We are so excited to have Dr. Joe Mehranfar here today. Dr. Joe shares how he taught, obtained two master’s degrees, and didn’t always have the best grades before beginning dental school. He also shares how a mentor helped him become the implant expert that he is today. He tells the story of how he had 80 offices and almost lost everything before building his practice back up.
He also shares his experience when he first arrived from Iran, and how he eventually found his passion with teaching and giving back to the underserved and disenfranchised homeless community. He teaches at Brighter Way Live and is involved with the Dental Clinic at CASS. He shares his passion for dentistry and implants done the right way and giving back to those less fortunate.
You can find Dr. Joe Mehranfar here:
Show Notes:
[01:40] Dr. Joe shares the winding road that he traveled to actually make it through dental school. He even obtained two master's degrees and taught anatomy.
[08:57] He became an assistant and learned how to do implants.
[10:03] He moved to Phoenix and started doing implants.
[11:03] Dr. Joe offered affordable implants and got over 100 patients right out of school.
[12:24] The impact of ego, experience, and nerves.
[13:09] He then partnered with ClearChoice and started lecturing about the product.
[14:10] After opening many practices, he ran out of money and went bankrupt.
[14:49] They had investors lined up, but it didn't pan out.
[15:25] Out of 80 offices, he was able to retain 8 of them.
[16:26] He was trying to build business and mailed booklets to people. He would bring offices patients and do the implant surgery.
[17:29] How dentistry is such a unique opportunity. Dentists can make money even after trying things that don't work.
[18:23] Dr. Joe moved here from Iran in 1984, and his first job was a headhunter. Where he learned people skills and building trust.
[20:51] Dr. Joe always enjoyed teaching and training.
[21:13] In 2015, Dr. Joe began giving back by volunteering for a homeless service called CASS. He now has a center inside the shelter.
[25:50] He often does 240 implants in three days with the help of other dentists. They have huge volume.
[27:06] How so many competitors work together for charity and the mission.
[28:53] The majority of the restorative is done by one of Joe's residents.
[30:45] Dr. Joe customizes the case with the amount of knowledge that the student has. It also helps the volunteering companies.
[31:35] Placing implants is super popular for dental graduates.
[31:58] Advice for young dentists to get involved with placing implants.
[32:27] The importance of teaching students how to treat people safely and not hurt anyone.
[34:01] Dr. Joe is also an expert witness for attorney's in town. His biggest thing is nerve injury.
[35:16] The best advice for young dentists is to take your time and build confidence and work on a couple of successful cases.
[35:49] Use the technology like cone beams and printers to make sure everything is safe, predictable and cost effective.
[37:14] The pros and cons of free hand and guided implant surgeries.
[38:43] Machines need to be calibrated so that everything is accurate.
[43:09] Dr. Joe loves surgery.
[43:42] Looking at the socket to see what size implant is needed. Dr. Joe gives his measurement technique.
[48:19] Get your tickets for DIA2018 at InfluenceDental.com.
As always thanks so much for listening! If you like the show we would love for you to review the show on iTunes as well as spread the word! If you have any questions or want to get in touch, shoot me an email at millennialdentist@gmail.com.
Links and Resources:
The Millennial Dentist Website
@Millennialdentist on Facebook
On Instagram
Dr. Sully…@Millennialdentist on Instagram
Dr. Peyman…@drpeyray on Instagram
Dr. Paresh Shah is here to talk about the importance of continuing education, treatment planning, and having a mentor. Dr. Shah was born in India, but has been in Winnipeg, Canada for 50 years where he has been a solo practitioner. He has recently added an associate to his practice. After being an associate, Dr. Shaw purchased a practice from a retiring dentist and built that practice up. He really became excited about dentistry when he found mentors and teachers and like minded people to grow with.
In this episode, Dr. Shaw shares a lot of great information for young dentists and dentists starting out. He talks about the importance of getting or buying a patient base when you first start out. He talks about how to use technology in a smart, efficient, and profitable way. We talk about how to find and communicate with labs and lot more great stuff on today’s show.
You can find our Dr. Paresh Shah here:
Westwood Dental Center on Instagram
Show Notes:
[01:51] Dr. Shaw was born in India, but he has been in Winnipeg Canada for over 50 years.
[02:26] His family and his practice are in Winnipeg and his daughter is a dentist in Chicago.
[02:59] Dr. Shaw has been a solo practitioner, but he just got an associate.
[03:06] He does restorative dentistry, implants, cosmetic dentistry, and interdisciplinary care.
[03:20] He has a busy practice with three full-time hygienists. They have five rooms and their operation is very efficient.
[03:32] Dr. Shaw loves what he does. He used to be a super dentist and do everything, but now he focuses on what he does best.
[03:37] He has a great group of specialists that he works with.
[04:06] When Dr. Shaw first started in dentistry, he was an associate. Although, he almost became an oral surgeon.
[04:45] A distribution rep told him about a practice that was for sale, and he ended up buying his practice. He started with three chairs and no hygienist. He built the practice adding hygiene one day at a time.
[06:15] How corporate dentistry is entrenched in the US. If you work hard, and you are smart, you can buy a practice and pay the debt off.
[06:47] The importance of finding a practice that already has a patient base.
[07:20] Ask what the dollar value of those patients are?
[09:18] You can take the approach and build it and people will come, but to be successful you need a patient base.
[09:53] You could also transition the patient base of a retiring dentist.
[11:05] Find a mentor that will teach you how to diagnose and treatment plan and communicate with patients.
[11:54] Millennials want a practice that has a luxurious look.
[13:30] When you buy a new practice, there are aesthetic things you can do to make the practice look better.
[14:35] The point of buying an existing practice is cash flow.
[15:12] At first, Dr. Shah wasn't enjoying his work. Then he met a group of mentors and teachers and learned how to properly diagnose and treatment plan. He spent 5 or 6 years at the University of Minnesota.
[16:40] He saw the great lives and practices of these older dentists and their passion for dentistry.
[16:54] He is still friends with these guys. By surrounding himself with this group and taking several continuing education courses, he became enthusiastic about his practice.
[17:58] Like minded individuals can be inspiring.
[19:40] Hanging out with people ahead of you closes your information gap.
[21:07] Learning the foundation by going to the Kois Center and Spear Education.
[22:45] To understand and learn everything a young dentist really needs a continuum course.
[24:53] How you don't know what you don't know is absolutely true.
[25:45] The importance of updating and learning new techniques.
[27:38] How important it is to meet people and be exposed to people in other cities and other countries.
[28:34] The importance of creating a nonthreatening environment and creating accountability.
[30:15] The Seattle Study Club was founded by Michael Cohen. This is a university without walls that meets every four to six weeks.
[31:08] They sit down and have treatment planning sessions. There are about 270 Seattle Study Clubs around the world.
[31:34] The importance of finding a study club that wants to mentor you.
[34:04] Dr. Shah lectures about current techniques for doing everyday stuff. People have to have a foundation.
[36:30] How you can learn from your mistakes and decide what you can improve if something doesn't look good.
[37:43] He also shows advanced treatment plan cases in his study clubs.
[38:31] Digital workflow and new scanners and software. Dr. Shaw is trying to teach the digital workflow to get from here to there and be efficient about it.
[44:28] How important it is to not make learning experiences sales pitches. Dr. Shaw and a friend are doing a two-day program and will have the products of several different brands represented.
[47:33] Team members also need to be part of the education and the workflow training and creation.
[50:24] Dr. Shah incorporates changes and checklists for a reason. He doesn't change procedure without having a reason and sharing it.
[55:50] Buying a scanner, having a great lab, and getting a model printer is a great way to operate.
[56:32] The key to digital is time. You can pay for your scanner in a year.
[57:56] The value of saving time whether it's 15 minutes a crown or a week a year.
[01:01:53] Interview labs and find a good lab that you can communicate with. Dr. Shah found a great lab in Canada through Instagram.
[01:04:13] Send photos to your lab and keep the lines of communication open. You both need to be accountable with each other.
[01:05:44] In Canada, lab fees are disclosed separate from dental fees.
As always thanks so much for listening! If you like the show we would love for you to review the show on iTunes as well as spread the word! If you have any questions or want to get in touch, shoot me an email at millennialdentist@gmail.com.
Links and Resources:
The Millennial Dentist Website
@Millennialdentist on Facebook
On Instagram
Dr. Sully…@Millennialdentist on Instagram
Dr. Peyman…@drpeyray on Instagram
Westwood Dental Center on Instagram
Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
This episode is live from Quito, Ecuador. Sully is joined by Morgan, Anna, and Tessa who are three UTHSC D4 students. We discuss what the future holds for these three D4 students and what their plans are. Getting through dental school can be hectic, but once the goal of graduating is over. It is time to begin a new career as a dentist.
We talk about associateships, opening a new practice, taking over a practice, working for the government, and finding mentors. Faced with all of these decisions, it is probably a good time to think about what these students actually want, where they want to live, and what type of practice they want. We talk about finding options and exploring what is and isn’t a good fit.
Show Notes:
[01:03] Morgan is a D4 student at UTHSC College of Dentistry. She is from Indiana.
[01:10] Anna is also a D4 at UTHSC. She is from Connecticut.
[01:26] Tessa is also a D4 from Knoxville, TN.
[01:58] Dental school was different than they thought it would be. The time commitment is much bigger.
[02:39] The computer system and the school system took awhile to get the hang of.
[02:55] After graduating, you realize how much you don't know.
[03:09] What is next and how to deal with that.
[03:30] For Anna associateship is an option. Where depends on the licensing. Finding a good mentor is also an option.
[04:33] Find where you want to go and then find a job. Or find a job and go there.
[05:28] It's okay to find an opportunity and learn and then move on.
[06:02] Find a dentist you know and get them to introduce you to their network.
[06:38] Dental reps can be great resources for finding dental jobs.
[08:17] Cessa is not sure where she wants to go and is thinking about some type of government job.
[09:20] Start to write down what you think life will look like in a year and 5 years. Put together your vision and your goals. This can push you faster by setting yourself up to accomplish things.
[12:22] Traveling dentists in buses who go to schools. Morgan is applying for pediatric dentistry residencies.
[14:20] A lot of people are going to specialize or at least going through the application process.
[15:21] How sharing your goals can motivate you.
[16:59] Just because there are a lot of dentists, it does not necessarily mean that it is saturated. You can separate yourself from everyone else.
[18:45] Branding and social media and building your brand as a student. Start building a portfolio in dental school.
[22:36] Consider getting a nice DSLR camera.
[22:57] How to get to know a dentist you may want to work with. Go out to lunch with the team without the doctor. This can give you a real perspective. Also dig in to see what you have in common and what their long term goals are.
[25:15] Set up a contract with a trial period. You either know if it is worth working for or that it is not working.
[27:42] Have structure in place before starting an associateship or it could end badly. Also try looking at x-rays together to see if your treatment ideas are similar.
[29:12] Anna asks about programs looking for associateships like Practice on Fire and DDSMatch.
[30:05] The big thing to figure out is where you want to live.
[30:15] Sit down and decide what you want and what you want life to look like.
[31:34] You are never going to be ready for running your own practice. It is sink or swim. You can build good support with office managers etc.
As always thanks so much for listening! If you like the show we would love for you to review the show on iTunes as well as spread the word! If you have any questions or want to get in touch, shoot me an email at millennialdentist@gmail.com.
Links and Resources:
The Millennial Dentist Website
@Millennialdentist on Facebook
On Instagram
Dr. Sully…@Millennialdentist on Instagram
Dr. Peyman…@drpeyray on Instagram