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Navigating Dental Practice Ownership: Insights from Dr. Jackie Hassenplug (Part Two)
21 Plays11 days ago
About the Guest:
Dr. Jackie Hassenplug is a distinguished dental practitioner and a key opinion leader for A-dec, known for her hands-on experience and expertise in dental practice ownership. With a history of working in multiple practices equipped with A-dec technology, Dr. Hassenplug is an advocate for ergonomic and efficient practice setups. Her professional journey is highlighted by her commitment to patient care and practice development, as demonstrated in her own dental practice, Smile Haven Dental Studio.
Episode Summary:
In this engaging episode of "Beyond Graduation," hosts Drs. Savanah Craig and Ronnetta Sartor continue their conversation with Dr. Jackie Hassenplug, an accomplished dental practitioner and A-dec key opinion leader. The episode focuses on Dr. Hassenplug's experiences with A-dec equipment in her practice and the significant role it plays in her dental office's ergonomic and efficient setup. As a left-handed dentist, Dr. Hassenplug shares her journey of choosing the right dental equipment to ensure comfort and productivity for herself and her team, emphasizing the need for ergonomic design and innovative solutions in modern dental practices.
The conversation delves into Dr. Hassenplug's insights on starting a dental practice, highlighting her commitment to A-dec's Smart Start program, which offers significant advantages to new practice owners. Dr. Hassenplug narrates her journey from using A-decs equipment in various associate roles to establishing her dental practice, underscoring the importance of strategic planning and community involvement. She also discusses the crucial role of networking and finding the right support system in successfully managing a dental practice.
Key Takeaways:
- Dr. Jackie Hassenplug emphasizes the importance of ergonomic and efficient practice setups, especially for left-handed dentists.
- A-dec's Smart Start program provides new practices with valuable discounts and support for sustainable growth.
- Dr. Hassenplug highlights the significance of having a supportive team and network when starting a dental practice.
- The episode underscores the value of hands-on experiences and community involvement in successful practice ownership.
- Strategic planning and optimized ergonomics are key components in creating a conducive working environment for dental professionals.
Connect with Us:
- Savanah Craig, DDS: @savanahcraigdds
- Ronnetta Sartor, DMD: @dr_sartor
- Jackie Hassenplug, DMD: @dr.jackie_dmd
- FutureDentists Beyond Graduation: @futuredentistsbeyondgraduation
- FutureDentists: @futuredentists
- IgniteDDS: @ignitedds and @ignitedds_coaching
- A-dec: @adecdental and https://www.a-dec.com/find-a-dealer
Listeners are encouraged to explore these resources and tune into the full episode for an in-depth understanding of Dr. Jackie Hassenplug's experiences and insights on navigating life beyond graduation in the field of dentistry. Stay connected for more insightful episodes to aid your professional journey.
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Transcript
Introduction to ADEC Smart Start Program
00:00:00
Speaker
ADEC's Smart Start program offers first-time practice owners their deepest discounts on equipment and furniture for two years, plus other savings and complimentary services. Ask your ADEC rep for details and start smart with ADEC.
Podcast Introduction with Drs. Craig and Sartor
00:00:13
Speaker
Join Drs. Savannah Craig and Renetta Sartor as we navigate life beyond graduation. Real conversations about forging our own paths in our early years in our careers.
00:00:24
Speaker
There's a reason it's called practicing dentistry. Hello, friends.
Part Two with Dr. Jackie Hazenplug
00:00:27
Speaker
Welcome back to part two of our episode with Dr. Jackie Hazenplug.
Dr. Hazenplug's Positive ADEC Experiences
00:00:32
Speaker
All right. So, Jackie, tell us a little bit about, you know, the reason you're here hanging out with us is our friends at ADEC connected us.
00:00:41
Speaker
So tell us what your experience has been like with them and being a key opinion leader and all of that good stuff. Yeah, it has been fun. I worked in an ADEC practice. Actually,
00:00:55
Speaker
all of the practices I've ever worked in, because I've worked as an associate, multiple practices, have had ADAC equipment. And so when I was planning on starting my own office, it was like not a question that it was going to be ADAC.
00:01:09
Speaker
I worked in one office that was not ADAC and my body was killing me at the end of those days. And I could not do it. I'm left-handed.
Challenges for Left-Handed Dentists
00:01:20
Speaker
So for me, like operatory setup is a huge role, right? Like everyone sets up their operatories for a right-handed provider.
00:01:28
Speaker
It's just how it is, right? um And so it's standard. And so really like having things needing to be moved easily and your posture and ergonomics and all of that plays a role that you don't even notice if you're crammed in on the left side of the room because the assistants don't need as much space, right? They need to have things a little bit closer to them to reach everything.
00:01:54
Speaker
But as a provider, you don't realize like how much room you do need. And so it was not a question of doing ADEC. I was like, I'm doing it. I'm investing in it.
00:02:05
Speaker
And they were fantastic to work
Choosing ADEC Equipment
00:02:08
Speaker
with. Molly, which is one of our Chicago reps, she kind of took me under her wing and she we went down to ADEC, the Nashville location, and we got to see everything and kind of pick everything out for the office.
00:02:23
Speaker
with my Patterson reps as well. And it was a fun trip. We got to go down. They take you through like a whole tour. It's like going to Disney world. It's like the best thing ever. Like they bring you in this room and they show you this video and like, there's the smells of like making the leather. It's really cool. It's neat.
00:02:41
Speaker
And so I'm like, I feel like I'm like in Disney right now going through Soarin', you know? And so we did that and then we got to pick everything up there and you know,
00:02:52
Speaker
I brought my dad with and he's he's my accountant too. And so he's like, how much is this all? Don't worry, dad. Don't worry. Don't worry about the that. Don't ask any questions. It's an investment.
00:03:03
Speaker
There's some write-offs to it. It will all be fine. But once we kind of picked everything out, then it was like, okay, now we get to like pick the colors and all that kind of stuff.
00:03:13
Speaker
And so that's where Molly really came into play because my Patterson reps, I love them dearly, but they're both men. dad's a man, right? And they're like, I'll pick whatever color you want. Like, and then how about this?
00:03:27
Speaker
How about that? and So Molly was key in helping pick out everything with me. So we had fun with it.
ADEC Smart Start Program Benefits
00:03:34
Speaker
And so ever since then, I did do the Smart Start program with them.
00:03:38
Speaker
So basically what it is, is, I mean, they can get you all of the details. Don't ask me every question, but- Call your ADEC rep. Yes, correct, correct. There's a package for startups offices.
00:03:52
Speaker
so if you you know buy this and buy that and the chair and all that good stuff, it kind of locks in your pricing for two years. So that way, as you grow, you're not like struggling financially to keep growing in your practice. And so I'm in the process already of building out my third op. And that was super helpful was being able to have that locked in and know, okay, this is what my pricing is for the next one. So I can prepare to grow.
00:04:23
Speaker
That's really cool. That's awesome. Yeah. It's been fun. My whole office, I didn't do any cabinet. I did all of their cabinetry. I didn't do any custom cabinetry in the operatories. I just did everything ADEC because I knew the functionality of it was meant for us practicing
Optimizing Workflow with ADEC Setup
00:04:40
Speaker
as doctors. right And it's all about like the flow, you know like going back to my systems, like everything has a bin and everything has a place. And It's the same in every room. So that way, like everybody knows. So they help you do that and they help you with the ergonomics and infection control process. Like my side cabinets, which I know a lot of people don't do side cabinets anymore, but I like to practice with side cabinets.
00:05:04
Speaker
My side cabinets have like the ah quick connect to clean my lines and shock my lines. So it's like all right there. So it's easy for my assistants to just be like, okay, let's attach this while I'm cleaning the rest of the room. but That's running. I don't have to sit here and like hold it in a bucket and clean everything that way. Because that's when people start skipping steps.
00:05:26
Speaker
And I was like, I don't want anybody skipping any steps to anything. um So if it flows easily, they're more likely to do it. Yeah. less Less barriers to yeah any of it is good. Exactly.
Adaptability of Operatory Setups
00:05:39
Speaker
Are all of your ops, well, like obviously your hygiene, but are all of your ops set up left-handed then? So my rooms are actually, they swing. All of the rooms are are able to move. i have the continental delivery above the patient or like in front of the patient, I guess I should say, for that ease of movement and just swinging it on the other side. and i was actually telling my assistant the other day, I'm like, why are you on the left side of the room?
00:06:03
Speaker
You are right-handed. Like she was doing whitening. She's like, but it's over here. I go, I have these rooms specifically for this purpose of moving it to the other side. If you're doing a procedure, do not put yourself in that situation.
00:06:18
Speaker
She's like, okay. I'm like, that's the whole reason these rooms, my rooms are big because I i don't want anyone to feel constricted. and I know down the road when I have a hygienist, when I have an associate,
00:06:31
Speaker
more than likely they're going to be right-handed. So I want everybody to feel comfortable in our operatories. So that was a big thing was I was like, I wanted extra space. And that was the cool part of going down to ADAC.
Space Planning and Layout Decisions
00:06:41
Speaker
They have these like movable walls.
00:06:43
Speaker
So you could see exactly like how big you want your operatories to be the feel. So like it really changes, like even just a foot makes such a difference, right?
00:06:55
Speaker
Or like even where your rear cabinet goes, like, can I work at the 12 o'clock position or can I not? And when you're building out and everything, there's no walls up. And they're asking you how your floor plan is. And you're like, I think that looks good. And it's all drawn on the floor. You're like, i don't know. This whole place feels massive right now. I don't know what it feels like. So that gave me like that feel and be like, okay, I'm confident this is where I want the walls to be.
00:07:20
Speaker
Because once the walls are up, there's no going back. You're not tearing it all down. So you're either going to suck it up or... I don't know. So my office was an acquisition and that was part of my, my thing. So like I was limited by how long ye the rooms are and you're right. All that stuff makes sense. Like being able to get at 12 o'clock, if you got rear, rear delivery, right.
00:07:46
Speaker
and being able to get all of the places, you'd be surprised long-term what that does for ergonomics.
Expert Guidance in Practice Planning
00:07:54
Speaker
Oh, yeah. Oh, my gosh. I can only imagine with the walls being up. I think it would be just as difficult with it not being any walls.
00:08:01
Speaker
Yeah. to Oh, it is. ah Yeah, to figure out how to do it. yeah Well, and it was like funny, kids so i especially when we went down to ADAC, right? i was like, okay, dad, my dad's six four like Get in the chair.
00:08:12
Speaker
Yeah. And if he fits comfortably in an ADAC chair, right? And I was like, okay, your feet are hanging over the edge, right? Every six, four person's feet are going to hang over any chair you have.
00:08:22
Speaker
So I'm like, let's make sure there's enough room at the toe of the chair. So they're not kicking my walls and have all these scuff marks. And so I was like, okay, that needs to have this amount of extra space and this.
00:08:33
Speaker
So yes, could I have fit more operatories in my space? A hundred percent, but I wanted to be comfortable while working. And I wanted to make sure my other people were also comfortable while working. So I was like, you know what? It's worth the sacrifice of like, what can I fit maybe one extra up from that extra space I have?
00:08:50
Speaker
So yeah. That's huge. And just things you don't think about at all. Yeah, it's for sure. Like there's a lot of things like I, I think that's why like having a good team around you is super important because you know, having like these people, like, so my Patterson, my equipment specialist, my like Molly, who's like our 8X specialist, all these different people play a significant role because they've done this, right? They've done this hundreds of times and they're the ones who really kind of are like, Hey, I know you want it this way but let me tell you I've seen other doctors do it and it doesn't work out right yeah you want it this way fantastic let's adjust things so that way it all makes sense right like even just like drawing out your floor plan you don't really you know like close to the office because it might smell up the office on occasion you're like
00:09:55
Speaker
I never thought of that. You know, you just work in offices and you're just sort of like, okay, like it's just organized the way it is. I don't know. Right. And so having that guidance of like, oh, you need ah like this amount of space for this type of chair or this amount of space for your compressor and vac or even just like the flow of sterilization, right? Like the difference of like one wall versus a U-shaped starey and having, you know, not as much, like you have a lot of wasted space in those types of areas and stuff like that, that I never thought about.
00:10:27
Speaker
So having those opinions were really helpful and being able to say, okay, like this is like the most like efficient way to do things. kind of helped make those choices for me.
Reflections and Advice from Dr. Hazenplug
00:10:38
Speaker
I just read this book. It's called Work Clean. And it's all about like mise-en-place plots and chefs and how all of that is like set up to like not waste any movements, not waste any like – Anything. Everything is where you need it to be. And so that sounds very much like the same thing you were trying to design is just everything flows.
00:10:59
Speaker
It supports the systems you have in place and all of those good things. Exactly. Exactly. Well, cool. What Do you feel... Oh, ahead. I was going to ask, what is the the one thing now where you are in your life, in dentistry and just in general, what is the one thing you would tell your past self, like your self, just trying to figure out life?
00:11:28
Speaker
What advice would you have? So i always knew I wanted to be a practice owner. That was something that I just... like knew if I went into dentistry, I would own my own practice someday.
00:11:41
Speaker
Now, did i I, don't, I don't know if I thought as a D1, I would own this soon, but I guess I would kind of tell myself like you can do it and like, don't be fearful of doing it because it's going to just be so rewarding in the end. Like, yes, there's stressful days and there's like, you know, how am i making rent my first month and like all these different things, right.
00:12:03
Speaker
That play a role. um But you, you, when you surround yourself by certain people and they help you along the way and they set you up for success, you know, having those connections, like not being fearful of like going out and networking with people and really like being involved in your community too. I think like, I never saw myself being like, Oh, let's sponsor like the St. Charles parade.
00:12:29
Speaker
Who am I? Like, but like just getting to know people in the area, like I never pictured myself being so like outgoing, like, yes, I have an outgoing personality. I can talk to people, but never one to just like go out and be like, hi, I'm so-and-so and this is my story, you know?
00:12:48
Speaker
And so just being, just telling myself like, you can do it. You can, you know, find that pathway, I guess. And you will make it through dental school. It's a big one. i think my first quarter, I was like,
00:13:01
Speaker
I might have to drop out. Like, this is not for me. And my parents were like, what do you mean? Like, you cannot drop out now. and I was like, yeah, I know. So to like go from like thinking you might not make it is to now you're practice owner is like very crazy.
00:13:19
Speaker
Like I never expected that. Yeah, that's amazing advice. That's so, so good. Well, Jackie, we want to be respectful of your time and spending your Saturday morning with us. So thank you so much for for joining us. Thanks for having me, guys.
Professional Connections and Closing Remarks
00:13:36
Speaker
It was fun. Can you tell our folks where we can find you on social media or we live in Chicago? Yeah. You can find me on Instagram. That's probably the easiest way. i have my professional page, which I think is it's like Dr. Jackie DMD or something like that.
00:13:54
Speaker
Hold on. Yeah. Dr. dot Jackie underscore DMD. Or you can follow my practice. That's where i post way more. I don't really post on my personal professional one as much. Smile Haven Dental Studio.
00:14:05
Speaker
You can also email me at info at yoursmilehaven.com. Awesome. Well, thanks again. This has been awesome. And we'll catch you all next time. Give Dr. Jackie a follow. Thank you for joining us for this episode of Beyond Graduation. If you enjoyed this week's episode, be sure to share it with a friend.
00:14:26
Speaker
Connect with us. on social media at Savannah Craig DBS and at Dr. Sartor. And remember, you are not alone on this journey. ADEC certified pre-owned equipment is a sustainable, affordable choice that makes genuine ADEC equipment available to every doctor.
00:14:44
Speaker
Each package is sold on a first-come, first-served basis. So if you see one you like, contact your dealer. For more information, go to www.adec.com backslash findadealer. Thank you for listening to Beyond Graduation brought to you by Ignite DDS and Future Dentists. This episode was sponsored by Ignite DDS Coaching. We build self-determined futures. For more information, please reach out to the Ignite DDS team.