February 2010

February 2010

Journal TEXAS DENTAL

Special Membership Issue

Legacy of Leadership

Texas Dental Journal

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Join us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn! The Texas Dental Association has created groups on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. The goal of these groups is to provide updates on events and current issues.

If you do not have a Facebook or LinkedIn account, you can set one up in minutes!

Questions? Contact Stefanie Clegg, TDA web & new media manager at (512) 443-3675 or stefanie@tda.org

Join us on facebook.com/texasdental or groups.to/texasdental Follow us on twitter.com/theTDA Get LinkedIN at linkedin.com, search “Texas Dental Association�

Thank you to all Healthy Smiles Golf Classic players, sponsors, and volunteers for your support!

Save the Date: Friday, May 7th, 2010 Pecan Valley Golf Club 7:30 a.m. shotgun start

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Signature Please fax or mail this form to TDASF: (Fax) 512-448-2781 1946 S. IH-35, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78704 (Phone) 512-448-2441

Contents

TEXAS DENTAL JOURNAL n Established February 1883 n Vol. 127, Number 2, February 2010

NOTICES 157 Official Call to the 2010 TDA House of Delegates COVER STORY The Texas Dental Association Membership Issue:

When migrating for the winter, geese fly in a “V” formation to increase the flock’s efficiency. Like the bird leading the formation, dental leaders provide the same synergy of energy, direction, and influence within their dental teams, among their peers, and in the profession of dentistry.

Legacy of Leadership 166

Say Yes!

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Dentistry’s Critical Compass — Leadership

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Personal Leadership

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The Art of Leadership

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The Qualities in Outstanding Dental Leaders

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A HIgher Purpose

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Leading My New Dental Team

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Serving Without Compromise — Honoring Dr. David C. Hildebrand

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Serious Leadership

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Leadership Happens

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Mentoring Professionalism: Great Expectations

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Five to Be Aware Of…

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Wayne Woods, D.D.S. Patricia Blanton, D.D.S., Ph.D. David L. Doerre, D.D.S.

Michael L. Giesler, D.D.S. Ralph A. Cooley, D.D.S. William Birdwell, D.D.S. Joshua A. Austin, D.D.S.

Sloan Hildebrand, D.D.S. John Chandler, D.D.S.

Maxwell D. Finn, D.D.S.

C. Moody Alexander, D.D.S. Stephen R. Wright, D.D.S.

DEPARTMENTS

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The President’s Message

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Guest Editorial: John Findley, D.D.S.

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TEXAS Meeting Preview

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What’s on tda.org?

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In Memoriam / TDA Smiles Foundation

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS TEXAS DENTAL ASSOCIATION President Matthew B. Roberts, D.D.S. (936) 544-3790, crockettdental@gmail.com President-elect Ronald L. Rhea, D.D.S.

(713) 467-3458, rrhea@tda.org Immediate Past President Hilton Israelson, D.D.S.

(972) 669-9444, drisraelson@yahoo.com Vice President, Southeast Craig S. Armstrong, D.D.S.

Value for Your Profession

(832) 251-1234, carmst@aol.com

Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Case of the Month

Vice President, Southwest Johnny G. Cailleteau, D.D.S.

(915) 581-3391, endoman@att.net

Calendar of Events

Vice President, Northwest J. Brad Loeffelholz, D.D.S.

Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Case of the Month Diagnosis and Management

(817) 924-0506, jbldds@birch.net Vice President, Northeast Arlet R. Dunsworth, D.D.S.

Advertising Briefs

(214) 363-2475, arletd@sbcglobal.net

Index to Advertisers

Senior Director, Southeast R. Lee Clitheroe, D.D.S.

(281) 265-9393, rlcdds@adamember.net Senior Director, Southwest John W. Baucum III, D.D.S.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Ronald C. Auvenshine, D.D.S., Ph.D. Barry K. Bartee, D.D.S., M.D. Patricia L. Blanton, Ph.D., D.D.S. William C. Bone, D.D.S. Phillip M. Campbell, D.D.S., M.S.D. Tommy W. Gage, D.D.S., Ph.D. Arthur H. Jeske, D.M.D., Ph.D. Larry D. Jones, D.D.S. Paul A. Kennedy, Jr., D.D.S., M.S. Scott R. Makins, D.D.S. Robert V. Walker, D.D.S. William F. Wathen, D.D.S. Robert C. White, D.D.S. Leighton A. Wier, D.D.S. Douglas B. Willingham, D.D.S.

EDITORIAL STAFF Stephen R. Matteson, D.D.S., Editor Nicole Scott, Managing Editor Barbara S. Donovan, Art Director The Texas Dental Journal is a peer-reviewed publication.

Texas Dental Association 1946 South IH-35, Suite 400 Austin, TX 78704-3698 Phone: (512) 443-3675 FAX: (512) 443-3031 E-Mail: tda@tda.org Website: www.tda.org

Texas Dental Journal (ISSN 0040-4284) is published monthly, one issue will be a directory issue, by the Texas Dental Association, 1946 S. IH-35, Austin, Texas, 78704-3698, (512) 4433675. Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, Texas and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to TEXAS DENTAL JOURNAL, 1946 S. Interregional Highway, Austin, TX 78704.

Annual subscriptions: Texas Dental Association members $17. In-state ADA Affiliated $49.50 + tax, Out-of-state ADA Affiliated $49.50. In-state Non-ADA Affiliated $82.50 + tax, Out-of-state Non-ADA Affiliated $82.50. Single issue price: $6 ADA Affiliated, $17 Non-ADA Affiliated, September issue $17 ADA Affiliated, $65 Non-ADA Affiliated. For in-state orders, add 8.25% sales tax.

Contributions: Manuscripts and news items of interest to the membership of the society are solicited. The Editor prefers electronic submissions although paper manuscripts are acceptable. Manuscripts should be typewritten, double spaced, and the original copy should be submitted. For more information, please refer to the Instructions for Contributors statement printed in the September Annual Membership Directory or on the TDA website: www.tda.org. Every effort will be made to return unused manuscripts if a request is made but no responsibility can be accepted for failure to do so. All statements of opinion and of supposed facts are published on authority of the writer under whose name they appear and are not to be regarded as the views of the Texas Dental Association, unless such statements have been adopted by the Association.

Articles are accepted with the understanding that they have not been published previously.

Texas Dental Journal is a member of the American Association of Dental Editors.

(361) 855-3900, jbaucum3@msn.com Senior Director, Northwest Kathleen Nichols, D.D.S.

(806) 698-6684 toothmom@kathleennicholsdds.com Senior Director, Northeast Donna G. Miller, D.D.S.

(254) 772-3632 dmiller.2thdoc@grandecom.net Director, Southeast Karen E. Frazer, D.D.S.

(512) 442-2295, drkefrazer@att.net Director, Southwest Lisa B. Masters, D.D.S.

(210) 349-4424, mastersdds@mdgteam.com Director, Northwest Robert E. Wiggins, D.D.S.

(325) 677-1041, robwigg@suddenlink.net Director, Northeast Larry D. Herwig, D.D.S.

(214) 361-1845, ldherwig@sbcglobal.net Secretary-Treasurer J. Preston Coleman, D.D.S.

(210) 656-3301, drjpc@sbcglobal.net Speaker of the House Glen D. Hall, D.D.S.

(325) 698-7560, abdent78@sbcglobal.net Parliamentarian Michael L. Stuart, D.D.S.

(972) 226-6655, mstuartdds@sbcglobal.net Editor Stephen R. Matteson, D.D.S.

(210) 277-8595, smatteson@satx.rr.com Executive Director Mary Kay Linn

(512) 443-3675, marykay@tda.org Legal Counsel William H. Bingham

aa de Texas Dental Journal

(512) 495-6000 bbingham@mcginnislaw.com

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President’s Message Matthew B. Roberts, D.D.S., TDA President

This month’s Texas Dental Journal is a special membership issue featuring articles, quotes, and photographs from members throughout the state.

The theme for this special issue is “A Legacy of Leadership”. Many of you have visited our TDA building in Austin. For those who have not had the opportunity to tour it, let me describe one of the highlights on the fourth floor. The board room features a wall of photos of past TDA presidents.

These photos go back 39 years beginning with the immediate past president. Also displayed are the Board of Directors photos from the past 9 years.

These displays serve as a constant reminder of the leadership legacy at the highest levels of the Association. You will find in the quotes and photos within this journal a diverse representation of leadership from not only the Association’s elected offices but also at the local levels where differences are made daily on a more personal level.

Leadership is defined as the ability to guide, direct, or influence people. It is too often assumed that this is accomplished only in elected positions of authority. Yes, those who direct local service organizations such as the Rotary or Lions Clubs, Chambers of Commerce, church boards, and

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the like accept the responsibility for leading those organizations. However, we often forget the leadership that occurs daily within our own small realm of influence — the guidance and training within our offices; the values and ethics we instill in our children; the role model we display as we go about our daily lives. These are all legacies of leadership often forgotten but vital nonetheless to the lives we lead and touch every day.

Within this journal you will read and see just a small sample of the very leadership that I believe makes an impact on those we touch. Look closely at the opportunities you have to make a difference.

Remember, leadership is not necessarily dictating, but often guiding those you lead to the outcome desired. Early in my dental career I heard the following statement about leadership qualities: “I despise power, I appreciate influence. The difference is this. Power must be seized and it is inevitably abused. Influence must be earned, and it is lost the first time it is abused.”

Enjoy this month’s Texas Dental Journal and have fun reading what your colleagues have to say about “A Legacy of Leadership”.

Official Call to the 2010 Texas Dental Association House of Delegates HOUSE OF DELEGATES: In accordance with Chapter IV, Section 70, paragraph A of the Texas Dental Association (TDA) Bylaws, this is the official call for the 140th meeting of the Texas Dental Association House of Delegates. The opening session of the House will convene at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 6, 2010, in Ballroom B on the street level of the San Antonio Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. The second meeting of the House will be at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, 2010, in Ballroom B. The Sunday, May 9, 2010, meeting will be in the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel, starting at 8:30 a.m.

REFERENCE COMMITTEE HEARINGS: Reference Committees will meet on Thursday, May 6, 2010, in the Convention Center (please see the on-site program for specific room assignments). Reference Committee A will start at 11:00 a.m. or 15 minutes after the adjournment of the House of Delegates, whichever is later. Reference Committee E will start at 12:00 noon. Reference Committee B will start at 1:00 p.m. Reference Committee C will start at 1:30 p.m. Reference Committee D will start at 2:00 p.m. The agendas for these meetings will be sent to the Delegates and Alternate Delegates prior to the meetings.

REFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORTS: Reference Committee Reports will be available on Friday, May 7, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. outside Room H062, the TDA Convention Office in Exhibit Hall C, and may be downloaded at TDA’s Internet CafÊ near the entrance to the exhibits.

CANDIDATES FORUM: As a reminder, the TDA / ADA Candidates Forum will be held on Friday, May 7, 2010, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Convention Center (please see the on-site program for specific room assignment).

DIVISIONAL CAUCUSES: Divisional Caucuses (Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast) will be held at 5:15 p.m. on Friday, May 7, 2010 (please see the on-site program for specific room assignments).

DELEGATE BOOK: In accordance with TDA Bylaws, the Delegate Book will be sent 30 days prior to the Annual Session. The supplement to the Delegate Handbook, containing the agenda and subsequent reports, will be sent after the spring TDA Board of Directors meeting, March 26-27, 2010. Delegates and alternates will receive their House book in a searchable PDF format.

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Guest Editorial

Dentistry: Healthcare John S. Findley, D.D.S.

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ith this issue of the Texas Dental Journal dedicated to membership, I’m pleased to offer some thoughts on that subject from the perspective of one just returned from the largest membership group in the tripartite — the ADA in Chicago. As ADA member dentists we can be very proud of our Association, for over 150 years now, as members, we have had a national unifying entity, a forum where all the varied elements and interests in dentistry can come to the table and discuss the profession’s duties and obligations to its members and to society and then work toward our common interests.

Organized dentistry is by definition “of its members,” and rightfully so. From its birth before the War Between the States, until this very day, our common bond has been the profession and the ideals and principles supported by our founding fathers: a tradition of caring for others while sustaining and advancing the profession by promulgating the science and ethical aspects of dental practice. The 1859 association of dentists sprung from necessity — the environment of dental practice at the time provided a taste of reality for dentists and they were called upon to unite and

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That Works respond in defense of the profession or become irrelevant.

In today’s world, the challenges facing healthcare are no less urgent and no less crucial to sustaining our relevance as a profession and sustaining our basic tenets on the provision of care. In this era of change and healthcare reform, the clearly threatened interests of patient, professional and association alike sustain our conviction that active membership in our professional organization is essential to advancing and protecting oral healthcare in our country.

A young professional just entering practice learns quickly of new requirements, new rules and regulations never experienced within the confines of dental school. Compliance with those mandates come quickly, even if grudgingly, before one can begin practice. Sooner for some, much later for others, comes the realization that we can, through our organization, through our Association, have a huge impact on defining those rules and mandates that affect how we practice. In fact, our State is a good example of a practice environment tempered with professional training and expertise. Texas is a desirable place to practice because our TDA is politically relevant, and through that relevancy we urge and foster reasoned judgment and debate on the provision of dental care in an atmosphere

where at times reason may be otherwise lacking. Within the profession, though, we may vary in our professional interests, through our union we have achieved a good measure of success in maintaining the high quality of the practice environment to the benefit of dentist and patient alike. To our credit, and at times with the help of the judicial system, we have been a part of extending care to those in need, emphasizing our belief that a good practice environment implies access to quality care.

Today in Washington the healthcare environment as we know it is up for grabs. We are on a course being defined by non-dentists, professionals who have never practiced, foundations, and politicians. Competent and sustained advocacy for our policies on dental care is essential in Washington … this is the future of dentistry, the future of a profession. While national advocacy is the obligation and responsibility of our American Dental Association, all of us must be acutely aware that the potential for shaping the oral healthcare environment and thus the provision of dental care in the United States does not belong to ADA alone, as its efforts will fall short unless supported by the members at large. We celebrate members … our reason for being and our answer for a country asking for answers in the reform of healthcare … Dentistry is Healthcare that Works.

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Legacy of Leadership The Texas Dental Association presents its biannual membership issue produced by the Council on Membership. It spotlights members from around the state, featuring their essays on leadership and its role in the profession of dentistry.

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Every 2 years the TDA Council on Membership produces a special membership issue of the Texas Dental Journal focused on you, the member. This year our special issue aims to give you a glimpse of what others have defined as the role leadership has played in their lives or maybe who has influenced them to become a leader in life.

Legacy of Leadership Say Yes! Wayne Woods, D.D.S. Chair, Council on Membership

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o you remember the first time someone asked you, “What inspired you to become a leader”? I often ask myself that question and never really have a good answer because I really don’t consider myself as “leader material”. I think you will find that to be the case with many of the leaders you know. Bernard Bass’ theory of leadership states that there are three basic ways to explain how people become leaders (1, 2). These theories are:

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Some personality traits may lead people naturally into leadership roles. This is the Trait Theory.

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A crisis or important event may cause a person to rise to the occasion, which brings out extraordinary leadership qualities in an ordinary person. This is the Great Events Theory.

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People can choose to become leaders. People can learn leadership skills. This is the Transformational Leadership Theory.

February 2010

Ron Collins, D.D.S.

S. Jerry Long, D.D.S.

Describe your first leadership role in life: Patrol leader in Boy Scouts.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

My family of origin values.

Describe your first leadership role in life: I was active in student government at Overton High School beginning as seventh grade class president and eventually serving as president of the student council during my senior year.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Cultivating the art of listening to different views, envisioning possibilities “inside and outside the box”, fostering an environment of consensus, the self assurance to articulate your views even if in the minority, the continuing process of accumulating knowledge, and the wisdom to use it appropriately are all attributes of leadership.

Who inspires you?

My patients, colleagues, family, and friends.

I have come to the conclusion that some of us just can’t say “no”.

My first leadership experience was my sophomore year in high school when my home room teacher asked if there was anyone who wanted to run for student council. Little did I know that my decision that day would continue to impact my life in many ways and influence my future level of involvement in organized dentistry. I think the question that is more appropriate than “What inspired me to become a leader?” would be “Who inspired me to become a leader?”. I am very much an introvert, as many in our profession are, and by no means enjoy being in front of a group of people, especially a room filled with my peers. So why do I continue to say “yes”? The “leaders” that have come before me, whether it is in my community, church, or the profession of dentistry, have instilled in me the importance of being involved and encouraging others to follow this path. Whether you choose to be a leader or you are encouraged by others to take on a leadership position, we are all striving to instill in others a vision for the future.

Every 2 years the TDA Council on Membership produces a special membership issue of the Texas Dental Journal focused on you, the member. This year our special issue aims to give you a glimpse of what others have defined as the role leadership has played in their lives or maybe who has influenced them to become a leader in life. It is our hope that after reading this issue, when an opportunity for leadership presents itself in your life, you may be more inspired to say “yes”!

References 1. Bass, Bernard (1989). Stogdill’s Handbook of Leadership: A Survey of

Theory and Research. New York: Free Press.

2. Bass, Bernard (1990). From transactional to transformational leadership:

learning to share the vision. Organizational Dynamics, Vol. 18, Issue 3,

Winter, 1990, 19-31.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

I have had a 43-year love affair with dentistry. Because of the pressure of protecting the legacy of this great profession, whenever I accept a position of leadership/ trust, I bring it all. My favorite quote about leadership comes from President Lyndon Johnson: “The best fertilizer for a man’s land, is the footprints of the owner.”

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Leadership is all about the cause, even at the expense of one’s own self interest. I have refused some leadership opportunities over the years because I was not sufficiently dedicated to the vision or tasks at hand of certain organizations.

Who inspires you?

I draw most of my inspiration from fellow dentists in the Greater Houston Dental Society who have mentored me over the years, although Dallas’ Dr. John Findley must go to the top of the list as a shining example of personal sacrifice for the greater good.

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Legacy of Leadership Dentistry’s Critical Compass — Leadership Patricia L. Blanton, D.D.S., Ph.D.

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or all that has been written about leadership over the past five decades, the sad reality is that we have been confronted by failures of leadership in essentially all of our major institutions.

The most recent leadership casualty comes from the business community where the appalling failures have set the world economy reeling and created a fundamental lack of trust. One thing is absolutely certain in a world characterized by uncertainty, volatility, ambiguity, and increased interconnectivity; and that is, leadership must restore the public confidence and the sacred public trust.

Reams of papers, books, symposia, and treatises on leadership describe traits of leaders, how to identify leaders and how to teach leadership; but still, there is no formulaic algorithm. What combination of innovation, audacity and more than ever, capacity will be necessary to advance an organization with an azimuth set on professionalism and excellence? Inevitably, most discussions of leadership extol the virtues of charismatic leaders and then seek to apply those qualities or situational responses to the concept of leadership. In the end, this approach amounts to little more than “profiles in leadership.”

Such a leader centric approach is of limited utility as it is merely descriptive not proscriptive for the next generation of leaders. In my view, leadership is something much larger than the leader.

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The intention of this article is not to discuss leadership in the context of these many tomes or in the context of individuals who continuously personify leadership as differentiated from those “who talk a good game.”

Instead, this article is intended to address challenges and opportunities facing our current and future leaders and the critical need to put leaders in

With all these forces at play, it will be more important than ever that leaders in dentistry assume responsibility for providing the moral and ethical compass for dentistry. Leaders must, in the course of their actions, ensure that the future is grounded in deep professional values. An essential strength of any profession is its selfimage; its shared understanding of

nation and supporting them to meet the challenge of change. It has been said that “leaders don’t make plans, don’t solve problems, and they don’t even organize people. What leaders really do is help look at change, prepare for the journey ahead, and help the struggle through it.” In short, leaders are about change, in contrast to managers who are about stability.

place who will give serious thought to tackling the big issues facing the profession of dentistry — issues such as 1) healthcare reform, 2) education, and 3) ethics. Tomorrow’s leaders are going to have to position dentistry to effectively address these issues.

These leaders will be defining and redefining the profession of the future.

what is appropriate. It is incumbent upon our leaders to represent and promote the “immeasurable value of integrity.” Our generation has the opportunity and even the responsibility to foster a new wave of leadership thinking — thinking borne from a greater sense of purpose.

Leaders and organizations who can embrace both sides of the equation of change versus stability can survive in even the most turbulent times.

Leaders ultimately are “dealers in hope” and hope is the very essence of vision — a quality uniformly characteristic of acclaimed leaders.

Thus it will be important for leaders to have the courage to face and address those factors that are “deprofessionalizing” dentistry. Our existence as a profession is dependent, in the final analysis, on what the public thinks of us. The public, (i.e. society), affords us the privilege of being a profession on the basis of its trust that dentists put oral health care needs of our patients ahead of our desire to make money. Because of society’s trust, we have the privilege of educating dentists, licensing dentists, and disciplining dentists, all with limited governmental oversight.

We are perhaps the last true profession in this country. Leaders must acknowledge that this privileged status is in potential jeopardy given the rampant commercialization by many facets of our profession.

In our selection of leaders for the future, we can draw to some extent on what history and business have shown us. Interestingly, a leader’s first challenge apparently is not necessarily to identify the issues – most everyone already sees the problems.

The real work is in lifting people or organizations out of a state of resig-

There are a few other traits long associated with past “leaders” that are worthy of our note. American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson observed in the late 1800’s, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm”.

Ultimately too, people want decisive leadership, leaders that stand for something. It has been said, “If you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything.” But boldness and innovation are desired only if the leader is trusted. People are suspicious and non-trusting when a leader is too strong, self-anointed, or seems to follow the “political winds.”

Society is changing rapidly and the science foundational to dentistry is changing as rapidly. Proteonomics, tissue regeneration, salivary diagnostics, and minimally invasive therapies are convincing evidence that dramatic new approaches are on the way for dentistry. This new science is already shifting large amounts of influence and money. The question to be answered, and I hope it is answered by dentists, is how this new science will change practices in the dental office. Will predictive diagnostics significantly reduce the need for restorative/surgical therapies?

Will the handpiece become a relic? Will physicians or some new category of auxiliary provider be empowered as a more economical alternative provider?

Given so many diverse issues and interests at stake, the path forward is already crowded with politics, public need and demand, organizational interests, science, and money. If through all of this, we maintain the doctorpatient relationship and the ability for patients to access safe, high quality oral health care, then the future of dentistry is bright. But what about the future of the profession?

Yes, “positive attributes of a leader are considered negative if they are practiced excessively.” A notable example in history was when the immensely popular war hero Douglas MacArthur second-guessed his superiors and proposed using atomic weapons on Manchuria — an action that risked a frantic escalation of war at a time when U.S. President Harry Truman had begun to negotiate a truce between North and South Korea. President

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Blanton, continued Truman removed MacArthur from the command of the United Nations forces citing public insubordination.

MacArthur’s “attributes were being practiced excessively.” Interestingly, some years later, MacArthur changed his mind saying atomic bombs should never be used and that armed conflicts should be forever outlawed.

Selecting our leaders is serious business perhaps more now than ever before. The future of dentistry and the future of the profession of dentistry lie in our wise and careful consider-

ation of who will lead not only the willing but also the unwilling through this first quarter century. We must develop and maintain a culture of trust and we must engage individuals at this core level fostering a stakeholder mentality as well as values prioritization. The task of leadership for the foreseeable future — both intellectually as well as operationally — is to ensure that the profession is creating and maintaining a community of enabled professionals who promote not only responsible stewardship but also advancement of the dental profession. Our leadership needs call for demonstrable strategic capability coupled with a true moral compass.

Bibliography Chambers, David W. Three Questions for the Next Generation. From the Editor, JACD Vol 71(4):2-3, Winter, 2004.

Garcia, Isabel and Tabak, Lawrence. A view of the future: Dentistry and Oral Health in America. JADA 140:445-485, 2009.

Kerkhove, B. Charles. Selected to Lead. ACD Pres.-Elect’s Address, 2004, JACD Vol 71(4):5-7, Winter, 2004.

Walsh, Kenneth T. Seizing the Moment, US News and World Report, June, 2007.

Zalynick, A. Managers and Leaders: are they different? Harvard Business Review, pp 72-81, May-June, 1977.

Legacy of Leadership Michael E. Harris, D.D.S., FAGD Describe your first leadership role in life: Student director of our band at Parkview Intermediate School in Pasadena.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

I was impacted early in my dental career by my Christian discipleship training. Older men invested in my life during those years teaching me principles of leadership that I apply today.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Leadership is influence that God gives a person to shape the future direction of another person or an organization. An effective leader is visionary, unselfish, and relational.

Who inspires you?

Dr. Pete Dawson, Dr. James Dobson, and John Piper.

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Personal Leadership David L. Doerre, D.D.S.

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eing a leader is not always an inherited trait. For me, it was a learning experience. I have always felt that I’m a good follower. Give me a task and the majority of the time I can take it to the end no matter how long the road seems at the beginning. This is evident in the sights I set on being a dentist and making my way to graduation. I only had to lead myself along that road. Then reality hit when I found others needed to see me as their leader — a load I should have been expecting but was still surprised by the weight.

Opening my own business and hiring the right staff member, and eventually members, was only the first hurdle. I’m afraid to say the trial and error method was used, with errors dominating. I don’t remember a vast amount of knowledge on running a business being offered in dental school. I have since pushed individuals interested in dentistry to minor in a business degree to be more prepared. But, I learned from my mistakes and worked through the tough times. With the encouragement of those close to me and knowing God was watching over my decisions, I was able to use some of those lessons

learned to progress into other leadership rolls around town and in my local dental society. More people started depending on me for my “leadership” skills. I still was not sure they were anywhere close to skills, but onward I trudged.

LEAD TDA was a great help that came late in my profession.

A “boot camp” for your personal and office life, it made me see several areas that needed to be improved immediately.

My turning point really came as a delegate to the Thirteenth District Dental Society. The leadership that I saw in the TDA House of Delegates was an inspiration to what I could be if I would apply myself. These individuals that were watching out for our profession at the state level were also keeping up with the national issues and their own practices. They were truly amazing. So how do I learn these lessons for leadership? Not the trial and error methods of the past as I would not be the only one to fall with my mistakes. I tried listening and watching and learning from my mentors in the TDA. Taking classes were a help but not the answer. My leadership in every area, from my office, church, township, and to the state activities I was involved in, needed something to boost leadership to another level.

LEAD TDA was a great help that came late in my profession. A “boot camp” for your personal and office life, it made me see several areas that needed to be improved immediately. I brought back ideas and implemented them into my practice first and our team has grown closer with each day. The ideas may have been focused on the office setting, but they can be expanded to all areas of leadership. My learning had just begun. I just wish I would have taken steps such as this much earlier in my practice.

Unless you are one of those “natural born leaders”, don’t wait to reach out and find how you can improve your skills. Don’t go through life feeling like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders because others are looking up to you. Keep your muscles in tune for lifting the weights that matter, like that of your children and grandchildren looking up to you. Be the individual who can show others around you the possible roads so they can become our next leaders.

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Jessica H. Brigati, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: I experienced my first significant leadership role during my junior year at college when I was elected sorority president. More than 60 members belonged to our chapter, resulting in a multitude of opinions. When overwhelmed, I sought guidance from past presidents, integrated their suggestions with my leadership style and learned how to build effective consensus. From this experience, I realized that being a leader meant asking for help from others at times.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

Initially, I developed my style of management based on various textbooks, past leadership roles and the wisdom of my Fort Worth colleagues.

I began to better understand the perspective of my internal team members during our frequent morning huddles, weekly meetings, outings and lunches.

As a result, I learned how to better motivate and organize our efforts. Recently, I sought the opinion of a management consultant. Hearing an outsider’s point-of-view has given me a fresh understanding of the needs of my practice. Over time, I have

Legacy of Leadership The Art of Leadership Michael L. Giesler, D.D.S.

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(L-R): Dr. Michael Giesler’s family gathers for his son’s graduation from the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston (UTDB) in 2005: daughter-in-law Brooke Giesler, family friend Josh McWilliams, mother-in-law Doris Schilling, son Dr. Lanny Giesler, wife Diane Giesler, Dr. Michael Gielser, and son Cody Giesler (a fourth-year student at UTDB) and his wife Lauren Giesler.

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ormer Prime Minister of Great Britain Tony Blair once said, “The art of leadership is saying ‘no’, not ‘yes’. It is very easy to say ‘yes’.”

Well, Mr. Blair, I found it difficult to say “yes” when asked to write this article because I have never considered myself someone who seeks leadership roles. Somehow, leadership positions seem to seek out me and others who are inclined to follow the leadership statement made by the late Vince Lombardi, “Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal.”

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learned that one of the keys to effective leadership is listening to others and being open to their constructive criticism. Therefore I am constantly evaluating and evolving my leadership style for my practice based on the various inputs that I receive from those around me.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

I see the role of a leader, at least for a dental team, as similar to that of a cruise director. To lead is to constantly strive to bring your best face forward for the passengers on board, or in my case, the patients, regardless of any personal strife within and outside the office. A good leader will bring out the greatest qualities of his or her teammates,

My first encounter with a leadership role was actually as a Little League baseball player, on a team coached by my dad. Somehow, we needed a catcher who could stop the balls from going to the backstop and my dad thought I fit that role. He had spent countless hours hitting ground balls to me as a 9-year-old, teaching me the fundamentals of blocking the ball with my body, sometimes resulting in a swollen lip or a bruised forehead. So, wearing the catcher’s protective equipment seemed like a very reasonable idea. What I didn’t understand was that he also expected me to be the quarterback of the team — I would be responsible for calling the pitches for each batter, responsible for keeping track of how many outs there were, responsible for telling the infielders where to make a play in certain situations, and responsible for hurling my small framed body in front of the runner when there was a play at home base.

The key word here is responsible.

A couple of years later, I encountered someone on the sandlot football field at my school who effused leadership

directing and coordinating particular talents of individuals in order to maximize functionality and effectiveness.

Who inspires you?

There are many who inspire me. The person initially who motivated me to pursue a career in dentistry was Dr. Bill Bozalis. As his patient, I benefited from his successful pediatric dentistry practice in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

What I truly admired was his ability to balance his professional and personal life. Not only was he able to care for his patients, but he was always there to participate in his three children’s music and athletic events and maintained involvement in the local community.

skills I had never seen. His name was Lanny Baker and whether he was quarterbacking the sandlot team or the high school team, he let everyone know that he was in charge. From the sixth grade on, he was a force to be reckoned with, both in athletics and academics. What I learned from this great friend of mine was that the price of leadership really is very hard work, and without perseverance, self discipline, compassion for others, and loads of energy, you simply cannot lead.

While in college, I began to realize that being in a leadership role could be rewarding, especially on the fraternity scene. After all, the leaders planned the social functions which took priority over academics for most college students I knew. Trouble was, the leaders of the fraternities were also the ones called on the carpet when school officials became disenchanted with fraternity life.

What I gleaned from those leadership positions was that humility trumps arrogance most any day.

Following dental school, where I encountered many people far better equipped for leadership than I, my wife and I entered small town life in northeast Texas. We never expected to be thrust into so many leadership challenges. If you live in small town America and have letters behind your name such as D.D.S., M.D., Ph.D., M.S., B.S, B.A., etc., you will be asked to fill various leadership roles — church positions, Boy Scouts, Little League, charity organizations, bank boards, hospital boards, and the most difficult of all, the local school board. From my bank board days, I learned from business leaders more experienced than I that leadership at the office is as critical as staying out of debt. A couple of older gentlemen by the names of F.P. Ellis and Russell Alexander taught me to always give back to the community you live in. At the school board level, I learned the value of compromise and why you simply cannot have your way all the time — contrary to the hamburger commercials that tell you otherwise.

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Giesler, continued My 33 years involvement with the Texas Dental Association have taught me how important leadership at the local, district component, and state level really is. After holding most district component offices, TDA House of Delegate positions, several state committee roles, and now a trustee of the Texas Dental Association Smiles Foundation (TDASF), I have witnessed some amazing leaders across our state. I have watched a couple of my dental school classmates, Don Lutes and Rick Black, become TDA presidents. Both men had different leadership styles, but they both had a strong passion for the well being of dentistry in Texas.

If I learned nothing else from my years in dentistry, having a passion for anything worthwhile will generate leadership skills you never knew you had.

Then there are my friends at Tejas Missions, Inc. Dr. David Nichols, president of this organization, is also responsible for bringing the TMOM concept to Texas. His first few TMOM events in the Tyler area required all the leadership skills he could muster, including the art of delegating. He will tell you it also required the concept of faith — believing in yourself, those you have delegated functions to, and in a God that yearns to see us help one another. Tejas’ mission efforts are mostly in Belize, Central America. Through this organization, I have learned that leadership requires staying focused

I would be remiss if I did not mention some of the amazing leaders I have encountered in missionary dentistry like the Texas Missions of Mercy (TMOM), Smiles on Wheels, Fluoride Festivals, Donated Dental Services, and Tejas Missions, Inc. The first four listed are all part of the TDASF and are filled with an array of leadership styles — everything from soft spoken dental colleagues who measure each word they speak to extremely hyper individuals who take charge of their assignments and attack from all angles. Dr. Richard Smith has lead the way for the last few years and has brought this organization, filled with volunteers who love people, to a level of efficiency and production that should make us all proud. Dr. Smith expects excellence from those of us who serve on his Access to Care Committee, and because he leads by example — often first to arrive and last to leave — we strive to make each event better than the last.

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even when under duress — very hot and humid days, lots of insects crawling on your skin, strange new odors, more patients than you can possibly see, lack of supplies and equipment, volunteers who are dazed and confused, and on and on and on.

Leadership in my office requires the same skills I have highlighted in this article and more. In fact, I believe office leadership is similar to leadership in the home. Both require patience, a virtue I am still struggling with accordContinued page 176

Michael L. Stuart, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: My first leadership role was in church, when I was asked to lead my youth group. I learned it is much harder to lead your peers than those who are younger than you. I also learned you must lead through example and not ask others to do what you are not willing to do yourself.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

I have been fortunate to have incredible role models who have impacted my style of leadership. I remember sitting in a TDA Board of Directors meeting with Rene Rosas as president and admiring his ability to lead with strength and humility. I like those two attributes to be in balance.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

I prefer the term “servant/leader”. I do not believe an individual can truly “lead” without first being a servant. That is especially true in organized dentistry, where all of the members of an organization are on equal footing. An effective leader should listen to all the thoughts and ideas of the group and help them reach a consensus on the issue.

Leadership is not dictatorial.

Who inspires you?

My father, my pastor, and others who demonstrate the abilility to lead with respect to all involved. I have had the privilege to have incredible role models who have impacted my leadership style.

Marko E. Alanis, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: Some of my first true leadership experiences came to me while attending Texas A&M University for my undergraduate studies. Taking on these leadership roles were eye opening and exciting. I enjoyed being part of something where the common goal is change. The synergy of like-minded individuals working together has no greater power. At that moment the experience of leading became addicting. It was there where the seed was planted; someone I admired asked me to take on a leadership role. It has always been my character to never say “no” to a mentor when asked to serve. While working with the student chapter of the United Way for Texas A&M, a sub group of the Student Government Association, it propelled me into more responsibilities within this organization. It was definitely a snowball effect. The most exciting and memorable example of leadership that I encountered while attending Texas A&M was mentoring incoming freshman.

I participated as a Fish Camp Counselor for 3 years. Our responsibilities were to mentor and help incoming freshmen with the transition from high school to college. For me, one of the greatest characteristics of a true leader is when you can teach or mentor someone to become the next great leader.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that has impacted your leadership style?

In the dental field we encounter so many aspects of leadership. The role we choose to take in our environment does have some impact on our leadership style. Being a dentist in a solo practice, I am the leader of the office. When working with a small group of individuals for 8 hours a day in such a confined office space, I have learned to stand back and give distance to those who I lead. When people are free to choose their own path to a goal, they do their best work.

I seek out individuals with unique talents who can complement the talent already existing in my staff. I have learned to build on their talents so that they feel empowered to produce excellence. The leadership role involves recruiting, cultivating, leveraging, and rewarding talent. It has taught me to delegate responsibility so each member of the dental team feels a sense of ownership as he or she brings an individual strength that will allow the practice to grow and be successful. I believe that treating and counseling patients on a daily basis has taught me to be a much better communicator. As a leader, I must clarify vision and ignite passion in our beliefs. Every day, our dental team must communicate to provide the best quality of dental care to our patients. I believe diagnosing dental problems on a daily basis has helped me to become a more efficient leader and problem solver. As a team, we are able to identify the problem and determine a solution. As the team leader, I facilitate discussion in an open and non-biased environment.

I must also focus the group’s attention on results and purpose for a positive outcome. Our common goal is to provide the best quality of dental care to our patients.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Leadership is about producing results. I want to be a leader who is successful and respected by my community. Some words that come to mind as I take leadership roles are: responsibility, honor, trust, pride, and professionalism. I have never taken leadership lightly. Each of my leadership roles came to me through a mentor or someone who I truly admired. I have given myself the responsibility to seek out other potential leaders in my community and my field. I lead not for titles or self worth but so that I may give back to others. I give to the people and causes that have supported and helped me get to where I am today. One of the greatest responsibilities that I carry with me is the fear that I may fail as a leader. It is with great pride and personal responsibility that I take each and every one of my roles as a leader.

Who inspires you?

There is not one individual who inspires me, but a group of friends and colleagues with the same pursuit for excellence. I truly have tried to surround myself with great mentors and leaders in and out of the profession of dentistry.

I’m inspired by the responsibility to keep alive the trails blazed by previous leaders. I constantly work to accomplish my goals at a higher level and to leave something better for the generations to come. On a personal level, my strengths and deepest inspirations come from my family. Without them, I would not be where I am today, and my accomplishments would not be as cherished. Their motivation and support is irreplaceable. For that I am truly grateful.

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Giesler, continued ing to my wife and my staff. Because of my lack of patience, we do not have very many staff meetings. I think it is best to address problems and concerns immediately. Somehow, waiting on next week’s staff meeting just does not seem reasonable. Thankfully, I am blessed with seven very patient ladies at my office who have learned to tolerate my style of leadership. At home, I have learned to share leadership roles with my very patient wife, Diane. If you ask my two sons which parent is the better leader, chances are good they would mention their mom — the one who measures her words.

Lastly, I marvel at the leadership that I have witnessed in the military where my oldest son, Capt. Lanny Giesler, now serves as a dentist and where my youngest, fourth-year dental student Cody Giesler, will also serve. When I read about the heroics of our young men and women who serve our country, I sense that the military has a form of leadership that is rare in civilian circles. I have seen narcissistic young people leave our community for a stint in the military, return a year or two later as very mature individuals. Somewhere, they ran into some very strong leadership that taught the Rotary concept of service above self. If only we could

harness that type of leadership and release it all over the country.

Throughout this article, I have attempted to demonstrate some of the leadership styles I have encountered as a dentist in Texas. Looking back, you will see words such as responsible, perseverance, self discipline, compassion, energy, humility, compromise, patience, and others that describe leadership attributes. Pick your own leadership style, find something good that you are passionate about, and remember, “Leaders aren’t born, they are made.”

Legacy of Leadership The Qualities in Outstanding Dental Leaders Ralph A. Cooley, D.D.S.

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hether you know it or not, if you are a dentist, you are a leader. In today’s world of dentistry, leadership is not an option, it is mandatory. All of us are called to be leaders in our office every day with patients, team members, and our colleagues. I was reminded of this recently when I took a family friend, a future dental student, to the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston.

A fourth-year dental student took my friend aside and shared this advice, “When you become a dentist,

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Leighton A. Wier, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: As a freshman dental student at the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, I was elected as Vice President of my 44 man Xi Psi Phi pledge class. My main job was to print meeting notices and distribute them to the members.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

Interacting with many different personalities has taught me to see situations from others point of view so I can try to motivate them to help accomplish what needs to be done.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

I feel a leader must always make sure he is mentoring people behind him to take his place when his term as leader is over. I have received pleasure watching dentists who got involved in different groups develop into great leaders.

Who inspires you?

Anyone who volunteers their time and talent to benefit others and to keep our profession as respected as those who came before us worked so hard to do.

you are expected to be a leader. People in your community will look to you to provide leadership, not only in your dental care, but in all of the activities of your particular community.” Wow. Quite a responsibility and challenge for all of us as dentists. So, what are the qualities of good leaders, or should I say “dental leaders”, and how can a person improve their individual leadership? These are questions that I continue to ask in my life every day.

Leadership qualities have not changed in the past several thousand years. The qualities that made a person a great leader in the days of ancient Greece still apply to great leaders today. Cultures change, technology continues to evolve, but leadership qualities and principles stand the test of time. Countless books have been written concerning leadership, and I do not presume to be an expert. However, I have observed seven qualities of good dental leaders through the years that have inspired and encouraged me in my own dental journey.

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(L–R): Dr. Ralph Cooley of Conroe, is pictured with Dr. Richard Smith of Amarillo as he receives the Texas Academy of General Dentistry Texas Dentist of the Year award for 2009.

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Cooley, continued Servant Leadership All good dental leaders I have known have been “servant-leaders”. They operate from a basis of putting others first — their families, their co-workers, their patients, and their colleagues. They have a true sense of humility. This doesn’t mean they don’t have a healthy self-ego … they do. However, they are secure enough with themselves to go beyond their own needs and see the big picture.

Robert Greenleaf put it this way, “Good leaders must first become good servants”. Dental leaders who exhibit this quality of servanthood are loved and respected by the people they work with, and realize that you have to serve those you lead.

Courage Courage is another quality that I have observed in effective dental leaders through the years. Let’s face it, dentistry is not a profession for the “faint

of heart”, whether it is in providing care for the difficult patient, being the boss, or working in organized dentistry. It requires courage to communicate candidly in patient interactions when there are problems, and it takes courage to counsel a struggling team member in the office. Your courage in everyday situations will always be tested. Famous U.S. aviator Eddie Rickenbacker noted this, “Courage is doing what you’re afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you’re scared.” Although we may not be afraid to go into the office each day to treat patients, we do know that we will encounter various trials in our dental journeys, and courage is needed to make wise decisions and positive actions.

Vision Another essential quality that dental leaders must possess is vision. Theodore Hesburgh, who guided Notre Dame University as president for 35 years, said, “The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision.

You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet.” As a practicing dentist, vision is needed to guide the future of how you want your practice to evolve.

Our dental school colleagues need vision to properly educate and train our dental students. And through the years, we have been blessed in Texas by colleagues with vision to protect our profession from those who would attack it from the outside.

Special interest groups, not necessarily friends of dentistry, have sought to take away certain rights of dentists through legislative efforts. Our Texas Dental Association, in conjunction with other groups such as the Texas Academy of General Dentistry, have had leaders with vision who have served on our behalf. These leaders have served with a clear sense of vision of what direction dentistry should be going.

Character Dental leaders that have inspired me have always been men and women of character. The question asked by

Frank K. Eggleston, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: It was in the Boy Scouts. I was a patrol leader.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

As TDA President and later as Trustee to the ADA, I thought about each issue that came before us. I thought about the impact on the dentists back home and how it would affect them. Every time I found that what was good for the patient was also good for the TDA or the ADA. What does “leadership” mean to you?

Leadership means trust. The people who elected you expect you to do the right thing. By doing the right thing you earn that trust.

Who inspires you?

The dentists out there doing their best to relieve pain, restore mouths to proper function and enhance beautiful smiles. They are combining science and aesthetics for the good of the patient. It is an incredible task that my fellow dentists take in stride every day.

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patients seeking a dentist is the same one that we ask when we select a dentist to serve as a leader … can I trust you? One of the finest military leaders of our generation General Norman Schwarzkopf put it this way, “Leadership is a combination of strategy and character. If you must be without one, be without the strategy.” Solid performance through time is how one builds trust. There is no shortcut. This is true in your practice as well as the leadership opportunities that come your way in dentistry and the community.

Connection True leaders “connect” to others and show love and respect for those they serve. Leadership coach John Maxwell noted, “Effective leaders know that you have to touch people’s hearts before you ask for their hand.” It is not enough to be in a “position” of leadership, whether that be in your office, a volunteer organization, or even your family. A position of leadership doesn’t mean you are a good leader, it just means you have a “title”. To be a good leader, you have to genuinely care for the people you work Continued next page

Ronald H. Phillips, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: President of Student Council, Plainview High School, Plainview, Texas, in 1962-1963. It was a student council workshop that first opened my eyes to the fact that if you want the opinions of others, how you listen can be encouragement or a put down that will end their input.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

A general growth of my self worth in dealing with my staff through out the years. I have changed from a “controlling” administrator to one that allows my staff to fly on their own wings. This allows for more fulfillment and happiness at work and therefore better communication and production.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Leadership means setting an example by personal skills and actions (i.e., walk the walk).

Who inspires you?

My wife, my God, my friends, my staff, my colleagues in dentistry.

William S. Nantz, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: Leadership as such came late to me. I was elected to the school board in Beaumont and have now served for over 17 years. It has been everything from frustrating to rewarding, but all-in-all an extraordinarily great experience. In my opinion, school board training and the rewards of community service are without equal.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

Leadership, whether in the office or in an organization or group, requires the ability to anticipate and solve problems/issues as they arise. As a former TDA Delegate, DENPAC Rep and Board member and now being on the Council on Annual Session, I have been fortunate to have been closely exposed to a growing legacy of outstanding TDA leadership, particularly since the Sunset period. I have tried to study and learn from their individual styles in dealing with the issues that confront us all as dentists today.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Setting an example in what you say and do.

“Leading by example,” if you will. Future leaders will invariably emulate the leadership style of someone they admire. Anyone in a position of leadership or influence today must understand and accept their obligation to identify and help future leaders.

Who inspires you?

Most anyone who has improved life for others (or even themselves) through simple hard work, kindness and generosity.

My (now deceased) partner and mentor, Dr. Jesse English, taught me will how to be a good friend, not just a dentist, to our patients. I carry his inspriration with me every day.

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Cooley, continued with daily. You have to connect. The old adage, “To lead yourself, use your head; to lead others, use your heart,” rings true in all venues.

Commitment In dentistry, if you are not committed to your goals, ideals, and leadership opportunities, you could be “committed” to another institution altogether!

Good leaders do two things in this regard … they don’t give up (easily), and they handle criticism well. The dental school journey develops in all of us that sense of perseverance, the “no-quit” attitude. This is so needed because as author Scott Peck so aptly noted “life is difficult”. Private prac-

tice is difficult, academic life is difficult, organized dental leadership is difficult … do you see a pattern here?

Accomplishing anything worthwhile will have its own set of challenges and will require commitment. Hall of Fame football coach Vince Lombardi said, “Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work.”

Good leaders also know that criticism is inevitable. Eleanor Roosevelt had the right idea, “Do what you feel in your heart to be right—for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.”

Good leaders listen and learn from credible criticism, but it doesn’t totally direct their actions.

Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: In high school, two leadership opportunities occurred in the same year: vice president of the student council and co-captain of the swimming team. To this day I remember my campaign slogan and poster for student council, “Flaitz for Vice!” This double-meaning slogan resonated with my fellow adolescents at our Catholic women’s high school, and I learned early the importance of communicating with a sense of humor and marketing to the audience with a clear message.

Because both positions relied heavily on supporting another leader, I discovered the value of loyalty, confidence and being a good listener, and I also learned that power can rise from serving a cause and influencing a direction through the voice of others.

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Mentoring /Training With all the qualities needed for good personal leadership, good leaders also know that they must delegate and find new leaders to assist and follow them. This could include the dental auxiliary you train in your office, as well as the young dentist you mentor to take a leadership position in organized dentistry. A recent poll of corporate executives showed that 85 percent of these individuals became involved as leaders as a result of interaction with another leader.

Although there are no dental polls that I am aware of, I believe that this is true for organized dentistry as well.

Good dental leaders realize that their offices, as well as their organizations, are stronger when more people are empowered with responsibility and leadership.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

Raising widespread awareness of need for a new dental school building and then creating and maintaining an unwavering commitment from so many constituents to secure the resources to make it happen, had the greatest impact on my leadership style. People want to support a vision that excites the imagination and stretches their reach, if it is consistent with their values and, ultimately, tugs at their heartstrings.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Leadership is not about the individual, but about putting the right team together who can cover your blind side so you can advance a goal, a vision, and an organization. Leadership inspires, challenges and builds on the strengths of others to create something that is so much more than the sum of its parts.

It requires honest, enthusiastic and consistent communication, while engaging tirelessly in hard work with an optimistic and confident attitude. In the end, it is about the greater good and not the individual.

Becoming a leader is like investing successfully in your retirement account. If you expect to “make it big” in a short period of time, you are fooling yourself. Leadership is developed daily, not in a day. Leadership is complicated, but regardless of where you are on the leadership journey, growth is always possible.

Leadership expert Warren Bennis shared, “The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born … that’s nonsense; in fact the opposite is true. Leaders are made, rather than born.” Let’s encourage one another to continue to grow as leaders for our families, our patients, our co-workers, and for the benefit of our great profession of dentistry. Remember, the choice to be a leader is not an option. Your choice to be an effective leader is.

Who inspires you?

As a former dean of a dental school, I found the generous philanthropists who believed in the Open to Health vision to be inspiring and motivating This remarkable group of health science center leaders, dentists, dental educators, community leaders, foundations, patients and students united for an important goal to secure an exciting new home and future for dental education with limitless possibilities. It is a tremendous responsibility to lay the proper foundation for future generations of oral health care providers, and this exceptional group has brought us closer to realizing this strategic plan for advancing our profession and the health of those we serve.

Don W. Heyen, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: The first leadership role that I can remember presented as an opportunity to sing a solo for our third grade choir. We traveled to different towns and sang “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”. I still enjoy singing and lead the worship times at the church I attend in Wichita Falls. I also had the opportunity to be involved in student council, basketball team captain, and student body vice president at Abilene Christian University.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

It has been said, “To whom much has been given, much will be expected”. When you have the title of “doctor”, people expect you, not only to be respected in your profession, but also to be a leader in of your community. With this in mind, my leadership style has been shaped by experiences of serving others, by being honest, by providing quality care in a comfortable setting and by giving back to the community as opportunities arise.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

To me, leadership means being willing and available to put extra time, energy, and effort into something you believe in. It means being willing to be out in front of people and giving back to others who have given you the opportunity to serve as a leader.

It sometimes means being the first to arrive and the last to leave.

Leadership also means delegating to allow others to use their gifts and talents. It also means doing the right thing, doing the thing right, admitting when you are wrong and stepping aside if others are able to lead better than you because you can’t be a leader if no one if following!

Who inspires you?

Spiritually and morally, I am inspired by Jesus Christ. Professionally, I am inspired by dentists who strive for excellence, who achieve it and are willing to share their success and secrets with others. Locally, I am inspired by friends, family and leaders who serve without complaining, give generously, and live their lives with a sense of joy and hope.

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Legacy of Leadership A Higher Purpose William Birdwell, D.D.S.

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n the first sentence of Rick Warren’s acclaimed best seller, “The Purpose Driven Life,” he addresses the question we should all be asking: “What on Earth am I here for?” The first chapter begins, “It’s not about you.” And that, I believe, is what true leadership is all about: Being called to a higher purpose and not missing the call. And I believe you first have to find your voice and be able to express your beliefs convincingly before you can ever effectively touch others, connect with them, and lead.

Our behavior expresses a personal set of values and beliefs that reveal who we are. The way we build and hold relationships and the way we communicate determines our success in building our organization. But it goes beyond words; without action or principles, no one can become a leader. For a leader, good is truly the enemy of great.

Leaders want to do their job better, and being a leader is a job!

I believe that leaders need to look through the eyes of others. To look through the eyes of those who follow is essential. Whether it’s your wife, an associate, your clinical assistant or a fellow board member, it’s important to see yourself as they see you and to see their realities. We also need to look through the lenses of fairness and failure, of new realities and hard experiences, and we need to look hard at our future. What is, is.

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Allison C. Watts, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: The first leadership role that I remember was being the colonel of my high school drill (dance) team. I led a team of 125 drill team members.

But what can be, can be! A higher purpose, the big picture, the need to serve others, the distant drum that calls us to leave something that matters for future leaders — that is what defines a leader. A leader must know where he stands and connect with others in the active pursuit of what is good for all.

On a professional and very basic level I want to demonstrate to my associate and to our team and patients that every tooth may have a history, but every tooth can have a future that far exceeds what we could promise in the past. I want to make a commitment to use the resources available to us and make that happen. And if that philosophy is good enough for a tooth, it’s good enough for an organization!

The active pursuit of a common good and a higher purpose requires faithfulness. Max Dupree, in his acclaimed book “Leadership Jazz,” suggests five criteria as a way to start thinking about faithfulness.

Integrity in all things precedes all else. Followers must be wholeheartedly convinced of their leader’s integrity. It must be day in and day out. I am reminded of the Old Guard whose members have guarded the Tomb of the Unknowns since 1937.

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What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

As a dentist, many things have impacted my leadership style. I have taken a lot of continuing education, including the Pankey continuum, Dawson continuum and the courses at the Spear Institute. There are leadership principles being taught and others being modeled in these wonderful institutes. I have learned styles that I wanted to emulate and others that I didn’t. I have also taken Bob Frazer’s Emotional Intelligence Workshop, where we learned tools specifically related to communication and leading our team and our patients. We have incorporated those tools into our practice and continue to use them to improve our skills. Some of the most powerful learning I’ve had over the last few years is the work I’m doing on my own self-awareness. I’ve become aware of things that were mostly unconscious that were getting in the way of me being the leader I wanted to be and I have begun to make more deliberate decisions in the moment to create the outcome I want. Probably the most valuable and the most difficult experiences are real-life experiences with my team and my patients.

Seeing how my words and actions affect others has been a great, and sometimes painful, learning experience for me. My beliefs about what effective leadership is has definitely changed over the years as I test out my skills and see what really works. Some of the styles I used to use I now see are not very effective. I feel I have really grown over the last 13 years in dentistry.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Leadership is about being up to something big and helping my team (and patients) “catch” that vision. Leadership for me means inspiring people to achieve more than they thought was possible and helping them become the best they can be.

Who inspires you?

I am inspired by Oprah Winfrey and all the other spiritual leaders and teachers who are helping shift the planet in a positive way. I am also inspired by those who (like Oprah) use their past experiences and pain to help others. I am inspired by Frank Spear’s level of excellence in dentistry as well as his level of excellence and passion in teaching. I also believe he has the intention to help the entire profession experience more joy.

Debbie Ford inspires me because she is helping people to love themselves and to realize how amazing we all really are. I am inspired by Alanis Morissette and so many musical artists and dancers who use their bodies to express their pain and joy, love and fear — the full range of the human experience. I love music and dance, and really anything creative we use to express our truth. Anyone who steps into their power despite fear and stands up for something bigger than themselves inspires me. I love watching people in “flow”, doing what they love and following their heart.

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Birdwell, continued The changing of the guard occurs on the hour or half hour year round when Arlington National Cemetery is open. When the cemetery is closed, it occurs every 2 hours. But during that entire two hours while he waits to be relieved, that soldier “walks the mat” continuously. He is there, all alone, no one watching, constant in his integrity. Leaders must always “walk the mat” or nothing else that follows here will matter.

The Servanthood of Leadership needs to be felt, understood, believed and practiced. The best description of this kind of leadership is found in the Book of Luke 22:26: “… the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules, like the one who serves.”

Accountability for Others. Leaders must be committed to building people and their self worth. The prophet Amos tells us that leaders should encourage and sustain those on the

bottom rung first! It is incumbent upon the leader to encourage and to motivate and to surround himself with those who will best advance the cause — to carry on the mission of the organization.

Practice of Equity. Being consistent and equitable with all team members is difficult, yet critical to a leader’s success. With the pecking order that develops in our offices it’s a challenge to avoid playing favorites. A leader will commit equally to all with the promise of making them better.

True leadership has a posture of indebtedness, so keeping your promises and commitments is crucial; your followers will really determine how successful you will be!

Vulnerability. Finally, leaders must be vulnerable. Leaders become vulnerable by sharing with others the gift of being personally accountable.

Here pride is set aside — always.

Humility is embraced — always.

Being fully genuine as you give others the opportunity to reach their potential at the same time all are

working to achieve the goals of the organization — that is what defines a true leader.

From Dupree’s book I have borrowed and amended a list of questions that a leader must answer before he can truly lead.

1. What’s important about our organization? Why are we what we are? What is our history?

2. What are the fragile aspects of our future?

3. Relationships. What counts and what’s right? Who counts and who’s right? What do we believe and what is our understanding of people?

4. What is our commitment to problem solving and good design and our passion for the way things ought to be done?

5. Our beliefs and goals. What was our inheritance when we came into the organization? What are the most important things we can leave behind — our legacy to our profession, our community, our family?

Kelly S. Robinson, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: I was involved in student council in junior high school and many student organizations throughout high school.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

Leading and guiding my office team in such a way to provide cohesiveness and equality of the team instead of a hierarchical approach.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Guiding and providing direction for others to succeed.

Who inspires you?

My father and mother. My dad and I have practiced together for 16 years. He and Mom provided me with the foundation I needed to become the leader in our office.

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In summary, let me share two examples that could be titled, “Legacies of Leadership.”

First, following the Revolutionary War, there were many who believed that George Washington should be made king and encouraged him to consider assuming the title. The man who led us to topple an empire was the same man who refused to be king. Instead, George Washington demonstrated the best of leadership by stepping away from the throne and empowering those around him to be leaders.

Second, in the late 14th Century, the members of New College at Oxford moved into their quadrangle, the first structure of its kind, intended to provide for the residents all that they needed.

On the north side of the quadrangle sat the chapel and the great hall, beautiful buildings and, as you might imagine, the focus of the life of the college.

In the middle of the 19th Century, almost 500 years later, the college hired architect Sir Gilbert Scott to restore the roof of the great hall. The roof and the great oak beams that supported it had badly rotted. And so representatives from the college with Sir Gilbert visited Great Hall Woods in Berkshire where they expected to find trees for replacement beams. Sure enough, the replacements were standing there, waiting to be hewn out of the living oak trees planted a century before for just that purpose. An anonymous leader’s promise had been fulfilled. The voice and touch of a distant leader had been joined.

Sanford J. Fenton, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: My first leadership role was serving as the president of the Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities (1992-1993). This position enabled me to network and strategize with other healthcare professionals who were dedicated to improving the oral health of individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities nationwide. I realized that through the efforts of organized dentistry and working together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of a most vulnerable and often neglected population.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

My professional academic career, spanning 34 years to date, as a fulltime faculty member at three dental schools and currently department chair of pediatric dentistry at the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston has dramatically influenced my ability to understand the multiple issues confronting students, colleagues, staff and the public-at-large. Additionally, serving as a Global Clinical Advisor for Special Olympics International has given me the opportunity to train oral health profesionals in how to interact with Special Olympics athletes during oral screenings. My exposure to both athletes and dentists from countries around the globe has given me a unique understanding of other cultures and societies which in turn has impacted my leadership style in dealing with people both professionally and personally.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Leadership means being a team player first and foremost. It is also very important to have an ability to actively and patiently listen to what people are actually saying in order to understand the true meaning of the conversation. A good leader should be an exemplary role model. I believe that what you do is much more important than what you say.

Who inspires you?

I am inspired by my family members, my friends and colleagues, my students and my patients. Without my families full support, I would not have been able to accomplish my life’s goals. Colleagues and friends have provided outstanding advice and my many patients with special healthcare needs have thankfully provided guidance and given me humility. Finally, I thrive on my interactions with students in the classroom, dental clinics and community outreach settings worldwide. I am what I am because of them.

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Legacy of Leadership Leading My New Team Joshua A. Austin, D.D.S.

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n an average day in a new start-up practice, leadership may not be the most demanded quality in an owner dentist. Other traits like warmth and kindness seem to be more in demand when it comes to trying to build up a patient base. With a small team, leadership is often forfeited in the name of increasing commerce in any way possible. However, during these first formative months of a practice, leadership is more important than ever. We, as the dentist and head of the dental team, need to provide this leadership.

Our practice officially opened its doors on October 13, 2009. My team included myself, a business assistant, and a clinical assistant. The three of us were ready to take on the world.

While October 13 is the birthday of our practice, its conception date was much earlier. Gestation takes time and dental practices are no different. Like a baby, our practice took about 9 months to come to fruition. Nine months of planning, coordinating, correcting, and waiting, all qualities required of a leader.

During the practice gestation, team leadership was nearly irrelevant. The main reason is because my dental team was comprised of only myself. Of more importance was time and task management. Though these are important concepts for leadership, they did not fit the traditional definition of leadership as many people see it. Whether it involves making sure the bank has all the financing documents it needs or the contractor will have the floors finished by a certain date, coordinating timing and events is vital to ensuring a practice can open its doors.

As the practice progressed, many important issues became settled. Once the lease was negotiated and signed, the design phase began. After the design phase, construction began. After construction, the equipment phase had to be ironed out. During all of this, financing was also occurring. It was only after about 6 months of work on the practice that it became time to create my dental team. This is never an easy thing to do as team management may test a dentist’s leadership skills above all else. I relied on some friends to help. I talked to different sales reps who visit many offices and told them I was looking for some team members. Since they come in contact with so many team members at various offices, sales reps can often times lead you to an attractive candidate to join your team. This is the way I found my busi-

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Paul E. Stubbs, D.D.S.

ness assistant. Sometimes leadership is knowing where to turn when you are in need of help!

The next vacant spot was for a clinical assistant. I used the district dental society to help with this one.

The San Antonio District Dental Society (SADDS) keeps a list of potential team members on file for member doctors to utilize. I called several candidates and scheduled interviews.

After conducting those interviews and hiring a clinical assistant, the team was now set. We just had to wait for construction and equipping to finish and get ready for move-in.

Over the following weeks, many small problems popped up and had to be dealt with accordingly. A dental practice never finishes out without problems. It’s just the nature of the beast.

Some problems will pop up, but as the leader you have to be ready to anticipate these problems and adjudicate them expeditiously. For instance we may not be able to fully predict that we will have a problem with patient monitor mounts in the treatment rooms, we should expect that that we may have some problems with technology as everything is installed. It’s not about predicting the exact problem, but a leader should be able to anticipate a generalized problem and factor in the time and resources that may be required to fix it. We often do this with our daily schedules in dentistry. If a patient calls in with pain around a tooth that is charted with caries, we train our team to schedule the patient for a pulpectomy knowing that is a likely outcome. While building a dental office, be ready for these problems and be prepared to deal with them.

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Describe your first leadership role in life: The earliest leadership role I recall was with Boy Scouts as one of the officers from the area Council on our venture from Abilene, Texas, to the Boy Scout Jamboree at Irvine Ranch, California (1952).

The officers were responsible for assisting the area scouts throughout the Jamboree in pitching tents, digging latrines, preparing/cooking meals, escorting the troops to events and breaking “camp” while at the conclave.

Additionally, we were tasked with making sure the scouts were safe and orderly on the train trip to and from California as well as during the multiple sightseeing adventures on the 2-week trip.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

From committee chairs in the Austin District to President of the Texas Dental Association (TDA) and the Western Region Examining Board (WREB), my style has evolved from my varied experiences within organized dentistry; TDA, ADA and WREB committees, councils, delegate reference committee — continual involvement with various individuals who’s prime concern is/was to benefit and improve our profession.

Leadership training seminars through TDA helped refine my development. Likewise, I should not discount my experiences in private practice; managing both staff and patients while balancing work with family responsibilities. Each has had tremendous influence on me and my leadership style.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Leadership primarily encompasses the multiple facets of responsibility; a leader relies on past successes (of a group), continually holding the high values of previous successful leaders as a guide, and then giving positive direction to the members (committee/board). Effective leaders listen to their constituency, set goals (for self and the group), and communicate plans, successes, failures in order to rally the “directors” to act efficiently and uphold the values of the organization.

Who inspires you?

My inspiration comes from the myriad of experiences as a leader.

Each has presented different obligations which had to be assessed, processed and solved individually, thus providing a “data bank” to guide me through each new issue. Certainly my predecessors and stalwarts of the Texas Dental Association (Bob Dixon, Tommy Williams, Bob Anderton, Ernie Besch, Mit Sorrels, Jack Harris) mentored me in my early developing years and inspired me to be a leader. Countless books on leadership (including “Seven Habits of Highly Successful People,” and my favorite, “Leadership by Attila the Hun”) have contributed. Most important, needless to say, is my immediate family — wife and children, collectively and individually. Each has served the role of critic and support, and certainly inspiration to be a good role model. To all these, I am eternally grateful.

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Austin, continued As finish out completed, equipment was installed, and we prepared for our move in. The first time the team came together was during our software training.

This ended up being a great benefit to the team as this training was an excellent opportunity to have some quality bonding time as a team. When forming a new dental team, I feel it is important to have the team members learn about each other. With a smaller dental team like mine, it is even more important.

There are plenty of activities that can be done to help the team learn each other, but in my opinion the best way is just to sit down as a team for a meal. As the head of the dental team, we must facilitate this learning process. This is important for a couple of reasons. First, we must know our team as well. If we do not know our team, we are unable to understand our team’s strengths and weaknesses. It is important as a leader to assign team members to tasks

that maximize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. A leader should also be astute to this in order to praise a team member’s strengths while helping them improve their weaknesses. Secondly, the team needs to know something about us as leaders.

A dental team is an amalgamation of its constituent parts. A dental team’s priorities and values echo those of the individuals who make up that team. In my opinion, it is the responsibility of the head of the team, the dentist, to mold and shape these values and priorities to match the vision of the practice. During the conception of our practice, I sat down and attempted to put on paper what the vision of my practice was.

While I am not going to share those visions in this article, I will say that this process helped immensely. It gave me a concrete document that outlined what I wanted our practice to be. This will be different for each

of us, but realizing the vision is the first step in putting it into practice.

During these first days of training, I made sure that the team was familiar with my vision. I also queried each team member about their vision for their “dream job.” I feel that this helped all of us learn some intimate details about the things that drive each of us. After software training had concluded and we finished our move in, we progressed in our team building. I held a couple of different sessions that would help us learn for ourselves what our service philosophies would be.

One session involved outlining our core values as individuals. I gave each team member a sheet of around 30 words and asked each of them to choose the words that best described their values.

The choices included words like quality, kindness, service, learning, etc. After each of us had chosen three values, I put each value up on the white board and we chose the three values that applied

Gayle Glenn, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: My first true leadership role occurred when I was elected Secretary/Treasurer of my freshman dental school class at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School in 1978.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

I had the opportunity to be involved with Applied Strategic Planning for the Dallas County Dental Society (DCDS) for several years in the late 1980’s through the mid 1990’s. This exercise helped me to understand that organizations should focus their resources (namely time and money) on the things that matter most. In my current leadership role with the American Association of Orthodontists, I strive to stay focused on our critical issues.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

For me, leadership means being actively involved in activities that shape my future, both personally and professionally. I enjoy being involved in the discussions that lead to decisions about my profession and community.

Who inspires you?

I am inspired by those who lead by example. Dr. C. Moody Alexander was the Chairman of the Orthodontic Department at Baylor College of Dentistry when I did my graduate orthodontic training. He demonstrated the importance of being involved in our profession and still actively participates in many activities today. I am also inspired by those who take the time to identify and mentor new leaders for our profession. Dr. W. Paul Radman invited me to become involved in the DCDS. He assigned me a job at the Dallas Mid-Winter Dental Convention during my first year in practice. Later he encouraged me to accept leadership roles at various levels within organized dentistry. Dr. Radman was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from DCDS in 2009.

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to our practice. Once we had narrowed down our three core values, we used those values to construct our mission statement. That mission statement hangs in our team room for each of us to look at every day. It acts sort of like a practice compass. It always points the way we should be heading. Occasionally we need to read over our mission statement to re-navigate ourselves.

As the practice opened, we obviously encountered small hiccups as related to the day-to-day procedures of the practice. Our systems were being developed on a daily basis so flexibility was essential during this time. As the leader of the dental team, the dentist should determine the flow of the practice operations however we should remain open to modifications based on the

input of the team. If a team deems that, as a leader, we are recalcitrant to change, they begin to cut back on their creative thinking. Often, a team sees a procedure or system from a different view point and can contribute ideas that we as dentists may not see alone.

It is now approximately 9 weeks since the practice opened. As patient flow has increased, our systems have been tested and refined. It has been my responsibility to set the course for the practice and ensure that the team stays on that course. During the first weeks of the practice, I took team input and modified my original practice vision to include their values and ideals. This has helped join us together as a team, united on one front.

Granted, our team is quite small, which makes leadership much easier. With direct supervision, I am able to praise and critique the team on a daily basis.

As patient flow increases, our team will expand as well. As a dental team expands, it becomes important to ensure that the new team members fit in well with the existing team. It will be my role to emphasize the practice values and ideals to any new team members.

When an entire dental team is working towards common goals with common values motivating them, little can stand in their way. My team is not quite there yet, but this is a constantly evolving process. After 9 weeks, we are functioning very well as a team. With my leadership, I hope that we can continue this trend and grow together.

Richard D. Bebermeyer, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: My first leadership role — that I can remember — was as student council vice-president during high school. I remain good friends with the president! With a graduating class of 27, we knew one another well. As I look back, I realize that good lessons were learned in being elected not president, but vicepresident. I learned then to participate in a team, to support the leader, and perhaps even to accept defeat gracefully. An important leadership trait is: “if at once you don’t succeed, try, try again”.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

I have had opportunities throughout my professional career to serve as a general dentist in the U.S. Navy (active reserves), in private practice, and to teach dentistry at three universities. Without a doubt, my colleagues and mentors in each setting have contributed to my leadership style and abilities. Practicing and teaching within large organizations has required flexibility, innovation, negotiation — and reliance upon the talents of others. I am so very fortunate to chair the Department of Restorative Dentistry & Biomaterials at The University of Texas at Houston Dental Branch (UTDB). This opportunity has allowed me to grow, and has undoubtedly affected my leadership style.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Leadership to me means mentoring and inspiring others to be the best they can be, capitalizing on each team-member’s talents, and trusting in others. Leadership also means putting the interests of the organization — not the individual — first. A leader shares the organization’s mission along with the vision for moving into the future. A leader must be competent, accountable, honest, collegial, trustworthy, fair, respectful, and keep integrity. The UTDB lists many of these traits as our core values.

Who inspires you?

I am inspired by my colleague who provides oral health care for the homeless or disadvantaged, by another colleague who patiently teaches the best she can each day, by my friend who made a significant financial contribution to the future of dental education, by my student who achieved the dental degree and along the way provided quality care to patients, by those who are able to actively participate in organized dentistry and volunteer activities. These who inspire are capable of advancing our profession, our nation and society. I am fortunate in that I am inspired daily by those around me. I thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with others in the dental profession.

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Legacy of Leadership Serving Without Compromise — Honoring Dr. David C. Hildebrand Sloan Hildebrand, D.D.S.

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(L-R) Dr. David C. Hildebrand is pictured with his son Dr. Sloan W. Hildebrand, both of Dallas.

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y dad, Dr. David C. Hildebrand, was not just an outstanding restorative dentist but, more importantly, he is an exceptional man that strives daily to do everything with excellence and without compromise. He has raised my brothers, my sister, and me with the same sort of no compromise in character, attitude and spirit.

He has always made sure that we understood that life would have its mountain tops as well as its valleys so when you slip up or find yourself going through one of life’s valleys, it is in those times that you find out how important it is to be surrounded by your loved ones and to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep on living each and every day with your head held high.

Herbert L. Wade, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: Beginning as an 8-year-old in Little League and continuing through high school, I was very fortunate to be successful in athletics. This was instrumental in opening doors to leadership in school, church, community, and state.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

As a young dentist I requested to be DENPAC representative for our local dental society. The Brazos Valley began to be the role model for fund raising for political action. That taught me a great deal about the importance of personal involvement and the dynamics of group involvement. There was also a lesson on the significance of empowering others; the more I called on individuals with specific goals the more successful the total effort became.

What does “leadership� mean to you?

Believing in something enough to invest your time and energy to the extent that personal sacrifice is involved.

Who inspires you?

My senior year at University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, Dr. Bill Rigsby was my clinical instructor. He was a teacher, mentor, and friend. His basic belief was to treat each patient with compassion, integrity, respect, and as you would want to be treated. Dr. Rigsby is no longer with us, and one of my greatest regrets is that I never told him what an influence he had on my life.

My father, having retired from dentistry in 2007, spent the previous 36 years practicing dentistry and serving his patients with the same integrity and passion that he lives his life with. My dad was inducted into esteemed societies such as the International College of Dentists, The American Academy of Restorative Dentistry, The Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics and was an esteemed alumni and faculty member of the L.D. Pankey Foundation. He was instrumental in starting and leading local study clubs, mentoring younger dentists and dental students in their career startups as well as reaching out to those less fortunate around the world by offering his time and talents to people within developing countries in dire need of even the most basic dental care. He began showing each of us at a young age the value in serving those in need by taking us to a homeless shelter in south Dallas and serving dinner to the residents of that community during Christmas time. From there he began whisking us off overseas to developing countries with different organizations in order to experience the joy of taking care of these people that are worlds apart and very much lacking in the most basic of dental needs. It was overseas that I was again able to see my

father shine and realize that he was no ordinary man just going through the motions of life, but he is an exceptional man willing to step out of his comfort zone and truly strive to make a difference in the lives of others all the while faithfully serving his family and community right here at home.

He has always been an advocate of leading a well balanced life and taking the time to slow the pace down and truly enjoy each and every day that we are blessed with. As far back as I can remember, he was always the coach of each and every one of our sports teams growing up and always took the needed time away from his dental practice to make sure that he was at each of our soccer practices early or staying late to coach anyone that needed any extra help. I was blessed with the opportunity to take over his dental practice when he retired a few years ago. I have been able to witness this same unwavering determination and dedication to excellence that he showed us on the soccer field when we were young ring true within his dental practice as Continued next page Texas Dental Journal

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Hildebrand, continued I weekly have patients that I have inherited from my father’s years of service tell me stories of him also staying late and always being available to make sure that each and every patient within his dental family was served well without compromise. This is the norm for my dad, this is the way he has always lead his life and that is why I wanted to honor him with this “Legacy of Leadership” piece because he is just that, he is a distinguished legend in the dental world and more importantly a true leader who maintains a very well balanced life. I am blessed to have such a father and friend to look up to.

Pictured are Dr. and Mrs. David C. Hildebrand of Dallas.

John S. Findley, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: It must have been as a class officer in school ... I worked in many different activities, Boy Scouts and school-related like student council, and the National Honor Society.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

I think that the experience and realities of caring for people brought a new dimension to me at some point ... a new feeling that moved me beyond “just” practicing dentistry. I wanted to enable our profession, to strengthen its authority, and increase its ability to lead, not follow, in determining the future of dentistry … we have the ability to forge the future of oral healthcare in this country.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

It means work, it means sacrifice, and it means asking others to join you in an effort greater than any one person.

It means putting a shared goal and vision before your own personal interests and adding in 100 percent commitment.

Who inspires you?

Great people of the past: Churchill, MacArthur, Reagan — people who were dedicated, committed and performed — all pivotal in our history. All at one time or another united people with inspiring words and actions in times of great crisis, and those actions directly determined the outcomes that are now history.

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Richard Kubiak, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: Football team captain, class president, Rockdale High School; football team captain, Blinn College; football team captain, Lamar University; past president, Giddings School Board; past president, Noon Lions Club; past president, Giddings Chamber of Commerce; past president, Buffalo Booster Club.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

The community as a whole often looks to well-educated men and women to fill leadership roles within their respective areas. As a dentist, your interaction with people from all walks of life prepares you to fill various positions within a community. Many people often look to professional men and women for guidance.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

To me, leadership is being able to guide those who look to you for decisions and answers in everyday life in a way that will help everyone have a better quality of life.

Who inspires you?

My brothers and sisters, as well as my wife and children, are a tremendous motivation to me, but Jesus Christ has always been my number one inspiration. I have had two brothers serve in the Texas House of Representatives for a combined total of more than 35 years. Their leadership has meant very much to me. I also appreciate the guidance of the late Dr. Jim Moritz.

Gary B. Solomon, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: It was sixth grade and I was elected captain of the safety patrol in which I assigned other students certain corners to walk younger children across the street. I took that responsibility very seriously.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

Responsibility as a professional guided me and is the umbrella. Responsibility to my patients to help them and teach them. Responsibility to my staff to lead them and to myself and my family to keep balance in my life.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Leadership includes listening carefully to hear what is being said and not said, to observe body language so I can deliver my message as I believe the responsibility of communication is on the sender and I need to be as good as I can be. “Follow Me” is my motto. Remaining optimistic and faithful to a plan and goal and modify it as needed. Be honest, truthful and don’t stop thinking and don’t stop doing.

Who inspires you?

Everybody does. I can learn from children, friends, family, other business leaders, books and recordings. Inspiration is all around us. The world is a marvelous thing.

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Legacy of Leadership Serious Leadership John Chandler, D.D.S. “Leadership is a function of knowing yourself, having a vision that is well communicated, building trust among colleagues, and taking effective action to realize your own leadership potential.”

— Warren Bennis

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t becomes obvious that you cannot write about leadership without discussing what is a leader or those who espouse leadership. It is the leader who shows, presents, and exemplifies forms of leadership. So what is “leadership” that leaders do? Peter Drucker states “The only definition of a leader is someone who has followers.” John C. Maxwell states, “Leadership is influence nothing more nothing less.”

We, as dentists, are all leaders at some level. When you begin your career you must use your position as a leader to do the things that gives you the respect of your followers (i.e., staff, patients, community, and even the dental support group, such as suppliers, manufacturers and organizations of the profession). It behooves all dentists to understand and learn what a true leader is or should be. When you perform well as a leader, all of your stakeholders will see and respect you if you have based your position on integrity in a shared belief. Your recognition of leadership will develop when you have collected trust from all of your stakeholders as they see the virtuous nature of who you are.

Leaders are not leaders if they have no followers. You can have many followers and still not be viewed as a true leader. There are historical leaders who have been described as good leaders but are not true leaders because they lack what I believe is the number one trait a leader should have and that is INTEGRITY (Merriam-Webster states that moral soundness, honesty, uprightness are traits of a leader). It is easy to name some examples who had many followers but had questionable integrity, honesty and must not be considered, as good leaders — Al Capone, Madoff, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, David Koresh, Pol Pot, etc.

Leaders should be honest, forward looking, inspiring and competent (1). Even though you have the traits, in order to lead you must be a good communicator. Good leaders build the confidence of others when they believe in others. The leader must commu-

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Melissa Rozas, D.D.S.

nicate a shared vision to succeed, not one that is viewed as a personal vision, in order to have strong support of your direction.

We all want the future to be better than today. A good leader listens and states what he learns about other’s wants and needs to help develop a direction for a shared vision. All of this is great but it must be honestly communicated with sincerity to fulfill your vision.

No matter what you believe the direction of your leadership goals are, if you do not motivate by sound passionate communication, you will fail.

You the leader “should allow decisions be made at the lowest level positions ”(3). This shows a level of respect, but guidance and understanding must be in place. You don’t hold blame if it is not going well, instead you learn from failures. It’s about getting the right people in charge and in the right position. A leader with strong people skills can be instrumental in setting the structure by knowing your people and encourage a knowledged based system.

You can motivate “those who follow by encouraging to make their strengths effective and their weaknesses irrelevant” (2).

Leaders of the 21st century must know what motivates those they are leading. It is never just a cookbook fill-in-the-blanks to good leadership. Those you lead today you may find it best to “encourage their passion, enhance their

Describe your first leadership role in life: My first leadership roles took place in high school in Galveston, Texas. I was involved with student council and was president of my high school sorority my senior year. I also had the good fortune of being a part time manager for my uncle’s seafood restaurant (which helped me later in the business world). In dental school, I was on student council and president of my senior class.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

Owning a practice and having 14 employees requires me to be a leader each day I walk into the office. My employees look to me to not only be the “doctor” but also as an example of how they should carry themselves at work and to motivate them to be their very best. As a pediatric dentist, it is also my responsibility to teach the children and their parents about proper dental health and to create a positive attitude towards a healthy lifestyle and smile. Working with families for over a decade, I have learned that not only do leaders teach, but they also show compassion for others, and are willing to go the extra mile for those they serve.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

The term leadership means so many things depending upon the place and situation. Leaders motivate, teach, set expectations, show respect for others, give service, lend a helping hand when needed, and know their limitations. As a dentist and a professional in the community, others look to us as leaders and not just as someone who “fixes teeth”. Whether it is your child’s PTO, your church congregation, a business or job, or simply within your family unit, true leaders use their talents to help and give of themselves selflessly.

Who inspires you?

As a teenager and young adult, it was my mother and grandmother that inspired me to become a leader within my dental community and the city in which I live. My grandmother ran her own restaurants, and my mother was a principal and superintendent of a school district. Although they both had very busy professional lives, they also were wonderful examples of being the leader with the family and community. They showed me that you can wear many hats at the same time, and they always had time to give back to others. As I got older, it was the wonderful children and families in my practice, and my own family at home that inspire me to give 100 percent every day.

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Chandler, continued ability, value their time, build their network, support their dreams and expand their contributions. Two of the most important needs of hardworking professionals are happiness and meaning” (4).If you succeed in providing the atmosphere that produces this philosophy with honest sincerity you will be successful. A leader who help others become successful in their goals shows strength of character by making it a broader picture of who wins.

A leader who reverses the pyramid by honestly putting those who you serve at the top has the hierarchy in the correct position. Strong leaders are not threatened by the success of others and will give praise when they observe it. The followers will see value of belonging which will increase the success of what the leader

is leading. This will increase respect, membership, resources, belief, contributions of all types and therefore the overall shared vision you have developed as a leader.

Leaders must believe and understand that “you lead (empower) people; you manage and control things” (5).You never do this in reverse or you will lose your ability to succeed as a true leader. When you try to manage and control people you will fall into the trap of the blame game. You must get away from the “why” question and go to the “how” questions. It is not why did you fail? But: How can we learn from the failure, and how can I help you succeed? You treat followers with dignity and respect and you allow improvement to flourish with education, training and support. We find this in so many areas of our profession with the help of dedicated professionals at many levels. Frances Hesselbein

said, “Leadership is a matter of how to be, not how to do (6).” She learned this from Peter Drucker.

Leaders should become very passionate about leadership and what they believe and how followers who are supportive are part of the shared vision based on shared values.

Leading with a high level of integrity and passion you may believe in the simple words of the poem “What I Live For” by George Linnaeus Banks:

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that I can do (7).

If leaders focus on the greater good of their followers based on a virtuous position and make it happen, it will be recognized as a sign of great leadership.

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Roberto Diaz, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: My first leadership role in life was when I was a senior in high school. I was president of our high school VICA club (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America). This is where I was first introduced to Roberts Rules of Order. I was the youngest of five siblings. I had two older brothers and two older sisters. Needless to say I was not offered too many leadership roles at home. My mom who was a single parent raised us and therefore a lot of leadership was delegated to the older siblings and I was at the bottom of the totem pole. I relished in the opportunity to finally lead and not to always be told what to do. This leadership role gave me the opportunity to learn to organize, set agendas and then follow up on them. I also learned to delegate and communicate with my fellow students. I remember going on trips to compete with other VICA clubs and the spirit of fellowship that developed among our members.

What experiences have you had as a dentist, that has impacted your leadership style?

In every leadership position that you have something new is learned that enriches your style. I feel the people that you are fortunate to work with mold your style. Some are great and some are not. You get to pick from the best talent and avoid the bad. With time you try to become a conglomeration of the best. Many times leaders are thrust into leadership roles by necessity. I started to get involved because I saw a need in our local society but most importantly because someone asked me to serve. I volunteered to try to help make a difference in

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delivering quality dentistry based on care, skill, and judgment, while maintaining the doctor patient relationship. The one experience that really motivated me to eventually seek higher leadership positions in the RGV AGD, TDA, TAGD, AGD and ADA was when I was president of the Rio Grande Valley District Dental Society (RGVDDS). A dental school trying to start a program that was not in the best interest of our patients, profession, or the local dentists approached the RGV DDS for help in supporting it. After studying the proposal carefully, we felt this program would actually interfere with patients having or establishing dental homes and it was not targeting the underserved population for which it was intended, This program would also inject unfair competition with the local dentists. This is what awakened the “sleeping giant” in our dental society and we were able to derail this through active leadership and unprecedented dental society member participation. The creation of “Dentists Who Care” in the Rio Grande Valley was inspired by this event.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Leadership has meant different thing to me at different stages of my life. When I first started my practice I thought leadership was being the best husband and father I could be. I then realized I had to be the leader of my patients and my staff. Leadership is necessary in all aspects of our lives. I later became aware I needed to be the leader of my family’s faith and serving my God. Finally I realized I had a leadership responsibility to my profession of dentistry and through involvement in professional dental organizations I could also be the leader of and for my patients. Leadership in all aspects of our lives is the same. Some are born natural leaders and others are forced to become leaders. I am not a natural born leader. I had to learn leadership skills with the help of many natural born leaders that were willing invest their time and talents to help me grow. I had to get out of my comfort zone and become willing to sacrifice and divide up my time in order to serve. I truly believe that I should not complain about something I do not like unless I am willing to stand up and help change it. In my opinion I think leadership is a calling for us to help others find their way and to help them take control of their lives through active participation in any process that will enrich the lives of himself and others.

Guide them in finding and utilizing their entire God given talents to selflessly help lead for the better good of all and not personal gains or pride. We only need to look at the greatest leader of all time whose selfless sacrifice and leadership guides me to this day, Jesus Christ.

Who inspires you?

Wow, there are so many who inspire me. My first inspiration is Jesus Christ because he is there for me unconditionally whenever I need him, He is my first “go to guy”. His willingness to lead for the salvation of mankind and offer the ultimate sacrifice for us is very inspiring to me. My lovely wife Rosie and my kids because of their past support for me in what I do.

In the profession — Locally: Drs. Joey Cazares, Michael Adame, Joe Perales, Jimmy Person, Marko Alanis, and Carlos Garcia to name a few.

State: Drs. Rene Rosas, Herb Wade, Richard Smith, O.Z. Helmer, Mickey Walker, Doug Bogan, Christopher Anderson, Dan McCauley, and Craig Armstrong.

National: John Chandler, John Findley, Ralph Cooley, Michael Stuart, and Vinney Mayher, TAGD executive director Connie Sonnier, TDA executive director Mary Kay, and UTDB immediate past dean Dr. Catherine Flaitz.

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Chandler, continued There have been so many friends I have met over the years who have exemplified what I have tried to say here. It is those who go beyond what is expected who are true leaders. It is always dangerous to list them in fear of leaving someone out who I know deserves the recognition. I do have a long list and that is a very good sign that I have at least recognized those who have gone to a much higher grade level. It says so much about our profession if we set the bar higher and as time passes continue encouraging those who follow to lead in a visionary leadership per-

spective not by predicting the future, but by creating it.

2.

I know there have been many books written on leadership and they will continue to increase as we need to develop not good leaders, but great leaders. We need this today in so many areas of leadership inside and outside of dentistry. They must not lose their focus on what they need to do, and who they are to be. Albert Einstein said it so well and it means more with each passing day. “Try not to be a success, try to be of value (8).”

References 1. Nanus, Burt and Dobbs, Stephen

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

M. Leaders Who Make a Difference, 1999:22.

Edersheim, Elizabeth Haas. The Definitive Drucker, 2007: xi.

Hesselbein, Frances, Goldsmith, Marshall, Editors. The Leader of the Future 2, 2006:19.

Ibid. page 169-171.

Ibid. page 217.

Edersheim, Elizabeth Haas. The Definitive Drucker, 2007: 248.

Nanus Burt and Dobbs, Stephen M. Leaders Who Make a Difference, 1999:25.

Hesselbein, Frances, Goldsmith, Marshall, Editors. The Leader of the Future 2, 2006:57.

Leaders must believe and understand that “you lead (empower) people; you manage and control things.”

Delton D. Yarbrough, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: High school student council is the first leadership position I remember.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

Thirty years of private practice in a rural area has afforded many opportunities both in the dental community as well as governmental elected positions within the local community. I have had the privilege of serving in offices at the component level and as a delegate in the TDA House during that time. At the state level I have been a member of the Council on Dental Economics for the last 5 years, chairing the council this year.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Leadership means service. We have to be open minded and willing to listen to all aspects of issues. People will not follow anyone who is not willing to hear their concerns and openly address them. Definative decisions can then be made and actions taken to resolve the issues.

Who inspires you?

My inspiration for dentistry is derived from my patients. What we do as healthcare professionals is a gift that has been bestowed upon us. It is a privilege to be able to provide care for people.

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A. David May, Jr., D.D.S. What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

I had four “older” dentists who were great mentors for me and they encouraged me early on in my dental career to take a stand and voice my opinions and concerns about things that impacted dentists and the delivery of dental care.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

A good leader listens to all sides, evaluates and discusses all options,decides on the best course of action, then sets in motion a plan to accomplish the goals of the group.

Who inspires you?

The young dentists of today are a great inspiration for me. As I talk with young dentists in leadership roles in organized dentistry, I find, for the most part, that they want to give input and direction to the future of dentistry. They realize that non-dentists are very interested in controlling the profession, and they see the importance of continuing the efforts of past dental leaders to ensure that it is the dentist who remains in control of the delivery of dental care.

David M. Nelson, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: Camp counselor, Moncrief Mountain Ranch (MMR), Lake City, Colorado. I was a counselor and later assistant camp director for MMR. The camp was a high mountain adventure camp for children with chronic illnesses such as cancer, kidney disease, Lupus, and asthma.

Dr. David M. Nelson is pictured with his niece.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

Overseeing staff of a small dental practice and a large dental practice is always a challenge that is a source of learning every day. Just the leadership of a dentist/patient relationship, where you are the head of the team to restore and maintain a patients dental health, can be overwhelming at times and very rewarding at others.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Leadership means having showing the confidence to guide even when you may be encountering uncharted waters.

You must be confident in yourself to guide others and figure out what you may not know to achieve the desired goal.

Who inspires you?

John Glenn: A wonderful leader who definitely went where no man has gone before and did not know what to expect. He was always a level headed problem solver and is the epitome of a good man in my eyes. He was an Eagle Scout, a U.S. Senator, and returned to space as a senior citizen. Story Musgrave: NASA Astronaut and M.D.. What an unbelievable scholar and leader as an astronaut. My Dad: retired football and track coach, and biology teacher. Not your typical “coach teacher” at all … biology was his passion not just something he had to do. I cannot count the number of his past students who have told me how my dad changed their life. He taught me discipline, responsibility, and most of all love. He taught me, as a leader, you may have to correct or discipline at times, but afterwards put your arm around that person and let them know they are still loved and important.

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Legacy of Leadership Leadership Happens Maxwell D. Finn, D.D.S.

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o define leadership is a challenging process. Each one of us can probably quickly name a number of individuals who we think of as leaders, and with somewhat less certainty, we can probably name characteristics of those people that we feel help them to be effective leaders. However, it is almost impossible to predict who will become a leader and what would be the necessary tools to prepare someone to be a leader.

In general, leadership has been described as the process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task. Throughout the years I have had the opportunity to serve on committees and boards and also as an officer or president in multiple organizations, yet I do not believe that this makes me a leader. I do not feel that titles and leadership are synonymous. If we were to list people that we feel were successful leaders in the past, they would often be presidents, CEOs, or ministers, but none of them were leaders just because they held these particular positions. More than likely they were good leaders because they wielded influence with the ability to change hearts and minds for a beneficial outcome.

Often, a leader will have specific traits, styles, or knowledge that allows them the opportunity to become the leaders that they are. We have all seen young people who are ambitious and have endless energy combined with self-confidence, integrity, and knowledge that we would call “natural born leaders.� Even so, we have known people with those qualities and traits who did not go on to become leaders at all. We have also known people who may or may not have had those traits but in certain circumstances rose to the top. It is easy to think that these situational or circumstantial leaders happen to be in the right place at the right time, but there is probably more to it than that.

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When I look back now and consider who the leaders are in our profession, and although they may be people who held officer roles in organizations and served on committees and boards, it is clear that that is not what made them leaders. They are the people who always bring calm to any debate and can remind us all of important issues when clarity is lacking. It is conspicuous that our leaders did not become so overnight. To me they are individuals who have been on a steady course since the beginning of their career based on an accurate moral compass. Most have made a life of treating patients and peers fairly and honestly, and always doing the right thing. Their status cannot be bought in an advertisement or brochure. They never partake in gimmicks or shortcuts and do not learn the tricks of the trade but instead, the trade itself. Their reward for the multiple years of this practice is respect, and as a result they are our leaders. They are the people who feel strongly about the importance of all of us and have continually been willing to serve their colleagues and less so themselves. Rarely do they have agendas, and their personal objectives and goals may or may not coincide with those of any formal organization that they lead.

I think it is likely that the people who are leaders in our field probably never expected to be considered leaders and likely never aspired to be leaders, yet due to multiple factors and circumstances and a willingness to work on behalf of others, they have become known as such.

Therefore, I would contend that leaders are not made and leaders are not elected or appointed, but that leadership happens.

Dr. Joey Cazares presents the TDA Spcial Recognition Award to Dr. Paul A. Kennedy, Jr., during the 2007 TDA House of Delegates.

Paul A. Kennedy III, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: President of the student council my senior year in high school. I was clueless. I was lucky to have had a lot of other people on the council that did most of the work. I learned how to delegate to get things done.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

Taking over my father’s large, multi-dentist dental practice and having to make quick decisions. I have learned to make confident decisions quickly and to stick with them.

What does “leadership� mean to you?

Leadership is more of a image. You become the person you need to be in a certain situation to succeed. Great leaders never waver from their values and always keep focused on the big picture.

Who inspires you?

My father, Dr. Paul A. Kennedy, Jr., for his kindness and perseverance. Art Dugoni, Dean Emeritus of the University of the Pacific, for his ability to lead and create a humanistic atmosphere of learning in dental school.

My father-in-law for his ability to get things accomplished and for his negotiation skills.

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Legacy of Leadership Mentoring Professionalism: Great Expectations C. Moody Alexander, D.D.S.

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he Dallas County Dental Society (DCDS) Leadership Program, under the direction of International College of Dentists (ICD) Fellow Dr. Lynne Gerlach and Dr. Peter DeLisle of Austin College’s Posey Leadership Institute, is a development program designed to teach the skills and qualities needed to inspire and guide others in the dental profession (see photo in the November 2009 issue of Doctor of Dentistry).

At the final meeting of the first class, the question came up: “What do we do now?” After some lively and enthusiastic discussion, the decision was made: “We want to help the school.”

The board of the Texas Section of the International College of Dentists, composed of Drs. Leighton Weir, Paul Stubbs, Bill Birdwell, Richard Smith, Michael Stuart, John Chandler, Tommy Harrison, Doug Willingham, and myself, decided to team up with the DCDS and Baylor College of Dentistry — Texas A&M Health Science Center (BCD) to facilitate a faculty-driven program to help the students. At an early organizational meeting, Texas ICD president-elect Dr. John Chandler proposed the name Great Expectations. Further meetings were held with Dr. Jack Long, Associate Dean for Student Affairs at Baylor College of Dentistry, who suggested working with first-year students, exposing them to exemplary professional attitudes from the very beginning. (As Steven Covey says, “Begin with the end in mind.”) We believe that highly professional conduct is reflected in a student attitude learned by example and influenced by peers. We believe that attitude can be nurtured and matured during the entire dental experience.

Dr. Mark Gannaway agreed to head up the entire program , now known as Great Expectations: Mentoring Professionalism, and has been the key to its success. He has done a fantastic job of organization and has worked closely with Ms. Moira Allen, BCD’s Director of Student Affairs, who suggested using a small group approach rather than large meetings. They selected both faculty and student mentors and divided the first-year class into twelve small groups.

Interesting programs utilizing these principles have recently been started at University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston with the help of Dr. Tommy Harrison and at University of

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Stephen D. Robirds, D.D.S. Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School with the help of Dr. Rise’ Lyman. Fellows of the ICD who practice in the areas serve as mentors along with a faculty mentor and mentors from the third- and fourth-year classes.

At BCD, the first-year students are divided into groups of six or seven, beginning the year with an ice cream social in August to get acquainted and to exchange e-mail addresses and phone numbers. Early in the school year, the DCDS invites the first year students and their mentors to a dinner at the DCDS offices where the students have the opportunity to meet the officers and staff of the dental society. They have some good food (not to be underestimated), win some door prizes and divide into small groups to discuss issues such as academic progress, time management, and professionalism.

The basic plan is to have three general meetings (all-groups-together) and two individual group get-togethers. Two of the general meetings are held at the beginning of the year, the ice cream social, which promotes bonding among the students and mentors, and the DCDS dinner, which introduces and encourages involvement in organized dentistry. The third general meeting happens at the end of the year, a cookout at the ranch of Dr. Larry Herwig, where there is fun and games, great fishing, and wonderful food. Interspersed throughout the year are the small group meetings of the students in their mentors’ offices and, at a later time, a casual dinner in their mentors’ homes. The visit to the office gives the students a feel for what it is like in the real world and

Describe your first leadership role in life: My first leadership role occurred in elementary school as a leader in the school patrols. We simply stopped traffic during the beginning and end of school, but I remember feeling very responsible and I knew that I could do it.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

The best experience in the world is being surrounded by people who know how to lead, how to see the big picture, and understand what to do, in good times and bad. I have been fortunate to be around these wonderful role models for most of my life.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Making sure we are headed in the right direction. Not micromanage, but allow a healthy input of ideas and discussion.

Who inspires you?

I have been inspired by my dad; my orthodontist growing up, Dr. Bonham Magness; my former partner, Dr. M. James Moritz, and by the teachings of Jesus.

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Pictured at a DCDS Leadership Program meeting: (L-R, back row) Dr. Frank L. Higginbottom, Dr. Michael L. Stuart, Dr. Hilton Israelson, Dr. Robert Anderton, Dr. Lynne Gerlach, DCDS executive director Jane Evans, TDA executive director Mary Kay Linn, Dr. Linda Niessen, DCDS Membership and exhibits director Alyson Riccardi, Dr. C. Moody Alexander. (L-R, front row) Dr. William Gerlach, Dr. Dale Greer, Dr. Jean Bainbridge, Dr. Nicole Sivie, Dr. Sarah Tevis Poteet, Dr. Ritu Rao, Dr. Claude Williams, Jr. Texas Dental Journal

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Alexander, continued helps them appreciate what they are working for and why their anatomy and basic science courses are important. The dinner in the home gives the students an opportunity to get to know the dentists in a relaxed, family atmosphere.

Because we are working with busy people, the program is very flexible with a format and style which varies with the needs and interests of each group,.

Mentors are busy with their practices, teaching, participating in organized dentistry and with family and community obligations. The students are busy studying for tests and accommodating dental school demands, often feeling overwhelmed time-wise.

Interestingly some students want more meetings, some want fewer, while many like it just the way it is.

An important key to success in developing leadership in Great Expectations is the combined enthusiastic support and role modeling of four distinct groups: First: The ICD practicing dentists who agreed to serve as mentors, Drs. Pat Blanton, Tom McDougal, Bill Gerlach, Lynne Gerlach, Tim Robinson, Kevin Seidler, Michael Stuart, Larry Herwig, Dean Jensen, Linda Niessen, Frank

Someone from another state asked, “Is this just a feel-good program or does it have any substance?” That’s a good question! It seems that “feeling good” is an important first step to achieving success in dental school. Having someone there to encourage the students, reminding them that we’ve all been in their situation and know those “lost” feelings can be a big help to them in their first-year struggle.

Dr. Chad Capps (Baylor, 2008 — in his first year of practice and continues to mentor) wrote: “Great Expectations is unique in the sense that people lead because they care. They don’t get any direct benefit except the satisfaction that they helped a future colleague or improved their profession. Dr. Steve Griffin has been one of my greatest mentors. Time after time when I have gone to him with questions and concerns he has listened and provided advice. He wasn’t being paid to talk to me, and he didn’t receive any reward when I succeeded. In fact, I doubt that he even knows that he has reached a level of respect and trust with me that only a handful of people know.

That’s the special thing about leading as a mentor, it comes from a selfless heart. Great Expectations is unique because it creates a cycle of perpetual care. Those who are touched in turn want to lead so that they can help someone else. Then those people care and want to give back so they pick up the leadership role and the cycle continues … pretty awesome.”

The positive response of those who do participate makes it well worth the effort. Great Expectations is now in its third year at BCD and each year gets a little better. Following are views from student mentors and students:

Dr. Michael Robertson (Baylor, 2008 — student mentor) wrote: “A leader lies within each of us, and I think a good situation or good mentor program can bring it out of a person.

A good mentor can take one’s unique qualities and promote their expres-

Higginbottom, Arlet Dunsworth, and Hilton Israelson. We have other ICD mentors as well who serve as “pinch hitters” when needed.

Second: The DCDS Board of Directors and staff, including Jane Evans, executive director, and Alyson Riccardi.

Third: The BCD, including an outstanding group of faculty mentors, staff, administration and Dr. Jim Cole, dean.

Fourth: And most importantly, the students and student mentors who want to learn and progress from competency to master levels, bringing honor to the dental profession.

Barry J. Currey, D.D.S. For those who aspire to be leaders, I would encourage them to seek out those colleagues who lead by example; those whose values are anchored in moral integrity and high ethical standards, those who live by the Golden Rule, those who “engage their brain before putting their mouth in gear.” And then strive to emulate their best qualities.

TDA Smiles Foundation Trustee

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sion as the best version of oneself.

This best version displays the confidence in oneself to shine, help others shine, and lead. A good leader brings out the best in those around him.

Great Expectations puts the mentor in position to do just that. It provides the setting and the encouragement to let the leader shine from within oneself. Being a leader is about living life with the courage and boldness to make tough decisions that others shy away from making.”

Dr. Collin Kraus (Baylor, 2009 — student mentor) wrote: “Great Expectations helped me develop some leadership skills: • Helped me to be PROACTIVE — try to seek out ways to help DI students (last year — wax and relax, drill and chill). I realized after the first year I was a mentor

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that I could’ve and should’ve done more (I felt restricted at first as I did not fully understand my role…).

Helped me to learn to FOCUS ON THE INDIVIDUAL — try to learn more about each person, get to know them beyond a formality — so as to know how to better help them adjust to life in dental school.

Helped me to learn to WORK WITH OTHERS — Sarah Parker and I spoke often and coordinated some events together. I learned how to work with people from very different areas at the same time to achieve a common goal (ICD, faculty, student mentors).

Helped me understand a GREATER PURPOSE — when you are in the service of others, you are only in the service of your

maker. Learning that things are much bigger than little old me.”

Stephen Sperry (Baylor, 2011 — third-year student mentor) wrote in response to questions proposed

by Dr. Marc Smith and the ICD Leadership Initiative Committee, chaired

by Dr. Christine Benoit: 1. What do you like about Great Expectations?

“As a mentor for Great Expectations, I enjoy the opportunity to help out with the first year dental students.

The first-year of dental school is tough and can be somewhat overwhelming. I like that I am able to share how I overcame some of the obstacles of the first year as well as how I dealt with the obstacle I could Continued next page

Collin Kraus (fourth-year mentor) and Sarah Parker (third-year mentor) help first-year Baylor students cut preps for the first time with their high speed handpieces. Students from left to right: Lauren Clevenger, Payal Patel, Fatima Kamara, Stephanie Sharp, and Roderick Castello. Photo Courtesy of Dr. Moody Alexander.

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Alexander, continued not overcome. As a third-year student I also enjoy the interaction that I get with a fellow mentor who is a 4th year and the encouragement I get from the faculty and practicing mentors.”

2. What do you dislike about Great Expectations?

“As a dental student, time is precious.

It’s hard to find time for all persons involved in a group to meet. As a third year dental student, the connections I have gained with practicing dentists is very encouraging and motivational.

When I went through Great Expectations as a first year, though, most of what we discussed in small groups seemed to be too far in the future for me to really focus on. All I was worried about was how to survive dental school. I’m not sure if that is how you first years may feel now.”

3. What are some changes that might improve Great Expectations?

“Meetings at or very near to the school are always easier to make than those that are 45 minutes to an hour’s drive away. I do think that a little more structure at the meetings would be very beneficial. Also, a constant reminder of the goals and purpose of Great Expectations and how those goals/purpose apply to me as a

first-, third-, fourth-year student, faculty, or practicing dentist. (How do I benefit from as well as contribute to the completion of these goals?)”

4. What could undermine the benefits of Great Expectations?

“A mentor who does not grasp the vision of the program and is not fully engaged in its purpose because of lack of time or lack of interest or any other reason will be very damaging to the program. Also, I believe a clear understanding of the purpose of this program and what it is trying to achieve as well as the type of participation expected of each individual involved, whether they be a student or mentor, will play an important role in the attitude and commitment of everyone involved. If a participant does not clearly understand their role and purpose in this program the benefit will be diminished if not completely lost.”

Lindsey Brown (Baylor, 2013 - firstyear student) wrote in response to the same questions from Dr. Marc Smith and the ICD Leadership Initiative Committee: 1. What I like about Great Expectations is the support it provides. As a first year, it is very easy to get overwhelmed and frustrated. Being

Raymond McLendon, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: Boy Scouts of America offered me several leadership and trainer roles, eventually became an Eagle Scout. Later in life I was class president in college.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

President of Delta Sigma Delta Dental Frater-

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in contact with those students that are older and with faculty members and dental professionals in the community reminds you of the overall goal and that it is attainable. It also puts you in contact with people that can offer you advice in every aspect of what you’re currently going through, and what you plan to do in your future. Without a program like Great Expectations, I wouldn’t quite know whom to go to and probably wouldn’t feel a comfortable about approaching them as I am now. The program also gives you insight into the options that are open to you when you graduate that you normally wouldn’t be exposed to during your first year.

2. & 3. There really isn’t anything that I don’t like about Great Expectations, but I have a few ideas that I think might make it better. I think it would be fun for the entire group to do something that is not related to dentistry.

We are getting to know each other in a professional manner, but it would be nice to get to know more about each other and get to see each other in a different light. It could be something such as going to play putt-putt golf together, having a movie night at someone’s house, or any activity where we could “let loose” together

nity at University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. I later became the national leader in Invisalign Orthodontics and eventually became the head of training (Vice President of Clinical Programs) for Align Technology, the makers of Invisalign. My nature is to relate well to people, but I have had to learn how to direct and lead them. This is a skill that is helpful to learn. I hope that I do it in a way that is helpful to others.

Danette McNew, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: First chair (flute/piccolo) in elementary school orchestra … leading by direct involvement.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

I realize I do not have to be the most vocal but the most willing to lead.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Involvement by example is by far my most favorite method of leadership.

Who inspires you?

I am inspired by those who are sacrificial with their lives … there are many but the originator of this method was and is Jesus Christ.

would be nice. Another thing that I believe would be helpful would be the sharing of volunteer information. I want to do volunteer activities when I have the time but I don’t know about many of them and I don’t know anyone to do them with. If any on the mentors could let the group know when they are doing a volunteer activity so that the D1s can join them, I think that would be great.

4. One of the main things that I think could undermine the benefits of Great Expectations would just be the issue to time. As a first year we don’t have that many evenings free, so having a meeting time that doesn’t

conflict with study time is key. So far our group has been great about the scheduling of events, but that is one thing I can see possibly cutting back on participation.”

Dannee Geshay (Baylor, 2013 — first-year student) wrote also in response to the questions proposed

by Dr. Smith: 1. I like the feeling that there are people to help us and support us when most of us are feeling completely clueless in our first year. I like that we have an assigned group that doesn’t change continually, so we can have someone to depend on

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Leading can mean doing things before others do — showing by example what is possible, and hoping that they will follow.

Who inspires you?

All of the people who have become “world class” in their field or their sport inspire me deeply. When I see anyone performing what ever they do at a world class level, it can bring tears to my eyes — you know it when you see it — even if you know nothing about their field, all of us recongize “world class” when we see it.

that is supposed to be there for us and will be there for us if we have any questions along the way. I appreciate all the advice and stories that are given to us to let us know that even though we may be having a difficult time right now, it is possible to get through it and thrive.

2. As much as I could say that I wish we got together more, time is a big issue as a first year and I wish that there were more hours in the day to find time to meet with our group and relax. I dislike meetings that don’t have a clear focus — it can seem like a waste of time if people are endlessly talking when there is no clear point to be made that will help us in some way. I truly appreciate good conversation with our wonderful mentors, but I would also appreciate that we had a specific goal within a specific time during the meeting. I also very much appreciate the great connections that Great Expectations helps us to make, but at this point in the first year thinking about the future and making connections isn’t at the top of my priority list. The most important things now are getting through the next test, getting through this week, getting through this semester, and somehow managContinued next page

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Alexander, continued ing to get good grades so that I don’t ruin my chances of getting a specialty program so early in the game.

3. I believe that a little more structure during meetings would be beneficial. I also think that emphasizing the purpose and goals of Great Expectations constantly from the beginning might stimulate more students into actually attending the meetings. I feel like a lot of students don’t understand the point, like maybe it is just another thing we are supposed to go to rather than something we should enjoy doing.

4. Reiterating what I said in #3, I don’t feel a lot of students under-

stand the real goals of the program and don’t really understand the point of participating. From day one of entering BCD, every professor and older student we met emphasized that they were here to help, here to answer questions, here to do whatever was possible to make our first year easier. Also from the first day, many different clubs tried to gain membership and emphasize how they are all there for us. The Asian Dental Society already has waxing tutorials every once in a while; the dental association for women has had a dinner for us to meet some practicing female dentists to answer our questions; we have tutors available to us and professors that are always ready to answer questions and help us as they can. Some people might not see

the need for ANOTHER mentorship program, MORE people to support us when they already have these students and clubs which may seem more easily accessible to help them as needed. Because of this I believe that Great Expectations should voice how they are different from these, how mentors are accessible, even though we might not see them on a daily basis. I believe that a lack of commitment from some students may come from this idea.”

Student input is greatly appreciated and of vital importance to the ultimate effectiveness of Great Expectations: Mentoring Professionalism. In the November 16, 2009 issue of ADA News there is a wonderful article about an innovative group at the

Legacy of Leadership Five to Be Aware Of… Stephen R. Wright, D.D.S.

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EADER: someone who influences others to accomplish an objective and/or directs an organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and thus more effective.

As a young dentist who has been an associate for 6 years, although I have been in a position of authority, I have not been put in a position of leading others to the common goal of a successful dental practice. In addition, I wonder sometimes if I have what it takes to be a successful leader. Soon I will find out. In 2 years, I will be taking over the practice that I currently reside. As a result, I must work now on MY leadership abilities so when I do take over that I will feel prepared.

Shakespeare wrote in the “Twelfth Night” that “some are born great, some achieve greatness, and other have greatness thrust upon them.” In leadership, this is very

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University of Southern California School of Dentistry known as the Student Professionalism and Ethics Club (SPEC). It was created by students and is run by students, with Dr. Alvin Rosenblum serving as the faculty advisor. Working with the American Student Dental Association (ASDA), it has already expanded to twelve dental schools across the country. (www.specdental.org).

At Baylor, our program has been a blessing to those involved and is the reflection of the inspiration, encouragement and leadership of Dr. Art Dugoni and the principles that he lives by and has brought to life at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry where he has taught for many years. We salute you, Dr. Dugoni, and we thank you! Seeds are being planted … seeds of respect, encouragement, trust and guidance, exemplifying what it takes to be a professional in the most noble sense, a true leader.

true. There are some of us that are born leaders.

They have the natural ability to effectively lead people. Others of us have been thrust into leadership roles quicker than we expected and have had to learn as we go. Still, all of us at some point will be placed into a leadership position, even if it’s on a smaller scale or primarily with family.

In order to develop myself into an effective leader, I need to know the characteristics of a leader. Then I can determine how I measure up, and what I could work on to be an even more effective leader.

To answer this question, I looked to a friend of mine, Dr. Chris White, who is Director of Coaching and Development of The Flippen Group (flip-

Bill Devine, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: My first experience of leadership was, really, setting the objectives and motivation for getting into dental school. You have to lead yourself before you can lead others!

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

For the past 3 years I have been a part of the John Peter Smith Hospital Healthy Smiles Dental Fluoride/Sealant Team in Fort Worth, Texas. The purpose of the dental team is to stop the most chronic disease of Americam children, dental decay, by applying fluoride and sealants to low income students. I help lead a team of dental professionals, as we service the students of our county. This requires assessing the needs of the community, setting objectives, communication (listening), delegating responsibility, and establishing a program to achieve the goals.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

I think leadership is a continuing process. Indivduals lead, but teams achieve results. Leadership is the means to accomplish goals. Leadership is really a focus on others. I try to listen to the team and encourage them to use their talents to achieve the goals of the program. You can show leadership by the example you set. I feel that leadership influences others, and communication is of extreme importance in any leadership role.

Who inspires you?

Dr. Huda Al-Hafidh, Director of the John Peter Smith Hospital Community Health Dental Sealant/ Fluoride Program, has been an inspiration for me.

She showed me her vision for children’s dental health in our community and encouraged me to use my talents to achieve the goals of the program.

Dr. Al-Hafidh encourages, keeps us focused, delegates responsibility and is always positive about what we do. She does lead by example!

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Wright, continued pengroup.com). The mission of The Flippen Group is to develop next generation leaders by helping people know the exact behavior they should be working on to make their lives better, along with providing a roadmap of action steps to make concrete progress. The end result is people who can harness the qualities that make them effective while working on the areas holding them back. The Flippen Group has been successful developing leaders from Fortune 500 corporations to high school students.

They have also been successful in other high profile sectors such as professional and college athletics, including the World Champion New York Yankees.

In talking with Chris, it is evident that many characteristics are important in defining an effective leader, but clearly some traits are more important than others. He described five characteristics that are the most crucial as a leader.

It is important to remember two things when analyzing ourselves.

First of all, we must understand that leadership is a journey not a destination. The characteristics that he refers to are ones that we will spend a lifetime developing and refining.

Second, sometimes the awareness of how these characteristics play out in our roles as leaders sometimes is often more important than how much or how little the characteristic is exhibited.

It is important to remember two things when analyzing ourselves. First of all, we must understand that leadership is a journey not a destination. The characteristics that he refers to are ones that we will spend a lifetime developing and refining.

Clay Keith, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: Quarterback of high school football team, Jefferson Bulldogs. It is very similar to running a dental office. Each person has a specific role. If one person does not do their part, then the play fails and everyone suffers.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

I realized very early on that I didn’t know as much as I thought I did. The secret to my success was my dental team.

They are the real reason patients keep coming back. Treat each member with respect and praise them when they do something right. They respond better to this rather than focusing on the negative constantly. Positive attitudes are contagious!

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Leadership is how you make someone feel when they are around you. It’s not necessarily what you say but what you do, or your actions. People may forget what you say, but will never forget how you made them feel. The trick is making people feel better about themselves when they are in your presence.

Who inspires you?

My father — he is my all-time hero. Just a great man who puts family first.

Dr. Carl Misch — his passion and knowledge for implant dentistry is amazing and inspiring.

Dr. John Cranham — great thinker. His passion and excellence in restorative dentistry is second to none. It definitely gives you something to shoot for!

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Leadership Characteristic #1 The first characteristic is Achievement Drive. This is one of the most important qualities that leaders need to understand. Achievement drive is the need for accomplishment and challenge. Achievement drive is characterized by being task oriented, having a sense of urgency, and an internal clock that ensures effective time allocation. We must have the desire to accomplish in order to give direction to those we are leading. If someone shows a lack of achievement drive, then they may be less effective at leading meetings, may lack the laser-like focus to accomplish tasks, may elaborate and explain too much, and may not get the best out of their team. The Flippen Group’s work with dentists has shown that this could show up as not having as many appointments scheduled as possible, having a staff that gets

frustrated that meetings seem like a waste of time, and having longer waiting times for patients.

On the other hand, if someone is too high on the achievement drive scale, this person can be too impatient, not relational enough, and too demanding of his or her employees.

Leadership Characteristic #2 A second quality critical for leaders, that also happens to be one of the most untapped and undiscussed qualities in leadership circles, is Critical Thinking. There are two important aspects to critical thinking that we as leaders must be aware of — critiquing people versus critiquing abstract things such as processes or ideas. The first aspect is whether we are willing or even able to keep people accountable for the roles that are being asked of them. If you are too

low in this category, then you are less likely to challenge people, address issues, and give candid feedback when appropriate. As a dentist, this could mean not addressing (or even noticing) the fact that a receptionist could be more engaging on the phone or in person, not addressing some internal staff conflict while hoping it goes away, or not being fully honest with a hygienist who you feel like is less sensitive with certain patients.

On the flip side, if you are too critical then you may be perceived as too negative, hard to please, and have such high expectations that you run the risk of alienating your staff.

Regarding how well someone critiques process or ideas, the main concern is if someone isn’t able to effectively critique their own ideas, has a hard time with more intricate or difficult decisions, and gets excited about new ideas or directions without really anticipating the drawbacks.

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Philip L. Nauert, D.D.S. Describe your first leadership role in life: Co-founder of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity chapter at Baylor University as an undergraduate.

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

People want to put their trust in their doctor/dentist. They want explaination and then they want to know someone is looking at the big picture with their best interest put first. This has affected my style in that leadership is not the military “do it because I say so” , but a facilitation of understanding options within an ethical framework.

What does “leadership” mean to you?

Leadership is the ability and the desire to facilitate the strengths of others toward a common goal.

Who inspires you?

My father, my grandfather, the generation that fought WWII, Thomas Jefferson, Mustafa Kemal Ottaturk (leader/reformer Turkey, early 1900’s).

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Wright, continued Leadership Characteristic #3 A third important leadership trait is Self Confidence. Self-confidence is essentially an attitude which allows us to have a positive and realistic perception of ourselves and our abilities.

It is safe too say that most of us are self confident or we would not have achieved being dentists. Still, being too self confident can be detrimental if we are perceived as stubborn or if we deflect or over-explain feedback from others. Conversely, if we lack confidence, we can be insecure, too self critical, and may get run over by the ones we are leading. Finally, self confidence is important in handling

stressful situations where we must be willing to act, independent of others.

Especially in decision-making, the question we have to ask ourselves is whether we are willing to make the tough decisions. To lead effectively, we must be willing to lead. We must be willing to act. This principle was evident during World War II when Clark Clifford, one of Harry Truman’s closest advisors, said the president “believed that even a wrong decision was better than no decision at all.”

Leadership Characteristic #4 The fourth attribute that we want to understand about ourselves is our ability to Nurture or relate to the people we are trying to influence.

This is as simple as just being willing to encourage, connect with, and touch people. It is clear that we will make a stronger connection with the staff and clients we deal with if we just put a hand on the shoulder, shake the person’s hand, offer timely reassurance, and connect with them as human beings. In addition, our style of verbal communication dictates our nurturing abilities. Are we dictatorial, just commanding things of people or are we willing to take the time to have meaningful (even if it’s brief ) dialogue with them?

Leadership Characteristic #5 Finally, the fifth quality is Self Control, the degree to which we act

Michael J. Goulding Describe your first leadership role in life: In high school, I was chosen by the English teacher to teach the class for one day on the meaning of “West Side Story.”

What experiences have you had, as a dentist, that have impacted your leadership style?

I like to discuss different options to patients so they can choose what treatment they would like. I try to do the same at dental meetings. I’ll offer my opinion but tell everyone that it is just my opinion.

What does “leadership” mean to you?: Trying to live my life so others will follow my example.

Who inspires you?

Many TDA members especially Dr. Glenn Walters who always seeks out everyone’s thoughts before he offers his in council meetings. TDA policy manager Diane Rhodes who is extremely prepared for meetings and can find answers for us if she does not know them herself.

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on our feelings, whether in making decisions or in expressing ourselves.

This quality can easily undermine our leadership ability. If one is too low on this scale, there is no hesitation to speak what we think or make in impulsive decision. On the other hand, if we show too much restraint, then we are overly hesitant to speak up or make the final decision.

Though there are many more characteristics that are evident in a leader’s “make-up” and, though this is not an exhaustive study on leadership qualities, the important thing is that we begin to look at our selves and determine where we are on the spectrum of these leadership qualities.

Steadman Graham believes the most

TDA 1-2 page ads:half page ad

important ingredient in leadership is self-leadership. We must first develop ourselves and be able to look at ourselves critically before we can effectively influence those around us.

I asked Chris what he usually recommends as a starting point, and he immediately responded that it’s not rocket science. “We have assessment tools, but a lot of us would benefit by simply asking for some feedback. Listen to it without getting defensive or taking it personal, even if it’s wrong or poorly delivered. At our company we like to say, ‘Feedback is the breakfast of champions, so be willing to step up to the table.’”

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PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST  2010 TEXAS Meeting Photography Contest From the amateur photographer to the casual or experienced, enter your photos in the 2010 TEXAS Meeting Photography Contest! All the photographs and winners will be displayed at the Photography Contest Pavilion in the registration area. Best in Show and Best of Texas will receive a special engraved plaque! First, Second, Third, and Honorable Mentions will receive ribbons!

5 CATEGORIES Portraits (people and animals); Sports/Human Endeavor (action); Built Environment (cityscapes, architecture); Natural Wonders (landscapes, wild animals, rural life); Black & White/Abstract/Artistic.

NOTE: Any of these categories can be considered for Best of Texas if noted as Texas on entry form.

RULES & REGULATIONS  All participants must be registered for the 2010 TEXAS Meeting.  A maximum of five entries per photographer.  All photographs must be matted (maximum size of mat board is 16” x 20”; maximum size of image is 11” x 14”).

Any photos not matted will not be entered in the contest and will be returned after the 2010 TEXAS Meeting.

 Entry fee is $15.00 per person. Please make checks payable to Texas Dental Association and reference Photo Contest.

 Each photograph must have a label on the back to include: name, address, phone, title of photograph and category.  All photographs must be received in the TDA central office by March 26, 2010.  All photographs can be picked up on show-site at the TDA show office located in H-62, after 2 PM on Saturday, May 8. Please include a self-addressed stamped mailer if you prefer photos to be returned by mail after the meeting.

 All photographs can be displayed at the TEXAS Meeting and in future TDA Publications.

P HO TOG RA PHY CO N TEST ENTRY FOR M Name:

print

Phone:

signature

E-mail:

Number of Entries:

Titles & Category (& Location – if for TEXAS category) 1. Title

Category:

2. Title

Category:

3. Title

Category:

4. Title

Category:

5. Title

Category:

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The Texas Dental Association’s ADA Golden Apple award-winning website is the official website of the Texas Dental Association.

Log in using your ADA # with dashes (123-45-6789) and TX + license number for your password, with TX in caps (TX1234) The member side is for TDA member dentists and Texas dental students. It includes top stories and TDA news, an online job board, upcoming meetings and events, the online discussion group “Ask a Colleague,” online member dues, TDA publications and references, component society web pages, personal web pages, a searchable member directory and contact information. Members can also update their personal contact information online.

The public side of TDA’s website is for patients and the public, non-member dentists and non-dentist dental professionals.

It includes information about TDA, how to join TDA, general oral health information, resources for dental insurance, financial help, charitable activities, careers in dental health, TDA contact information, and a “Find a Dentist” search function.

Home

Current Issues

Membership Info UPDATE PROFILE Change your home or office address, phone, fax or e-mail.

CONTACTS Member Directory TDA Contacts Components Personal Web Pages Dental Websites

Special Events

Peer Review Sign

Check out the TDA Express

Amalgam Fillings

Exhibits

HIPAA and TMPA info

Travel

How to Obtain an NPI

Contact Us

Internet Portal!

Course Now Available!!

Professional Recovery Network Medicaid

FEATURES

CHIP Dental

Calendar of Events

Recall - Firm Press Releases Dental Student Info

TDA Publications Member Discussion References Online Classifieds Job Placement Center

DENTAL STUDENT INFO

Educations

TDA 2009

TDA Dental Assistant PAY DUES Pay 2008 dues online.

Resources

General Info

To go to a specific page on an affiliate website, simply mouseover the website name and a menu will appear.

You can always get back to the homepage, by clicking on “Home” under each menu.

ARCHIVES Dr. John Findley Elected ADA President-elect New TDA Website!

In Memoriam

The DENPAC website (denpac.org) offers general information about DENPAC, legislative, leadership, and contact information, news articles and membership information. Users can also sign up as DENPAC club member online.

The TDA Smiles website (tdasf.org / tdasmiles.org) includes program information on oral health education, Texas Mission of Mercy (TMOM), and Donated Dental Services (TXDDS). It also includes a calendar of upcoming events, history, and contact information. Users can also sign up for upcoming events and make contributions online.

The Freedom-of-Choice Dental Plan website (freedom-of-choicedental.com / paiddental.com) offers detailed information on Direct Reimbursement and Paid Dental.

The TDA Perks Program website (tdaperks.com / tdamemberbenefits.com) includes links to all TDA Member Benefits Endorsed Vendors, Board of Directors contact information, and additional helpful articles.

The TEXAS Meeting website (texasmeeting.com) allows users to register for courses and housing for the TEXAS Meeting, as well as access general information, education, travel, special events, exhibits, and governance information.

Contact: Stefanie Clegg (512) 443-3675 or stefanie@tda.org

Dr. Brian Gurinsky, a Fortress Dentist.

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I recommend Fortress professional liability coverage. My previous insurance company could settle a case without consent. That was the reason I switched to Fortress.

Protecting & Defending

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SEE WEBSITE www.tda.org

EXPRESS Customize your homepage to show only the content you’re interested in. PLUS:

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Check out the NEW! TDA Video library Add your own links Hide links you’re not interested in Select text size Personalize your weather center Make TDA Express your homepage Choose news headlines to display Search TDA’s interactive calendar Check stocks Perform MedLine, Google, WebMD, or Answers.com searches Utilize tools such as conversion, business, time zone, and deadline calculators Access reference and meeting planner

Start your day with TDA Express!

Log in at tda.org to get started today!

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P

Dental Sleep Medicine:

An Exciting and Growing Field Jamison R. Spencer, D.M.D., M.S. Diplomate, American Academy of Craniofacial Pain; Diplomate, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine; President-elect, American Academy of Craniofacial Pain

T

he diagnosis of sleep apnea has exploded in the last 10 years.

Sleep apnea was always a problem; we just didn’t have the resources readily available for testing and diagnosis. Now, there are sleep labs in even small communities and large cities typically have dozens of sleep labs and several accredited sleep centers.

This increase in diagnostic capabilities has lead to a great increase

The Dentist’s Role In The Treatment Of Sleep Disordered Breathing Friday, May 7 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM

of patients being diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Dental Sleep Medicine Workshop 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Snoring is caused primarily by vibration of the tissues of the oropharynx and the soft palate. Snoring may be benign (other than disturbing the sleep of the bed partner), it may fragment the person’s sleep, or it may be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea.

Capsulitis, Trismus or NonReducing Disc Displacement?

Craniofacial Pain Disorders Common To The General Dental Practice Saturday, May 8 9:00 AM – Noon

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the tissues of the oropharynx collapse during sleep and block the airway. A complete blockage for 10 seconds or more is referred to as an apnea. A reduction of airflow by 30-50 percent is referred to as a hypopnea.

The level of a person’s obstructive sleep apnea is measured by how many apneas and how many hypopneas occur per hour. This is referred to as the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI).

The TDA makes every effort to present high caliber speakers in their respective areas of expertise at the TEXAS Meeting. Speakers presented by TDA are offered for the purpose of providing information only and not as dental, financial, accounting, legal, or other professional advice. Attendees must consult their own professional advisors for such advice. The ideas and comments expressed during the seminars and the articles presented herein are not necessarily endorsed by, or those of, the TDA. Programs actually presented at the TEXAS Meeting may be subject to change by the TDA.

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The gold standard for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Unfortunately, about 10 percent of patients who are diagnosed with OSA are not willing to try CPAP. Of those who do try CPAP, between 20 and 40 percent give up within the first year. The reasons for giving up on CPAP include difficulty finding a mask that fits well, mask leak, air leaking through the mouth, skin reaction to the mask, problems with the straps that hold on the mask, bed partner complaints due to the noise of the system, claustrophobia, dry nose or mouth, sinus problems, and even dental problems.

It is with these patients who are unable to use CPAP that the dentist can play a significant role. According to guidelines published by the American Academy of Sleep l

February 2010

Medicine, oral appliance therapy is indicated as a first line therapy in mild to moderate sleep apnea and is also indicated in severe sleep apnea when a patient has failed CPAP. Surgery is generally not indicated with OSA and palatal surgeries are rarely successful. As such, the dentist, and oral appliance therapy, becomes the main hope for the patient who has been able to use CPAP. The principles behind oral appliance therapy are simple. The patient’s airway is blocked due to the tongue falling into the throat while the patient is sleeping. The oral appliance keeps the mandible forward during sleep. This is similar to the “head tilt, chin lift” principle used in performing CPR. There are many different appliances on the market that the dentist can employ to achieve the desired result — which is reduction of the apnea’s and hypopneas to less than 10 events per hour.

Knowing what appliance to use, how to adjust it, and what to do when the patient has side effects such as TMJ pain, myalgia, tooth movement and bite changes is where the importance of proper education and training comes in.

All too often I have colleagues contact me and ask me what appliance I like to use. They will then say something like, “I just want to treat snoring, and I’m not going to treat sleep apnea patients.” Unfortunately they don’t realize how ridiculous this statement is because they don’t know enough about sleep apnea. There is NO WAY to tell by looking at someone or asking them questions if they are just a snorer or if they have severe sleep apnea.

Accurate diagnosis is the key, and this is performed by a medical doctor. Dentists are putting themselves at significant risk if they are treating patients “for snoring” without proper medical evaluation.

Learning how to screen, refer and, if desired, treat OSA patients is straightforward and enjoyable. The impact you can have on your patients’ lives is incredible. We are literally dealing with life and death. Dentists are in a unique position to become one of the main doctors to refer patients for sleep studies. We spend much more time with our patients than medical doctors do. We are looking right at the patient’s airway (or right in front of it anyway). By asking a few simple questions of new and recall patients you will find, perhaps much to your surprise, that several patients a week have indications for referral for a sleep evaluation.

Right now you are missing these indications, because you don’t know what to look for and what to ask.

In my focused practice I refer several patients a day who were referred to my office for TMD related evaluation and treatment to sleep doctors for evaluation. I have found that many, many patients who are clenching their teeth are doing so because they have an underlying

sleep disorder. They are, in effect, protecting collapse of their airway by clenching their teeth. The brain is much more concerned about us breathing than it is about us hurting our teeth. This “parafunction” may not be parafunction at all but rather a function to help keep us alive. Dr. Gilles Lavigne of the University of Montreal, one of the world’s experts on bruxism, has stated that dentists should not fit patients with a flat plane nightguard if the patient is suspected of having OSA. This is because a flat plane nightguard can allow the mandible to fall back, obstructing the airway even worse.

Because of this, it is critical that we know what to look for and how to refer for testing.

The dentist’s role in the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea will continue to grow. This is a tremendously interesting and exciting field. The dentist is in a position to have an incredible contribution and to literally add years to the lives and life to the years of many, many patients.

The impact you can have on your patients’ lives is incredible. We are literally dealing with life and death.

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Stefanie Clegg, TDA Web and New Media Manager Department of Member Services & Administration

By Stefanie Clegg, Web and New Media Manager

By Stefanie Clegg, Web and New Media Manager

Make TDA ExpressYour your Homepage homepage and start yourYour day with Express!

Make TDA Express and Start DayTDA with TDA Express!

Make TDA Express your homepage and start your day with TDA Express!

The TDA Express internet portal is a one-stop-show for all your Internet The TDA Express internet portal is a one-stop-show for all your Internet needs. Members can personalize their TDA Express homepage to show only needs.

Members can personalize their TDA Express homepage The TDA Express internet portal is a one-stop-show for all your Internetto show the content they’re interested in. Every member who logs into TDA Express the content they're interested in. Express Every member who to logs into TDA needs.only Members can personalize their TDA homepage show will have a different view of the system and its content.

Express haveinterested a differentin. view of the system andlogs its content. only the contentwill they're Every member who into TDA Express will have a different view of the system and its content.

Members can can add add their their own own links links with with One-Click One-Click customization. customization. One-Click One-Click allows allows you you to to add add a a button button to to your Members Links toolbar.

Wherever you are on the Internet, if you find a link that you want to add to your personal page links, yourcan Links Wherever you are on the Internet, if you find a link that you to aadd to your Members addtoolbar. their own links with One-Click customization.

One-Click allows youwant to add button to simply click the “Quick Click” or “Manage Links” button in your toolbar.

(Click on “User Manual” located personal page links, simply click Click” or “Manage button your Links toolbar.

Wherever you are onthe the“Quick Internet, if you find a linkLinks” that you wantintoyour addtoolbar. to your (Click on in the lower-left margin of the portal for more details).

"User Manual" located in the margin of the portal for button more details). personal page links, simply click thelower-left “Quick Click” or “Manage Links” in your toolbar. (Click on "User Manual" located in the lower-left margin of the portal for more details).

The enhanced TDA Express now includes includes aa video video library library showcasing showcasing TDA TDAvideos videosand andpodcasts. podcasts.

Be sure to view the “Welcome” video by Mary Kay Linn, TDA Executive Director.

Other videos include Be sure to view the “Welcome” video by Mary Kay Linn, TDA Executive Director.

Other videos include the the TDA The enhanced TDA Express now includes a video library showcasing TDA videos and podcasts.

Committee the Dentist Podcast Series, Building BetterBetter Oral Health NewsNews Report, and footage of the Committee forNew the New Dentist Podcast Series, Oral Health Report, and Be sureTDA to view thefor“Welcome” video by Mary Kay Linn, TDABuilding Executive Director.

Other videos include the footage offor thethe Texas Mission Mercy the efforts across the state.Oral Health News Report, and Texas Mission of New Mercy effortsof across state.

TDA Committee Dentist Podcast Series, Building Better footage of the Texas Mission of Mercy efforts across the state.

FEATURES:FEATURES: FEATURES: • NEW! TDA  video NEW!library TDA video library • Add your own links  NEW! videoown library  TDA Add your links • Hide not interested in interested in  links Add your own links  you’re Hide links you’re not • Select text size  Hide you’re  links Select textnot sizeinterested in • Personalize your weather center  Select text size  Personalize your weather center • Make TDA Express your homepage  Personalize  Make your TDA weather Expresscenter your homepage • Choose news headlines to display  Make Express homepage  TDA Choose newsyour headlines to display • Search TDA’s interactive calendar  Choose news headlines to display  Search TDA’s interactive calendar • Check stocks  Search TDA’sstocks interactive calendar  Check • Perform MedLine, Google, WebMD, or Answers.com searches  Check stocks MedLine, Google, WebMD,  Perform • Utilize tools such as conversion, business, time zone, and deadline calculators orMedLine, Answers.com searches  Perform Google, WebMD, • Access reference and meeting planner or Answers.com searches Utilize tools such as conversion, business, andconversion, deadline calculators  Utilize time toolszone, such as business, To make TDA Express your homepage, logtime in at tda.org and clickcalculators on “TDA Express” zone, andreference deadline Access and meeting planneron the homepage.

Click “Log in to TDA Express” then “Set Homepage” in the corner.  asAccess reference andtop-right meeting planner Questions?

Contact Stefanie Clegg, TDA log webin and media To make TDA Express your homepage, at new tda.org andmanager, click on stefanie@tda.org.

“TDA Express” on the homepage.

Clickyour “Loghomepage, in to TDA Express” then “Set asclick Homepage” the top-right corner.

To make TDA Express log in at tda.org and on “TDAin Express” on the homepage. Click “Log in to TDA Express” then “Set as Homepage” in the top-right corner.

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Questions? Contact Stefanie Clegg, TDA web and new media manager, stefanie@tda.org

Is your team on the right path? Let us help you create a specific process that will guide you and your staff down the path you have chosen for your practice.

Dental Practice Specialists Growth and Transition Consulting Services helps dentists to grow, sell or buy practices with plans created just for your practice. Find out how our 33 years of experience and unique plans can benefit your practice.

Clyde C Dollens, DDS (281) 639-4703

cdollens@dentalpracticespecialists.com

www.dentalpracticespecialists.com

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In Memoriam Those in the dental community who have recently passed

Adair, Weldon Brooks

Austin, Texas April 28, 1918 – December 31, 2009 Life, 1992

Hoff, Schuyler L., Jr.

Galveston, Texas March 14, 1930 – December 13, 2009 GoodFellow, 1993 Life, 1998

Holmes, Joseph F.

Spring, Texas July 21, 1945 – July 12, 2009 GoodFellow, 1999

Macon, Larry Kenneth

Mt. Sterling, Illinois March 13, 1948 – September 30, 2009

Miller, John Eugene, Jr.

Memorial and Honorarium Donors to the Texas Dental Association Smiles Foundation

In Memory of: Ms. Roxy Linton

By Dr. Charles A. Robertson Ms. Florence Meurer

By Dr. Charles A. Robertson Ms. Bobbie J. Resendez

By Dr. Charles A. Robertson Ms. Wanda Woods

By Dr. and Mrs. W. Kurt Loveless

By Dr. and Mrs. Don A. Lutes

By Dr. and Mrs. Herbert L. Wade, Jr.

By Dr. Beverly and Commissioner Steele Zinser

By The Staff of the TDASF Ms. Lillian Black

By Dr. Don A. Lutes Ms. Gloria Harder

By Dr. Beverly B. Zinser

Johnson City, Texas May 10, 1933 – December 14, 2009 GoodFellow, 1989 Life, 1999

Mr. George Elder

By Dr. Beverly B. Zinser

Osborn, Charles Edd

Mr. Terry Benefield

By Dr. Beverly B. Zinser

Amarillo, Texas October 29, 1929 – December 1, 2009 GoodFellow, 1989 Life, 1994

Selz, Leo Valentine, Jr.

Bridgeport, Texas December 31, 1921 – December 15, 2009 GoodFellow, 1976 Life, 1986

Slack, Joseph Lee

Houston, Texas September 3, 1931 – November 28, 2009 GoodFellow, 1988 Life, 1997

Ms. Jean Coffey

By Dr. Beverly B. Zinser

Dr. John Robert Randall

By Dr. Beverly B. Zinser Mr. Eugene Buckner

By Dr. Beverly B. Zinser Ms. Glenda Alexander

By Dr. Beverly B. Zinser

In Honor of: Dr. Kent Macaluay and Ellen Macaulay

By Dr. Beverly and Commissioner Steele Zinser Your memorial contribution supports: • educating the public and profession about oral health; • enhancing the public image of dentistry; and • improving access to dental care for the children of Texas.

Sochat, Edward

El Paso, Texas November 2, 1936 – December 9, 2009 GoodFellow, 1990 Life, 2001

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Please make your check payable to:

TDA Smiles Foundation, 1946 S IH 35, Austin, TX 78704

EXPRESS

The Texas Dental Association has integrated the existing TDA website (www.tda.org) into the “TDA Express” Internet portal. The TDA Express portal allows members to customize their homepage to show only the content in which they're interested.

Members can choose from existing links or add their own. TDA Express now includes a video library showcasing TDA videos and podcasts. Be sure to view the “Welcome” video by Mary Kay Linn, TDA Executive Director.

EXPRESS

Google

Cargo plane crashes in Uganda's Lake Victoria (AP) Yahoo News Dental News & Videos

Stefanie’s Desktop My Account

Sign-Out

Set as Home

RSS News Center Calculators

News & Publications

More News...

Dental

Personal

My Links

•

How to Reduce Stress Dr. Ben Bernstein has created a stress reduction m...

11/14/2008 10:00:00 AM

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Understanding, Planning and Funding My Retirement This podcast addresses topics related to retiremen...

11/14/2008 10:00:00 AM

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Revive, Refresh, Renew — Creating Balance for the Dental Has your get up and go, got up and left? This uniq...

11/14/2008 10:00:00 AM

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Dental Professional Liability 101 This podcast addresses topics related to professio...

11/14/2008 10:00:00 AM

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More Headlines...

Announcement Click HERE - TDA Express Feedback TDA Express has been enhanced! Along with a new look, TDA Express now has its very own TDA video library.

Events Calendar 2009 2007

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Welcome to the TDA Video Library Introduction to the new TDA video library

by Mary Kay Linn, TDA Executive Director

Endodontics

TDA News TDA Committee on the New Dentist Podcast: Starting a New Practice The second installment of the TDA Committe on the New Dentist podacst series, conducted by Dr, Josh Austin.

TDA Perks Program TDA Members Website TDA Public Website DENPAC Website TDA Smiles Website

ADA News

Dental Plans Website

Pediatric Dentistry

TDA Perks Program Website TEXAS Meeting Website

7278.38

-122.42

S&P 500

768.54

-15.50

NASDAQ

457.27

-26.21

S&P/TSX

8506.35

-184.14

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Five-year follow-up of a root canal filling material in the Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral ...

3/20/2009 10:21:05 AM

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A longitudinal study of dental caries risk among very Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology 3/20/2009 10:21:05 AM

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Putative signaling action of amelogenin utilizes the Journal of Periodontal Research 3/19/2009 10:25:15 AM

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Silver Diamine Fluoride: A Caries Silver-Fluoride Bullet Journal of Dental Research 3/19/2009 10:25:15 AM

Orofacial Pain/TMJ News •

Patient Image Selection Criteria for Cone Beam Computed Seminars in Orthodontics 3/19/2009 10:25:14 AM

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Current Diagnostic Tests to Assess Pulp Vitality Journal of the Canadian Dental Association 3/19/2009 10:25:15 AM

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Likelihood ratio methodology to identify predictors of Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral ...

3/18/2009 11:15:34 AM

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More Headlines...

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Effects of a Liquid Diet on Temporomandibular Joint Journal of Dental Research

World Indices DOW JONES

Tools

ADA Podcast Network

Meetings/Planners Weather Center

March

Austin Weather: Overcast 70

Finance

TDA Videos

GO

Implantology

Top Section: Google search box (top-right corner), Helpful Tips, Contact Info (top-left), News scroll of top headlines, Local weather update Left-hand margin: RSS News Center, Calculators, Meetings/Planners, Weather Center, Announcements from TDA, Events Calendar, TDA News and TDA Perks Program highlights, List of TDA and affiliate websites, and World Indices Middle section (portlets) - Content divided into 7 sections: • Dental News & Videos: TDA video library, ADA Podcast Network, and dental specialty news.

• News & Publications: Business and personal news, magazines, television, and Internet links.

• Dental: Links related to the profession and dental office needs.

• Personal: Links to travel, weather, people, sports, and other leisure interests.

• Finance: Banking and finance related links, including investment, retirement, and bankruptcy.

• Tools: Variety of helpful links such as office and tech tools, research, demographic, and people searches.

• My Links: Links and categories created by the user.

Contact: Stefanie Clegg (512) 443-3675 or stefanie@tda.org

Provided by TDA Perks Program

value for your

profession*

Internet Marketing for Dental Patients Lance McCollough, CEO of ProSites, Inc. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should make Internet marketing an important part of your practice development

strategy, consider this: Americans search the Internet more than 10 billion times each month (that’s billion with a “b”).

One national study found that

more than 100 million Americans search the Internet for health

related information, and that 70

percent said the information they found online influenced their treatment decisions.

So, how can you capture a share of all those prospective patients conducting searches in your area? The answer is: through search engine marketing (SEM) — a form of Internet marketing that seeks to promote websites by increasing their visibility and ranking in search-engine results pages. (Google and Yahoo are the most popular search engines.) This is typically done using search engine optimization (SEO) techniques (which increase your website’s visibility within the natural or * Formerly Financial Advantages

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“organic,” i.e. free listings), pay per click (PPC) campaigns, and other methods.

In this article, I’ll focus on pay per click (PPC), since it’s a quick and easy way to target prospective patients at the precise moment they are searching for the services you provide. Unlike search engine optimization (SEO), which can take months of hard work without any guarantee of success, PPC is immediately effective in driving targeted visitors to your website-typically within a matter of minutes. All of the top search engines have PPC programs available. Google AdWords, Yahoo Search Marketing, and MSN AdCenter are the major players.

With PPC, you are essentially bidding an amount you are willing to pay for each visitor who clicks your “sponsored link,” (text-based ad). Bids can be as low as one cent ($0.01) per click. Your sponsored link only appears when a prospect does a search using your chosen keywords (words or phrases someone would likely use when searching for a particular topic online), so you have the advantage of targeting prospective patients who are seeking out high-value services like cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, or any other service you wish to focus on.

Your website is where the prospects will end up when they click your sponsored link. Therefore, you’ll want to have a website that not only looks great, but also has good content related to what the prospects are searching for—before you start a PPC campaign. Assuming you already have a good website, you can help market your practice and its services online by taking the following steps.

Getting started I recommend starting with Google AdWords, since Google has the lion’s share of all Internet searches.

You can setup your Google AdWords account on your own for just $5, or you can hire a professional to do everything for you. For those who are computer savvy, Google’s help screens should provide enough information to help you get set up properly.

Choose your keywords You want to narrow your focus to specific services, and choose several keywords that relate to those services. Be certain to break out each service into its own group. For example, don’t lump keywords for “teeth

whitening” with keywords for “dentures.” Prospects that search for one type of service will be focused on that service and not necessarily on any other service.

Google AdWords allows you to segment your keywords into multiple AdGroups. Segmenting keywords means organizing individual keywords into groups or phrases that are related for your specific targeted campaign (e.g., grouping together “teeth bleaching”, “brighter smile” and “teeth whitening.”) This is important, because you’ll also be creating short ad text that will be shown with your sponsored link. If your ad text matches the keywords that triggered your sponsored link, you’ll get a higher number of visitors (and avoid wasting your money on bad clicks). In most cases, a handful of well-targeted keywords will deliver the majority of your relevant clicks, so there’s no reason to come up with hundreds of keywords.

Create your ad text When a person does a search using one of your keywords, your ad text (with a link to your website) may appear on the top or right-hand side of the search engine results page. Ideally, you want to create ad text that is related to the keywords that triggered your ads.

For example, create ad text like “Brighten your smile today!” for your keywords related to “teeth whitening”.

For “denture” related keywords, your ad text might be, “Get stable, secure and natural looking dentures.”

When you segment your ad text and keywords into focused AdGroups, you’ll increase the number of clicks you get, and convert more prospects into new patients.

Set your budget Your monthly budget will determine how much exposure your ad will receive each month, and the amount you’ll spend on driving traffic to your website. Pay per click means just that — you pay a fee for each click.

You bid on each keyword. The higher your bid, the greater likelihood your ad appears at the top of the search results. You’re essentially bidding against other dentists on the same keywords. Google charges a click fee up to your maximum bid. For example, if you bid $1 for the keyword phrase “teeth whitening,” and the only other bidder was willing to pay just $0.25, then Google would charge you $0.26 a click, and place your ad above the other dentist’s ad. If the other dentist bids more than you, say $1.10, your ad would appear below the other dentist’s ad, and cost you up to your maximum bid of $1. Remember though, you only pay when someone clicks on your ad and visits your Texas Dental Journal

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Internet Marketing for Dental Patients website; it doesn’t cost you anything to have your ad appear hundreds or thousands of times. Google will only run your ads until you’ve received enough clicks to use up your budgeted amount for the month. Then your ads stop running until the start of the next month.

Use Geo Targeting Google AdWords allows you to target your ads so they only appear to users located in your area. Without getting too technical, it does this by identifying the IP address of the person doing the search. (Every computer connected to the Internet has a unique identification number, or “IP address.”) It’s critical that you use Geo Targeting in order to prevent your ads from appearing to users who are not local to you; otherwise you could end up paying for clicks from visitors located far away, or in other states.

Use landing pages So, you’ve carefully chosen your keywords and have written some pretty compelling ad text. Your ads are being seen by hundreds of prospective patients and being clicked numerous times each day. Great! But where do they land on your website when they click your sponsored link? If you’re smart, you won’t just drop them off on your home page. Instead, you’ll want to send them to the specific page on your website that relates to what they were searching for. If they are searching for “teeth whitening,” you’ll want them to land on the “Teeth Whitening” page of your website. If your sponsored link sends them to your home page, visitors will have to navigate through your website to find what they were looking for (and you’ll run the risk of them leaving your website frustrated). On the Internet, people have the attention span of a fly. For this reason, you want to take them to the information they were looking for. This is also one of the greatest benefits of PPC; you direct what page they land on and get to spoon feed them the exact information they were searching for. Proper use of landing pages will dramatically increase your number of “conversions;” that is, the number of prospects who contact you to schedule an appointment.

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Track your results Google AdWords keeps a record of all of your account activity. You can view reports showing the number of times your ad was seen (impressions), the number of clicks you’ve received, the percentage of times your ads were clicked compared to the number of impressions (click-through rate), your average cost per click (CPC), conversions and more. You can have automatically-generated reports sent to you each month via email. If you have a Google Analytics account (a free service), you can automatically integrate your AdWords activity in your site statistics from Google Analytics. The main idea is: you want to track your performance and determine your return on investment, so you know your precious marketing dollars are being well spent.

Start today!

In this economy, you might be tempted to cut your marketing budget. Don’t do it! It has been well documented that increasing advertising during a recession, when competitors are cutting back, is a great way to grow your business and get a better return on your investment than during good economic times. It’s time to be astute about where you focus your marketing dollars, and view them as an investment; not an expense. A pay per click (PPC) campaign can be an effective way to target high value patients seeking your most profitable services.

Pay per click (PPC) is just one form of search engine marketing (SEM). Ideally, you’ll want to implement both SEO and PPC techniques to attract new patients and bring attention to high-value services you offer, so you can keep your practice thriving—in any economy.

Lance McCollough is the CEO and founder of ProSites, Inc., a website design and Internet marketing company specializing in dental-practice marketing. ProSites is an endorsed partner of the TDA Perks Program. For more information, call (888) 932-3644 or visit www.prosites. com/tda. For information regarding other TDA Perks Programs, please visit www.tdaperks.com, or call the Perks office at (512) 443-3675.

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Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Case of the Month

Clinical History

John E. Kacher, D.D.S., Director, JKJ Pathology —

This case concerns a 48-year-old female patient with a well-defined

Oral Medicine / Oral Pathology The Woodlands, TX

radiolucent lesion discovered in the midline anterior mandible extending

Kacher

from #22-26 (Figure 1). The patient presented complaining that the anterior mandibular incisors “hurt a little”; the duration is unknown.

There was clinically evident swelling in the anterior mandibular vestibule. The clinical diagnosis was a traumatic bone cyst. Upon enucleation the lesion was found to have a very thin “Kleenex” like delicate lining with clear fluid within the lumen.

Microscopic examination revealed a fibrocollagenous cystic structure lined by variably thickened columnar to cuboidal epithelium (Figure 2). Within the cyst lining gland-like spaces and scattered mucous cells were noted.

What is your diagnosis?

See page 238 for the answer and discussion.

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Figure 1. Panoramic-style reconstruction from cone beam data demonstrating a unilocular radiolucency of the anterior mandible.

Figure 2. H&E stain microscopic section 40x original magnification, showing glandular areas within the cystic epithelium.

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Calendar of Events 236

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March 2010

3–7 The American Academy of Dental Practice Administration will hold its annual meeting at the Hyatt Grand Champion Resort in Palm Springs, CA. For more information, please contact Ms. Kathy S. Uebel, AADPA, 1063 Whippoorwill Lane, Palatine, IL 60067. Phone: (847) 934-4404; FAX (847) 934-4410; E-mail: executivedirector@aadpa.org; Web: aadpa.org.

17 – 24 The American Student Dental Association will hold its 39th annual session in Pittsburgh, PA. For more information, please contact Ms. Meghan Keelean, ASDA, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. Phone: (312) 440-2845; FAX: (312) 440-2820; E-mail: meghan@asdanet.org; Web: asdanet.org.

26 & 27 The TDA Smiles Foundation will hold a mini Texas Mission of Mercy in Tyler. For more information, please contact the TDA Smiles Foundation, 1946 S. IH 35, Ste. 300, Austin, TX 78704. Phone: (512) 448-2441; Web: tdasf.org.

April 2010

10 The TDA Smiles Foundation will hold the Fluoride Fest in Goliad. For more information, please contact the TDA Smiles Foundation, 1946 S. IH 35, Ste. 300, Austin, TX 78704. Phone: (512) 448-2441; Web: tdasf.org.

12 – 14 The American Dental Association Washington Leadership Conference will be held in Washington, D.C. For more information, please contact Ms. Cynthia Taylor, ADA, 1111 14th St., NW, Suite 1200, Washington, D.C. Phone: (202) 789-5172; FAX: (202) 898-2437; E-mail: taylorc@ada.org.

15 – 17 The Greater Houston Dental Society will hold the Star of the South Dental Meeting at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX. For more information, please contact Ms. Charlotte Bolls, GHDS, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, TX 77010. Phone: (713) 961-4337; FAX: (713) 961-3617; E-mail: cbolls@ghds.org; Web: starofthesouth.org.

15 – 17 The American Society of Dental Anesthesiologists will hold its Annual Scientific Session and House of Delegates at the Farmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle, WA. For more information, please contact Ms. Amy Brown, ASDA, 6038 Callaway Court, Centreville, VA 20121. Phone: (703) 266-2335; FAX: (703) 266-3114; E-mail: asda@asdahq.org; Web: asdahq.org.

27 – May 1 The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry will hold its annual scientific session, Excellence in Cosmetic Dentistry 2010, at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, TX. For more information, please contact Ms. Kelly Radcliff, AACD, 540 World Dairy Dr., Madison, MI 53718. Phone: (800) 543-9220; FAX: (608) 222-9540; E-mail: kelly@aacd.com; Web: aacd.com.

29 – May 1 The American Dental Society of Anesthesiology will hold its annual meeting at the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne in Key Biscayne, FL. For more information, please contact Mr. R. Knight Charlton, ADSA, 211 E. Chicago Ave., Ste. 780, Chicago, IL, 60611. Phone: (312) 664-8270; FAX: (312) 642-9713; E-mail: adsahome@mac.com; Web: adsahome.org.

30 – May 4 The American Association of Orthodontists will hold its annual session at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. For more information, please contact Ms. Pam Hoffman, AAO, 401 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141. Phone: (314) 993-1700; FAX: (314) 997-1745; E-mail: phoffman@aaortho.org; Web: aaomembers.org.

May 2010

6–9 The Texas Dental Association will hold its 140th annual meeting, The TEXAS Meeting, at the San Antonio Convention Center in San Antonio, TX. More than 530 booths will be on exhibit. For more information, please contact Ms. Sandy Blum, TDA, 1946 S. IH35, Ste. 400, Austin, TX 78704. Phone: (512) 443-3675; FAX: (512) 443-3031; E-mail: sblum@tda.org; Web: texasmeeting.com.

22 The TDA Smiles Foundation will hold a Smiles on Wheels in Goliad. For more information, please contact the TDA Smiles Foundation, 1946 S. IH 35, Ste. 300, Austin, TX 78704. Phone: (512) 448-2441; Web: tdasf.org.

20 – 23 The Society of American Indian Dentists will hold its annual conference at the Embassy Suites in Omaha, NE. For more information, please contact Dr. Tamana Begay, Society of American Indian Dentists, 4212 N. 16th St., Phoenix, AZ 85016. Phone: (602) 263-1200; E-mail: doctorbegay@hotmail.com.

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June 2010

10 – 13 The Organization for Safety & Asepsis Procedures will hold its annual Infection Prevention and Safety Symposium at the Hyatt Regency Tampa in Tampa, FL. For more information, please contact Ms. Therese Long, OSAP, PO Box 6297, Annapolis, MD 21401. Phone: (410) 571-0003; FAX: (410) 571-0028; E-mail: tlong@osap.org; Web: osap.org.

11 – 12 The TDA Smiles Foundation will hold a Texas Mission of Mercy in Williamson County, Taylor, Texas. For more information, please contact the TDA Smiles Foundation, 1946 S. IH 35, Ste. 300, Austin, TX 78704. Phone: (512) 448-2441; Web: tdasf.org.

24 – 26 The ADA will hold its 24th New Dentist Conference in San Diego, CA. For more information, please contact Mr. Ron Polaniecki, ADA, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. Phone: (312) 440-2599; FAX: (312) 440-2883; E-mail: polanieckir@ada.org; Web: ada.org.

24 – 26 The American Association of Women Dentists will hold its annual meeting, A Taste of Dentistry in Chicago, in Chicago, IL. For more information, please contact Ms. Deborah Gidley, AAWD, 216 W. Jackson Road, Ste. 625, Chicago, IL 60606. Phone: (800) 920-2293; Fax: (312) 750-1203; E-mail: info@aawd.org; Web: aawd.org.

July 2010

8 – 11 The Academy of General Dentistry will have its annual meeting at the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA. For more information, please contact Ms. Rebecca Murray, AGD, 211 E. Chicago Avenue, Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60611-2616. Phone: (312) 440-3368; FAX: (312) 440-0559; E-mail: agd@agd.org; Web: agd.org.

8 – 13 The American Dental Association Kellogg Executive Management Program will be held in Chicago, IL. For more information, please contact Mr. Ron Polaniecki, ADA, 211 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. Phone: (312) 440-2599; FAX: (312) 440-2883; E-mail: polanieckir@ada.org; Web: ada.org.

16 – 20 The National Dental Association will hold its 97th annual convention at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort in Honolulu, HI. For more information, please contact Ms. LaVette Henderson, NDA, 3517 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20010-3041. Phone: (202) 588-1697; FAX: (202) 588-1244; E-mail: 1henderson@ndaonline.org; Web: ndaonline.org.

22 – 24 The American Academy of Craniofacial Pain will have its 25th Anniversary International Clinical Symposi at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, UT. For more information, please contact Mr. Gary Shaw, AACFP, 1901 N. Roselle Rd., Suite 920, Schaumburg, IL 60195. Phone: (847) 885-1272; FAX: (847) 885-8393; E-mail: central@aacfp.org; Web: aacfp.org.

August 2010

3–6 The American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry will hold its 35th annual meeting at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua in Maui, HI. For more information, please contact Ms. Jennifer Hopkins, AAED, 737 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 2100, Chicago, IL 60611. Phone: (312) 981-6774; FAX: (312) 981-6787; E-mail: info@estheticacademy.org; Web: estheticacademy.org.

13 & 14 The TDA Smiles Foundation will hold a Texas Mission of Mercy in Waco. For more information, please contact the TDA Smiles Foundation, 1946 S. IH 35, Ste. 300, Austin, TX 78704. Phone: (512) 448-2441; Web: tdasf.org.

The Texas Dental Journal’s Calendar will include only meetings, symposia, etc., of statewide, national, and international interest to Texas dentists. Because of space limitations, individual continuing education courses will not be listed. Readers are directed to the monthly advertisements of courses that appear elsewhere in the Journal.

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27 – 30 The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry will hold its 63rd annual session at the Hilton Chicago in Chicago, IL. More than 120 booths will be on exhibit. For more information, please contact Ms. Kristin Olson, AAPD, 211 E. Chicago Ave., Ste. 1700, Chicago, IL 60611-2663. Phone: (312) 337-2169; FAX: (312) 337-6329; E-mail: kolson@aapd.org; Web: aapd.org.

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Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Diagnosis and Management

Glandular Odontogenic Cyst Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Case of the Month (from page 234) low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma, which is a

Discussion The glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is a rare lesion that typically affects adults and has a strong predilection for the anterior mandible.

GOC may cross the midline, and larger cysts may manifest clinically with expansion and/or pain.

Radiographically, these lesions appear as a radiolucent area with a well-defined sclerotic rim.

Smaller lesions may be unilocular, although the most common appearance is that of a multilocular lesion. The fluid content of GOCs has been described as “water-clear�, as in this case (1, 2).

GOC is recognized for the potential to display aggressive behavior, with 25-30 percent of cases demonstrating recurrence (2, 3). Although most cases are treated with enucleation and/or curettage, some clinicians prefer en bloc resection for definitive treatment. However, some authors have described remarkable resolution with conservative techniques (1).

The formation of gland-like elements within the cystic epithelium is thought to represent the pluripotentiality of odontogenic epiethelium (4). It has been recognized that there is histologic overlap between the features of GOC and intraosseous

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salivary gland tumor.

The differential diagnosis for GOC based on clinical information includes: traumatic bone cyst, odontogenic keratocyst, or an odontogenic tumor such as ameloblastoma. Some surgical differences between these lesions and GOC are that a traumatic bone cyst often appears empty and there is no evident cyst lining. Odontogenic keratocyst are typically filled with a cheesy white or tan material that may have a foul odor.

An odontogenic tumor will frequently be solid or solid with small internal cysts.

This particular case was treated with enucleation and curettage, and the patient is being closely monitored for a recurrence. There has been no recurrence at 8 months follow-up.

References 1. Bhatt V, et al. Does the glandular odontogenic cyst require aggressive management? Volume 92, Issue 3, Pages 249-251 (September 2001).

2. Krishnamurthy A., et al. Glandular Odontogenic Cyst: Report of Two Cases and Review of Literature Head and Neck Pathol (2009) 3:153–158 3. Ramer M, et al. Glandular odontogenic cyst Report of a case and review of the literature. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 1997;84:54-7.

4. Neville BW, Damm DD, Allen CM, Bouquot JE. Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, 2nd edition. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Company 2002; 607-608.

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Briefs

IMPORTANT: Ad briefs must be in the TDA office by the 20th of two months prior to the issue for processing.

For example, for an ad brief to be included in the January issue, it must be received no later than November 20th. Remittance must accompany classified ads. Ads cannot be accepted by phone or fax. *

Practice Opportunities

Advertising brief rates are as follows: 30 words or less — per insertion…$35. Additional words 10¢ each.

If TDA box number is used, add $5 when figuring a cost.

AUSTIN: Periodontal specialty practice in the Austin area. Well-established practice with solid referral base. Very good, newer equipment. Really nice of fie. ID #070.

The JOURNAL reserves the right to edit copy of classified advertisements.

Any dentist advertising in the Texas Dental Journal must be a member of the American Dental Association.

All checks submitted by non-ADA members will be returned less a $20 handling fee. * Advertisements must not quote revenues, gross or net incomes. Only generic language referencing income will be accepted. Ads must be typed.

MCLERRAN AND ASSOCIATES: AUSTIN: Five operatory general family practice with high quality fee for service patient base. State-of-the-art, all digital and paperless office is as attractive as they come. Grossing above mid six figures with very low overhead. ID #103.

CHILDRESS: Free-standing brick building in excellent location. All new equipment, 44-year-old practice, fee-for-service, excellent opportunity. ID #019.

CORPUS CHRISTI: Three operatory, feefor-service crown and bridge oriented family practice in a great location. The practice is grossing high six figures. ID #098.

CORPUS CHRISTI: Doctor retiring, six op office with excellent visibility and access.

Good numbers, excellent patient base, good upside potential. Excellent practice for starting doctor. Priced to sell. ID #023.

HILL COUNTRY: General family practice in vibrant, quick growing hill country town. Well-established practice with collections in mid six figures. Practice and building are for sale. Great opportunity to get into thriving small town practice.

ID #079.

HILL COUNTRY AREA: Well-established family practice located in desirable hill country town. Practice would be an excellent satellite office or starter practice.

The doctor currently works 2 days per

week. The practice is located in growing area with new subdivisions being built, is 20 minutes from Concan Country Club (a top rated new course in Texas) and is in an excellent retirement area. ID #063.

RIO GRANDE VALLEY: Excellent four operatory, 20-year-old general practice.

Modern, new finish out in retail location with digital radiography. Fee-for-service patient base and very good new patient count. Great numbers. Super upside potential. ID #093.

SAN ANTONIO: High gross and net income general family practice located in high income area in very visible retail office center. The seven op office is in excellent condition, has a modern design, and is equipped with almost new equipment, all digital X-rays, and is fully computerized. Practice grossed seven figures last year. Price slashed! ID #094.

SAN ANTONIO: Excellent four-chair general family practice in high traffic retail center across from busy mall location.

Solid income on 30 hours a week. Ideal opportunity for doctor wanting a quick start in low overhead operation. ID #086.

SAN ANTONIO: Prosthodontic practice with almost new equipment and build out. Doctor wants to sell and continue to work as associate. Beautiful office! Perfect for stand alone or satellite office. ID #060.

SAN ANTONIO: Three operatory general practice in condominium located in highly desirable and conveniently located medical center area. This practice would be an excellent starter practice and has tremendous upside potential. The condo is also for sale. ID #084.

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SAN ANTONIO, NORTH CENTRAL: Small, two-op practice just off major freeway; perfect starter office. Terrific pricing. ID #009.

SAN ANTONIO: High grossing practice in highly visible, free standing building on busy thoroughfare. Attractive, spacious office has six ops and ortho bay and large reception area. Tremendous upside!

SOUTH TEXAS BORDER: General practitioner with 100 percent ortho practice. Very high numbers, incredible net. ID #021.

NEW! SAN ANTONIO: Solid, five op general family practice located in high visibility retail project in medical center.

Good equipment, nice decor, and loyal patient base.

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HOUSTON: This well-established, 100 percent fee-for-service practice produced mid-six figures on 2 days per week last year. Located in a spacious, three op facility with room for expansion. ID #076.

HOUSTON: Three-year-old Medicaid/ insurance practice with nice build-out (three operatories with two equipped and room for expansion), digital X-rays (including panoramic), high traffic location.

Ideal demographics and tremendous upside potential for a buyer willing to open more than 3 days per week. ID #092.

NEW! SAN ANTONIO: Four operatory general family practice located in professional office building off of busy thoroughfare in affluent north central side of town. Very nice equipment and decor. Excellent opportunity.

GOLDEN TRIANGLE: Eight operatory general family practice grossing in the low seven figures. The office is in great shape and has a modern, open concept design. The practice is in a highly residential area, sees a healthy amount of new patients per month with a solid cash flow. ID #104.

NEW! WACO AREA: Modern and hightech, three op general family practice grossing in mid six figures with high net income. Office is well equipped for doctor seeking modern office.

HOUSTON AREA: Highly profitable, multi-doctor, investor size practice. The office has more than 10 ops and presents multi-specialty opportunities for owning doctor. Great return on investment.

NEW! HILL COUNTRY, NORTH SAN ANTONIO: Doctor retiring from extremely successful general practice. Four operatory free-standing building. Excellent location, equipment, staff, and patient base. Located in a very desirable area.

HOUSTON: Galleria area practice with high visibility in a retail location. This well decorated office has hardwood floors and high ceilings and is bright and appealing. Practice has digital X-rays with computers in the treatment rooms. Operated as a satellite office, with strong new patient flow, a full-time dentist can take this practice to the next level.

HOUSTON AREA PRACTICE OPPORTUNITIES! MCLERRAN & ASSOCIATES. HOUSTON/CONROE AREA: Associate to buy-in opportunity. Six operatory fam-

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NEW! HOUSTON: 20-year-old crown and bridge oriented family practice inside 610 Loop in highly visible office. FFS practice has new equipment with digital X-rays, production in mid-six figures. Low overhead practice refers out a number of procedures, giving this office tremendous upside potential.

NEW! HOUSTON / GULF COAST: Established general practice in a beautiful Gulf Coast community. Located on a highly visible retail center, has five operatories (four equipped), a consultation room, and boasts an attractive ambience. Seller is available for transition. Priced to sell at only $237,000.

Contact McLerran Practice Transitions, Inc.: statewide, Paul McLerran, DDS, (210) 737-0100 or (888) 656-0290; in Austin, David McLerran, (512) 750-6778; in Houston, Tom Guglielmo and Patrick Johnston, (281) 362-1707. Practice sales, appraisals, buyer representation, and lease negotiations. See www.dental-sales.com for pictures and more complete information.

GARY CLINTON — PMA: ABILENE / SAN ANGELO PRACTICES FOR SALE. A1-Abilene: Retiring dentist outright sale/PRN transition; great location on south side of Abilene. S1-San Angelo area: Perfect for recent graduate. Plenty of patients; exceptional value. S2-San Angelo: Excellent, well-established restorative practice. Very nice, newer equipment. Dentist relocation. Transitional/ outright sale. We have the best sources for 100 percent buyer funding. Gary Clinton is senior member of the Institute of Business Appraisers, Inc. “For over 35 years, you’ve seen the name ... a name you can trust.” I personally handle every appraisal/transition/sale. No conflict of

interest/dual representation. Authorized closing agent/escrow agent for numerous financial institutions. Certified appraisals based upon the comparables. More than 2,000 comparables to insure accuracy of appraisal (specialty and general). Our listings, no fee to buyers of our listings.

Very confidential. DFW: (214) 503-9696; WATS: (800) 583-7765.

GARY CLINTON TEXAS — THREE ORTHODONTIC PRACTICES ASSOCIATE/TRANSITION AND OUTRIGHT SALES: O1-Within 90 miles of Austin: Flexible, will transition. Seven-figure practice, beautiful office. O2-West Central Texas mid-sized community: Professional referral based; traditional feefor-service, referral, highly productive.

Gorgeous building with room for two in this 50/50 partnership. O3-South Texas: Retiring orthodontist, transition flexible. Seven-figure practice collections; over 60 percent profits; lovely building.

He is ready to spend time with grandchildren. We have the best sources for 100 percent buyer funding. Gary Clinton is senior member of the Institute of Business Appraisers, Inc. “For over 35 years, you’ve seen the name ... a name you can trust.” I personally handle every appraisal/transition/sale. No conflict of interest/dual representation. Authorized closing agent/escrow agent for numerous financial institutions. Certified appraisals based upon the comparables. More than 2,000 comparables to insure accuracy of appraisal (specialty and general). Our listings, no fee to buyers of our listings.

Very confidential. DFW: (214) 503-9696; WATS: (800) 583-7765.

GARY CLINTON / PMA ORAL SURGERY PRACTICE FOR SALE, HOUSTON AREA: Northwest Houston (many referring denTexas Dental Journal

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tists). Outright sale / transition as associate PRN. Seven figure gross. Seller will work 1-2 days as associate for purchaser PRN, phased retirement. We have the best sources for 100 percent buyer funding.

Gary Clinton is senior member of the Institute of Business Appraisers, Inc. “For over 35 years, you’ve seen the name ... a name you can trust.” I personally handle every appraisal/transition/sale. No conflict of interest/dual representation. Authorized closing agent/escrow agent for numerous financial institutions. Certified appraisals based upon the comparables.

More than 2,000 comparables to insure accuracy of appraisal (specialty and general). Our listings, no fee to buyers of our listings. Very confidential. DFW: (214) 503-9696; WATS: (800) 583-7765.

GARY CLINTON / PMA JUST OUTSIDE TYLER AREA: Great value! Plenty of new patients. This area is growing. Loyal patients; full recall; will transition. Pine trees surround his office. We have the best sources for 100 percent buyer funding. Gary Clinton is senior member of the Institute of Business Appraisers, Inc. “For over 35 years, you’ve seen the name ... a name you can trust.” I personally handle every appraisal/transition/sale. No conflict of interest/dual representation. Authorized closing agent/escrow agent for numerous financial institutions. Certified appraisals based upon the comparables.

More than 2,000 comparables to insure accuracy of appraisal (specialty and general). Our listings, no fee to buyers of our listings. Very confidential. DFW: (214) 503-9696; WATS: (800) 583-7765.

GARY CLINTON / PMA SOUTH TEXAS / BROWNSVILLE / HARLINGEN AREA: Excellent practice with flexible transition. Primarily fee-for-service and Delta

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Dental. High operating profits; more than seven figures in collections. Lovely office.

Some ortho easily expanded to larger percentage of practice. Outright sale. Seller with transition / work for new owner as needed. We have the best sources for 100 percent buyer funding. Gary Clinton is senior member of the Institute of Business Appraisers, Inc. “For over 35 years, you’ve seen the name ... a name you can trust.” I personally handle every appraisal/transition/sale. No conflict of interest/dual representation. Authorized closing agent/escrow agent for numerous financial institutions. Certified appraisals based upon the comparables. More than 2,000 comparables to insure accuracy of appraisal (specialty and general). Our listings, no fee to buyers of our listings.

Very confidential. DFW: (214) 503-9696; WATS: (800) 583-7765.

GARY CLINTON / PMA AMARILLO PRACTICE FOR SALE: Well established practice. Doctor relocating. High collections/net. Five operatory full hygiene; high productivity. Possible buy-out in future. We have the best sources for 100 percent buyer funding. Gary Clinton is senior member of the Institute of Business Appraisers, Inc. “For over 35 years, you’ve seen the name ... a name you can trust.” I personally handle every appraisal/transition/sale. No conflict of interest/dual representation. Authorized closing agent/escrow agent for numerous financial institutions. Certified appraisals based upon the comparables. More than 2,000 comparables to insure accuracy of appraisal (specialty and general). Our listings, no fee to buyers of our listings.

Very confidential. DFW: (214) 503-9696; WATS: (800) 583-7765.

GARY CLINTON / PMA FRISCO / MCKINNEY / NORTH DALLAS AREA: Practice limited to orthodontics. Great location; mid-size practice. Expandable to more than 4,800 sq. ft. Dentist relocating to group practice. We have the best sources for 100 percent buyer funding. Gary Clinton is senior member of the Institute of Business Appraisers, Inc. “For over 35 years, you’ve seen the name ... a name you can trust.” I personally handle every appraisal/transition/sale. No conflict of interest/dual representation. Authorized closing agent/escrow agent for numerous financial institutions. Certified appraisals based upon the comparables. More than 2,000 comparables to insure accuracy of appraisal (specialty and general). Our listings, no fee to buyers of our listings.

Very confidential. DFW: (214) 503-9696; WATS: (800) 583-7765.

GARY CLINTON / PMA NORTH OF LUBBOCK PRACTICE FOR SALE. L-l Highly productive practice. Large growing patient base. Transitional phased retirement. He will work for purchaser as needed. Purchase building outright or leas/purchase. We have the best sources for 100 percent buyer funding. Gary Clinton is senior member of the Institute of Business Appraisers, Inc. “For over 35 years, you’ve seen the name ... a name you can trust.” I personally handle every appraisal/transition/sale. No conflict of interest/dual representation. Authorized closing agent/escrow agent for numerous financial institutions. Certified appraisals based upon the comparables. More than 2,000 comparables to insure accuracy of appraisal (specialty and general). Our listings, no fee to buyers of our listings.

Very confidential. DFW: (214) 503-9696; WATS: (800) 583-7765.

GARY CLINTON / PMA BRYAN / COLLEGE STATION PRACTICE FOR SALE. Retiring dentist. Beautiful office; will transition as needed. Restorative practice. Well-established recall. We have the best sources for 100 percent buyer funding. Gary Clinton is senior member of the Institute of Business Appraisers, Inc. “For over 35 years, you’ve seen the name ... a name you can trust.” I personally handle every appraisal/transition/sale. No conflict of interest/dual representation. Authorized closing agent/escrow agent for numerous financial institutions. Certified appraisals based upon the comparables.

More than 2,000 comparables to insure accuracy of appraisal (specialty and general). Our listings, no fee to buyers of our listings. Very confidential. DFW: (214) 503-9696; WATS: (800) 583-7765.

GARY CLINTON / PMA NORTH OF DENTON PRACTICE FOR SALE. Grand practice for prosthodontist or experienced general dentist. Fast growing area. High income per capita. Excellent schools; down-home type community.

Close to lakes; beautiful areas. Easy to get to DFW Metroplex. Cash cow with no Medicaid, seven figure gross with very high operating profits. Implant, cosmetic, restoration dentistry. Two part-time revenue producing specialists. This is an amazing 4-day-a-week practice. Owner will work 1-1.5 days as buyer’s associate.

Pending offer. We have the best sources for 100 percent buyer funding. Gary Clinton is senior member of the Institute of Business Appraisers, Inc. “For over 35 years, you’ve seen the name ... a name you can trust.” I personally handle every appraisal/transition/sale. No conflict of interest/dual representation. Authorized closing agent/escrow agent for numerous financial institutions. Certified appraisals Texas Dental Journal

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based upon the comparables. More than 2,000 comparables to insure accuracy of appraisal (specialty and general). Our listings, no fee to buyers of our listings.

Very confidential. DFW: (214) 503-9696; WATS: (800) 583-7765.

SOUTHEAST HOUSTON GENERAL DENTAL PRACTICE — SALE: Incredible general dental practice with six operatories in a new facility. High revenues with excellent profit margin. Doctor relocating but is most interested in smooth transition. This is a wonderful opportunity to accumulate a substantial retirement “nest egg” with a low level of risk. Contact The Hindley Group at (800) 856-1955.

Visit us at www.thehindleygroup.com.

CORPUS CHRISTI GENERAL DENTAL — SALE: Moderate revenues with a very healthy profit margin. Experienced and loyal staff. Totally digital and highly efficient facility layout. If you need to practice to refund your retirement but don’t want to fight the competitiveness of the city, come see this practice. Contact The Hindley Group at (800) 856-1955. Visit us at www.thehindleygroup.com.

EAST TEXAS ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY PRACTICE — SALE: Beautiful and spacious facility located in the heart of a rapidly growing Texas metropolis. Great opportunity for highly qualified surgeon with desire to assume responsibility for a wide spectrum of OMS procedures, expand surgical treatment, and dramatically increase income. Strong revenues and high profit margins; flexible acquisition terms! Must see opportunity! Contact The Hindley Group at (800) 856-1955. Visit us at www.thehindleygroup.com.

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SAN ANTONIO PROSTHODONTIC — SALE: Located inside the 410 loop, this 10-year-old practice produces moderate revenues on 3 days per week. Specializing in prosthodontics, the office could be expanded to a broader scope of restorative general dental treatment. Located in beautiful new offices, there are three treatment rooms with new equipment.

Outstanding staff. Doctor must sell for health reasons but can transition over period of 3-6 months. Contact The Hindley Group at (800) 856-1955. Visit us at www.thehindleygroup.com.

HOUSTON ORAL SURGERY PRACTICE FOR SALE: Well-established 35-year-old practice with strong revenues and high profit margin due to limited competition.

Outstanding mentor to transition. Wonderful staff. Practice building also available for sale. Whether you are just completing your residency or after 20 years in practice, you are tired of the snow, call us and come and meet this doctor. Contact The Hindley Group, (800) 856-1955.

Visit us at www.thehindleygroup.com.

WACO PEDIATRIC DENTAL PRACTICE — SALE: Well-established practice with moderate revenues and high profit margin on 4 days per week. Due to limited competition and a large facility, there is ample room to grow in this community that is home to Baylor University. All ortho cases are being completed, unless purchaser would like to expand new cases. No Medicaid being seen, but good opportunity with enhanced state fee schedule. Experienced staff and steady new patient flow. Wonderful mentor! Building also available. Contact The Hindley Group at (800) 856-1955.

Visit us at www.thehindleygroup.com.

GOLDEN TRIANGLE GENERAL DENTAL PRACTICE — SALE: Outstanding practice for sale developed by published mentor. Supported by outstanding staff and latest in dental equipment. Strong revenues and profit margin. Excellent new patient flow. Given high level of FFS revenues, doctor to transition to comfort level of purchaser. Come build your retirement in low competition community. Contact The Hindley Group at (800) 856-1955.

Visit us at www.thehindleygroup.com.

CENTRAL EAST TEXAS — SALE: Outstanding practice for sale in beautiful East Texas. Moderate FFS revenues with three fully equipped operatories and an excellent staff. Doctor leaving for the mission field and interested in optimal transition.

If you are an older doctor who needs to recomplete his retirement package after the stock market drop, and want to practice in a less competitive more relaxed environment, this is a must-see opportunity.

Contact The Hindley Group at (800) 8561955. Visit us at www.thehindleygroup. com.

NORTHWEST SAN ANTONIO GENERAL DENTAL PRACTICE — SALE: General dentistry practice with strong revenues and excellent new patient flow. Practice is located in highly visible location on welltraveled road. Four treatment rooms.

Doctor is most anxious to facilitate strong transition. Contact The Hindley Group at (800) 856-1955. Visit us at www.thehindleygroup.com.

DALLAS / FORT WORTH: Area clinics seeking associates. Earn significantly above industry average income with paid health and malpractice insurance while working in a great environment. Fax (630) 274-0760 or e-mail dwolle@gmail.com.

SOUTH OF HOUSTON GENERAL DENTAL PRACTICE — SALE: Outstanding practice with very high growth potential experiencing a strong new patient flow.

Moderate revenues with a healthy profit margin on 4 days per week. Building also for sale. Contact The Hindley Group at (800) 856-1955. Visit us at www.thehindleygroup.com.

SUGAR LAND GENERAL DENTAL PRACTICE — SALE: Located at busy intersection with high traffic flow. Easy access to Houston. Strong revenues in high growth area. Excellent mentor to transition.

Contact The Hindley Group at (800) 8561955. Visit us at www.thehindleygroup. com.

NORTHWEST HOUSTON ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY PRACTICE — SALE: Well-established practice in growing area with strong revenues and excellent profit margin. Substantial referral base.

Practice building also available for sale.

Contact The Hindley Group at (800) 8561955. Visit us at www.thehindleygroup. com.

ASSOCIATESHIPS: SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS PERIODONTAL — Wonderful practice completing periodontal treatment seeks long-term associate who desires to be a partner within 1-2 years.

Great location with strong new patient flow. Pre-determined purchase and partnership terms. Wonderful mentor looking for an “equally-yoked” individual. Excellent Staff. DFW METROPLEX ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY — Parkland trained surgeon seeking an “equally yoked” associate desiring to acquire the entirety of his practice within the next 3-5 years. Well-established practice enjoying 2008 revenues exceeding seven Texas Dental Journal

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figures from two locations. Wonderful opportunity for a resident who has recently completed their program and who desires transition into practice ownership. You , could not find a more superior partner!

MIDLAND GENERAL DENTAL PRACTICE — Well established and growing practice with strong revenues and healthy profit margin on 4 days per week. Wonderful mentor with plenty of room to grow. SAN ANTONIO PERIODONTAL — Associateship with pre-determined buy-in for very active, multi-office periodontal practice.

Outstanding mentor and cohesive staff.

If you are the right person, this is an outstanding opportunity. Contact The Hindley Group at (800) 856-1955. Visit us at www.thehindleygroup.com.

HOUSTON SOUTHWEST GENERAL PRACTICE: Well-established general practice for sale with recent build out and equipment. Great merger candidate or stand-alone office. Call Jim Robertson, (713) 688-1749 or (713) 822-5705.

HOUSTON CLEAR LAKE GENERAL PRACTICE: Small Clear Lake practice for merger opportunity or second office. Call Jim Robertson, (713) 688-1749 or (713) 822-5705.

HOUSTON PASADENA ORTHO PRACTICE: Small ortho practice for merger opportunity or second office. Call Jim Robertson, (713) 688-1749 or (713) 822-5705.

HOUSTON NORTHWEST ORTHO PRACTICE: Profitable, well-established ortho practice for sale. Call Jim Robertson, (713) 688-1749 or (713) 822-5705.

ADS WATSON, BROWN & ASSOCIATES: Excellent practice acquisition and merger opportunities available. DALLAS AREA —

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Six general dentistry practices available (Dallas, North Dallas, Highland Park, and Plano); five specialty practices available: two ortho, one perio, and two pedo. FT. WORTH AREA — two general dentistry practices (north Ft. Worth and west of Ft. Worth). CORPUS CHRISTI AREA — one general dentistry practice. CENTRAL TEXAS — two general dentistry practices (north of Austin and Bryan/College Station). NORTH TEXAS — one orthodontic practice. HOUSTON AREA — three general dentistry practices. EAST TEXAS AREA — two general dentistry practices and one pedo practice. WEST TEXAS — three general dentistry practices (El Paso and west Texas). NEW MEXICO — two general dentistry practices (Sante Fe, Albuquerque, NM). For more information and current listings, please visit our website at www.ADStexas.com or call ADS Watson, Brown & Associates at (469) 222-3200.

DALLAS / FORT WORTH: Dental One is opening new offices in the upscale suburbs of Dallas and Fort Worth. Dental One is unique in that each office of our 60 offices has its own, individual name such as Riverchase Dental Care and Preston Hollow Dental Care. All our offices have topof-the-line Pelton and Crane equipment, digital X-rays, and intra-oral cameras. We are 70 percent PPO, 30 percent full fee. We take no managed care or Medicaid. We offer competitive salaries and benefits. To learn more about working for Dental One, please contact Rich Nicely at (972) 755-0836.

HOUSTON DENTAL ONE is opening new offices in the upscale suburbs of Houston.

Dental One is unique in that each office of our 50+ offices has its own individual name. All our offices have top-of-the-line Pelton and Crane equipment, digital Xrays, and intra-oral cameras. We are 100

percent FFS with some PPO plans. We offer competitive salaries, benefits, and equity buy-in opportunities. To learn more about working for Dental One, please call Andy Davis at (713) 343-0888.

ASSOCIATE FOR GENERAL DENTISTRY PRACTICE: Experienced general dentist needed for established, rapidly growing private group practice in Northwest Houston. Flexible schedule. Competitive compensation with retirement plan. Great opportunity for quality oriented person with future buy-in interest. Please send CV to bwilson@easdds.com.

FULLY-EQUIPPED MODERN DENTAL OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE FOR LEASE: Have four ops, current doctor is only using 2 days a week. Great opportunity to start up new practice (i.e. endo perio, oral surgery). Available days are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday per week. Call (214) 315-4584, or e-mail ycsongdds@yahoo.com.

FOR SALE — BRENHAM DENTAL OFFICE: Attractive building in the center of three vacant, landscaped lots; 1,500 sq. ft., free-standing building with three large operatories, large lab, and storage area. Office is fully equipped with many amenities and in a high traffic, rapid growing area.

Building has been a dental office for many years. Ideal for a second dental location, a dentist who wants to slow down, or a dentist who wants a full-time practice. For more information, call (979) 836-2880.

TEXAS PANHANDLE: Well-established 100 percent fee-for-service dental practice for immediate transition or complete sale at below market price by retiring dentist. Relaxed work schedule with community centrally located within 1 hour

of three major cities. The office building can be leased or purchased separately and is spaciously designed with four operatories, doctors’ private office and separate office rental space. This is an excellent and profitable opportunity for a new dentist, a dentist desiring to own a practice, or a satellite practice expansion. Contact C. Vandiver at (713) 2052005 or clv@tauruscapitalcorp.com.

SUGAR CREEK / SUGAR LAND: General dentist looking for periodontist, endo, ortho specialist to lease or sell. Suite is 1,500 sq. ft. with four fully-equipped treatment rooms, lab, business office, telephone system, computers, reception and playroom; 5 days per week. If seriously interested, please call (281) 342-6565.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION IN SOUTHWEST HOUSTON is seeking parttime dentist to work in their indigent clinic. Please fax resumes to (281) 403-1143 or contact the director of health services, (281) 261-9199 ext 291. Also, looking for volunteer dentist, hygienist, and RDAs to assist us in serving those who are uninsured and are in need of quality care.

TOP OF THE HILL COUNTRY GENERAL PRACTICE FOR SALE. Beautiful freestanding building in growing Clifton medical/arts district. Well established, quality oriented, five ops, FFS. Easy proximity to Dallas, Austin, and Lake Whitney. Doctor relocating but willing to provide flexible transition terms. If you are tired of patient turnover and want to make a difference in patients’ lives, this it the opportunity you’ve been looking for. Call (254) 675-3518 or email dnicholsdds@earthlink.net.

AUSTIN: Unique opportunity. Associateship and front-office position available for Texas Dental Journal

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husband/wife team. Southwest Austin, Monday through Thursday. Option to purchase practice in the future. Send resume and questions to newsmile@onr.com.

and begin practicing dentistry. The seller is retiring. Contact Practice Transition Partners at (888) 789-1085 or visit www. practicetransitions.com.

GALVESTON ISLAND: Unique opportunity to live and practice on the Texas Gulf coast. Well-established fee-for-service, 100 percent quality-oriented practice looking for a quality oriented associate.

Ideal for a new graduate or for an experienced dentist wanting to relocate and become part of an established practice with a reputation for providing comprehensive, quality dental care with a personable approach. Practice references available from local specialists. Contact Dr. Richard Krumholz, (409) 762-4522.

EL PASO: FULL- OR PART-TIME ASSOCIATE NEEDED. Would be sole practitioner at location. Three operatories for DDS plus one for hygienist, equipment less than 1 year old. Past compensations up to 5-figures per week. No administrative responsibilities. Call (702) 510-7795 or email drartbejarano@gmail.com.

ROUND ROCK GENERAL PRACTICE FOR SALE. High visibility location. I want to move to my satellite office full-time.

Only one PPO (Delta). E-mail inquiries to buyaroundrockdentalpractice@yahoo. com or call (512) 965-6725.

GENERAL DENTIST NEEDED to provide comprehensive dental services for community health center dental practice.

Services include examination, diagnosis, and treatment of registered patients of the center. Scope of services include diagnostic, preventive, restorative, oral surgery, and endodontics. The center is a nonprofit FQHC located in Bryan-College Station. E-mail cover letter and resume to Dr. Alonge at oalonge@bvcaa.org.

IRVING PRACTICE FOR SALE: Long-established, four operatory (three equipped and one plumbed/unequipped) GP located in a popular and growing area of Irving. Efficient management systems, a trained staff, and stable patient base are in place for the next dentist to step in

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ASSOCIATE NEEDED — NE TEXAS: Pittsburgh is surrounded by beautiful lakes and piney woods. Well-established, quality-oriented, busy cosmetic and family practice.

Associate to partnership opportunity. Call Dr. Richardson at (903) 856-6688.

HOUSTON: Small group practice with three locations in and around Houston area seeking highly motivated general dentist to share in a fee-for-service, well-established private practice. High income potential with full doctor autonomy. Please send CV to amihuynh@ yahoo.com.

HOUSTON: General dentist with pediatric experience needed. Full-time position available. Excellent compensation. Please send CV to cvanalfen@yahoo.com.

HOUSTON: A great opportunity to start your own practice without the financial commitment. Dental office southwest Galleria area. Lease, purchase, or become an associate with the potential of owning. Please call Jasmine Rodriguez, (832) 339-5558; email jasminegoodenow@yahoo.com.

ASSOCIATE PARTNER, SOUTHEAST HOUSTON — WEBSTER: Excellent op-

portunity for a highly energetic, enthusiastic, hard working general dentist. Beautiful high-tech family practice is seeking an exceptional well rounded individual to take over existing adult patient base.

Individual must be self motivated, experienced, and willing to work hard to obtain goals. Office is in great location with state-of-the-art equipment with the latest technology. The general dentist area has five treatment rooms with high production potential. Call (281) 488-2483 or fax resume (281) 488-3416.

WELL-ESTABLISHED GENERAL DENTIST IN TYLER with 30+ years experience seeks a caring and motivated associate for his busy practice. This practice provides exceptional dental care for the entire family. The professional staff allows a doctor to focus solely on the needs of their patients. Our office is located in beautiful East Texas and provide all phases of quality dentistry in a friendly and compassionate atmosphere.

The practice offers a tremendous opportunity to grow a solid foundation for the doctor. The practice offers excellent production and earning potential with a possible future equity position available. Our knowledgeable staff will support and enhance your growth and earning potential while helping create a smooth transition.

Interested candidates should call (903) 509-0505 and/or send an e-mail to steve. lebo@sbcglobal.net.

HOUSTON: Would you enjoy owning a well-established neighborhood dental practice in the Heights section of Houston? Located in a mixed use professional building, this practice has enabled the current owner to retire without financial stress. My client is ready to transition this great two operatory facility to the

right dentist. It is priced right and ready to take you to the next level of your career. Call Jack Sayyah, (877) 905-1515.

EXPERIENCED RESTORATIVE DENTIST (PANKEY/LVI TYPE) who enjoys aesthetics and full-mouth rehab needed to lead a first-class, full service practice. Unique practice model affords the opportunity to earn high income doing big cases and coordinating patient care with our specialty teams. Practice with the support of a veteran team in a beautiful practice. Contact Dr. John Bond at jbond@6daydental.com.

6 DAY DENTAL & ORTHODONTICS is an established group practice model, providing all dental services to our patients under one roof. Our general dentists and specialists work together to provide the most convenient and quality dental care possible. We are growing and have an immediate opportunity for a general dentist or prosthodontist with future partnership/equity opportunity. 6 Day Dental & Orthodontics just may be the premier feefor-service alliance of dental practices in the country. Our doctors earn more, see fewer patients/ and have plenty of time off to enjoy a rich and healthy lifestyle.

New grads and experienced dentists/ prosthodontists welcomed. Our dentists earn in the top 10 percent of extractions, as well as performing all types of dentistry. Please send CV or contact Dr. John Bond at jbond@6daydental.com. Visit www.6daydental.com.

NEEDED: BOARD CERTIFIED ORTHODONTIST FOR CLINICAL DIRECTOR POSITION IN EDINBURG MEDICAID PRACTICE. Duties include formulating and implementing procedures for operation of orthodontic services, determining Texas Dental Journal

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equipment, materials, and personnel required for performance of treatment and construction of corrective appliances, coordinating orthodontic services with other dental and medical services, preparing diagnostic and treatment records, examining, diagnosing, and treating irregularities, and malocclusions of teeth and malrelations of jaws, examining patients and interpreting and evaluating radiographs, models, and clinical photographs to determine nature and extent of deficiencies caused by irregularly positioned teeth and relationships, and instructing assistants and other auxiliary personnel in orthodontic procedures and techniques.

Requirements: 24 months training for orthodontic specialty. Board Certified Orthodontist, Texas Dental license, 150 hours continuing education in orthodontics, license to practice dentistry in the state of Texas. If interested, please e-mail resume to Navarro Orthodontix, P.C., c/o Dr. Hal D. Lerman, nflq21b@swbell.net.

as some fixed office visits. Patient population presents unique technical medical, and behavioral challenges, seasoned dentist preferred. Buy-in potential high for the right individual. Please toward CV to e-mail renee@austindentalcares.com; FAX (512) 238-9250; or call (512) 2389250 for additional information.

ROSE DENTAL is among Austin’s premier dental practices, and we are looking for two enthusiastic dentists to join our team in both our Round Rock and Northwest Austin locations by May 2010. If you are looking for a great work environment with advanced dental technology, supportive leadership, and excellent staff.

Rose Dental may be the place for you.

Fax CV to (512) 342-0636, attn.: Christy, or e-mail cferreri@rosedental.net.

SPACE AVAILABLE FOR SPECIALIST. New professional building located southwest of Fort Worth in Granbury between elementary and junior high schools off of a state highway with high visibility and traffic. Call (817) 326-4098.

ASSOCIATE NEEDED FOR NURSING HOME DENTAL PRACTICE. This is a non-traditional practice dedicated to delivering care onsite to residents of long term care facilities. This practice is centered in Austin but visits homes in the central Texas area. Portable and mobile equipment and facilities are used, as well

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PEDIATRIC DENTIST: Pediatric Dental Wellness is growing and needs a dynamic dentist to work full time in our pediatric practice. The perfect complement to our dedicated staff would be someone who is compassionate, goal oriented, and has a genuine love for working with children.

If you are a motivated self-starter that is willing to give us a long-term commitment, please apply. Salary plus benefits.

Looking to fill position immediately. Send resumes and cover letters to candice. n.moore@gmail.com.

Office Space

HIGH TRAFFIC SHELL BUILDING IN ROUND ROCK, north of Austin, in one of the fastest-growing counties. Available at $155 / sq. ft. For more information, e-mail jacque@rgtate.com or call (512) 848-2509.

DENTAL / MEDICAL OFFICE in Medical Center area. Nicely finished out; move-in ready; all bills paid. Up to 3,509 sq. ft.

(1,608 sq. ft. and 1,892 sq. ft.) for $5,800 / month. Call Shannan Schnittger, broker, (210) 930-3700.

DENTAL OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE MARCH 2010 IN WIMBERLEY, a true “small town” in the heart of the Hill Country. Originally designed/built for a dentist; excellent location across the street from Wimberley High School and Middle School.

Parking, ADA accessible, high-speed internet available, community water supply.

Call Leslie Howe at (512) 847-9361.

SHERMAN — 1,750 SQ. FT. DENTAL OFFICE. Building has established general dentist and perio/implant dentist.

Plumbed and ready to go. High traffic and visibility with lots of parking. Sherman is beautiful and growing town 50 miles north of Dallas and near Lake Texoma,

the second largest lake in Texas. It has great schools, a vibrant arts community, and is home to many, many Fortune 500 companies such as Texas Instruments and Tyson Foods. Call (760) 436-0446.

DENTAL OFFICE FOR SALE / LEASE IN NORTHEAST TEXAS. A 2,800 sq. ft. six operatory office build 10 years ago is available in a town of 12,000 that needs a general dentist. Situated in an attractive professional park, this office features a large sterilization area, dual rear entry operatories, dental cabinetry in five of the six ops, wood floors, and three bathrooms. A great opportunity for a mature dentist looking for good hunting and

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fishing in a small town environment or a new grad wanting an instant patient pool and room to grow. Call Cheryl at (903) 649-8222 or (903) 753-2988; email buybuilding@bachteldental.com.

For Sale ESTABLISHED, FULLY EQUIPPED THREE OPERATORY LAB FOR SALE OR LEASE in Plainview. High visibility location. Seller retiring. Mentor to transition possible. Call (806) 293-2686 or (806) 292-3156.

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Interim Services TEMPORARY PROFESSIONAL COVERAGE (Locum Tenens): Let one of our distinguished docs keep your overhead covered, your revenue-flow open wide, your staff busy, your patients treated and booked for recall, all for a flat daily rate not a percent of production. Nation’s largest, most distinguished team. Shortnotice coverage, personal, maternity, and disability leaves our specialty. Free, no obligation quotes. Absolute confidentiality. Trusted integrity since 1996. Some of our team seek regular part-time, permanent, or buy-in opportunities. Always

seeking new dentists to join the team.

Bread and butter procedures. No cost, strings, or obligations — ever! Work only when you wish. Name your fee.

Join online at www.doctorsperdiem. com. Phone: (800) 600-0963; e-mail: docs@doctorsperdiem.com.

OFFICE COVERAGE for vacations, maternity leave, illness. Protect your practice and income. Forest Irons and Associates, (800) 433-2603 (EST). Web: www. forestirons.com. “Dentists Helping Dentists Since 1983.”

Miscellaneous LOOKING TO HIRE A TRAINED DENTAL ASSISTANT? We have dental assistants graduating every 3 months in Dallas and Houston. To hire or to host a 32-hour externship, please call the National School of Dental Assisting at (800) 383-3408, www.schoolofdentalassisting-plano.com.

ESTABLISHED DENTAL ASSISTING SCHOOL searching for general dental office to lease on 1 weekend day and 1 weeknight near Plano. Ongoing 12-week course. Please call Dr. Peter Najim, (800) 509-2864, pnajim@dentalassist.org.

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Your Patients Trust You. Who can YOU Trust?

The Professional Recovery Network (PRN) addresses personal needs involving counseling services for dentists, hygienists, dental students and hygiene students with alcohol or chemical dependency, or any other mental or emotional difficulties. We provide impaired dental professionals with the support and means to confidential recovery.

If you or another dental professional are concerned about a possible impairment, call the Professional Recovery Network and start the recovery process today. If you call to get help for someone in need, your name and location will not be divulged. The Professional Recovery Network staff will ask for your name and phone numbers so we may obtain more information and let you know that something is being done.

Statewide Toll-free Helpline 800-727-5152 Emergency 24-hour Cell: 512-496-7247 PRN Staff Donna Chamberlain, LCSW, CAS Director . . . . . . . . . . 512-615-9176 Paige Peschong, LMSW Social Worker . . . . . 512-615-9155 Courtney Bolin, MSW Social Worker . . . . . 512-615-9182 Professional Recovery Network 12007 Research Blvd. Suite 201 Austin, TX 78759 www.rxpert.org

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Peace of Mind at Significant Savings

Save on Identity Theft Protection As a dentist, you may be assumed to have a high net worth and credit score, making you an appealing target for identity theft. Employees have convenient access to your personal information. iSekurity is an industry leader employing the largest team of former United States federal agents that aggressively go after the criminal to help locate and identify him, and assist in prosecution.

On average, it takes more than 330 personal hours and $4,500 per incident to reverse the damage incurred by identity theft. iSekurity will do what it takes to help you restore your identity back to its pre-fraud state at its expense, not yours. Through Perks, TDA members now have access to iSekurity membership at significantly reduced rates—almost 50% off. For more information on identity theft or to enroll, visit tdaperks. com, or call iSekurity at:

(877) 838-5734

Almost

50% Off

Secure Online Data Backup Starting at $10/Month Managed Backup Solutions (MBS) provides a safe, reliable, cost-effective, and automated secure electronic data backup and file-recovery solution. The MBS team has expertise in most (if not at all) of the major software packages used in the dental industry—from imaging and charting to accounting and billing. And it can help your practice meet HIPAA compliance requirements—specifically those of the Security Rule. You’ll never run out of storage space, and your data is always stored safely encrypted in two offsite locations.

MBS provides 100% certainty your backups are working; you can view, access or restore all the files you have backed up at any time. MBS takes care of installation, configuration, data restores, and provides customer support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It charges a set price per month for its service, depending on the amount of storage space your practice needs. TDA members receive special pricing. For more information or a quote, contact MBS at: sales@ mbssecure.com; or at:

(877) MBS-0787

Register to Win a Dell Inspiron™ 15 Laptop (and learn more about Texas Dental JournalCall l www.tda.org l February 2010 255 your Perks) at: tdaperks.com. Questions?

(512) 443-3675.

New Health Insurance Option for TDA Members and Staff

The Benefits.

The New Health Insurance Plan offers an array of benefits to fit your needs ...

• $5 million lifetime

• • •

• •

maximum No exclusions or riders for covered conditions Vision coverage included 24/7 toll-free Health Line for confidential health questions staffed by RNs Online access of your health benefits Freedom to choose any provider in or out of network with no referrals

Traditional and HSA Qualified Plans Available with Full Maternity Coverage Traditional Plan Features

HSA Qualified Plans

� Two Deductible Options � Prescription Drug Copay Card with Mail Order Option � Preventive Care Covered After Office Copay

� Three Individual or Family Deductibles � Preventive Care Covered at 100% In-network on HSA Plans Before Deductible

Questions?

Visit www.TDAmemberinsure.com Or call, 1-800-677-8644

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