On this episode of The Best Practices Show, Kirk and Kevin spend time talking with Dr. Joshua Austin. Initially, Josh points out that he strives to always be authentic because he doesn’t want others to think that he’s anything other than a normal comprehensive dentist. It’s easy to look at social media and assume that because you aren’t doing big complex cases, that you aren’t a good dentist and Josh encourages listeners that this isn’t true.

Josh goes on to explain that comprehensive dentistry should be a goal for everyone. For the sake of your patients, you want to be able to offer those services to them. Both Josh and Kevin recommend educational courses as a way to work towards comprehensive dentistry. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of having a mentor. In regard to the cost of continuing education, such as Seattle Study Club’s Symposium, Josh shares that this is the year to do it, as it is virtual, and the tuition is very cheap in comparison.

Josh goes on to share steps to implement what you learn through your continuing education. First, he recommends increasing the level of your comprehensive examination experience for your patients. An important component of increasing your level is to include some sort of imaging, whether it’s photography or an intra-oral scan, so that you can communicate with the patients. This helps the patients understand the issues more and trust you to treat them. Additionally, it’s important to give the patients plenty of time, even if that means bringing them back for a second appointment.

While transitioning to comprehensive care can feel intimidating, Josh recommends starting by just setting aside one half of a day a month for comprehensive exams and treatment. By starting with this amount of time, you are actually starting to do comprehensive care and then that amount of time will grow over time.

Another important aspect of comprehensive dentistry is to have a team of specialists around you. These relationships with other specialists evolve into mutually beneficial relationships. You are able to ensure that your patients receive the best care, that you are only doing work you are genuinely qualified to do and capable of, and then you often receive referrals from the other specialists you work with. Something like Seattle Study Club’s Symposium is a great way to find a good team of specialists to work with.

Main Takeaways

Comprehensive dental should be a goal for everyone (12:38)

The cost of continuing education is well worth it (24:16)

Incorporating imaging into your comprehensive exam goes a long way (28:41)

Slowing it down and taking more time with a patient is of great value (33:30)

Start by setting aside half a day a month for comprehensive care treatment and examinations (37:30)

Key Quotes

“Comprehensive dentistry is a goal that we should all have.” -Josh

“You don’t just go to these educational courses and all of the sudden become a comprehensive dentist overnight.” -Kevin

“The best clinicians are going to be a part of the Seattle Study Club, and they’re there to lend their expertise.” -Josh

“You can’t treatment plan it if you don’t examine it.” -Josh

“If a picture’s worth a thousand words, an inter-oral scan is worth a billion words.” -Josh

“Never be afraid to do a second appointment.” -Josh

“Every challenge is going to be a series of steps, the most important one is the first one.” -Josh

“You have to have a team of specialists that you work with.” -Josh

Snippets

12:37-15:19- The importance of working towards comprehensive dentistry

20:31-20:47- The cost and value of continuing education such as the Seattle Study Club

24:24-28:55- Improving the level of your comprehensive exam

36:24-41:50- A practical way to get started doing comprehensive dentistry

42:01-46:05- The importance of having a team around you

46:53-49:50- The importance of being in a group like Symposium

Bio of guest

Dr. Joshua Austin is a...