Many complications can arise during anesthetization due to factors like patient history. Surgeons need to proceed with caution during this process, taking extra care to learn about a patient’s context, even if it is not solely their responsibility to gather this information. Today’s guest is Dr. Louis Halkias, here to talk about how he takes extra care with anesthetization, as well as weigh in on new technologies that are changing the practice of oral surgery, his method of training assistants and residents, and more. Dr. Halkias is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Illinois in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and he has also been practicing privately at Oral Surgery Associates since 1998. We begin our conversation by hearing about Dr. Halkias’s education and career and then move on to talk about some of the changes he has seen from a technical and insurance perspective in recent years. We then discuss some of the procedures Dr. Halkias performs most frequently and he shares about what a game-changing technology Versah Densah Burs have been for him. We get into his approach to grafting and implants and he touches on some of his favorite brands and the need to use the same ones frequently. On the topic of anesthetization, Dr. Halkias takes a deep dive into his process, and we have a productive exchange about dosage, complications, patient history, and new technologies. We also have a great chat about working with assistants, zooming in on how Dr. Stucki and Dr. Halkias like to train theirs to work with instruments and stay focused during surgery. For all this and other points about running a shared practice, handling referrals, and good communication, tune in today.

Key Points From This Episode:

• A brief overview of Dr. Halkias’s education and career, and his role at UIC.
• The biggest changes Dr. Halkias has seen in the specialty, and what procedures he does most.
• How much the Versah Densah Burs have changed Dr. Halkias’s practice, and how to use them.
• What Dr. Halkias’ grafting techniques look like these days and what materials he is using.
• Whether Dr. Halkias ever sees an inflammatory response to grafting materials.
• How high resident debt is these days and Dr. Halkias’s approach to training students.
• The approach of working in a group practice and splitting profits at Dr. Halkias’ practice.
• Advice from Dr. Halkias for oral surgeons who experience back pain.
• The benefits of giving back and Dr. Halkias’ advice for surgeons who want to do so.
• Tips from Dr. Halkias for surgeons who want to communicate better with patients.
• Dr. Halkias’s approach to training his assistants and the values he instills in them.
• Approaches to assistants handling instruments between Dr. Stucki and Dr. Halkias.
• Complexities around anesthetization: Tools, patients on medication, referrals, etc.
• How the practice of implants is changing thanks to guides and scanners.
• What brands Dr. Halkias is comfortable using and why he is reluctant to change brands.
• Dealing with abutments and implants that have been fitted incorrectly.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Louis Halkias

Ohio State University

Northwestern Dental School

University of Illinois

Oral Surgery Associates

Versah

Dr. Grant Stucki Contact — 720-775-5843