EDITORIAL ADVISORS Lisa Alvetro, DDS, MSD Daniel Bills, DMD, MS Robert E. Binder, DMD S. Jay Bowman, DMD, MSD Stanley Braun, DDS, MME, FACD Gary P. Brigham, DDS, MSD George J. Cisneros, DMD, MMSc Jason B. Cope, DDS, PhD Neil Counihan, BDS, CERT Orth Bradford N. Edgren, DDS, MS, FACD Eric R. Gheewalla, DMD, BS Dan Grauer, DDS, Morth, MS Mark G. Hans, DDS, MSD William (Bill) Harrell, Jr, DMD John L. Hayes, DMD, MBA Paul Humber, BDS, LDS RCS, DipMCS Laurence Jerrold, DDS, JD, ABO Chung H. Kau, BDS, MScD, MBA, PhD, MOrth, FDS, FFD, FAMS Marc S. Lemchen, DDS Edward Y. Lin, DDS, MS Thomas J. Marcel, DDS Andrew McCance, BDS, PhD, MSc, FDSRCPS, MOrth RCS, DOrth RCS Mark W. McDonough, DMD Randall C. Moles, DDS, MS Elliott M. Moskowitz, DDS, MSd, CDE Atif Qureshi, BDS Rohit C.L. Sachdeva, BDS, M.dentSc Gerald S. Samson, DDS Margherita Santoro, DDS Shalin R. Shah, DMD (Abstract Editor) Lou Shuman, DMD, CAGS Scott A. Soderquist, DDS, MS John Voudouris (Hon) DDS, DOrth, MScD Neil M. Warshawsky, DDS, MS, PC John White, DDS, MSD Larry W. White, DDS, MSD, FACD CE QUALITY ASSURANCE ADVISORY BOARD Dr. Alexandra Day BDS, VT Julian English BA (Hons), editorial director FMC Dr. Paul Langmaid CBE, BDS, ex chief dental officer to the Government for Wales Dr. Ellis Paul BDS, LDS, FFGDP (UK), FICD, editor-inchief Private Dentistry Dr. Chris Potts BDS, DGDP (UK), business advisor and ex-head of Boots Dental, BUPA Dentalcover, Virgin Dr. Harry Shiers BDS, MSc (implant surgery), MGDS, MFDS, Harley St referral implant surgeon
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new year often brings upon reflection of the previous year’s experiences, successes, and challenges while also stimulating our minds to generate fresh ideas. As professionals, business owners, and highly motivated individuals, we naturally seek to better ourselves and those around us by leveraging past experiences and knowledge. The challenge in taking on new ideas is in fully understanding the nature and consequence of the change, sound implementation of the process, and securing acceptance by others involved. Simon Sinek describes leaders possessing two important qualities in his book, Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action. He writes that leaders “must have a vision of a world that does not exist, and they must have the ability to communicate it.” In a budding or thriving practice, there is a continuous flow of needs and opportunities, and those are best captured by us, the orthodontists, who possess both the 30,000-foot and day-today view of operations and function. The development of change intended to improve our results — practice, patient, community, or otherwise – requires comprehension of how the said change can effectively be integrated as well as how it can truly be maximized in impact. Mentally immersing ourselves into that process begins to provide a simulated picture of the journey of implementation. We also would be remiss to not ask our peers (includes orthodontists, team members, family, friends, patients, and community) calculated, thoughtout questions and scenarios about their views on the idea and implementation. Data and correct data interpretation lead to less assumptions and more accurate next steps. The common language that binds us all is empathy. What normal languages of the world cannot bridge can be resolved with a soft smile, a welcoming gesture, or a kind act, for example. This language drives relationships with our patients and community as well as our teams and willing participants joining our lives and professional journeys. What does empathy and language have to do leadership, particularly in our discussion of implementation and acceptance? It has everything to do with pushing an idea forward. Dale Carnegie spoke extensively about relationships and how they drive the business world. Our discussions in the office are better served when they are true dialogues with our team, patients, and community. Involving our peers in our solutions provides several benefits, most notably expanding our own myopia through incorporation of other’s experiences as well as having the change be created by a group of people rather than by one individual. This approach has the ability to galvanize more enthusiasm in addition to readily gaining acceptance. Inspire others by allowing them to inspire you! We will be sure to face unanticipated hurdles along our journey, and when the vision is unique and untested, even small failures can result in loss of trust among the team. Resilience and re-centering becomes a key focus in reestablishing that faith and belief in questionable moments. You alone, the visionary, know that by unequivocally rising again and pushing forward, success will emerge at some point with the greater good as the beneficiary. That success may be in quantifiable or intangible ways — perhaps more money or even just through incremental growth experiences. Through calculated, coordinated, and diligent efforts, however, you can assure yourself that your ideas, implementation, and larger acceptance will be heard, realized, and earned. In our family, we always say “believing is seeing.” Believe in your ideas and the orthodontic profession’s future. With a heart full of love, hands of compassionate care, and an unparalleled vision, forge ahead relentlessly with grit and hustle — and of course, empathy. Bring to life your dreams and the dreams of others while also realizing that rarely do we journey alone, so embrace the amazing and wonderful people around you. When you reach your ultimate goal, you will then have many people around you with which to celebrate. One love to all and to all a peaceful and incredible 2019 — make it the best year you’ve ever had! “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi Dr. Shalin Raj Shah
Shalin Raj Shah, DMD, MS, received his Certificate of Orthodontics and Masters of Science in Oral Biology from the University of Pennsylvania and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. He is also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania College of Arts and Sciences and School of Dental Medicine. Currently, Dr. Shah is in private practice (Center for Orthodontic Excellence) in Princeton Junction, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. You can contact Dr. Shah by email at drshah@coesmiles.com, or visit his website: www.coesmiles.com.
ISSN number 2372-8396
Volume 10 Number 1
Orthodontic practice 1
INTRODUCTION
Jan/Feb 2019 - Volume 10 Number 1
Leadership – paving new paths and inspiring others in 2019 and beyond