Orthotown January/February 2020 - 29

TOP 5 PRODUCTS
1. G&H miniPrevail buccal tubes. I finally found a tube I really love: microetched pad,
no crushing issues, ID'd center of resistance for easy placement. We bond most
all 6s and 7s, so it's nice to have a tube that is very reliable and easy to use.
2. TP Mini NuEdge brackets. Love the quality. Very few debonds, and great control
for finishing. I've used only this bracket since I've graduated, and really can't think
of a reason to change.
3. 3Shape Trios scanner. I'm so glad we have one. It's a balanced combination of
scan speed, head size, upkeep costs, versatility and quality.
4. Ixion instruments by DB Orthodontics. I've been very happy with all the
instruments we've purchased from DB Orthodontics. They cut well, are slim and
ergonomic, and hold up very well after autoclaving.
5. SureSmile DIY Aligners. I don't always use clear aligners, but when I do, I use
SureSmile aligners with the DIY option. I've been very happy with the software,
turnaround time and quality of the product. It's the level of customization and
control that excites me. Without using a technician, you're able to detail the
movement, the number of aligners and attachments. It's great for relapse,
finishing and hybrid options where one arch is done with fixed and the other in
aligners.

I'm really proud to say that even though
Irving is principally Hispanic, it's the most
diverse city in Texas! My entire team and
I are bilingual, speaking both English and
Spanish, which I know is of great benefit to
our Hispanic patient population. We treat
patients from nearly every Latin American
country, most states and territories of India,
Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam,
Cambodia, Korea, China, Taiwan, Japan,
Philippines, Ghana, Nigeria, Gambia,
Senegal, Egypt, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Syria,
Pakistan ... and I probably have forgotten
many more.
Living in New York City for seven years,
taking service trips to Grenada and living
in the Dominican Republic has given me
a profound appreciation of other cultures
and diversity. Through the difference, there
is so much that unites us. Everyone values
family, education, health, fairness, integrity
and, thankfully, aesthetics.

What advice do you have for someone
who wants to own their own practice
straight out of school?
Good luck! It will be worth it, but
don't underestimate the number of things
outside of teeth you need to understand
well to succeed.
I think I benefited initially from not
biting off more than I could chew. It's nice
to start small for a few years and work up
to a dream office.
Definitely watch your fixed overhead
costs, such as rent and staff. You can do
a lot of orthodontics with two chairs and
two staff members. Check out the industry
recommended percentages for each overhead
category and monitor those closely. Try not
to deviate too much from those numbers,
though it is hard with lower collection
numbers.
Learn as much as you can about organizational behavior and keep your team filled

with people you trust. Commit yourself to
provide the very best orthodontic treatment.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure that just
working hard, being honest and providing
good results guarantee success anymore.
But I still believe those values offer a solid
foundation on which to build any success.
You can have all the marketing and sales
skills you want, but integrity still goes a
long way in orthodontics.

What's an average day like at your
practice? What does your patient
population look like?
After I've met with the treatment and
financial coordinators about consults and
financial issues, our team huddle begins
promptly 15 minutes before the first patient.
Days before, I review each chart, check the
records, and confirm the treatment plan we
created for the visit. We then go over each
patient's treatment as a team, adding any

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