I had another amazing conversation with Dr. Stacy Ochoa!  In this episode, we discuss:

·         Stacy’s lecture at the Winds of Change meeting in St. Louis (organized by Maz Moshari).

·         References from the early-mid 1900s that discussed the role that environmental factors play in the development of malocclusion and the value of performing arch development in the primary and/or early-mixed dentition.

·         The divide that exists between academia and private practice.

·         Reasons why research and academia so often lag behind clinical practice. 

·         The fact that change typically comes from the fringe, not from academia.

·         The challenges associated with formulating and funding research on the impact of interceptive orthodontic treatment on pediatric sleep-disordered breathing.

·         Why it is neglectful to ignore airway issues and wait until patients are older to perform orthodontic treatment.

·         The reasons why many orthodontists feel threatened by general dentists and pediatric dentists who are addressing airway issues and performing interceptive treatment in preadolescent patients.

·         Whether it is appropriate to treat kids at 4 years old and, if so, what can be done.

·         Craniofacial Respiratory Complex.

·         The 2017 ADA Position Statement on Sleep Related Breathing Disorders (SRBDs) and the role of the dentist in the recognition and treatment of these issues.

·         The stance of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine regarding the role of dentists in the management of breathing disorders.

·         Amazing stories of patients whose lives we’ve transformed with an airway-centered approach to interceptive orthodontic treatment.

LINKS/REFERENCES

·         Change Comes From the Fringe: https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0SrWRzPvHCFMebEmHHNhxLN2G1PWot9yZAnMBguNFzsuSam2eAy4LKe2LzuzY6fpql&id=100000076810084&mibextid=qC1gEa&paipv=0&eav=Afa9ouZazZsmeYFIlEaMWpdQ-aJd5pXaRxcFVQMBOP9WdBl6XW2VpYTa6ykL4TEZy38&_rdr

·         DeLuke OrthoTown Article Part 1 (Permission to Intercept): https://www.nxtbook.com/farran/orthotown/orthotown-june-2023/index.php?startid=54#/p/54

·         DeLuke OrthoTown Article Part 2 (Expand Your Reality): https://www.nxtbook.com/farran/orthotown/orthotown-november-2023/index.php?startid=52#/p/52

·         Holtzman AC. Orthodontia of Deciduous Teeth. AJO; May 1928:390-392.

·         Weber FN. Prophylactic Orthodontics. AJO; August 1949:611-35.
·         ADA Position Paper on The Role of Dentistry in the Treatment of Sleep Related Breathing Disorders: https://www.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/resources/research/the-role-of-dentistry-in-sleep-related-breathing-disorders.pdf

Don’t miss Part 2 of my conversation on wealth-building with my financial advisor, Justin Smith, CFA, CFP!  In this episode, Justin and I discuss:
• Emergency Funds - who needs one, what type of expenses to include, how many months of expenses it should cover, and where you should keep the dollars.
• The philosophical approach to investing that Justin recommends to his clients.
• How to approach diversification both within and among asset classes.
• The numerous benefits of having a wider margin between income and expenses.
• How to balance saving and investing with spending and enjoying excess dollars.
• Cryptocurrency and whether or not Justin sees it as a viable asset class in an investment portfolio.
• Student debt including how to incorporate it into an investment approach and if/when it makes sense to pay it down more aggressively.
• Saving for children’s college education including when to start, how much to set aside, and if 529 plans are the best way to do it.
• What to do if you end up with excess funds in a 529 plan and the new 15-year rule for transferring money from a 529 plan to a Roth IRA.
• Justin’s closing pearls summarizing how to achieve financial freedom.

LINKS
• The Real Reason Big Savers Retire Early: Minimizing Retirement Savings Needs:  https://www.kitces.com/blog/retirement-savings-needs-big-savers-avoid-lifestyle-creep-to-retire-early/
• To learn more about Smith Partners Wealth Management: https://smithpartnerswealth.com/
• The Ortho Coach website:  www.TheOrthoCoach.com

DON’T MISS THIS EPISODE of The DOC Podcast with embezzlement expert David Harris!!  In this amazing episode we will discuss:
• How David got involved in the embezzlement industry and how his ability to “think like a criminal” has helped him in his career.
• The percentage of practices that have been embezzled AND the percentage of practices that have been embezzled on multiple occasions.
• The most common reason why employees steal from employers.
• Whether small or large practices/teams are more susceptible to embezzlement.
• The key questions and steps to take during the interview process to minimize the risk of hiring an embezzler, including what to ask about a prospective employee during a reference check.
• What all doctors need to know about their practice management software.
• What reports to run, who should run them, and when they should be run.
• The lowest hanging fruit for an embezzler.
• Whether or not you are still susceptible to embezzlement if you don’t accept cash payments in your practice.
• What financial articulation is and why it is essential.
• The best way to set up discount codes to minimize the risk of embezzlement.
• The critical steps you must NOT take if you suspect you’re a victim of embezzlement.
• The degree to which onsite video cameras will help combat embezzlement.
• What to do if you find out that an employee is stealing supplies from your office.
• How David’s team at Prosperident can help you investigate a team member without them knowing about it.
• The action steps to take once you have evidence that an employee has stolen from you.
• Ways for you to recover the money that was stolen from you.
• How much insurance you should have for embezzlement coverage.

LINKS
• David’s new book “Healers versus Stealers: How to Outsmart the Thief in Your Dental Practice” - https://www.amazon.com/Healers-Versus-Stealers-Outsmart-Practice/dp/1779410158
• Dr. David Hughes webinar: https://www.prosperident.com/prosperident-webinars?c=dr-david-hughes-hidden-in-plain-sight
• www.TheOrthoCoach.com

DO NOT MISS THIS EPISODE!! 
Dr. Ploumis, a practicing orthodontist and attorney, offers invaluable advice regarding many of the legal issues that dentists, especially those practicing orthodontics, face each and every day.  We discuss:

·         The Standard of Care including what it is, what it is not, and how to practice within it.

·         CBCT including liability exposure if one is taken versus if one is not taken and if/when the images should be read by a radiologist.

·         Airway and Orthodontics including the role of the orthodontist in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep and breathing disorders.

·         Informed Consent including what it is, what it is not, and the legally correct way to obtain it.

·         Patient Dismissal including when the doctor-patient relationship begins, if you can refuse to treat a patient (including if they are a member of a protected class), when and how it can be terminated if it can be terminated for failure to make payment, and if the braces should be taken off before a patient is dismissed.

·         Partnerships and Liability including what an associate is and is not liable for, if and how that changes for partners and members of DSOs, and how an associate should handle it if he/she sees owner docs committing criminal acts and/or malpractice.

LINKS:

·         AAO Forms & Releases: https://www2.aaoinfo.org/practice-management/legal-resource-center/forms-and-releases/

·         Dr. Ploumis can be reached at [email protected]. 

·         Visit the website for Dr Ploumis’ law firm:  www.DentalPracticeLawyers.com.

·         More great info from DOC:  www.TheOrthoCoach.com. 

Check out Part 3B of my 3-part podcast series with dental CPA and CFP John Vento! In this episode, titled “Tax-Smart Retirement Savings Strategies,” John will cover:

o   Reasons why you should want to set up a retirement plan for your practice and how it can help with employee recruitment and retention.

o   The SECURE Act 2.0, including when it was passed into law, when it becomes effective, and how it will impact retirement plan contributions for you and your employees.

o   The recent expansion of the ability to make Roth contributions.

o   Significant tax credits that are now available for making contributions to your retirement plan and the retirement plan of your employees, including:

§  The Startup Tax Credit which allows you to legally double dip by not only deducting the expenses of training your team about their retirement savings options, but also receiving a tax credit for those same expenses!

§   Employer Contribution Tax Credit which allows you to receive a tax credit to subsidize you for putting money into your employee’s retirement plan!  Basically, the government is paying you to contribute to your employee's retirement!

§  The Auto-Enrollment Tax Credit which forces your employees to opt out of contributions to their retirement instead of opting in, which is how it has traditionally been set up.

LINKS:
• Part 1 (Important Tax Information for Dentists):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-EXO-IlQgs&ab_channel=DeLukeOrthodonticCoaching
• Part 2a (Taxes & Practice Ownership - Part A): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyQTdCy2DxA&t=6s&ab_channel=DeLukeOrthodonticCoaching
• Part 2b (Taxes & Practice Ownership - Part B): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt0yneFair0&t=990s&ab_channel=DeLukeOrthodonticCoaching
• Part 3a (Tax-Smart Retirement Savings Strategies - Part A): https://youtu.be/QFB2DJksISg
• Point X Calculator (https://www.ventotaxandwealth.com/resource-center/retirement/saving-for-retirement)
• To purchase John’s Book:  https://www.ventotaxandwealth.com/buy-the-book
• You can find more information on John and his firm, Vento Tax and Wealth Management, at www.VentoTaxAndWealth.com.

In this episode you’ll learn:
• How to calculate your specific “Point X” (the point at which you reach financial freedom) and can retire using actual data from your individual situation!
• How to use a Traditional IRA to decrease your taxable income and accelerate your wealth accumulation.
• The pros and cons of a Traditional IRA vs. a Roth IRA and how to determine which is better for your circumstances.
• The tremendous advantages of owning your own practice when it comes to your ability to aggressively save for retirement and reach Point X at an earlier age.
• How to use defined benefit and/or cash balance plans to lower your tax burden AND maximize retirement savings for practice owners and independent contractors.
• How to implement different retirement plan strategies based on your particular practice situation ranging from a one-man show to a group practice.
• The tremendous advantages of employing your spouse and children and how to maximize your retirement savings when you do.
• Retirement savings strategies for older docs to accelerate their ability to get to Point X by using a 401k with profit sharing and a defined benefit cash balance plan.
• How avoiding the Medicare tax alone will more than cover the administrative costs of implementing a qualified retirement plan.

LINKS:
• Link to Part 1 (Important Tax Information for Dentists):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-EXO-IlQgs&ab_channel=DeLukeOrthodonticCoaching
• Link to Part 2a (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyQTdCy2DxA&t=6s&ab_channel=DeLukeOrthodonticCoaching)
• Link to Part 2b (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt0yneFair0&t=990s&ab_channel=DeLukeOrthodonticCoaching)
• Link to Part 3a (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-EXO-IlQgs&ab_channel=DeLukeOrthodonticCoaching)
• Point X Calculator (https://www.ventotaxandwealth.com/resource-center/retirement/saving-for-retirement)
• To purchase John’s Book:  https://www.ventotaxandwealth.com/buy-the-book
• You can find more information on John and his firm, Vento Tax and Wealth Management, at www.VentoTaxAndWealth.com.

• See John Lecture at the Greater NY Dental Meeting!  Go to www.gnydm.com and find his courses:
  o 10 Characteristics of Multi-Millionaire Dentists (11/24/23 @ 9am-Noon; 11/29/23 @ 2-5pm)
  o Creating a Financially Successful Dental Practice (11/29/23 @ 9am-Noon)

In this episode, I sit down to talk with the current President of the AAO, Dr. Myron Guymon, and discuss:
• What he feels is the role of the AAO in our profession.
• The three primary areas that the AAO focuses upon.
• The Consumer Advocacy Program (CAP) and why he feels it is both effective and important.
• The limitations of what can be said as part of the CAP.
• Some of the resources that the AAO offers to members.
• The resources that the AAO offers to residents, what the AAO is doing to try to educate residents about the benefits of joining the AAO, and where residents can go to learn more about the AAO and the services it provides to them.
• The different ways to get involved with the AAO from a leadership perspective, including at the component and constituent levels.
• How the AAO determines what content to present in their Annual Session and Winter Meeting.
• What he has accomplished so far and what he hopes to accomplish before turning the reins over to Dr. John Callahan in May 2024.
• The biggest challenges the AAO is facing right now and into the future.

-For more information on the AAO, go to:  https://www2.aaoinfo.org/
-To learn more about DOC, go to:  www.TheOrthoCoach.com

In Part 1 of this amazing discussion with my financial advisor, Justin Smith, CFP, CFA, you’ll learn:

·         How to determine if/when you need a financial advisor.

·         What a fiduciary is and why you need to make sure your financial advisor is one.

·         The most important questions to ask a prospective financial advisor to determine if they are the right fit.

·         If you should look for an advisor who is “fee only.”

·         The red flags to look out for when seeking a financial advisor.

·         If it’s possible to make a change if you feel you are not with the right financial advisor.

·         How a good financial advisor can help you manage the emotional and behavioral side of investing.

·         The importance of sharing a financial vision with your spouse.

·         What “first scoop of ice cream dollars” are and why they are so important for couples to define.

·         Whether couples should split or share bank and retirement accounts.

·         When going to Starbucks every day or going out to nice dinners with the family can be part of a responsible financial plan. 

·         How to define savings, if there are set rules for spending vs. saving, and how to coordinate them with your personal and retirement goals.

·         The 50:30:20 rule for spending post-tax dollars and how to coordinate that with your family’s values.

·         Strategies on how to build a financial IQ.

·         What Justin feels is the best book to change the way you think about money.

·         The value of a balance sheet and how often you should update it.

·         The traits that Justin sees most often in people who achieve financial freedom and overall contentment.

LINKS:

·         NAPFA Consumer Resources: https://www.napfa.org/financial-planning/consumer-resources

·         NAPFA Advisor Checklist: http://s3.napfa.cql-aws.com.s3.amazonaws.com/files/Consumer/AdvisorComparisonToolFinal-fillable.pdf 

·         19 Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor: https://smithpartnerswealth.com/19-questions-to-ask-your-financial-adviser/ 

·         To learn more about Smith Partners Wealth Management: https://smithpartnerswealth.com/

·         The Ortho Coach website:  www.TheOrthoCoach.com

Don’t miss Part 2 of my interview with the amazing Dr. Stacy Ochoa!
You’ll learn:
• Why Dr. Mike and Dr. Stacy are so passionate about the topic of sleep-disordered breathing interceptive orthodontic treatment.
• The importance of diagnosing and treating the etiology of the malocclusion and how to determine if/when a patient has a transverse discrepancy that can be helped by expansion.
• Examples from the otolaryngological literature demonstrating the relationship between pediatric sleep-disordered breathing and behavioral, neurologic, and quality of life problems.
• Evidence from the literature demonstrating a decrease in adenoid hypertrophy after orthodontic expansion in preadolescent patients.
• Why the most frequently referenced orthodontic literature focusing on the lack of value of interceptive treatment is flawed.
• Where the 2019 AAO White Paper got it wrong.
• Dr. Mike’s unique approach to developing arches in the early mixed dentition using full braces and wires – NO EXPANDERS!!
• The role of the tongue in assisting with arch development and expansion.
• Why every dentist (specialist and GP) needs to recognize the signs and symptoms of pediatric sleep-disordered breathing and understand the importance of normalizing the craniofacial growth and development of these patients.

LINKS:
-ASAP Pathway ( Airway Sleep and Pediatric Pathway) 
https://asappathway.com/
-Parents:  Is my child at risk assessment 
https://asappathway.com/is-my-child-at-risk-quiz/
-Find a provider: https://asappathway.com/parents/
-Doctors: live training courses through ASAP Pathway 
https://asappathway.com/pediatric-dentistry-training-events/

-Link to the DOC Website: www.TheOrthoCoach.com 
-Link to the DOC Podcast YouTube Page:  https://www.youtube.com/@delukeorthodonticcoaching
-The DOC Podcast with the parents of a 6 yo girl on whom Dr. Mike detected an airway issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJFP_9NFnv0&t=627s&ab_channel=DeLukeOrthodonticCoaching
-Link to The DOC Community Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1350463785569755
-Link to Part 1 of Dr. Mike’s article on Interceptive Treatment in OrthoTown:  https://www.nxtbook.com/farran/orthotown/orthotown-june-2023/index.php?startid=54#/p/54

Don’t miss this amazing interview with Dr. Mike and Dr. Stacy Ochoa, a general dentist with a profound understanding of airway, its role in craniofacial growth and development, the ability of the dentist and orthodontist to detect airway issues in pediatric patients, and the role of interceptive orthodontic in the improvement of sleep-disordered breathing.   You’ll learn:

• Why Stacy is so passionate about airway treatment.
• Why we need to take a proactive approach to addressing the etiology of the malocclusion versus a reactive approach to treatment of the symptoms.
• The problem with using OSA as a barometer for the detection of sleep-disordered breathing and an indicator of the need to intercept orthodontically.
• Why many orthodontists don’t like interceptive treatment.
• Why many orthodontic residencies don’t teach much about interceptive treatment.
• What the orthodontic literature is missing when it criticizes interceptive treatment.
• The flaws with the 2019 AAO White Paper on OSA and interceptive orthodontics.
• The problem with literature that evaluates the impact of tooth extraction on airway.
• Why our medical colleagues are turning to dentists for assistance with the management of pediatric sleep-disordered breathing.
• How a patient can have a severe transverse discrepancy in the absence of a posterior crossbite.
• The life-changing impact we can have on young patients through interceptive treatment.
• The need for all dentists to open their minds regarding airway and interceptive orthodontics, and not disparage colleagues who are changing their patient’s lives.
_______________________________________________________________________
-ASAP Pathway ( Airway Sleep and Pediatric Pathway)
https://asappathway.com/
-Parents:
Is my child at risk assessment
https://asappathway.com/is-my-child-at-risk-quiz/
-Find a provider:
https://asappathway.com/parents/
-Doctors: live training courses through ASAP Pathway
https://asappathway.com/pediatric-dentistry-training-events/

-For more info about DOC:  www.TheOrthoCoach.com
-To join The DOC Community FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1350463785569755/?mibextid=oMANbw