The Seven Slides, Part II

Dr. Brian Britton | June 2010

Boost your success with strategies that others miss.

Shortly after my “Seven Slides” article was printed in the previous issue, my phone started ringing off the hook. Doctors couldn’t wait to request copies of the slides. As I spoke with my colleagues, however, it quickly became evident that many saw the slides exclusively as a sales tool. While they are effective for case presentation, I must emphasize that other factors — many behind the scenes — are also required for the greatest success.

The Smile of My Dreams

Carma Varas | June 2010

Turn possibility into reality with the right treatment plan.

I have always wanted a beautiful smile, but as a child my parents did not place a lot of importance in our teeth. We would visit the dentist once a year, he would do massive silver fillings, pat us on our heads, and send us home for another year.

My teeth were very crooked, and the dentist tried to correct the problem with serial extractions. He ended up taking out all four first bicuspids. The dentist never told my parents that I needed braces, so nothing was done to straighten my teeth. I was very self-conscious about my smile and hid my teeth to the point that kids in junior high teased me and asked if I had dentures.

The Veil Has Been Lifted

Dr. Ryan Brittingham | June 2010

You can do the procedures fearlessly with proper tools and training.

Very rarely do we have an experience so moving, so emotional, that it compels us to dramatically change our behavior. Recently, I had such a breakthrough. Let me share a little background and tell how one short, introductory course made an astounding difference in my practice.

I graduated from dental school in 2001 and started a family practice. After my second year, I had a million-dollar business. While that’s not a big deal today, back then I felt pretty good about my accomplishments. School had taught me the basics, and I was off to an impressive start.

The Death of Fear

Dr. Cody Bauer | June 2010

I realized in that moment that skill is a function of doing, not years in practice.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote “Do the thing we fear, and the death of fear is certain”. I can think of no better way to describe my first year practicing dentistry. Like any journey of consequence it was not undertaken alone. It was possible only through the efforts and encouragement of family, friends and a few mentors who made me do now, what I was afraid I would not be able to do for many years. My purpose in sharing this in not to boast, but rather highlight what is possible when we do today that which our fears say we should put off.