow dentists to provide botulinum toxins to their patients, but some have restrictions on treatment areas. Know your state's provisions prior to investing in training for facial injections.
CD: Thanks for that information. Finally, can you share your greatest success story?
MS: My favorite success story is about a new patient who was distraught about her maxillary hybrid hardware showing. She was wary about botulinum toxins, so I used a very small amount to show her what was possible. Once the product took effect, she was amazed by the results. The hardware was completely concealed, the injections were painless, and it all cost her less than $100. She is now a patient for life-not to mention a model for my esthetic offerings.
Clear aligner therapy
With Jacqueline Patterson, DDS
Dr. Christina Do: What are the benefits of clear aligners for doctors and patients?
Dr. Jacqueline Patterson: Many dentists give teeth straightening cases to orthodontists without considering the benefits of being able to offer clear aligner therapy. I've been doing it for 14 years. It was daunting at first, but newer products make it much easier for the general dentist thanks to technological advancements.
I'm an airway doctor, so I want more expansion. Doing clear aligners gives me more control over my cases with less chair time. I can also check my progress via remote dental monitoring tools, which allow patients to upload high quality pictures of their teeth and aligners to a mobile app.
CD: If you're a practitioner who is new to clear aligners, how would you go about choosing the right ones?
JP: What's great is that you don't have to. Back in the day, you had to take the courses and be certified, but now you can have a rep by your side. Taking the necessary courses isn't such a strict process. With new brands, you have an orthodontist working with you on every single case, which is like a built-in support system within the product.
CD: Can you summarize the best contribution clear aligners have made regarding your practice?
JP: The biggest advantage is keeping most things in-house, so I know what is going on every step of the way. Also, if my patients need a crown or get a cavity midtreatment, I don't have to go back to square one.
CD: Lastly, what advice would you give dentists who are thinking about adding clear aligner therapy as a service?
JP: Do it yesterday! It's not as hard as you think, and it will make you a better dentist. Like Dr. Batoon was saying, the services all kind of go together. If a patient is motivated by wanting straighter or whiter teeth, they will be more likely to take care of the restorative side and have better hygiene checkups. It inspires the patient, which inspires me!
Conclusion
All four of these dentists used their perseverance to expand their practices with innovation. I hope this discussion provides a fresh perspective for practitioners by sparking an interest in technology and continuing education programs that will drive future success.
Christina Do, DDS, graduated from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. She is a researcher for the leading dental laser company, BIOLASE, and has lectured worldwide on the applications of laser dentistry. Dr. Do is on the executive board of the Coleman Research Group, which connects medical investors with dental experts. She is also an editor for the Journal of Laser Assisted Dentistry and president of the Orange County Dental Society.
