The buccal fat pad flap is a wonder for oral surgeons thanks to its versatility and multiple possible applications. Today, Dr. Ben Hechler reassumes his position as one of our favorite guests as he explains how the buccal fat pad can be used in oral reconstructions. After detailing the many possible applications for the buccal fat pad in oral reconstructions and explaining why this particular flap is a dream for oral surgeons, Dr. Hechler shares his technique for retrieving and securing bucca...

As a surgeon, your goal should be to build a strong enough team that can run your office for you so that you can increase practice production every year! Today we are joined by a third-generation dentist and the Chairman and CEO of the Levin Group, Dr. Roger Levin to discuss how to build a world-class team and how surgeons can master referrals and marketing! Tuning in, you’ll hear all about the Levin Group and Dr. Levin’s career, the importance of increasing referrals as an oral surgeon, how ...

Buccal fat is currently trending in the world of cosmetic surgery, but it is an important feature of some dental surgeries too. During this episode, Dr. Jake Stucki joins the conversation again. Drawing on his experience as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, he shares his insights on using the buccal fat pad to close Oroantral Communications (OACs). Join us as we discuss the function of the buccal fat pad, and how it can be used to protect the maxilla while removing teeth in the sinus. Learn ...

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need decades of experience to master orthognathic surgery planning. With advancements in virtual surgical planning (VSP) and streamlined treatment approaches, even early-career surgeons can achieve precise, efficient results! Today, we are joined by Dr. Patrick Wong, Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center and an OMS specializing in orthognathic surgery, facial trauma surgery, and cleft and craniofacial surgery. ...

There are so many different surgical approaches for oral surgeries. Today on Everyday Oral Surgery, Dr. Andrew Jenzer joins us once again to discuss submandibular and retromandibular approaches. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about the best resources to use when learning about these surgeries, what the submandibular approach does and when it’s used, the instruments you need to use, anesthetic versus epinephrine solution, and so much more! We delve into incision design and nerve testing before dis...

Of all the things that are within your control, having a healthy and balanced lifestyle is the best way to keep the doctor at bay. Furthermore, your lifestyle dictates your healing rate post-surgery, so you must understand what your body needs to bring you back to 100% as quickly as possible. Today we are joined by Dr. Gaby Tehrany, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon practicing in Los Angeles, California, and she begins by walking us through everything she learned at the recent annual AAOMS su...

Surgeons are leaders in their field and have to make an effort to foster a healthy environment. In Liz Wiseman’s book, Multipliers, two types of leaders are explored and today on Everyday Oral Surgery, Dr. Ben Hechler joins us to discuss how to be a multiplier, not a diminisher. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about the different kinds of leaders (multiplier and diminisher), what characteristics they possess, some assumptions about each, the danger of assumptions, and where this behavior usually c...

Today’s nuggets of wisdom are courtesy of Dr. Nekky Jamal, a general dentist practicing in rural Alberta, Canada, and he is here to speak about the best ways to avoid dental complications when professional help is many miles away. Our conversation begins with Dr. Jamal’s professional history and how he currently interacts with his patients before unpacking the best solutions for dealing with complications (especially after surgery) and even better, how to avoid them. We explore medical school...

Do you notice stressed, burned-out, and tired-looking faces in your practice? If so, don’t miss this episode of Everyday Oral Surgery! Judy Kay Mausolf is back for another insightful conversation with Dr. Stucki. Judy, a motivational speaker, published author, and expert in dental practice culture, is dedicated to helping others achieve greater happiness and success. She coaches dental teams to elevate their leadership, enhance teamwork, and deliver more focused, passionate service, ultimatel...

Today, we welcome back Dr. Andrew Jenzer, a renowned expert in oral and maxillofacial surgery and a Clinical Associate in the Department of Surgery at Duke University, where he specializes in craniomaxillofacial trauma and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Jenzer is known for his expertise in the "coronal approach," a technique vital to his field, and in this conversation, he shares his wealth of knowledge and practical tips for mastering it. He outlines the overall approach before detailing the nu...

Part of what makes many oral surgeons successful is their ability to navigate risk, thrive in uncertainty, and make difficult decisions based on informed predictions. These skills also make us well-suited for the lucrative world of diversified investments. Whether you're an oral surgeon looking to expand your portfolio or a dental practitioner curious about new business horizons, this conversation offers expert insights, funny anecdotes, success stories, and practical advice to help you excel...

Are you looking to expand your implant practice and boost referrals? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Vic Martel, founder of the Martel Academy, to discuss how to grow your implant practice by focusing on educating your referring doctors. Dr. Martel is a distinguished dentist based in West Palm Beach, Florida, known for his exceptional expertise in cosmetic dentistry. His passion for education and sharing knowledge with his peers has made him a respected figure in the dental community. H...

Today we welcome Dr. Shahrokh Bagheri; attending surgeon at Georgia Oral & Facial Reconstructive Surgery and president of Georgia Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons to discuss how you can find success in the current landscape of oral surgery. Tuning in, you’ll hear about Dr. Bagheri’s training, career, current practice setup, how oral maxillofacial surgery has changed over the last 30 years, how you can be aware of challenges and advantages as an oral surgeon, why our guest ...

Dr. Rick Kapitan is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon specializing in cleft lip and palate surgery, orthognathic surgery, facial trauma repair, bone grafting, and dental implant reconstruction. As the Director of the Carolinas Center for Cleft Lip, Palate, and Craniofacial Surgery and the Clinicians Implant Academy, Dr. Kapitan is a renowned speaker who provides extensive clinical instruction in surgery. In this episode of Everyday Oral Surgery, he joins us to share his invalua...

How do we ensure that men and women both receive the dental care that they need? Today, we are joined by Dr. Robert John, an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon practicing in Michigan, to discuss noteworthy trends in men’s dental health and the types of interventions that should be considered to address these. Dr. John observes that, in his practice, approximately two-thirds of women have had their wisdom teeth extracted, as opposed to 34% of men. These numbers reflect broader trends in how men an...

The St. Louis Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) Review is a thorough course crafted to equip participants for the Oral Certifying Examination. Renowned for its specialized and comprehensive approach, it has become a popular choice among those aiming to excel in oral and maxillofacial surgery. In today’s episode, we welcome back Dr. Rishad Shaikh, Dr. Damian Findlay, and Dr. Andrew Jenzer to get an update on the popular and valuable St. Louis Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Review cours...

In the previous episode, we briefly touched on the wonder of fat grafting in preventing scarring when used in eye surgeries. Today, we dive even deeper, with the help of the Oculoplastic Surgeon, Dr. Brian Willoughby. Dr. Willoughby begins by walking us through his professional history, current practice setup, and the relationships he has with neighboring colleagues in Denver, Colorado. Then, we explore his recent fat grafting exploits, the common traumas that he encounters at work, and the p...

What can we learn from the cases that don’t go according to plan? During this episode, Dr. Benjamin Hechler joins us to discuss dentoalveolar and anesthesia complications. Join us to hear Dr. Hechler’s insights on a series of real-life cases, from what actually went wrong to what could have been done differently. These case studies bring up key take-home messages which touch on navigating competing interests in dentistry, avoiding miscommunications, and preventative practices and processes. W...

We are excited to welcome our first-ever Oculoplastic Surgeon onto the Everyday Oral Surgery podcast. Dr. Harkaran Rana is currently a staff member at the Swedish Medical Center in Colorado, and he begins our conversation by walking us through his professional training history and current fellowship setup. Then, we learn about the intricacies of oculoplastic residencies, a comprehensive breakdown of the anatomy of the eye, the severe and non-urgent cases that Dr. Rana comes across, and his su...

Having privileges at your local hospital can be incredibly helpful when running a private practice. Today’s guest, Dr. Matthew Pham, is here to tell us how to obtain and manage hospital privileges. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about the process of getting hospital privileges, how Dr. Pham got his at two trauma centers nearby, the pros and cons of getting them, some tips and tricks for adjusting to being in a hospital setting again, and so much more! Dr. Pham goes on to explain how he gets paid ...

Have you ever thought about what it's like to perform complex oral surgeries in some of the most remote parts of Africa? Today, we sit down with Dr. Timothy Bartholomew, a leading oral and maxillofacial surgeon at North Coast Oral Surgery, to discuss his transformative work in Africa. With a deep commitment to patient care and a reputation for excellence, Dr. Bartholomew specializes in advanced surgical techniques that transform smiles and improve lives. In our conversation, we delve into Tim...

One of the best ways to extract real joy from your specialty is to give it away, and today’s guest embodies this belief. Joining Dr. Stucki on the podcast is Dr. Ray Lee, an OMS practicing in Virginia. Dr. Lee shares his journey from nearly being deployed to Vietnam, to becoming a dental hygienist, and eventually practicing as an OMS. He also discusses his humanitarian efforts, including the establishment of Operation Restore and how you can get involved, along with other roles he occupies in...

Medical professional liability insurance, more commonly known as malpractice insurance, is the most important insurance for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. To explain why this is, we are joined today by Anthony M. Spina, MD, DDS, whose position on the Board of Directors at OMS National Insurance (OMSNIC) makes him the perfect candidate to detail the value of malpractice insurance for medical professionals. Dr. Spina walks us through his journey to becoming a member of OMSNIC’s Board of Direc...

Autism is an expansive spectrum, and its diagnosis and treatment protocols are as equally widespread. To help us gain a better understanding of autism and how anesthesia works with autistic patients, we are joined today by Dental Anesthesiologist, Dr. Jonathan Bacon. Dr. Bacon begins by walking us through the current state of autism in America, how autism is diagnosed, why it’s important to pay attention to the language that we use regarding autism, and the comorbidities and physiological dif...