Invest in Your Business
“Invest in yourself. Your career is the engine of your wealth.”--Paul Clitheroe
What does it mean to invest in your business/career? To me, it starts with choosing what to do with your life. If you decide to do something just to make money, more times than not, you will be unsuccessful. I believe you will be the most fruitful if you earn money doing something you love.
My patients often ask, “Doc, how could you like to work on teeth?" Dentistry can be quite challenging at times, but it's not necessarily the teeth part that I love. I love the satisfaction I get when I help somebody with a problem. I love being able to employ people and push them to be their best. The best compliment I can receive is that my staff is so friendly. (Of course, it is still nice to hear people say that they are happy with my dental work.)
Investing in my business is all about my vision of having a practice that offers our patients top notch, efficient customer service and dental work or advice that is of the highest integrity and standard of care. This vision is always in the forefront of every business decision I make. Oftentimes, businesses or careers fail because the owner doesn’t have a clear vision. Operating without a vision is like driving your family in a car for a vacation but you have no idea where you are going. How will you ever get there if you don’t know where you want to be! My advice is to invest time in thinking of where you want to be--it will help guide you each and every day.
As always, please ask your financial consultant before making any investment decision. These blogs are my thoughts and personal advice only.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Investment Advice
Today, we are going to take a little a break from dental-related topics. I have spent a lot of time researching and speaking with consultants on the best ways to invest my money. Below, I will share with you my findings and my personal investment strategy. As always, please consult a financial advisor or counselor before you choose any investment path.
Investing in Myself
My top three investments are myself, my business, and a savvy whole insurance strategy. Money can be spent in two different ways: an investment or an expense. An investment suggests that you will get a return on your money. The "return" doesn't necessarily mean monetary value. Furthering one's education is a great example of an investment that gives you a return in the form of learning, increasing mental capacity, expanding horizons, broadening career opportunities, etc.
An expense suggests that there will be no significant benefit to your well-being from you spending money, time or energy. Sorry ladies, buying those fancy Jimmy Choo shoes is a great example of an expense. The shoes don't really "return" anything that improves one's mental, physical or spiritual state. Of course one can argue that a purchase, such as buying Jimmy Choos, gives one greater self-confidence, which can help in other aspects of life like nailing that job interview. In determining whether spending your money is an investment or an expense, ask yourself, "What am I really getting out of this?"
When it comes to one’s health, I am a firm believer that there is no such thing as an expense. I believe in preventative medicine. I always advise my patients to eat right, exercise, and invest in any service that may prevent them from needing something else that would most likely be more expensive or invasive in the future. For example, should you invest 30 seconds a day and floss, or spend thousands of dollars in gum therapy/surgery in the future and risk shedding years off your life by not flossing?
Next week, we will talk about investing in my business.
Investing in Myself
My top three investments are myself, my business, and a savvy whole insurance strategy. Money can be spent in two different ways: an investment or an expense. An investment suggests that you will get a return on your money. The "return" doesn't necessarily mean monetary value. Furthering one's education is a great example of an investment that gives you a return in the form of learning, increasing mental capacity, expanding horizons, broadening career opportunities, etc.
An expense suggests that there will be no significant benefit to your well-being from you spending money, time or energy. Sorry ladies, buying those fancy Jimmy Choo shoes is a great example of an expense. The shoes don't really "return" anything that improves one's mental, physical or spiritual state. Of course one can argue that a purchase, such as buying Jimmy Choos, gives one greater self-confidence, which can help in other aspects of life like nailing that job interview. In determining whether spending your money is an investment or an expense, ask yourself, "What am I really getting out of this?"
When it comes to one’s health, I am a firm believer that there is no such thing as an expense. I believe in preventative medicine. I always advise my patients to eat right, exercise, and invest in any service that may prevent them from needing something else that would most likely be more expensive or invasive in the future. For example, should you invest 30 seconds a day and floss, or spend thousands of dollars in gum therapy/surgery in the future and risk shedding years off your life by not flossing?
Next week, we will talk about investing in my business.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Q: Am I A Candidate For Getting A Dental Implant?
A: First, let's discuss some reasons why one would not be a great candidate for a dental implant:
1. Smoking. Smoking lowers our success rate for dental implants because it causes the blood vessels in the jaw to constrict. Without adequate blood flow, new bone formation around the implant is limited. Therefore, the implant may not be as secure as it needs to be and has a greater likelihood of failing. If you are a smoker, I would recommended decreasing the number of cigarettes to less than 1/2 pack a day for a month before implant surgery. Of course, stopping smoking completely is the best option for getting dental implants and one's overall health.
2. Jaw Bone Type. The jaw is made up of 4 different types of bone. They range from hard, like oak, to soft, like Styrofoam. The hardest and softest bone have lower success rates. The highest success rate for dental implants are in patients who have bone types that are in the middle of hard and soft. Not sure which bone type you have? At Roselle Park Dental, we have a CT scan that can help us measure the density of your jaw bone.
3. Diseases. Certain diseases, such as uncontrolled diabetes and osteoporosis, can be contraindications for dental implants. At Roselle Park Dental, we make sure we do a comprehensive medical history to determine if dental implants are the best course of treatment for you.
To see if you're a candidate for dental implants, call Roselle Park Dental and schedule a consultation. The dentist will do a thorough oral exam, medical history review and CT scan so he can see your entire jaw bone structure. We look forward to seeing you!
1. Smoking. Smoking lowers our success rate for dental implants because it causes the blood vessels in the jaw to constrict. Without adequate blood flow, new bone formation around the implant is limited. Therefore, the implant may not be as secure as it needs to be and has a greater likelihood of failing. If you are a smoker, I would recommended decreasing the number of cigarettes to less than 1/2 pack a day for a month before implant surgery. Of course, stopping smoking completely is the best option for getting dental implants and one's overall health.
2. Jaw Bone Type. The jaw is made up of 4 different types of bone. They range from hard, like oak, to soft, like Styrofoam. The hardest and softest bone have lower success rates. The highest success rate for dental implants are in patients who have bone types that are in the middle of hard and soft. Not sure which bone type you have? At Roselle Park Dental, we have a CT scan that can help us measure the density of your jaw bone.
3. Diseases. Certain diseases, such as uncontrolled diabetes and osteoporosis, can be contraindications for dental implants. At Roselle Park Dental, we make sure we do a comprehensive medical history to determine if dental implants are the best course of treatment for you.
To see if you're a candidate for dental implants, call Roselle Park Dental and schedule a consultation. The dentist will do a thorough oral exam, medical history review and CT scan so he can see your entire jaw bone structure. We look forward to seeing you!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Same-Day Implants vs. Traditional Implants
Question:
Why can some dentists perform an implant the same day and some say it takes up to 9 months?
Answer:
Before this can be answered, one must understand what an implant is. Many people think an implant replaces the crown (the porcelain that looks like a tooth) but an implant is actually the titanium screw that replaces the root of a tooth. The part that replaces the crown is actually a combination of something called an abutment and a crown. The abutment will screw into the implant and the crown cements onto the abutment. Please see the diagram below.
Not every patient is a candidate for receiving an implant the same day. A qualified dentist needs to determine the amount of bone in your jaw, whether you grind your teeth, the integrity of the bone that the implant is in, if you are prone to infection and how stable your bone holds the implant on the day of surgery. After evaluating these risk factors, a dentist will be able to determine if one can get an implant, abutment and crown the same day or if additional healing time is needed after an implant is placed.
If you are missing teeth, wear a partial or denture, you may be able to get a dental implant. For more information on dental implants in Roselle Park, please visit our Website or call Roselle Park Dental at (908) 245-1745.
Next week's topic is am I a candidate for an implant?
Why can some dentists perform an implant the same day and some say it takes up to 9 months?
Answer:
Before this can be answered, one must understand what an implant is. Many people think an implant replaces the crown (the porcelain that looks like a tooth) but an implant is actually the titanium screw that replaces the root of a tooth. The part that replaces the crown is actually a combination of something called an abutment and a crown. The abutment will screw into the implant and the crown cements onto the abutment. Please see the diagram below.
Not every patient is a candidate for receiving an implant the same day. A qualified dentist needs to determine the amount of bone in your jaw, whether you grind your teeth, the integrity of the bone that the implant is in, if you are prone to infection and how stable your bone holds the implant on the day of surgery. After evaluating these risk factors, a dentist will be able to determine if one can get an implant, abutment and crown the same day or if additional healing time is needed after an implant is placed.
If you are missing teeth, wear a partial or denture, you may be able to get a dental implant. For more information on dental implants in Roselle Park, please visit our Website or call Roselle Park Dental at (908) 245-1745.
Next week's topic is am I a candidate for an implant?
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Question: What can I do to get healthy?
Answer: Hippocrates, The Father of Medicine, said, “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food!”
Obesity, diabetes, and gum disease are increasing at alarming rates. At the same time, many people are on prescribed medications to help control these varying diseases. Processed foods continue to be consumed because they are cheap and easy to buy. If you want to improve your health, you need to do what Hippocrates suggests and change your diet.
What is a healthy diet? (I am going to answer this question based on my experience only. As always, consult your doctor before you change your diet.)
Dr. O's 8 Simple Rules for Success
1. Read the labels on your food and drink. If there are more than 5 ingredients on the back of the package, it is probably not easily broken down by your body. If there are more than 2 ingredients that are really long words and you don’t know what they are, then your body probably won't recognize it either! Avoid these food/drinks wherever possible.
2. Eat as many vegetables as you want. The greener or more colorful they are, the better they are for you. Try to eat a rainbow of colors (red bell peppers, carrots, watermelon, kale, spinach, etc.).
3. Reduce your animal fat intake. Consume lean proteins such as chicken, turkey and fish over more fatty meats such as beef.
4. Avoid soda. If you must have soda, try to keep your intake to one can of soda per week. Remember, just because a soda is diet, sugar free or calorie free, it does not mean it is good for you!
5. Drink water. Staying hydrated is critical to your body functioning properly.
6. Limit your dairy intake.
Obesity, diabetes, and gum disease are increasing at alarming rates. At the same time, many people are on prescribed medications to help control these varying diseases. Processed foods continue to be consumed because they are cheap and easy to buy. If you want to improve your health, you need to do what Hippocrates suggests and change your diet.
What is a healthy diet? (I am going to answer this question based on my experience only. As always, consult your doctor before you change your diet.)
Dr. O's 8 Simple Rules for Success
1. Read the labels on your food and drink. If there are more than 5 ingredients on the back of the package, it is probably not easily broken down by your body. If there are more than 2 ingredients that are really long words and you don’t know what they are, then your body probably won't recognize it either! Avoid these food/drinks wherever possible.
2. Eat as many vegetables as you want. The greener or more colorful they are, the better they are for you. Try to eat a rainbow of colors (red bell peppers, carrots, watermelon, kale, spinach, etc.).
3. Reduce your animal fat intake. Consume lean proteins such as chicken, turkey and fish over more fatty meats such as beef.
4. Avoid soda. If you must have soda, try to keep your intake to one can of soda per week. Remember, just because a soda is diet, sugar free or calorie free, it does not mean it is good for you!
5. Drink water. Staying hydrated is critical to your body functioning properly.
6. Limit your dairy intake.
7. Exercise! Eating healthy and working out go hand in hand. Even if you need to start small by going for a walk three days a week, and then work your way up to a jog- that's great. Keep your body moving.
8. Get a partner or coach. It is easier to stay committed to a healthy lifestyle when you have support.
8. Get a partner or coach. It is easier to stay committed to a healthy lifestyle when you have support.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Question: I've Been Diagnosed with Gum Disease....What Does This Mean?
Answer:
Approximately 85% of our population has some form of gum disease. Gum disease can vary from mild gingivitis (slightly inflamed gums, bad breath and bleeding gums) to periodontitis (gingivitis with bone loss in the jawbone). If you've ever watched Dr. Oz, he always is concerned about inflammation and the harm it brings to our bodies. Inflammation has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, low birth weight pregnancies, and even shorter life spans.
I can't emphasize enough how important it is to diligently follow a strict home care plan. This includes eating a healthy diet with proper nutrients, high antioxidants as well as properly flossing and brushing. Keeping your check up and cleaning appointments at least every 6 months with the dentist is also critical to keeping gum disease at bay.
Here is what I recommend to my patients varying levels of gum disease:
Mild periodontitis protocol- home care plan, laser decontamination, gum infection therapy, re-evaluation with cleaning 4-6 weeks later
Moderate to advanced periodontitis- home care plan, laser decontamination, gum infection therapy, re-evaluation with cleaning 4-6 weeks later, referral to periodontist or further laser treatment.
Gingivitis protocol: home care plan, laser decontamination, 2 cleanings, and a re-evaluation to follow up on gum progress 4-6 weeks later
For more information about our gum infection therapy or laser decontamination, please contact Roselle Park Dental.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Doc, Is It Going To Hurt? Part 3 of 3
There are plenty of people who are hesitant to get their dental work done even with the many advances in technology. For those patients there is sedation dentistry.
Sedation dentistry includes the use of Valium, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), Triazolam, and, if necessary, IV sedation or general anesthesia.
The use of Valium in conjunction with a few minutes of nitrous oxide can really reduce the amount of anxiety patients will have while getting their work done. This is most effective for the patient that doesn't really mind dentistry but wants something to take the edge off.
When Triazolam is used, the patient will experience oral conscious sedation. This should only be done by a dentist with an oral sedation license. (By the way, New Jersey has one of the hardest licensing requirements in the U.S.) Although oral conscious sedation is extremely safe and effective, certain protocols should be followed strictly.
Oral conscious sedation is extremely effective in reducing all anxiety and fears. Most patients do not recall the dental appointment at all and the medications even reduce the post operative discomfort. I have found oral sedation be the biggest game changer in improving the dental experience for patients.
Lastly, if a patient is a terrible gagger or if his/her fear is too great to be calmed by oral sedation, we can involve an anesthesiologist to administer IV sedation or general anesthesia. Both are more effective than oral sedation but carry additional risk and are more expensive.
Sedation dentistry includes the use of Valium, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), Triazolam, and, if necessary, IV sedation or general anesthesia.
The use of Valium in conjunction with a few minutes of nitrous oxide can really reduce the amount of anxiety patients will have while getting their work done. This is most effective for the patient that doesn't really mind dentistry but wants something to take the edge off.
When Triazolam is used, the patient will experience oral conscious sedation. This should only be done by a dentist with an oral sedation license. (By the way, New Jersey has one of the hardest licensing requirements in the U.S.) Although oral conscious sedation is extremely safe and effective, certain protocols should be followed strictly.
Oral conscious sedation is extremely effective in reducing all anxiety and fears. Most patients do not recall the dental appointment at all and the medications even reduce the post operative discomfort. I have found oral sedation be the biggest game changer in improving the dental experience for patients.
Lastly, if a patient is a terrible gagger or if his/her fear is too great to be calmed by oral sedation, we can involve an anesthesiologist to administer IV sedation or general anesthesia. Both are more effective than oral sedation but carry additional risk and are more expensive.
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