MMS Endodontics online newsletter for December 2017 and January 2018
UNIONTOWN, PA 625 Cherry Tree Lane Uniontown, PA 15401 (724) 438-0600 CUMBERLAND, MD 1415 River Ave. Suite B Cumberland, MD (240) 362-7107 MORGANTOWN, WV 9000 Coombs Farm Dr. Suite. 304 Morgantown, WV 26508 (304) 594-1670
December 2017 January 2018 www.mmsendo.com info@mmsendo.com
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MMS, IN AWORD A MATTER OF TRUST
It’s not uncommon for doctors in any specialty to open a private practice and work solo. This approach has worked for many dentists, but at MMS Endodontics, our philosophy is different. We work as a team— three dentists, three perspectives, one vision. Why does our approach work? Why does the MMS team get along so well? We’ll tell you! Dr. Spencer Stiles: I think this can be summed up in a word: trust. The three of us share the same core values, and we hold total trust in one other to carry out those core values at all times. I have absolutely no doubt that on the days I’m not present in the office, Dr. Jeffrey Minchau and Dr. Kent McBride are working hard to provide excellent service. They show compassion toward our patients and our staff, and they search for ways to embrace and drive change that will make the experience of the office even better. I can genuinely say that the three of us consistently make decisions that place the needs of others ahead of our own. As our group continues to grow and expand, we believe in bringing more ideas and greater visions to the table. The more like-minded brainpower working on the same project, the better the result.
the decision of an individual. Even when we disagree, we respect each other’s opinions.
Why does our teamwork so well together? In one word, trust. Dr. Stiles said it well. We have an immense amount of trust in one another to keep the best interests of others in mind. I know both Dr. Stiles and Dr. Minchau would make sacrifices for my benefit, and I would do the same for them. Plus, our families are all very close, and we never get tired of spending time together.
Dr. Jeffrey Minchau: Some of the most memorable moments in life are shared with others. While in dental school, we were constantly bombarded with stress from tests, deadlines, and ever-looming board exams that seem to define us. Without the love and support of family, friends, and classmates, success would be entirely out of reach.
We learned early on that a group focused on serving a common goal was stronger than any single member by itself. It is with this approach that we teamed up to better serve our patients, along with the dentists in our area. The most satisfying part of being in a group practice is sharing the approach and experience with staff, doctors, and patients so no one ever feels left out. That’s really why our teamworks so well together, along with that all- important element of trust. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I trust every member of our team. I know that everyone involved in our practice has our patients’best interests at heart.
Dr. Kent McBride: I love the group practice because of the myriad of benefits it offers, including shared coverage, shared responsibilities, and supply negotiation. Even more important, though, is the camaraderie and teamwork. I am lucky to practice with some of my best friends, who truly make work fun. We take what we do very seriously, but we don’t take ourselves
Fromall of us on the MMS Endodontics team, we wish you and your family happy holidays and a wonderful new year!
Dr. Spencer Stiles, Dr. Kent McBride , and Dr. Jeffrey Minchau
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too seriously. This makes for a positive and rewarding environment. At the same time, we believe the decision of a group is almost always better than
WV (304) 594-1670 | MD (240) 362-7107 | PA (724) 438-0600
THE ART OF SAYING NO
Business owners can find it hard to say no. If you say no, you can be left with thoughts like “What if I miss out on an amazing opportunity?” or “Can’t I take on just one more project to hit my revenue goal this month?” However, saying no can be extremely empowering and good for your business. Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, once said, “People think focus means saying yes to the thing that you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I am actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things.” It can be tempting to jump at every new opportunity or challenge presented to you, especially when you are dedicated to growing your business. However, there are certain instances in which saying no is completely necessary to the success of your business. Regardless of your niche, there is a saturation point at which you cannot take on more work. It happens when you are working long hours, when you rarely spend time with your family, and when your health and sleep habits are suffering. Suddenly, you don’t enjoy work anymore, and you are constantly stressed. When your work-life balance is slipping away, it’s time to say no.
Your business serves a specific demographic. But what about when you get a new offer from a prospect who falls outside your normal arena? Ask yourself, does it conflict with my demographic? Do I have enough expertise to be able to do the job? Does it hurt the image I’m trying to create around my brand? If you can say yes to these questions, say no to the prospect. It can be tempting to chase a new offer, but think long term about your business and stay true to your mission and goals. The secret to saying no is knowing not only when to say it, but when to say it right away. Saying no might mean you have to pass on one opportunity now, but it can open new doors for you later down the road. Be empowered by your ability to say no and use it to showcase the value of your work to others and yourself.
A 36-year-old male was presented to our office one week after an acute apical abscess associated with tooth No. 19. The acute abscess had been managed with clindamycin, prescribed by his dentist, and he was asymptomatic on the day of retreatment. We performed nonsurgical endodontic retreatment, during which time a mid-mesial canal was located, instrumented, and obturated. The 2-year recall radiograph shows complete apical healing. MMS Case Study
2-YEAR RECALL
PRE-OP
POST-OP
HAVE A LAUGH
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GIVE UP THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS … and Look for Meaning Instead
Howmany books have you seen with the word“happiness”in the title? A lot, right? It’s such a popular topic because the pursuit, journey, and, ultimately, achievement of happiness is supposed to be the key to a fulfilling life. Happiness is the ultimate human condition; reaching it is our purpose and will bring us contentment. But before you pick up that guide to happiness, there’s some new data you need to pay attention to. Turns out, we’ve been focusing on the wrong goal. More andmore research is supporting the benefit of pursuing a meaningful life over a happy one. Viktor Frankl could be called a leading expert on the topic. Frankl lived through the Holocaust in a concentration camp and saw firsthand how humans deal with unhappy circumstances. As a respected psychiatrist, his observations became the basis for his book,“Man’s Search for Meaning.”Frankl found that the people who stood the best chance of surviving the horrific experience were those who saw some sort of meaning in their lives, even under the bleakest circumstances. For Frankl, this meant providing therapy to others in the camp. As Frankl puts it, once a person finds meaning, they know the“why”of their existence, and they will be able to bear almost any“how.”
Americans do not have a satisfying life purpose, and yet, 60 percent of Americans say they are happy. What gives? It comes down to the pursuit of happiness versus pursuingmeaning in life. It’s the difference between“I’mgoing to buy this dress
because it will make me happy”and“I’mgoing to volunteer at a shelter because it will be meaningful.”Happiness involves satisfying an immediate need, whereas findingmeaning focuses onmaking choices that give us a sense of purpose. Even more telling, the Journal of Positive Psychology found that meaningful acts usually involve giving, but reaching happiness oftenmeans taking. Because of this, leading a meaningful life, while oftenmore challenging, is alsomore satisfying. Is it possible that the pursuit of a meaningful life will lead us to happiness? Absolutely. Just don’t expect it to be an everlasting condition. Think of happiness the way psychologist Frank T. McAndrew does:“Recognizing that happiness exists —and that it’s a delightful visitor that never overstays its welcome—may help us appreciate it more when it arrives.”
In the years since“Man’s Search for Meaning”was written, it seems we’ve forgotten a lot of its advice. The Centers for Disease Control found that 4 out of every 10
THE IMPORTANCE OF SAVING THE TOOTH For Dental Patients, It’s the Best Option
Thanks to numerous advances in dentistry, it is much easier to save natural teeth following injury, infection, or other forms of trauma. Saving one tooth, or multiple, has become an ideal result. For patients who desire the best cosmetic and health outcomes, saving a tooth by means of endodontic treatment should be the first option.
benefits of a root canal. This includes letting the patient know root canals are not painful, and discomfort is minimal. Additionally, root canals are typically over and done with in a single appointment. When a natural tooth can be saved and effectively restored, patients can continue to enjoy efficient chewing. Their bite is not altered, and they can apply normal biting force when eating. Essentially, the patient can continue to rely on their teeth as they did before they experienced injury or infection.
Often following trauma to a tooth, many patients are left with the choice of root canal or tooth extraction.
Generally, it’s in the best interest of the patient to pursue a root canal before exploring extraction. The American Association of Endodontists encourage patients to ask their dentist if a root canal is an option as soon as the dentist recommends tooth extraction. Some patients may opt for extraction, over saving the tooth, out of fear. It’s critical for their dentist to discuss the
Another major benefit of saving a natural tooth is appearance. The dental professional won’t have to worry about color matching, and the patient won’t need to fret about potentially having a two-toned smile. A natural tooth won’t look out of place. Not to mention the cost benefits for the patient, who would not have to deal with paying for the artificial tooth.
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WV (304) 594-1670 | MD (240) 362-7107 | PA (724) 438-0600
9000 Coombs Farm Dr. Ste. 304 Morgantown, WV 26508
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
WV (304) 594-1670 MD (240) 362-7107 PA (724) 438-0600
www.mmsendo.com | info@mmsendo.com
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The True Meaning of MMS
How, Why, and When to Say No
MMS Case Study
A Fulfilling Life, or a Happy One?
When Saving the Tooth Is the Best Option
Network Like a Natural
5 NETWORKING TIPS FOR
SMALL-BUSINESS OWNERS
like a formal presentation with bullet points. A few words about who you are, what you do, and why you do it will suffice. And you don’t want every word drilled down. Remember, networking is not the same thing as a sales pitch. 2. Don’t Forget to Listen Networking works best when it’s a two-way street. You can’t expect somebody to listen to you for five minutes, only for you to head to the snack table as soon as they start telling you about their company in return. The mutually beneficial nature of networking allows for a conversation about business to become a platform for building a relationship. Odds are everyone at your conference is trying to network just as much as you are. 3. Have a Card, Seriously Imagine this scenario: You’re at a conference and you just finish up a fruitful, engaging conversation.
The person you’re talking to hands over their business card, and you realize you don’t have one to provide in return. Nobody wants to end up scribbling their contact information on a napkin. 4. Network From Home LinkedIn isn’t just for finding a job or screening employees. It can be a powerful networking tool for business owners. Because you can see the connections of your connections, it’s not hard to reach out to people in similar roles or industries. 5. Be Yourself Your personality and values should be an integral part of your business, and networking should be an honest conversation, even when the end goal is developing a business relationship. Be confident in who you are, and you’ll find that people will believe in your vision.
Successful networking benefits all business owners, whether they’re just getting started or trying to grow their business. These face-to-face meetings with other entrepreneurs, however, can be awkward and difficult for some people. Interfacing with industry leaders, experts, and like- minded CEOs doesn’t have to be anxiety-inducing, even if you’re naturally shy. Here are some tips to help you network more effectively at your next industry seminar or small-business conference. 1. Prepare Beforehand There are a few great ways to get yourself into the networking mindset before an event. You should have a few talking points ready. It shouldn’t sound
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