You love your spouse or partner. But is working with them a good idea? In this episode of the Best Practices Show, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Charlie Ward, visiting faculty member at The Pankey Institute, along with his wife and fellow dentist, Dr. Melody Ward, to share the benefits and challenges of working together and their secrets for making it work. To learn how they’ve done it for over a decade, listen to Episode 915 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Dr. Charlie Ward & Dr. Melody Ward:

• Send Dr. Charlie Ward an email: [email protected] 
• Follow Dr. Charlie Ward on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcwarddds
• Watch Dr. Charlie Ward’s webinars: https://restorativenation.com
• Follow Dr. Melody Ward on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mwardperio
• Learn more about their practice: https://www.baltimoredentalarts.com

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_US
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 915: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos

Main Takeaways:

• Have the conversation about why you want to work together and your goals in doing so.
• Learn about each other’s personalities to improve understanding and communication.
• Make the time to get away from your practice and your family with your spouse.
• Be intentional about your time off. Going to CE doesn't count as vacation!
• Set clear rules and boundaries so you limit bringing work back home.
• Check in regularly with your spouse. Things are always changing.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

2:13 Dr. Charlie Ward’s background.

3:46 Dr. Melody Ward’s background.

5:04 How they make it work.

8:28 Rules for not bringing work home.

11:11 How the idea of working together came about.

15:12 Be intentional about time away.

18:22 Their philosophy on CE.

24:31 Handling team questions and conflict.

28:09 Know yourself, your spouse, and your team.

32:00 Adventuring through food.

36:50 Final thoughts.

Dr. Charlie Ward Bio:

After graduating from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2004, Dr. Charlie Ward went straight into the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. He earned his DDS degree in 2008, and since then he has completed the Essentials courses and many others at the esteemed Pankey Institute, where he now serves as visiting faculty. He is currently a member of the Maryland State Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry.

When Dr. Ward isn’t spending time with Dr. Melody Ward and their two young boys, Cyrus and Lucas, he can often be found golfing or fishing. He also enjoys playing the guitar. While in dental school, he was actually in an all-dentist band called Incisal Edge! He even has his own guitar collection and has turned his basement into a music room.

Dr. Melody Ward Bio:

Dr. Melody Ward’s college career started at the University of California San Diego, where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree. She went on to earn her dental degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and continued at the same institution to obtain a Master of Science and Certificate in Periodontics.

Since then, she has fervently pursued continuing education. She currently runs a Spear Study Club and is taking a continuum of courses at the Pankey Institute. She is also part of a dental implant study club and has received training focused on treating infants with lip and tongue-ties.

Away from work, Dr. Ward enjoys primarily spending time with her family, Dr. Charlie Ward and their two young boys. They all try to spend plenty of time outdoors together, particularly bike riding. She has recently gotten into baking and has also planted a vegetable garden. She likes to incorporate the harvests into family meals whenever she can.