Orthotown March 2023 - 8

Board Profi les
Each month this year,
Orthotown will spotlight
a member of its editorial
advisory board-the
doctors who've agreed to
help our staff determine
whether an article is a
great fit for publication, vet
those articles for accuracy
and clarity, and suggest
ideas and sources for
content that will run in
future issues.
3 QUESTIONS WITH
Dr. Courtney
Barry
For Dr. Courtney Barry, it's more than the just clinical details that count. When this young Townie
opened a scratch orthodontic practice in Manhattan, nothing escaped her eye, from the color palette
of her Smile Pop branding materials to the scented candles that burn throughout the offi ce. In our
exclusive Q&A, she explains the importance of incorporating elements into the practice that speak to
you and patients alike.
1. For as long as orthodontists have had offi ces,
we've heard owners talk about how they wanted
their practices to " not feel like a typical practice, "
and yet ones that truly feel special are few and far
between. Why do you think this is still a challenge
for so many doctors?
If you want something unique, you have to think and
execute diff erently. I wanted my offi ce to be warm and
inviting, like a home, so I switched from the original
" Dental Dan " interior designer and instead hired a
high-end residential interior designer, Matthew Cane,
who worked alongside a dental equipment company to
ensure I was creating my vision but still was operationally
fi t to do ortho. It wasn't cheap, but as Ben Franklin
said, " Th e bitterness of poor quality remains long after
the sweetness of low price is forgotten. "
2. You've deliberately introduced many personal
elements into your practice. How do you approach
the split between personal and professional?
It's a tough balance, but I believe my personality is
what makes Smile Pop successful. Th e nontraditional
business cards, the pink candies (that cause cavities!)
in my waiting room, and the Tony Kelly " Smoking Lips "
print in my offi ce are all pieces of that personality.
[Editor's note: To see photos of Barry's offi ce and learn
more about how she approached its design, see " It's a
Vibe, " p. 64.] I'm bubbly and energetic and sometimes
that's not a match for every patient, but I don't sweat
that-there are plenty of patients to go around. I spent
my fi rst years in practice working for other doctors
and my personality seemed to not be the right fi t,
but that also turned out to be the motivator I needed
to face my fears and start my own practice.
3. What's your favorite part about
practicing in the heart of Manhattan?
New York can be a crazy place, with everyone hustling
and bustling 24/7. I love the energy the city has to off er.
My offi ce is about a 20-minute walk from all the Broadway
shows, which is a helpful reminder on the rare
days I don't really want to be at work because I tell
my staff , " Whether we like it or not, ladies and gentlemen-it's
showtime! " OT
MARCH 2023 | 8 | ORTHOTOWN.COM

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Orthotown March 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Orthotown March 2023