Orthotown April 2016 - (Page 8)

embrace progress // column Decisions, Decisions Which move is the right one for new orthodontists? by Daniel Grob, DDS, MS, editorial director, Orthotown magazine N Nearly three decades ago, practicing orthodontics was simple. After a rigorous dental training period, you graduated in the top of the class, got accepted into orthodontic school and chose where you wanted to live. Selecting brackets, bands and equipment was exciting. During your residency you were able to try different companies' products, and picking your own combination of systems was your prerogative. Once you had your own practice, you knew you wanted brackets from this company, molar bands from the other company, and auxiliaries from your friend the sales rep. (Never mind that several years into practice, those As I worked my way through a lecture about general tips and techniques of private practice based on my experience, I realized that I was in a time warp. The modern resident or grad student is mostly concerned about paying off student loans and keeping the ball moving forward. decisions would be undone by the latest and greatest new appliance that was once again going to make you a better orthodontist than the others.) Taking insurance was the next hurdle or decision to make. The official AAO policy was that you were working for the patient, and the insurance company was an unnecessary burden on practicing orthodontists. It was your duty to educate the patient on how they should pay the practitioner and get reimbursed from the insurance company. PPOs were even worse: Imagine being paid less than your fee for a service. The nerve of employers asking for a discount. After all, you never expected discounts for 8 APRIL 2016 // orthotown.com being connected to the ADA or AAO such as insurance, car rentals, supplies and the like. Not! Advertising was unnecessary. Your mentors told you that building a practice was done with satisfied customers. Never mind the fact that it takes up to two years to get them. Now, things have changed when it comes to decision making. The era of new decisions Lecturing at a dental school recently, I was confronted by the new reality. After a presentation by one of the major corporate orthodontic employers that had glossy packets for the residents, explaining the benefits of employment, I talked about TMJ, tip and torque, and more. Questions were asked regarding 1099s, W2s, reimbursement for mileage, deducting expenses of being in practice; 401(k) plans and who pays for malpractice insurance were hot topics of discussion. Clearly, business was on their mind-and not in the same sense that it was 25 years ago. As I worked my way through a lecture about general tips and techniques of private practice based on my experience, I realized that I was in a time warp. The modern resident or grad student is mostly concerned about paying off student loans and keeping the ball moving forward. These students are plagued with deciding to become a corporate employee or an associate, or to buy or start their own practice. Dr. Tom Ziegler covered this topic in December's Orthotown in an article about transitioning your practice. (Ziegler assisted me with my practice sale on two occasions.) Going corporate I don't want to be cavalier about this, but the corporate decision is usually based on money or Continued on p. 10 http://www.orthotown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Orthotown April 2016

Orthotown.com Highlights
Embrace Progress: Decisions, Decisions
Industry News
Crossbite with Impacted Canines
Never Promise Non-Extraction Treatment to Phase I Patients
Netherland Doc Combines European, American Treatments
Your More Digital Future
Change the Words, Change Your Results
Protect Your Position in the Mouthguard World
Practice Solutions: American Orthodontics
Poll
Corporate Profi le The One to Watch: Henry Schein Orthodontics leads the field in innovation, ethics and business acumen
American Association of Orthodontics
Ad Index

Orthotown April 2016