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Navigating Transitions in Dentistry
12 Plays1 month ago
About the Hosts:
Dr. Savanah Craig is a practicing dentist who co-hosts the "Beyond Graduation" podcast. She has made significant strides in the field of dentistry after completing her residency. Dr. Craig is noted for her attention to patient care and her adaptive approach to various transitions within her career.
Dr. Ronnetta Sartor is a seasoned dentist and co-host of the "Beyond Graduation" podcast. She has successfully transitioned from associateship to practice ownership and brings a wealth of experience in managing a dental practice and patient relationships. Dr. Sartor is known for her proactive nature and knowledge in dental transitions.
Episode Summary:
Welcome back to another enlightening episode of "Beyond Graduation" with Dr. Savanah Craig and Dr. Ronnetta Sartor. This week, our hosts dive into the inevitable yet intricate world of transitions, focusing particularly on dental careers. From the steps taken post-graduation to residency, moving states, and eventually practice ownership, this episode provides an in-depth look into navigating these crucial phases.
Dr. Savanah Craig and Dr. Ronnetta Sartor share their personal experiences with numerous transitions, including moving from dental school into residency and then into professional practice. They discuss the importance of establishing a reliable network within the dental community, particularly emphasizing the value of mentors and colleagues to smooth out these transitions. Dr. Craig highlights the constant need for strategic planning regarding vacation times and patient recalls, marking a significant shift from the academic schedule to professional practice.
Transitioning into an associateship or moving towards practice ownership brings its own set of challenges and rewards. Dr. Sartor recounts her journey of purchasing an existing practice, the role of a third-party broker, and the significance of inheriting a well-established team. Both dentists underline the importance of maintaining patient relationships during these phases and the benefits of having a supportive practice team. Throughout their dialogue, the duo takes into consideration the human aspect, recognizing that while transitions can be daunting, they are also opportunities for growth and development.
Key Takeaways:
- Navigating Career Transitions: Learn how to handle shifts from dental school to residency and professional practice.
- Importance of Community: Building a strong network within the dental community can significantly ease transition periods.
- Strategic Planning: The necessity of planning vacations and patient recalls, marking the shift from an academic to a professional schedule.
- Patient Relationships: Effectively managing patient relationships during transitions in care.
- Support Systems: The role of a supportive practice team and the significance of receiving a predecessor’s seal of approval.
Connect with Us:
- Savanah Craig, DDS: @savanahcraigdds
- Ronnetta Sartor, DMD: @dr_sartor
- FutureDentists Beyond Graduation: @futuredentistsbeyondgraduation
- Dental Residency Guide and Beyond Graduation eBooks: https://ignitedds.com/subscription-resources/
Embark on this journey with Dr. Craig and Dr. Sartor, and gain insightful tips to manage your own transitions in the dental profession. Don’t forget to tune into "Beyond Graduation" for more riveting discussions and expert advice on navigating life and career beyond dental school.
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Transcript
Introduction to Life Transitions After Graduation
00:00:00
Speaker
Join Dr. 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. There's a reason it's called practicing dentists. Hello and welcome back to another episode of Beyond Graduation um with Savannah Craig and Renetta Sartor.
Career Transitions in Dentistry
00:00:24
Speaker
So today we're going to be talking about transitions, um, can be a wide open topic. So Renetta, I'm going to kick it over to you. Oh yes. Super wide open. and So we can talk, you know, transitions from high school to college. I don't think we want to go back that far, but you know, uh, transitions from dental school to a residency program or dental school to write out of school from residency to your first job, whether it be an associateship or, you know, going straight out of your residency into practice ownership. And then, you know, we haven't gotten to the point where we're we're retiring from dentistry, yet but I at least have transitioned from
00:01:12
Speaker
an associate ship to practice ownership so that'll be our trajectory ah for today.
From Dental School to Residency: Savannah's Story
00:01:19
Speaker
ah Savannah what would you say your transition process was like cause you know you were in a different state and everything too so that transition ah process from dental school to residency and beyond. Yeah.
00:01:37
Speaker
um I think we're really what we're really good at transitions by the time we get to this point. ah yeah You go from college to dental school, dental school, we had that extra transition into residency. So going to residency wasn't as bad of a transition because you had built-in friends, you had built-in co-residents.
00:02:04
Speaker
We were super blessed that the Columbia dental community is so tight knit. Obviously that's how I met you. That's, I still have. past residents or people I met at the Columbia Dental Society that I'll text about things and our attendings did a really great job about embedding us in the community. So those those friendships and mentors are still there. And then coming back to Columbus wasn't so bad because I had already built that community before I left for residency.
00:02:38
Speaker
um But the biggest transition I felt was leaving the academic schedule. We even felt those moments of your body just wanted Christmas break in residency and it didn't exist for the first time ever.
00:03:00
Speaker
And then now in my associate ship, right, we have some holidays off and those sorts of things, but the schedule is really what you make of it. So having to put that thought into when we're taking vacations, when we're taking time off, Christmas and New Year's are on Wednesdays this year. So it's super weird and just, yeah there's a lot more freedom, but a lot more thought you have to put into life things now in this sort of transition period.
00:03:32
Speaker
um And then I think the other interesting part was just transitioning patients. you know I kind of had geographic success in dental school. You only saw patients for two years. Residency, you only saw them for one year and now I'm coming up on a year in my associateship where I'm starting to see recalls and things and it will be very interesting hopefully to to stay in this
00:04:06
Speaker
associateship for a while or however, wherever life takes me, but to be able to see some of those patients more long-term than I ever have is is stressful, but cool.
Patient Transition Challenges and Solutions
00:04:19
Speaker
What was the transition like coming into your associateship? like Was a letter sent to the patients? How did the patients know that Dr. Craig was going to be there?
00:04:34
Speaker
That's a really good question and I don't honestly know the answer. I think I just showed up um and we just like divvy up new patients and those sorts of things. The one transition I've been a part of was um one of the long, long standing doctors, she owned the practice for a long time and then my boss bought her out, but she stayed on as an associate doctor for I think five years retired back in May. And so a lot of her patients have transitioned their care to myself and some of them the other ah doctors who are still there. And it's been really interesting to watch those patients have to get used to that transition. They had saw her for 20 years ah and it can be, it can be really,
00:05:33
Speaker
I'm sure really hard for those patients, but it's also very stressful for me to come in. Obviously I'm young and I'm newer. And whether they realize how new I am in dentistry in general, they definitely know I'm new to the practice. So it's it's been very interesting um and very fun. And thankfully a lot of the patients have been on board with it and like that there's at least other female doctors still at the practice.
00:06:00
Speaker
And I will shout out our hygiene department has been really great about talking us up before we come in for the check and really helping the patients transition to a new provider has been nice.
00:06:15
Speaker
Yeah, I think you kind of brought up a good point. You know, the patients, some of them have been with her for 20 years. I think it's interesting. and I know you spoke about it being stressful, but a, um, on the flip side, a good part about it is they've stayed with her for 20 years. So I'm sure in some of those introductory conversations, they've talked about her and talked about what made them stay with her for 20 years. So,
00:06:43
Speaker
I think for you, it's like, okay, you get to know what they loved about her in, you know, in your own way, you know, incorporate that into how you, you treat those patients. That's Dr. Savannah's way, but also, you know, what the patients are looking for in a provider. Yeah. And it's, it has been helpful because a lot of our hygienists have been there.
00:07:14
Speaker
a long time so they know these patients and can give you some clues on, you know, patient X is a little more hesitant to do care and not that you'd want to underdiagnose, but perhaps this appointment is me planting the seed. And when I see you again in six months, we're gonna, you know, or I don't know, not everybody remembers, but hey, it seems on the chart that Dr. So-and-so recommended a crown here and I You know, I agree with her and just trying to guide them on this path of, I'm not, we're not so different, her and I, and you're going to be okay.
Practice Ownership: Renetta's Experience
00:07:53
Speaker
How was your transition when you bought your practice? Did the owner stick around very long or how did they tell people?
00:08:01
Speaker
That you are coming so we used a third party broker to help worker to deal in. They were very instrumental in to like having steps of like what we should do when we should do.
00:08:19
Speaker
And so um in addition to that there's a due diligence period when you're going to potentially purchase a practice where you could go go in or you should ah go in and maybe look.
00:08:38
Speaker
You know, look at things to see if they are what the seller is saying they are. sure And so, um, during those periods, a lot of times I was actually at the office meeting the team and, um, you know, I will be there for hours sometime and, you know,
00:09:00
Speaker
patients would come in and they'd see me and you know we get to speak um and the team would introduce me um but patients formally knew probably about a month or so before the transition happened and we actually wrote a letter like he wrote something to them. It was one letter, but he wrote um you know everything saying you know how great it's been to yeah serve them for 39 years and how he looked for a while and he finally found someone that he felt comfortable
00:09:40
Speaker
leaving them, um, with to care for them and their families. And then I wrote a bit, um, introducing myself and it had a picture of me on it and we sent it to, you know, all of the active patients and then, you know, he would, you know, when patients came in and the team would as well say, Hey, you know, if you want to see him, you know, his last day is going to be XYZ.
00:10:10
Speaker
Um, when we were in the due diligence and negotiation period. Um, I did speak with him about if he wanted to stay on for like, you know, a day or a half day. And he was fine with just letting our closing date be his last day. Um, because he was in his seventies and, um,
00:10:35
Speaker
you know, just ready to enjoy life. He worked his whole life. So, yeah um, he didn't really stick around, but you know, since he was local, if I had questions or anything like that, um, he was, you know, right along the way where I could ask those questions. Um, the transition for me was easier too, because I decided to hire the team that he had had with him for a very long time.
00:11:05
Speaker
So I at least had them to help me navigate, you know, patients and where things were in the office and that sort of thing. So from that perspective, I was um really blessed to, you know, have that transition and for it to happen so seamlessly. Yeah. And I'm sure his sort of seal of approval really helped with the patient. You know what I mean? They feel.
00:11:33
Speaker
more confident in you knowing that the previous owner wanted this and showed chose you and all of those things. And you know, I have to give it to his, you know, the team that I inherited from him in those initial meetings and conversations, you know, the hygienist and assistant, they were very, um, engaged and wanted to know from me. Okay. Well, here's a scenario. What do you normally do?
00:12:05
Speaker
Oh wow. And so for example, if a tooth had a really big filling in it and the hygienist could see fracture lines in it, you know, she would kind of start queuing them up that, Hey, I see this going on. I know that Dr. Sartor tends to be a little bit more proactive than, you know, the doctor that you used to. So I could probably foresee that she might be concerned about this and may talk to you about XYZ.
00:12:32
Speaker
That's really nice. Even down to materials, you know he used different materials than me and um there were certain supplies or certain procedures I was bringing to the practice that um he didn't have. So they helped me be able to day one, be able to provide those procedures by telling me all of that stuff that I needed to know in advance so that on day one, if someone came in and needed a root canal, I could do it.
00:13:02
Speaker
Right. nus That's huge. Having your supplies that you need for your procedures in the office ah can be a lot. There's so many moving parts to everything.
00:13:21
Speaker
Yeah, that's that's really that's a very smooth transition we had most of the patients um had been I don't think they sent a letter or anything that doctor that the doctor was retiring because she kind of just wanted to phase out Fade into the distance. um She was like, I don't want like the emotions or people being upset, and I i can see that. but So there were a couple of patients that were surprised to find out that their doctor had retired. um So those were interesting conversations. But you just try to be positive about it. you know Dr. So-and-so worked here for so long and took such good care of you, and now it's her time to
00:14:09
Speaker
Enjoy retirement and enjoy her life. You'll be okay. You know, even in those transitions, I've found having the patient speak their piece about why they loved the previous dentist. Yeah. I have found it as a quick way for us to bond. You know, they would tell me stories of like things he did and now you know, I'll laugh about it and we'll say, Oh yeah, he was a hoot. Um, yeah and then, you know, they talk about, you know, maybe emergency situations where he was there for them from a dental perspective.
00:14:44
Speaker
And they're really appreciated and it helps me get to know them and know what they're looking for and what they value, um, and a dentist. So I, you know, wholeheartedly welcome there. Um, yeah, I think it's that, that's sort of the question these days of my boss is opening some other offices and what I want to transition into some of these newer practices and I like the patient relationships that I've built and I've worked hard over the last year, so I'm not ready to you start over and have to transition them to another provider or whatever. So um patients are are can be challenging, but it's nice to have those relationships and learning as much as you can about your patients really helps in these in these transition moments for sure.
Embracing Change in Dental Care
00:15:41
Speaker
Are you starting to feel cause there was a point in my associate shit where I was feeling like it was nothing that the owner had done or anything. Um, but I just felt like, okay, I've learned, I feel like I've learned everything that this opportunity
00:16:04
Speaker
you know, has provided me, and I think it's time, you just have a gut feeling when it's time to move on. Have you started um feeling any of those feelings yet, or you feel like it's still, you're still learning? We're still moving and grooving. I feel definitely more comfortable with the flow and Who to go to for this and we've got our feet under us and I'm I'm really enjoying just stability Speaking of transitions you we transition dental school residency back here there so it's been We're staying in the same apartment
00:16:52
Speaker
were We're hopefully staying in the same job for the foreseeable future. So it's nice. I'm i'm really enjoying just stability right now. And I think most of us dentists are really type A in terms of personality. So it's like once we've mastered one thing, we're like, okay, what's next? Yeah. Yeah.
00:17:15
Speaker
It was next. So, um, I'm trying to hold back that part of my personality.
00:17:24
Speaker
It's a very good point at seven point or whatever you said. It was funny. They were, you know were booking out into the first of the year and we were trying to coordinate a hygiene visit or something and the schedule was open for all the other doctors and not me. And I was like, am I being fired? Why is my schedule not open in January? And the hygienist and I were both just looking at each other. So I said, um, let me go ask the office manager. And so I went in and I was like,
00:18:04
Speaker
Do I still work here? She was like, Oh, this was totally an oversight. I'll open your columns now. All right. Okay. That's how you tell me to leave. Just waiting until I tried to schedule some six month recalls and that would be a bad thing. That brings up a good, a good point though. Um,
00:18:34
Speaker
Okay. You froze for a minute. Oh, sorry. I'm back. Okay. I think that brings up a good point too. Like in terms of transitions, like as humans, we hate change. Yes. And we are both talking about situations that we were in good places and and ready to move on, but it brings up a good point of, you know, transitioning in those times where you might not be quite ready.
00:19:03
Speaker
but you have to for whatever reason. her um What advice would you have for those scenarios and being okay with moving on, even if it may not be your choice or first choice? If they just never open your schedule for the next year.
00:19:28
Speaker
I think you and I, because we, you know, read so many self help books and are always looking for growth, I think trying to find the positive and the opportunity as best as you can. And knowing that somehow everything will work out in the end, even if in the midst of the transition, it's stressful or not your favorite thing. You just Sometimes it's inevitable and you just have, you have to do it. So make the most of it. And that's what we sort of tell the patients too, when they're transitioning care or your dentist is retiring, right? You really don't have a choice about this. So let's, let's, you and I have the best experiencing experience we can. And if I'm not the right doctor here for you, then you can,
00:20:29
Speaker
See one of the other docs at your next hygiene visit. And I think that's ties into what you were just saying about the transitions that maybe you didn't want so much is not every opportunity is for you. And that's just opening a door for something else. And it's, you know, I believe that everything and we go through in life, there's something to learn from it.
00:20:58
Speaker
Um, even if at the time we're not ready for a lesson. yeah Um, and so I think to your point, you know, with transitions in general, the best thing to do is try to embrace it as much as you can and get the most out of it and encourage your patients or find ways for your patients or anyone that's involved in the transition with you to, um, make the most of that experience.
Engagement and Listener Stories
00:21:26
Speaker
For sure.
00:21:27
Speaker
Let us know about some of the transitions you all have been through and what that's been like. um We talked about it here from mainly a dental perspective, but we do realize transitions can mean you know getting married or having a new baby or You know as we all get older taking care of um aging parents or a spouse or nursing yourself out back to health after you've had some sort of injury so we would love to hear.
00:22:02
Speaker
your feedback and your story. So, um, connect with us on our podcast, Instagram page, or our personal Instagram pages. You can find me at dr. Underscore Sartor. You can find Savannah act.
00:22:17
Speaker
at Savannah Craig DDS. 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. Connect with us on social media, Savannah Craig DDS and Dr. Underscore Sartor. And remember, you are not alone on this journey. This episode was sponsored by the Dental Residency Guide and the Beyond Graduation eBooks. These eBooks can be found at IgniteDDS dot.com slash eBooks. Thank you so much for listening to Beyond Graduation brought to you by Ignite DDS and Future Dentists.