About the Guest:

Dr. Jackie Hassenplug is a dynamic and passionate General Dentist based in St. Charles, Illinois. Originally hailing from Chicago, she graduated from Midwestern University in 2021. In December 2024, she took the bold step of opening her practice, designed to reflect her ethos and desired style of dentistry. With a wide-ranging skill set allowing her to perform many dental procedures, her journey in dentistry started with personal experiences as a child undergoing orthodontic work. A former educator at Midwestern University, Jackie brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and practical business acumen to her practice.

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of the "Beyond Graduation" podcast, hosts Drs. Savanah Craig and Ronnetta Sartor welcome their first-ever guest, Dr. Jackie Hassenplug, a determined dentist and new practice owner. The episode dives into Dr. Hassenplug's background, from her challenging personal experiences with orthodontics to her ultimate decision to open a dental practice. The conversation explores the nuances of practice ownership, balancing clinical desires with business responsibilities, and the harmony between patient care and operational efficiency.

Dr. Hassenplug elaborates on her turbulent yet enlightening journey through various dentistry specialties before settling as a general dentist. As a practice owner, she reflects on the realities of managing a dental office, highlighting the importance of systems and preparation, such as morning huddles and monthly meetings, to ensure practice success. This episode brims with informative insights on dental practice management, startup challenges, and the intricacies of life as a recent dental graduate.

Key Takeaways:

• Dr. Jackie Hassenplug shares her journey from orthodontic struggles in childhood to pursuing and establishing a successful dental practice.
• The episode discusses the benefits and challenges of opening a startup practice as opposed to acquiring an existing one.
• Importance of effective practice management tools like morning huddles and structured workflow to ensure smooth daily operations.
• Dr. Hassenplug's pragmatic approach to balancing clinical aspirations with the financial realities of dental practice ownership.
• Insight into the decision-making processes that guide new dentists in choosing their career paths and specialization.

Connect with Us:

• Savanah Craig, DDS: @savanahcraigdds
• Ronnetta Sartor, DMD: @dr_sartor
• Jackie Hassenplug, DMD: @dr.jackie_dmd
• FutureDentists Beyond Graduation: @futuredentistsbeyondgraduation
• FutureDentists: @futuredentists
• IgniteDDS: @ignitedds and @ignitedds_coaching
• A-dec: @adecdental and https://www.a-dec.com/find-a-dealer

Through this enlightening episode, listeners are encouraged to learn about the real-world experiences and insights from a newly graduated dentist navigating the early years in dentistry. Tune in to this episode for a candid discussion filled with valuable guidance for young dental professionals and those considering practice ownership. Stay tuned for more insightful content from the Beyond Graduation podcast.