North Texas Dentistry Premier Issue

North Texas

Dentistrya business and lifestyle magazine for north texas dentists

The Dental Dream TeamBerland Dental Arts Center

BCD Dean RetiringCollege to Establish

Professorship in His Honor

The Abundant Leader

Four Issues That Get Texas Dentists

in Trouble

premier issueVOLUME 1 | ISSUE 1

ON THE COVER

The Dental Dream TeamBerland Dental Arts Center

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North Texas

Dentistry

FEATURESBAYLOR COLLEGE OF DENTISTRYDr. James S. Cole, dean of Baylor College of Dentistry, will retire

and a professorship is being established in his honor.

PRACTICE MANAGEMENTThe Abundant LeaderPeople who lead an abundant lifestyle see their universe as infinite

and demand win-win scenarios in their personal and professional lives.

MONEY MATTERSRetirement or Entrepreneurialship Is retirement from the practice of dentistry a time to go fishing

or an opportunity to use your dental experience in a new career?

FOUR ISSUES THAT GET

TEXAS DENTISTS IN TROUBLEHow to Avoid The Most Common Violations Non-compliance can be expensive and can put your reputation at risk

COMMUNITY NEWS2011 6th Annual SMILE Walk & RunMark your calendars now for Community Dental Care’s

6th Annual SMILE Walk & Run.

THE WINE CELLARFor Great Wine, Habla EspañolToday’s Spanish wines offer more bang for the buck than wines from

any other parts of the world.

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6 COVER STORY:

The Dental Dream Team Dr. Lorin Berland believes patients deserve

knowledgeable specialists with the best skills

and expertise and has assembled the dental

dream team to provide care at the Berland

Dental Arts Center.

20

That Was Fast!How do you get 240 hours into a 40-hour work week?

Ask Dr. Sandra Armstrong of Southlake, Texas who

completed a stunning transformation of her office in

January 2011.

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www.northtexasdentistry.com | NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY 3

18

ON THE COVER

From left: Drs. Mark Margolin, Sarah Kong, Lorin

Berland, and Murat Ayik.

Photo: Ray Bryant, Bryant Studios

It is often said that when one door

closes another one opens. After

ten years the door has closed on

Doctor of Dentistry, and I am

thrilled to open a new door as I welcome

you to the Premier Issue of North Texas

Dentistry! You will find familiarity to

North Texas Dentistry because many

key players of my previous association

are still on my team. We will continue to

be the leader in bringing news and

information to the North Texas dental

community. We have lots of fresh ideas

to share in upcoming issues.

I could not have found a better cover

story for my Premier Issue. Dr. Lorin

Berland is not only a highly acclaimed

dentist but a fabulous guy to work with.

He was a great supporter of the maga-

zine changes and even helped me

decide on the new name, North Texas

Dentistry! Dr. Berland has assembled a

‘dream team’ of dentists at the Berland

Dental Arts Center so we are not only

highlighting him, but also his team. The

team includes: Drs. Mark Margolin,

Sarah Kong, Murat Ayik, and David

Canfield. Patients can have the majority

of their dental needs met in one location

while relaxing and enjoying the scenic

views of downtown Dallas.

In this issue, BCD announces the

retirement of dean of the college,

Dr. James Cole and the establishment of

a Professorship in his honor. Dr. Joel

Small offers an interesting perspective

on managing people in another article,

The Abundant Leader. Mark your

calendars now to participate in

Community Dental Care’s 6th Annual

SMILE Walk & Run on September 10th.

You will find details inside on this worth

while event. I hope you enjoy these

articles and much more!

North Texas Dentistry appreciates its

supporters and contributors and looks to

increase the number of businesses and

individuals who make up this out-

standing group! Contact NTD for

ad rates and for information on con-

tributing editorial content.

Watch your mailboxes for the arrival

of North Texas Dentistry’s first Special

Issue, The Future of Dentistry!

Thanks to all for joining me on my new

adventure. Until next time, keep smiling

and have a great day!

LuLu Stavinoha, RDH

Publisher

[email protected]

(214) 629-7110

from the publisher

Publisher | LuLu Stavinoha

Photographer | Ray Bryant, Bryant Studios

Contributing Writers | Tina Cauller, Dr. Richard V.

Lyschik, Dr. Joel T. Small, Duane Tinker, Beth Thiel,

Kim Clarke

Although every effort is made to ensure the

accuracy of editorial materials published in North

Texas Dentistry, the publisher cannot be held respon-

sible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its

contributing authors. Copyright 2011. All rights

reserved. Reproduction in part or in whole without

written permission is prohibited.

Advertise in North Texas DentistryFor more information on advertising in North Texas

Dentistry, call LuLu Stavinoha at (214) 629-7110 or

email [email protected].

North Texas

Dentistry

NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com4

Dr. James S. Cole, dean of Baylor

College of Dentistry, will retire on August

31 after eleven years at the helm of the

dental school.

Cole became dean in 2000, 25 years

after graduating from the college and

beginning his BCD career as a faculty

member in dental materials. Prior to

choosing dentistry as a profession, he

graduated from Stephen F. Austin State

University in Nacogdoches, Texas, with

an accounting degree. He then honed

technology skills while serving four years

on a U.S. Navy ship in Vietnam, writing

software programs that ran on the ship’s

computers and helped keep track of

the crew.

Cole’s fortuitous blend of skills and

education in dentistry, accounting and

computer technology have prompted

tremendous success in his various roles

at the college. These have included

director of computer services, chief

financial officer, legislative relations,

interim dean and dean in addition to

four years as president and treasurer of

the Baylor Oral Health Foundation.

Throughout his career at BCD, Cole

has embraced innovation and has made

technology enhancements a top priority.

As dean, his vision has propelled the

college to the upper echelon of dental

schools, leading in the use of dental

simulation, state-of-the-art clinics, high-

tech classrooms and instructional tools,

virtual microscopy for histology,

electronic patient records, digital

radiography, dental implant clinical

experiences and more.

In honor of his dedicated leadership,

friends and colleagues are raising funds

to establish the James S. Cole, D.D.S.,

Endowed Professorship in Dentistry,

which will help fund technology

improvements and instructional inno-

vations at the college.

The professorship, the college’s first,

will be funded at a minimum level of

$500,000 and will be endowed to exist

in perpetuity. Proceeds from the endow-

ment will be available to the dean, who

will be the holder of the professorship, to

help address the technology needs that

are critical to the future of dental

education and the delivery of

contemporary oral health care.

“It has been awesome to witness the

warmth and enthusiasm associated with

gifts made to establish this professorship

in Dr. Cole’s honor,” said Susan Mitchell

Jackson, executive director of commun-

ications and institutional advancement

at the college. “We’re nearly two-thirds

of the way toward our goal. I am con-

fident that the generous giving will

continue, not just to celebrate Dr. Cole’s

past achievements but to help secure his

vision for the college’s future.”

The Cole Professorship Fund resides

at the Baylor Oral Health Foundation.

To honor Jim Cole with a gift to the

fund, please contact Susan Mitchell

Jackson at 214.828.8214 or by email at

[email protected]. Pledges to

the fund are payable over four years.

Founded in 1905, Baylor College of Dentistry in

Dallas is a college of the Texas A&M Health Science

Center. TAMHSC-BCD is a nationally recognized

center for oral health sciences education, research,

specialized patient care and continuing dental

education. The TAMHSC serves the state as a

distributed, statewide health science center that is

present in communities throughout Texas.

Baylor College of Dentistry Dean RetiringCollege to establish professorship in his honor


When it comes to quality dental care, people

want dentists they can trust. Patients

deserve knowledgeable specialists with the

best skills and expertise, a committed team

that is caring and competent, the most advanced technology,

and most important, consistently excellent results. This is

exactly what the patients of t he Berland Dental Arts Center in

the Dallas Arts District have learned to expect. Dr. Lorin

Berland has assembled the dental dream team to provide the

full range of dental services all in just one place.

The Berland Dental Arts Center is located on the 9th floor

of 2100 Ross, affording guests a spectacular cityscape view of

the Dallas Arts District. The Center is conveniently situated on

the corner of Ross Avenue and Pearl Street with secure,

complimentary underground parking. Thanks to its

appreciative and loyal patients, the Berland Dental Arts Center

has expanded three times since first opening its doors and is

celebrating 25 years in the same location. This special

anniversary was recently featured in the International

Dental Tribune.

A Stellar Team of Specialists

The most valuable asset of this unique multi-specialty group

is its experienced and dedicated team.

Dr. Lorin Berland was the first Fellow of the American

Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). He is the co-creator of

the Lorin Library Smile Style Guide, the developer of the

website, www.denturewearers.com, and the creator of various

instructional videos for dentists, including Biomimetic Same

Day Inlay/Onlays and The Latest and Greatest in Cosmetic

Dentistry – A Full Mouth Rehab in 2 Visits. His unique

approach to dentistry has been featured on television and in

The Dental Dream TeamBerland Dental Arts Centerby Tina Cauller


Dr. Lorin Berland has assembled the dental dream team to provide the full range of dental services all in one place, the Berland Dental Arts Center.

From left: Drs. Sarah Kong, Lorin Berland, Mark Margolin and Murat Ayik.

cover feature

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publications such as 20/20, Time,

Town & Country, Reader’s Digest, GQ,

US News & World Report, Woman’s

World, Details, D Magazine, The Dallas

Morning News, and Good Morning Texas.

Besides being voted Texas Super

Dentist and Texas Best Cosmetic

Dentist, Dr. Berland was voted “one of

the best dentists in the United States”

by the International Dental Tribune. He

was also recently honored by the American

Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry for his

Contributions to the Art & Science of

Cosmetic Dentistry. In fact, when it comes

to Smile Design, Dr. Berland literally wrote

the book. His Smile Style Guide has helped

tens of thousands of patients achieve the

smiles of their dreams.

In order to offer his patients the best possible care,

Dr. Berland has put together a dynamic team of specialists to

complement his practice.

Dr. Sarah Kong, a Dallas native, was voted as a Texas

Super Dentist and Texas Best General Dentist for general

dentistry by her peers. She focuses on preventive, cosmetic,

restorative and pediatric care as well as oral appliance therapy

for TMJ, snoring and sleep apnea. Dr. Kong worked with a

master ceramist in one of the world’s finest dental laboratories

prior to entering dental school. She received her Doctorate of

Dental Surgery from Baylor College of Dentistry, where she has

served on faculty in the Department of Restorative Dentistry.

She is an active member in numerous professional

organizations such as the American Academy of Cosmetic

Dentistry, American Dental Association, Academy of General

Dentistry, Texas Dental Association, and Dallas County Dental

Society, where she has served on the

membership committee and the peer

review board. In addition, she has a

passion for serving her community

through her church, her children’s school

and various outreach opportunities in

dentistry. She has published numerous

dental articles in various peer-reviewed

dental journals.

Dr. Mark Margolin, a board-certified

periodontist, provides services for all

aspects of periodontal therapy, tooth

removal, and dental implantology, and has

a particular interest in cosmetic gum

surgery. He developed a minimally-

invasive cosmetic procedure to correct the

gummy smile. He was also voted a

Texas Super Dentist for periodontics and Texas Best

Periodontist / Implantologist by his peers. Dr. Margolin

received his undergraduate degree from the George Washington

University and his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the State

University of New York at Stony Brook. He completed a three-

year residency specializing in periodontics and dental implants

at the Oregon Health Sciences University where he served as

chief resident during his final two years. Dr. Margolin is a

Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, a

verification of expert status in the field.

Dr. Margolin is an active member of the Dallas County Dental

Society, serving on the membership development committee.

He has been elected to the Dallas County peer review committee

as well.

Dr. Margolin provides services for all aspects of periodontal

therapy and dental implantology, but he has a particular

Dr. Berland is co-creator of the Lorin Library Smile Style Guide which has helped tens of thousands of patients

achieve the smiles of their dreams.


Dr. Mark Margolin confers with Dr. Berlin using three-dimensional imaging from the i-CAT scanner which clearly

visualizes the anatomy of the jaws, teeth and other critical structures in precise detail.

interest in the field of aesthetic periodontal plastic surgery. He

has given numerous seminars on those topics, teaching

aesthetic dental surgery as well as implants to other dentists.

Dr. Murat Ayik provides endodontic therapy within the

practice. Dr. Ayik graduated from Tennessee Technological

University and earned his DDS degree from the University of

Tennessee College of Dentistry. After graduation, he was

commissioned as a Naval Officer in the United States Navy and

served for four years. He earned an Advanced Education in

General Dentistry (AEGD) certificate at the Naval

Medical/Dental Center San Diego, California. After his tenure

in the U.S. Navy, he completed a 27-month advanced specialty

training in root canals and microsurgical endodontics at The

Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry,

where he served as chief resident in his final year of training.

Dr. Ayik currently holds board-eligibility status from the

American Board of Endodontics.

Dr. David Canfield, a dental anesthesiologist, is the

Coordinator of Pain and Anxiety Control at Baylor College of

Dentistry. Both anesthesiologists, Dr. Canfield and John

McConnell, M.D., administer a full range of dental anesthesia

services to provide deep sedation for anxious patients.

The Berland Dental Laboratory has its own German

master ceramist, Cornelia Ferenschuetz. Cornelia has more

than 25 years of experience creating beautiful, life-like teeth.

Her field of expertise is porcelain, focusing on full ceramic

crowns and Dr. Berland’s own Microveneers – thinner, stonger,

and more aesthetic than Lumineers. She also specializes in

zirconium crowns, the most biocompatible material in

dentistry. Because zirconium is so strong, it allows for metal-

free restorations that are translucent and are able to reflect light

much like a natural tooth, making it virtually impossible to

distinguish them from natural teeth. She is joined by David

Wiley, whose family has been creating excellent cosmetic

dentures for two generations. After operating a full service

dental lab for over 25 years, David decided to follow his passion

for creating the finest dentures.

Thanks to the on-site laboratory, the Berland Dental Arts

Center delivers faster, more personal care. They even offer same-

day inlays/onlays that can help avoid crowns and root canals for

patients with chipped, broken, or damaged teeth. The inlay/onlay

solution saves more tooth structure, resulting in a stronger,

healthier, more durable and more natural-looking tooth.

Altogether, the experienced team at the Berland Dental Arts

Center brings a full complement of expertise, ensuring cohesive,

comprehensive care for every patient – all coordinated in one

convenient place.

A Foundation of Proven Principles

Dr. Berland and his team use state-of-the-art restorative

procedures based on the principles of tooth-conserving


Dr. Sarah Kong focuses on preventive, cosmetic and pediatric care as well as oral appliance theraphy for TMJ, snoring and sleep apnea.

cover feature

biomimetic dentistry. He has not placed a silver filling since

1988. As Dr. Berland explains, “Biomimetic dentistry treats

weak, fractured, and decayed teeth in a way that keeps them

strong and seals them from bacterial invasion. It decreases

the need to reduce teeth down for crowns and root canal

treatments. In essence, it is utilizing the best in dental

materials and technology to preserve what we’ve got, for as

long as we’ve got – just as nature intended.”

Supporting the Best Care With the Best Tools

Incorporating the best technology and experience gives

the Berland Dental Arts team the ability to create spectacular

smiles and happy patients. In addition to general and

advanced cosmetic dentistry, Berland Dental Arts offers

treatments for TMJ and migraines, FDA-approved oral

appliances for snoring and sleep apnea, neuromuscular

facelift dentures, root canal therapy, laser gum treatment,

cosmetic gum lifts and dental implants.

For patients with missing or failing teeth, the Berland Dental

Arts Center offers dental implants, utilizing immediate tooth

replacement and the All-on-4 Procedure, an advanced

alternative to traditional dentures. The All-on-4 procedure can

replace a full arch of teeth in just one day using only

four implants.

Technology can also elevate dental care to a new level of

precision and accuracy. Digital radiography provides patient

comfort, convenience and protection. Digital x-rays use up to

90% less radiation than conventional x-rays.

In order to provide the utmost care, an i-CAT scanner was

added to aid in implant cases. Three dimensional imaging with

the i-CAT scanner clearly visualizes the anatomy of the jaws,

teeth and other critical structures in precise detail. This

eliminates the guesswork in planning dental implant treatment,

orthodontics, TMJ analysis and airway assessment. In just

seconds, with less radiation than a conventional CAT scan or

dental x-rays, the Berland Dental Arts team can study and learn

crucial information about the patient’s unique oral anatomy in

order to plan treatment with confidence. The i-CAT can help

determine the precise tooth position, visualize impaction within

The Berland Dental Laboratory located on site has its own master ceramist and

allows the doctors to deliver faster and more personal care.

Dr. Lorin Berland created a beautiful smile by using his own Microveneers which he has found to be thinner, stronger and more aesthetic than Lumineers.

Using zirconium crowns, which are the most biocompatible material in dentistry, Dr. Berland restores this patient’s smile.


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the alveolar bone, and pinpoint the relationship and proximity

to vital structures, such as the nerve canal, sinus walls, and

cortical borders.

Berland Dental Arts always strives to improve patient

comfort. Nitrous oxide (“happy gas”) is always available to help

patients relax. Oral and IV sedation are also available for

patients who prefer to sleep throughout treatment. When it

comes to the dreaded shots, the practice was one of the first to

use “the Wand”, a high-tech digital anesthesia delivery system

that allows for painless injections, puts the patients at ease and

sets the stage for a pain-free dental procedure. While dissipating

patients’ concerns about the pain, fear and anxiety associated

with standard syringe injections, the Wand helps the doctors to

provide the highest level of dental care and anesthesia.

Other technology employed at the Berland Dental Arts Center

helps support their conservative, tooth-saving approach. Air

abrasion is a delicate method to remove tooth decay using a

precise air stream of tiny, fine aluminum oxide particles.

Because air abrasion cuts tooth surfaces with great precision, it

removes less tooth than a drill, shortens the treatment time, and

improves bonding. This means no-shot, no-drill fills.

High-tech devices can also boost diagnostic power and

support preventive care. The DIAGNOdent laser cavity finder

detects very small lesions at the earliest stage. It allows the

dentists to differentiate between stains and cavities and monitor

questionable teeth over time.

Berland Dental Arts has readily embraced technology when

it is proven to yield beautiful, functional and predictable long-

term results. They are dedicated to keeping up with the latest

in materials and procedural techniques to ensure the most

advanced dentistry for their patients. It’s also why they are on

social media sites such as Facebook and YouTube and regularly

contribute to a blog – to further connect to their patients and

to keep them informed of the latest technology. “For us, the real

allure of technology is improving patient care,” notes

Dr. Berland.

What Sets the Berland Dental Arts Center Apart

As Dr. Berland points out, “The combination of expertise,

technology and compassion helps us deliver the best dentistry

to our patients – all in one familiar setting. Having different

specialists in the same place allows for better coordination of

treatment and direct communication between our doctors to

deliver personalized treatment in a pragmatic and efficient

manner. And in our busy world, our specialized approach saves

the patient time. This customized total dental care is what sets

the Berland Dental Arts Center apart from the conventional

dental office.” n

The Berland Dental Arts Center

2100 Ross Avenue, Suite 960, Dallas, TX 75201 214-999-0110 www.berlanddentalarts.com

Lorin F. Berland, DDS

Sarah K. Kong, DDS

Mark D. Margolin, DDS

Murat Ayik, DDS

David W. Canfield, DDS, FADSA


Technology can elevate dental care to a new level of precision and accuracy. Dr. Murat Ayik uses a high powered microscope during endodontic procedures.

cover feature

The team at the Berland Dental Arts Center has combined expertise,technology and compassion to deliver the best dentistry to their patients.

love the idea of abundance. I don’t see

abundance as a philosophy. I see it as a lifestyle.

People who lead an abundant lifestyle see their

universe as infinite. They demand win-win

scenarios in their personal and professional

lives. In their world, it is not just acceptable for

everyone to succeed – it is an imperative. Compare this to a

lifestyle of scarcity, or what some call a zero sum philosophy, in

which the universe is viewed as finite. This particular outlook

requires that for every winner there must be a loser.

A scarcity or zero sum philosophy is not compatible with

effective leadership, because effective leaders are those that are

committed to assuring that everyone they lead is given the

opportunity and resources to succeed. To an effective leader,

realizing one’s dreams is a universal goal.

Taken a step further, leaders who embrace a scarcity

philosophy believe that their role as leaders is to identify

weaknesses in others and judge others by their weaknesses

rather than their strengths. This is a lose/lose scenario, because

dueling on weaknesses seldom creates a positive result for

either party.

Abundance-based leaders are the antithesis of scarcity-based

leaders. They understand that each of us has weaknesses, but

they choose to judge others by their strengths. Their dental

practices are always more successful because they know how to

identify strengths and position their people so that they are able

to successfully develop and utilize their strengths. The result is

a culture that benefits the practice while providing the

employees a sense of accomplishment and empowerment. Also,

it has been my observation that in the abundant culture which

stresses development of strengths, the weaknesses are likely to

spontaneously disappear. It is my belief that this is the direct

result of a culture that is accepting of failure and views

deemphasizing weakness as a means of developing strength.

An abundance leader who identifies and utilizes others’

strengths creates a very different kind of culture than does a

scarcity leader who continually tries to correct weaknesses in

others. The scarcity-based culture is an overall negative

environment. The staff is always afraid to make their own

decisions or try new ideas, because failure in itself will be viewed

as a weakness. In an abundant culture, the staff is comfortable

making creative suggestions and trying out new concepts

because they know that failure will be viewed as a necessary part

of the growth and development of their strengths.

The contrast between the two lifestyles becomes most obvious

when applied to a business model or, in our case, a dental

TheAbundant Leader

“People with a scarcity mentality tend to see everything in terms of win-lose.

There is only so much; and if someone else has it, that means there will be less for

me. The more principle-centered we become, the more we develop an abundance

mentality, the more we are genuinely happy for the successes, well-being,

achievements, recognition, and good fortune of other people. We believe their

success adds to... rather than detracts from... our lives.” – Stephen R. Covey


by Dr. Joel T. Small

practice management

Dr. Joel T. Small is an endodontist, speaker, author, and entrepreneur. He is a co-

founder of North Texas Endodontic Associates in Plano, Texas. His thirty-plus years

as an endodontist have been spent in private clinical practice.

Dr. Small speaks nationally on the topics of leadership, practice management, and

specialty practice transitions. He co-founded Phase Two Associates, LLC, a dental

practice brokerage firm in Dallas, Texas that deals exclusively with practice

transitions for the dental specialist.

Dr. Small is the author of the newly released book, Face to Face: A Leadership Guide

for Health Care Professionals and Entrepreneurs. For more information, visit

www.readfacetoface.com.

practice. Imagine a practice culture in which

the doctor/leader attributes achievements to

their staff and is the first to accept the blame

for failures. What would it be like to work in

an organization in which the leader was fully

committed and engaged in assuring that

everyone reached their full potential and

realized their individual dreams? This is an

organization that will prosper.

Now compare this to a practice culture

based on scarcity, in which recognition is

coveted by the doctor and seldom shared

with the staff. Compare it to a culture in

which the leader has an emotional need for

control. This scenario — quite different from

the abundant culture — will lack spontaneity,

creativity, and member development. This is

an organization that is in trouble. It will

likely crumble because the burdens created

by the leader’s scarcity mentality cannot

be supported by the weakened cultural

infrastructure.

Abundant cultures are participative as

well as being creative and adaptive. They are

able to tap into their vital stream of human

potential which is a prerequisite for a highly

productive and culturally mature organ-

ization. They promote self-development and

self-direction. Such organizations are the

icons of their industries.

Herb Kelleher, the untraditional CEO of

Southwest Airlines, said this about his

organization’s culture: “A financial analyst

once asked me if I was afraid of losing

control of our organization. I told him I’ve

never had control and I never wanted it. If

you create an environment where the people

truly participate, you don’t need control.

They know what needs to be done, and they

do it. And the more that people will devote

themselves to your cause on a voluntary

basis, a willing basis, the fewer hierarchs and

control mechanisms you need.”

Is it any wonder that numerous studies

have proven that organizations that create

cultures based in abundance are significantly

more profitable than those organizations

whose culture is scarcity-based? n

.

Building Stronger SmilesSpecializing in the design, building, and remodeling of dental offices.



If you make it to retirement in one piece without suffering

too much physical damage, then it’s a dream come true. You

are now ready to spend endless hours on the golf course,

fishing, hunting, visiting grandchildren, and taking trips to all

sorts of exotic places. Welcome to the “golden years”, the

so-called autumn of your life, seemingly limitless hours in

pursuit of personal happiness.

Is it your lifetime dream, or the dream of a lifetime? After 20

or 30 years of practicing dentistry it’s finally time to put down

the handpiece, get off that stool and walk out of the office… a

free man (or woman, as the case may be). It was a race to the

finish line… retiring before clinical dentistry took out your back,

neck, shoulders, etc.

It’s a dream all right, and for most dentists who have spent

their lives doing dentistry, they discover that sooner or later the

dream ends and it’s time for them to wake up to reality. There

are noted exceptions, of course, but many dentists begin to tire

of the “ings” of retirement such as golfing, fishing, hunting,

skiing, traveling, reading, watching and playing. Dentists

accustomed to “running their own show” (actually the show was

running them) for decades would soon discover that they lacked

a reason to get up in the morning. There was no longer any

schedule to follow, patients to treat, staff to direct and business

to do, and some of them find that they are now lacking direction

in their life.

The average working dentist devotes 33.33% of his/her

working life commuting and practicing dentistry, sleep takes up

another 33.33%, and 33.33% is used for personal needs, family

time, socializing and recreational pursuits. When you retire, you

are doubling the time available for recreation, and what you

soon discover is that all play and no work makes Jack a dull boy

(or Jill a dull girl).

So, does this mean you should never retire? Should you forget

about the “dream” and just work until you die or become

disabled? Absolutely not! Retirement itself may or may not be

the right goal for you. Instead of retirement being the primary

objective, dentists should focus their attention on reaching

financial independence. Financial independence means you can

do what you want (within reason), with who you want, if you

want, and when you want to do it. That’s called “Quality of Life”

and that is what your lifetime goal should be.

You weren’t born a dentist and you don’t have to die a dentist.

So what can you do with the rest of your life when dentistry is

all you know? Well, the first thing is to stop thinking like a

clinician and start thinking like a dental businessperson. You’ve

got all of those years of dental experience behind you, and years

to live ahead of you. As a dental entrepreneur, you take this

experience and put it to good use. If you invest your money in a

business you know already (dentistry) and work to grow this

business so that your career status changes from clinician to

entrepreneur, then this changes everything.

Dental entrepreneurialship is a great alternative to just

“hanging it up” and calling it quits. It opens a new chapter in

your career that can be far more rewarding than those years

spent just being a clinician. You can make a lot more money and

would no longer be tied to a chair, your “golden years” can take

on a whole new meaning. You can afford to take the time off you

want, and afford to go where you want and when you want. Your

life can really take a change for the better, and you no longer

have to concern yourself with a clinical related disability.

If you don’t see yourself “retiring” and driving off into the

sunset someday, if you think that you’d rather use your

experience to enter into another, perhaps more rewarding

phase in your career, if you would like a new challenge and

freedom from the chair, then consider practice ownership…

again! No mask or gloves required! n

Richard V. Lyschik, D.D.S., FAGD, is one of AFTCO’s leading innovative

Senior Analysts who has helped over 2,900 dentists in associating, buying,

expanding, or merging and guided older, disabled and/or “burned out” dentists

to sell their practices. Dr. Lyschik’s clients have seen the considerable

benefits of incentive programs, pension funding plans and increased

productivity through his guidance. There is no substitute for experience in this

business. Who better could you choose to talk to about your future transition

plans than a seasoned fellow dentist, a recognized premier transition expert,

and an AFTCO Analyst of the Year Award winner? Check out the impressive

AFTCO website at www.AFTCO.net, then call for a free appraisal and a

no-obligation consultation with Dr. Lyschik at your office or the AFTCO office

in Dallas, TX at (214) 893-0410 or 1-800-232-3826.

RETIREMENT OR

ENTREPRENEURIALSHIP?by Richard V. Lyschik, DDS, FAGD

money matters

quality of care

Quality of care issues range from “my

dentist pulled the wrong tooth” to “my

dentist’s office is unsanitary”. These

allegations are very common and are

routinely investigated by the State Board

of Dental Examiners (SBDE). The

majority of these complaints are

preventable. The three most common

reasons for quality of care complaints are:

The patient perceived a lack of

empathy from you and/or your

staff. (Note: your patient’s perception

trumps reality.) Take your time with

your patients. Develop a good chairside

manner. The extra two minutes you

spend actually listening to your patient’s

concerns might well save you $2,000

(or more) in fines, not to mention a

huge headache.

Your patient could not commun-

icate with you because of

interference by your office staff

(quite common). Don’t hide behind your

staff. Interact directly with your patients

and listen to their concerns. Train your

staff to bring serious issues to your

attention immediately.

Patients notice unsanitary con-

ditions in your office. Or, they see

that the staff is not using proper

sanitation techniques. Patients are much

savvier and more educated nowadays

and they will often catch sanitation

issues. These complaints also often come

from disgruntled employees.

Here’s the kicker, many quality of care

complaints are ‘unfounded’ and would

likely be dismissed except for the fact

that the dentist’s records contain record

keeping violations. Any record keeping

violations that surface while the SBDE is

investigating complaints against you will

likely result in fines and possibly other

disciplinary action.

poor record keeping

Record keeping violations are, by and

large, one of the most prevalent problem

areas for dental professionals. Even in

the most squared away practice, we often

find record keeping issues. Many of

these issues are simply caused from

practitioners’ lack of knowledge and

training. While these bad habits may

go unnoticed for years, rest assured

they can quickly become your worst

nightmare once discovered.

Here are three phrases to keep in mind

while preparing patient documentation:

If you fail to write it down – it did

not happen. You did not discuss it with

the patient – it did not happen! No

exaggeration! Take your time when

documenting patient care and patient

interactions. The time you spend on

documentation may really pay off

one day.

When in doubt, write it out! If you

wonder whether you should document

something then you most certainly should.

Detailed records may be the key to your

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 22) u

FOUR ISSUES that get Texas dentists in

– and how to avoid them!by Duane Tinker

Quality of care issues, poor record keeping, dishonorable

conduct and advertising violations are four issues that get

Texas dentists in trouble. In this article we will look at each

of these issues a little closer.


WHY WE NEED YOU:

All proceeds benefit Community

Dental Care (CDC). The 6th Annual

SMILE Walk & Run proceeds will benefit

low-income, uninsured children, seniors,

HIV patients, and the homeless who

have no other dental resources.

CDC has received funding from the

City of Dallas from its general fund since

1982. This was reduced last year from

$675,000 to $96,000 and this year we

are in jeopardy of losing this all together.

Our CDBG grant from the City of Dallas

has also been reduced 50% from

$200,000 to $100,000. As a result, CDC

will see 400 fewer children.

Very recently, our second mobile

dental unit caught fire and is a total loss.

In collaboration with Dallas County

Dental Society, this unit provided dental

care for those in need in the Seagoville

area since November of 2010. Currently,

there are no plans to replace.

WHOWE ARE:

Since Community Dental Care was

established as a nonprofit organization

in 1982, the population it serves has

grown by more than 1 million people.

CDC has become the largest nonprofit

provider of routine and preventive dental

care and dental health education

in Texas. The organization operates

twelve Community Dental Care centers

in Dallas, Carrollton/Farmers Branch,

Garland, Irving, McKinney and Plano,

and is the largest nonprofit provider of

quality, routine and preventive dental

care and dental health education to low-

income individuals in Texas. Through

the generous support of Parkland Health

& Hospital Systems and Crystal Charity

Ball, CDC opened its 12th location in

Pleasant Grove on June 2, 2011. Also in

collaboration with Parkland Health &

Hospital Systems, CDC started our first


6th Annual

SMILE Walk & RunSeptember 10, 2011

HELP PROVIDE DENTAL CARE TO THOSE IN NEED – JOIN US FOR A DAY OF DENTAL FUN!

Gather with friends, family, co-workers, sponsors, vendors, and other

community dental supporters for fun, snacks, music, entertainment,

games, bounce house for the children, clowns, balloons, free parking,

event t-shirt, prize drawings and more!

Come together to support dental care needs in your community and help

yourself accomplish a one-mile, 5K or 10K course around the centrally located

Bachman Lake scenic course in Dallas, Texas.

Registration time: 7:00 a.m. Start time: 8:00 a.m. If you are not able to

participate, you can visit our website for easy on-line donation.

Trophies for the largest team and best t-shirt design will be given away.

See our website for registration, team building and fundraising tips and details.

www.smilewalkandrun.org

community news

mobile dental unit that visits the Nexus

Recovery Center, The Family Place,

Promise House, Genesis Women’s

Shelter and Volgel Alcove. The Nexus

Recovery Center is a homeless shelter for

substance abuse individuals, Volgel

Alcove is a daycare for homeless children

and the other locations are shelters for

women and children who are victims of

domestic violence.

Last year, CDC provided more than

46,000 visits to 15,500 patients,

including children, adults, seniors,

patients with HIV/AIDS and the

homeless. The CDC dental center at The

Stewpot, an agency serving the homeless

in Dallas, provided 2,700 visits last year

to homeless children and adults at no

charge. The majority of patients (70%)

who receive treatment at the dental

centers are children. Patients from

families with incomes at or below

200-300% of the national poverty level

(which is defined as approximately

$30,000 for a family of four) receive

services for an affordable, reduced fee.

CDC has a full-time staff of 77, part-

time staff of 20, and 65 volunteers.

Dental students, residents, and hygien-

ists from Baylor College of Dentistry and

the Collin County Hygiene Program

receive hands on experience by

performing their clinical rotations

throughout the CDC Dental Centers.

CDC has been a United Way agency

since 1992 and is currently supported by

approximately 30 different funding

sources. Specialty care procedures in the

areas of endodontics, orthodontics,

periodontics and oral surgery are

referred to Baylor College of Dentistry

and Parkland Oral Surgery.

For more information on the SMILE

Walk & Run and to inquire on how you

can sponsor and/or sign up to be a

vendor, visit www.smilewalkandrun.org

or contact Rachel Sandoval, SMILE Walk

& Run Coordinator at 214-879-7100. n


Having spent a fair amount of

time in wine stores searching

for the next great QPR

(Quality-Price-Ratio) to try,

I’ve found myself buying a

bottle from the Spanish aisle

more than ever before. Across

the board, today’s Spanish

wines offer more bang for the

buck than wines from any other

parts of the world.

Spain has more land under

vine than any other country in

the world and many of the vineyards are more than 50 years old.

With more than 140 grape varietals, Spain is one of the world’s

most varied wine cultures. Adding to the complexity, there is a

hierarchical classification system, Denominacion de Origen,

similar to the AOC system used in France and Italy – 72 regions

have a status of QWPSR (Quality Wines Produced in Specific

Regions). Labels on these wines carry the region’s name but

typically don’t disclose the grapes in the bottle, leaving most

buyers guessing about what kind of wine they’re actually getting.

Prior to the 1990’s, Spanish wines were seldom on anyone’s

list of favorites. While there were wines that received measured

amounts of praise from the pundits, hundreds of small wineries

were stuck with archaic winemaking techniques that turned

high-grade grapes into rustic, low quality wine. But as the

world’s palates began to appreciate better wine and prices

started to rise, wine entrepreneurs began looking for under-

developed raw materials with which to make good wine. Spain

quickly came up on their radar screen and two persistent

oenophiles, Jorge Ordonez and Eric Solomon, scoured the

country and worked with wineries that now produce some of the

country’s best wines. Ordonez imports 130 wines from 40

different Spanish wineries while Solomon’s European Cellars’

operation brings in wines from more than 65 Spanish producers.

Reds and whites in all price ranges are part of the mix. While

individual tastes vary, it is probably safe to say that you’ll be

happy with a bottle of wine bearing Jorge Ordonez’ or Eric

Solomon’s name on the label.

We’ll focus on the Grenache grape (Garnacha), the most

common red grape grown in Spain, one of the most planted

varietals in the world and probably best known as an important

component of the wines from Chateauneuf du Pape and

Gigondas in the Southern Rhone areas of France. It is grown in

large areas of Northeastern Spain where it is combined with

Tempranillo, another common grape, to make wines from

Navarre, Rioja and Priorat. Grenache ripens at relatively high

sugar levels and usually yields higher alcohol in the wines it

produces. No longer just a blending varietal, wines made from

100% Grenache are easily found in most wine shops and prove

to be exemplary at all price levels. They’re dark purple in color

with ripe black cherry, raspberry, spice and smoke on the nose

and palate. The wines are smooth and easy to drink, juicy but

not “grapey” and have enough backbone to stand up to most

foods. Here are a few that I really like:

Las Rocas ($10) – an Eric Solomon project that first

introduced a 2002 vintage of old vine Grenache to the United

States in 2003. There’s an “Old Vines” version that’s a little

bigger with a slightly higher price tag. Both arrived with rave

reviews from Robert Parker (Wine Advocate).

Evodia ($10) – Solomon sold the Las Rocas operation to

Gallo in 2009. Known as “Las Rocas II”, Evodia is wine from the

same Calatayud region using the same winemaker but Grenache

grapes from a higher elevation.

Tres Picos ($16) – A bit more elegant than the Las Rocas/

Evodia, but plenty of red and dark fruit, flowers, spice and a long

finish. This wine is from Bodegas Borsao, a Jorge Ordonez

winery, and has a little brother, Borsao ($7), made of 85%

Grenache and 15% Tempranillo that’s also a good buy. The 2009

Tres Picos received a 92 rating from Robert Parker.

Artazuri ($10) – A Wine Advocate 91, this winery takes full

advantage of the excellent 2009 vintage to make a dense, rich

wine full of spices and black cherry fruit. It’s user-friendly today

but can last several years in the bottle. One of the better values

around.

Alto Moncayo ($45), et al. – If you’re a fan of bigger wines,

the Alto Moncayo winery will definitely deliver. Its namesake

wine is deep purple in the glass with a bouquet of lilacs, dark

chocolate, cola and spices. Blackberries, dark cherries, licorice

and coffee flavors mix with lush tannins on the palate to produce

a long, spicy finish. This wine’s big brother, Aquilon ($100+),

can hold its own with any of the big Napa wines that cost twice

as much. Its little brother, Veraton ($28), is a mouthful of

velvety, rich black and red fruits accented with cinnamon and

smoke. All are Jorge Ordonez offerings made in partnership with

Dan Phillips and winemaker Chris Ringland, the duo that also

makes big, concentrated Australian wines.

Great wines at great prices… what more needs to be said?

For Great Wine, Habla Español !by Kim Clarke


How do you get 240 hours of complete office

redesign in a 40-hour work week?

Ask Dr. Sandra Armstrong, Dr. Amy Watts and their staff of

Southlake Texas. Dr. Armstrong started a Pediatric Dental

Practice in Grapevine/Southlake 20 years ago, which has grown

leaps and bounds extending beyond what her lease space could

manage. With the continual advancement of dental technology,

professional offices must also advance and be able to

accommodate these changes. In a pediatric practice, patients age

and their needs may become more complex over time as well.

Due to those facts, Dr. Armstrong’s original design, with outdated

structures and everyday wear and tear, needed drastic and

immediate attention. The doctors and patients alike were ready

for a breath of fresh air that only a professional office design firm

could remedy.

“The project team was chosen for this daunting task based on

their commitment to approach the project with budget sensitivity

while executing the work with tremendous speed and

professionalism,” states Dr. Armstrong.

Every surface of the dental office, with the exclusion of the

technical dental equipment, was modified. Ceilings, walls, floors,

window treatments, cabinetry and furnishings all received a

complete facelift. The success of the entire project hinged on the

ability to maximize the urgency of every single square foot of the

office without making any structural changes to the current finish

out. In reality, the design and construction team transformed

the office both aesthetically and functionally without moving a

single wall.

Following the plans and project budget, Dr. Armstrong was

forced to make a critical decision that would set the tone for the

entire project experience: the construction schedule and how it

would affect her patient care.

As we know, few things are more stressful than the disruption

of a business or home that results due to a construction project.

Those who have lived through that nightmare are likely to

dismiss the prospect of ever remodeling again. The constant

interruptions and perpetual mess inherent in a construction

project is overwhelming. Office downtime should be minimized

to reduce patient inconvenience and loss of revenue which can

be significant with projects of this sort.

In December, Dr. Armstrong was presented with two options

for consideration regarding the schedule; to remain in business

during construction and break the project into smaller phases –

requiring the contractor to

work nights and weekends to

accomplish the work, or

schedule the work using

concentrated efforts and round-

the-clock labor to condense the

time of construction and thus

minimize the period of disruption for the business. Contractor

Judy Doan suggested the compressed schedule due to the fact

that it is less stressful for the doctors and staff as well as more

cost effective due to labor efficiencies. Either approach can

provide great success, and depends on individual circumstances

for each practice.

After careful consideration Dr. Armstrong determined that

the best time for construction would be a week in January 2011.

The timeline was carefully planed with the scheduling demands

of the practice as well as the promised date for furniture and

product delivery. Once the dates were determined, the

commitment was made to reopen the office one short week

later – fully completed with a new design.

The design was presented, an economical budget and

schedule were approved and orders were placed. The design team

worked behind the scenes managing a flurry of deadlines with

their constant attention to detail ensuring all products arrived on

time and in excellent condition. Inventive and creative solutions

are required from the team when unexpected delays or damages

occur, thus constant communication with all manufacturers and

freight carriers remain critical.

BEFORE


“Well, that was fast.”by Beth Thiel

[ ]

The contractor is, of course, on a separate but similar journey

with meticulous scheduling to ensure that once the construction

begins, not an hour is wasted. Contingency plans are put in

place to ensure that there are no surprises that cannot be

overcome. The best plan to avoid complications is to “expect

the unexpected”.

Once the team had the overall scope and a fully dedicated

work force, the renovation of Dr. Armstrong’s office began. As

with any renovation project, it is important that the design team

and contractor work carefully together while the project is in a

moldable state, tweaking the design and adapting to unknown

conditions that often surface during renovation. Case in point,

when developing the time frame for the remodel, a winter ice

storm that hit North Texas, paralyzing the city for the better part

of the week was not on anyone’s radar. True to form however,

our resourceful contractor had a contingency plan in place and

arranged lodging for the crew near the jobsite. The project team

held true to their commitment to meet the deadline – regardless

of the disastrous weather!

So, how do you get 240 hours of work performed in

a 40-hour work week?

Sandwich the “work week” between two weekends and work

two crews in 12-hour shifts. This simple math expands a typical

40-hour work week into 240 hours of effective definitive labor.

Dr. Armstrong confidently handed her keys to the contractor

on Thursday, the 19th of January. With one work week closed,

the doors re-opened gleefully at 6:59 a.m. on Monday the 31st as

a new office, with a rich new life. It can be done. The transition,

as perceived by the doctors and the team, was painless,

professional, and economical.

The paradigm shift of redefining a contractor’s work week

can provide new meaning to any construction project by

removing the limitations of “normal working hours”, and

combining that with meticulous planning and a dedicated

workforce. These complex yet advantageous models for effective

transformation can now provide pleasure of renovation.

How do we measure the success of a project? Happy faces on

the doctors, their team, the mothers, the patients and many

current and future referrals. Most importantly, Dr. Armstrong

breathed a sigh of relief. As she says, “That was easy!” n

The office of Sandra Armstrong received a 2011 ASID Design

Ovation Award for Excellence in Healthcare Design.

Thiel and Thiel is an award-winning architecture and

interior design firm based in the Dallas/Fort Worth

area that offers a comprehensive range of services

including architecture, interior design, graphic design,

procurement and installation services. Owners Beth

and Kurt Thiel have handpicked professionals from

across the design world to make up their team, who

create complete brand strategies that are exclusive

to each client and to each property. Go to

www.thielandthiel.com to learn more about the firm’s extensive array of

integrated services and review their substantial portfolio.


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15)

survival during an investigation or other

legal action.

There is no such thing as “too

much documentation”. It doesn’t

matter if you write a book about a patient

encounter. If that’s what it takes to help

you remember a particular incident or

encounter 1, 2, or 5 years down the road

it is better to have written down “too

much” than not enough. Never trust

your memory!

poor conduct

Dishonorable conduct is a broad

category with violations that range

from “allowing auxiliary personnel to

perform impermissible duties” to “over-

diagnosing to obtain a higher fee.” This

catch-all includes:

• patient abandonment;

• expired licensures;

• criminal misconduct;

• fraud;

• drug diversion (includes prescribing

to family, staff or friends for non-dental

purposes);

• permitting, allowing or employing

unauthorized persons to practice

dentistry or dental hygiene (expired or

cancelled licenses);

• failure to comply with the terms of a

Board order;

• inability to practice safely (either due

to drug/alcohol or physical impairment);

• failure to comply with Medicaid,

insurance or other regulatory laws;

• participation in conduct likely to

disgrace, degrade or discredit the dental

professional or the dental profession.

There are a few key steps you can take

to mitigate dishonorable conduct issues.

Supervise your staff properly. Make

sure you do not allow them to cut

corners, practice beyond their scope or

participate in unethical behavior.

Keep all of your licenses, including

DPS and DEA registrations, up to

date. Writing a script on an expired

registration is not worth the 6-digit fines

we have seen practitioners settle for with

federal and state agencies.

Above all, always behave in a

manner that exemplifies you as a

professional.

advertising violations

Advertising violations – we know, the

rules aren’t fair, they’re too restrictive,

the rules of advertising are archaic,

etcetera, etcetera. We feel your pain. The

good news is, we have learned the SBDE

may be about to review Business

Promotion rules. For now, the rules

stand and they are vigorously enforced!

It does not matter that your marketing

people are unaware of the rules; the

dentist is held responsible for violations.

You can be fined up to $3,000 per

violation, per day. In our experience

most advertising issues reported to the

SBDE contain more than one violation.

Learn the rules. Play the game. It is a fact

that advertising is important to your

bottom line. Don’t give up.

These are the four top reasons we see

dental professions in trouble with the

Texas SBDE. Non-compliance can be

very expensive and quite harmful to

your reputation.

At this point you have two choices:

1 You can continue working in

your practice, oblivious to the

dangers you are either not aware

of or are avoiding.

2 You can work on your practice

to identify and help you

correct any dangers that are likely

lurking in your office.

Duane Tinker, a former Texas State Board of

Dental Examiner investigator, is a partner of

Dental Compliance Specialists, LLC. For more

information or to schedule an audit of your

practice, go to www.dentalcompliance.com or call

682-325-8465.

ADVERTISER’S INDEX

AFTCO ............................................inside back cover

Bloom......................................................................22

Dental Keynote Concepts .........................................5

Destiny Dental Laboratory ......................................22

Med Dent Advisors..................................................17

Med+Tech Construction .............................back cover

Ray Bryant Photography.........................................19

Structures & Interiors ..............................................13

Thiel & Thiel.....................................inside front cover

Tina Cauller.............................................................17

blooma flower studio

l FRESH FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

TO BRIGHTEN YOUR RECEPTION AREA

l FLOWERS FOR ALL OCCASIONS

[email protected]


Call 1-800-232-3826 today for a free practice appraisal, a $2,500 value!

AFTCO is the oldest and largest dental practice transition consulting

firm in the United States. AFTCO assists dentists with associateships,

purchasing and selling of practices, and retirement plans. We are

much more than a practice broker, we are there to serve you through

all stages of your career.

Ahmed El-Halaby, D.D.S. has acquired the practice of

Thomas M. Smith, D.D.S. - Longview, Texas

Randell S. Terry, D.M.D. has acquired the practice of

Robert W. Gilbreth, D.D.S. - Wills Point, Texas

AFTCO is pleased to have represented all

parties in these transactions.

Helping dentists buy & sell practices for over 40 years.

WWW.AFTCO.NET





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North Texas Dentistry Premier Issue