Orthotown Jan/Feb 2014 - (Page 46)

stress management // feature by Jen Butler, MEd, CPC, BCC When it comes to stress in dentistry, orthodontists often get lumped into the crowd. General dentists' stressors become the primary focus of articles, workshops and programs. This diminishes the importance of stress management for orthodontists and limits the number of resources this cohort has at their disposal. It sends the message that orthodontists have little stress and those stressors that are apparent aren't as important because it only applies to these specialized individuals. It further isolates those practitioners that do have stress because they feel out of place, like they have failed in some way, and are not as competent as the rest of their colleagues in building and running a successful orthodontic practice. This is far from the truth. It's the silence and lack of discussion around stress that creates this stigma. Researchers have discovered many overlapping stressors between orthodontics and general dentistry. However, how these stressors are addressed and resolved vary differently in orthodontic practices then in the GP office. Also, there are a number of significant stressors that are unique to the specialization that only orthodontists can relate. It's time to stand up and stand out. Stress exists in orthodontics. The more this is acknowledged, the more services and resources become available for those who need it. Too many orthodontists accept that life is good. As famed author Jim Collins 1. 2. of Good to Great says, "Good is the enemy of great." One cannot become great when the lesser is the acceptable maximum. Stressor #1 - The satellite office Many orthodontists use the satellite office as a business model for diversifying their patient base, increasing the number of patient starts, and gaining revenue. What often begins as the "best practice building method available"1 ends up adding significant stress for the practitioner.2 Of orthodontists with satellite offices, 79 percent stated satellite offices increase stress levels due to higher staff numbers, time requirements and business savvy necessary to manage more than one office.2 To compile the stress, 55 percent of orthodontists who previously had satellite offices claimed those coping methods that often reduce stress were sacrificed; such as family time, hobbies, exercise and socializing.2 Almost half, 45 percent, of practitioners with a current satellite office would close one or more if possible just to reduce stress.2 And a true tell of the magnitude a satellite office has on the stress level of its owner is only 18 percent of previous satellite owners would recommend to a young orthodontist to open a satellite office of their own.2 With it becoming more and more prevalent of a business model - just 32 percent of orthodontists owned a satellite office in Keim RG, Gottlieb EL, Nelson AH, Vogels DS. 2003 JCO-Orthodontic Practice Study. JCO 2003. Heying SS, English JK, Bussa HI, Corbett JA. The Success of Orthodontic Satellite Practices. Angle Orthodontist. 2007;77:5:875-880. 46 JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2014 // orthotown.com http://www.orthotown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Orthotown Jan/Feb 2014

Orthotown.com Highlights
Wired for Success: The Customer Service Game
Lower Incisor Extraction – Anyone Have Photos?
Topical Anesthetic for TAD Placement
Staff Treatment and Clocking In
Office Visit: Work of Art
Orthotown Townie Choice Awards
The 10 Most Important Practice Management Statistics Orthodontists Should Track
How to Start More Adult Cases
Stand Up and Stand Out
Ad Index

Orthotown Jan/Feb 2014