Orthodontic Residents – Page 2 – Bentson Copple Blog

Personal Takeaways from GORP 2019

Bentson_Copple_Associates_GORP_2019 By: Mandy King
Client Support Associate

I had the opportunity to attend my first GORP (Graduate Orthodontic Residents Program) this year in St. Louis along with Shannon Patterson and Anthony Copple. Here are a few things I took away from time spent with our industry’s current orthodontic residents and other vendors.

Orthodontic residents are rock stars! They have a drive for success and a passion for their future. As they took time out of their schedules to stop at our booth, I was able to chat with several of them about their plans and where they see themselves after residency. Many have narrowed down a general location, some are open to going anywhere, and several want to find the opportunity that is the perfect fit. I think the one common denominator was that they are all so excited about the career path they have chosen and look forward to sharing that joy with their future patients.

GORP is a great time for residents to come together and celebrate their journey and where they are headed in their professional careers. They are all working hard to achieve the same goal, so for residents from all over the country to be in one location is incredible. Being able to sit back and observe them meeting one another, talking about residency, and simply having fun together was priceless. Several of the residents expressed to me that GORP is an event that they feel like every resident should attend. They are able to take a step back to breathe and relax for a few days, while still being immersed in learning about the path they have chosen.

I think I can speak for the majority of the vendors at the event when I say we were all there for one purpose – to get to know the next generation of orthodontists and to share our knowledge about the industry or products with them. There is just something about being able to meet people face-to-face that allows you to connect with them and understand who they are as individuals.

While GORP might be known as one big party, it is so much more than that for residents. It is a time for being refreshed. It is a time for learning about the industry and what they can expect once they begin their careers. It is a time that we as vendors can take to hang out with the residents we work closely with to form relationships that will better help us serve them.

Thank you all for a great first time at GORP and I look forward to seeing you all again in the future!

As an Orthodontic Resident, When Should I Begin Searching for a Practice Opportunity?

As an orthodontic resident, when should I begin searching for a practice opportunity? By: Mandy King
Client Support Associate

As a liaison for residents seeking orthodontic opportunities, my job is to provide you with support during the recruitment process with our placement services. In doing so, I am able to share insight about crafting an “About Me” letter, preparing a curriculum vitae, and answer any questions you might have, including ‘when should I start looking for an opportunity?’

You should begin to determine in which state and city or town you wish to practice after the first six months of your residency. If you wait until your last year to start the process of identifying the area in which you wish to live, you are taking a gamble on finding an opportunity. Some of you are pretty open to different areas, which is great because this will give you more opportunities. A good rule of thumb is, beginning when you are one year out from graduation, you should dedicate two hours per week to your job search depending on your geographical preferences.

If you are considering buying-in or purchasing a practice, you need to start preparing early. Be on the lookout a year or two in advance for practices for sale in the areas where you hope to purchase. Speak with a lender to determine financial goals you may need to meet in order to be extended a loan.

Do not hesitate to inquire about opportunities that interest you or to ask questions you may have about current market trends. You never know when the “right” one will present itself.

Each month our team sends out the Bentson Copple InSight e-newsletter which includes a list of available practice opportunities. If you are not receiving the InSight and would like to stay up-to-date with current orthodontic career opportunities, please click here and sign up.

Join Us at the 2019 AAO Annual Session

AAO 2019 Resident & Young Doctor

The Bentson Copple & Associates’ team will be attending the upcoming AAO Annual Session (May 3-7) in Los Angeles, CA and involved in many resident and younger doctor events. The Annual Session offers many educational lectures, career networking, and other opportunities. Listed below are a few events our team will be participating in.

2019 Practice Transition Seminar
Friday, May 3 – 8:00am – 5:00pm
Information & Tickets
The highly-anticipated all-day Practice Transition Seminar is a tool to aid orthodontists during the challenging time of a career transition. The seminar brings together experts to share insights for orthodontists that are preparing for a future transition. Shannon Patterson and Chris Bentson will be speaking on arrangement options for associates, partners, and group practices. In addition, they will be participating in an interactive panel discussion focused on career opportunities and emerging practice trends. The event will end with a networking reception.

Practice Trends & Profit Model Lecture
Saturday, May 4 – 1:00pm – 2:00pm
There is so much changing in dentistry and the specialty of orthodontics. In this lecture, Chris Bentson will discuss the new orthodontic profit model, consumer demographics, and explore today’s rapidly changing market trends effecting orthodontic practices. This 1-hour, AAO Annual Session-sponsored lecture will be held in Room #502 – Level 2.

Orthodontic Career Fair
Sunday, May 5 – 2:00pm – 4:30pm
Information & Directions
Our team will be a part of the annual Orthodontic Career Fair, held at JW Marriott Los Angeles Diamond Ballroom. The event offers the opportunity to engage face-to-face with employer representatives and discuss possible opportunities. The event will feature many companies and practices with available opportunities, such as associate positions, equity-minded associate opportunities, and practices for sale. This is a free event and is open to all to attend.

Exhibit Floor
We invite all doctors to stop by the Bentson Copple & Associates Booth (#947) any time during the Annual Session. Our team will be happy to discuss plans for a potential practice valuation/appraisal, a practice transition or any other change of orthodontic ownership. Residents and job seekers can also learn more about our placement services and variable career opportunities.

2019 Orthodontic Resident-Only Bracket Challenge Winner

BC&A Basketball Madness The games are over and the Virginia Cavaliers have been crowned the 2019 NCAA Champions – a first for the team. Sadly, no one was able to fill out a perfect bracket, thanks to the usual upsets and surprises on the court.

Congratulations to Dr. Brad Herman from University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry’s Orthodontics Program, who had the highest score in our Orthodontic Resident-Only Bracket Challenge! While not a perfect bracket, Brad did pick Virginia to go all the way. Unfortunately, he went with Gonzaga as their championship opponent. For completing the winning bracket, Dr. Herman takes home a $250 Amazon.com gift card and complimentary Buyer Representation/Valuation Review Services (a $6,250 value)!

Our runner-up, who was only four points behind the winner, was Dr. Daniel Camacho from Seton Hill University. Dr. Camacho also won a $250 Amazon.com gift card.

Thanks to everyone who participated. And remember, it’s never too early to start thinking about next year’s bracket!

Why is Team Building Important for an Orthodontic Office?

By: Mandy King
For sixteen years, I had the privilege to work in a successful orthodontic practice. Our orthodontist always said that the reason for our success was due to teamwork, the way we interacted with the patients, and the efficient service we provided. He never boasted about the fact that he was well-known in our community as being the best around. You might be wondering what made us a good team?

Team Building
A team building event once a quarter is a great goal to strive towards. My favorite team building outing was cooking for parents and siblings at the Ronald McDonald House. This allowed us to work as a team to provide a meal for families in our area who had a child in the hospital. My friend and co-worker was a recipient of this program, so this was very special for us to be able to give back. An exciting outing we once went on was a high ropes course. This challenged us to help one another to complete the courses laid out before us. Whatever avenue you choose for a team building exercise, have fun and enjoy being out of the office for a change.

Working Together
We knew how to work together because we made it a point to support each other. There was no division between the “front and back.” The scheduling coordinators would do everything possible to make sure that the clinic could function efficiently and in turn, the clinical assistants communicated all day to ensure that everyone was staying on task and taking care of the patients. Our office averaged a hundred patients a day, so it was very important for us to be able to communicate and work together.

Loving One Another
Our team would go on a weekend retreat that we looked forward to every year. This retreat allowed us to focus on just spending quality time together and forming relationships out of the office. We were truly a “family.” When you love the people you work with, it makes doing your job a lot easier. Patients can sense whether the team gets along or not when they come into your office. That makes forming the bonds with one another all the more important. Although I am no longer a part of this team, the friendships I made during my time in that position have remained.

This article was featured in the October 2018 edition of The InSight, our monthly email published for orthodontic residents and doctors seeking practice opportunities. This monthly email provides news and information focused on the fast-changing orthodontic industry and its relation to current and future orthodontic careers, highlight commonly asked questions that are timely to the young orthodontic community, and provide a current list of available practice opportunities. Click here to sign up for the email.

How Do You Determine Your Career Path After Orthodontic Residency?

By: Mandy King
You have taken that step in identifying a career that appeals to you, but deciding your next step may still be the missing piece of your puzzle. There are many factors you need to examine and decisions you need to make as you approach your final year. You should be asking yourself a few questions:

Where Do I Want to Live?
This is extremely important for those who have a family. Being in agreement about where you would like to practice is a decision that should be made with your spouse. Does the community culture align with your beliefs and values? Ask yourself if the area meets your interests and financial needs. Making sure you and your family will be “happy” is a key factor when deciding where you want to practice.

What Are My Short-Term and Long-Term Goals?
Making a career plan takes time and effort on your part. Commit to establishing your expectations and objectives as you seek an opportunity. Remember who you are and why you chose this career.

Do I Want to Practice as an Associate in a Private Practice?
Ask yourself if you desire mentorship from a senior doctor. Do you see yourself working with this potential employer? Do your personalities “mesh”? Make it a point to visit the practice and see if the culture is a good fit for you. Observe the interaction between the staff and the patients. Can you see yourself practicing in that environment?

Am I Willing to Work for a DSO?
If you are wanting to focus solely on orthodontics, corporate may be a better choice. In some cases, you can negotiate a schedule and salary that are guaranteed regardless of the organization’s ups and downs. As with a private practice, just be sure to find the right fit.

Would I Like an Equity-Minded Associateship Opportunity?
This is an opportunity to consider for an orthodontist that desires to own their own practice in the somewhat near future. You are able to come in as an associate and “get your feet wet” by getting to know the patients and learning about the ins and outs of the practice you would one day be a partner in. Understand that non-competes in most states will be required and are enforceable.

Should I Purchase a Practice?
Financially speaking, is this possible for you? This path does allow you the ability to control your own schedule and usually maximize income. However, the freedoms of having your own practice come with a price. As a small business owner, you have many responsibilities that come along with that title and there are many resources available for you to get help in these areas.

This is an important decision that simply comes down to making sure you stay true to yourself by seeking the best opportunity for you and your family. Know who you are, choose a location, identify the right practice, and begin your journey in confidence.

This article was featured in the September 2018 edition of The InSight, our monthly email published for orthodontic residents and doctors seeking practice opportunities. This monthly email provides news and information focused on the fast-changing orthodontic industry and its relation to current and future orthodontic careers, highlight commonly asked questions that are timely to the young orthodontic community, and provide a current list of available practice opportunities. Click here to sign up for the email.

GORP 2018: Get Your Motor Running

GORP 2018: Get Your Motor Running Put the pedal to the metal and kick-start your orthodontic career by attending GORP (August 2-5). This year, GORP celebrates 30 years of outstanding learning and networking for orthodontic residents. As doctors embark on the University of Michigan, the excitement intensifies, as there are a variety of lectures scheduled, exhibitors to meet, and many extracurricular activities to attend (including a banquet at the Henry Ford Museum).

If you are attending GORP, be sure to stop by our table and enter to win a Resident Survival Kit! It’s packed full of items that will help you reach the finish line of your residency and put your future orthodontic career in overdrive.

Be sure to take a moment to meet Shannon Patterson and Anthony Copple. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding practice opportunities, placement services, buyer representation services and current market trends. If you are unsure about the direction of your future orthodontic career, Shannon, our Orthodontic Placement Specialist, can provide guidance with your career choices and discuss current market trends in the orthodontic industry. She will have a list of our current practice opportunities, including associate positions, equity-minded associate positions and practices for sale throughout the United States. If you have identified a practice purchase opportunity or an opportunity to join an existing practice as a partner, Anthony will be available to address questions you may have regarding buyer representation.

Our bags are packed and we are hitting the road…hope to see you there!

Music to The Ears of Orthodontic Residents

Bentson Copple & Associates - Music to the Ears of Orthodontic Residents
As Steven Tyler of Aerosmith belts out in the chorus of Dream On, his unforgettable raspy voice sings, “Dream on…Dream on…Dream on…Dream until your dreams come true.” Isn’t that what life is really all about, making your dreams come true and reaching for stars in both your personal and professional life? Reaching for your dreams is a common theme heard across all musical genres. Here are just a few musical examples that quickly come to mind:

Break My Stride – Matthew Wilder
“Ain’t nothin’ gonna break-a my stride. Nobody gonna slow me down, oh no, I got to keep on moving.”

I Believe I Can Fly – R. Kelly
“I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky.”

Gonna Fly Now – Bill Conti
This is an inspirational ode to Rocky Balboa; how can you not be motivated to reach for your goals after hearing this tune?

However, along the way, everyone needs a little bit of help obtaining his/her dreams or goals. Help in overcoming the roadblocks that might be encountered. Help tackling any setbacks that might happen along the journey. Help maintaining the inspiration to keep one’s goal in sight. Help in overcoming all forms of discouragement. When it comes to obtaining career goals, help comes in a variety of outlets, from one-on-one connections, to educational opportunities, to lifetime mentorship (just to name a few).

Let’s focus on one excellent learning opportunity created solely to help residents focused on their future orthodontist career. For over 28 years, the Graduate Orthodontic Residents Program (GORP) has been an educational outreach designed to arm residents with the tools needed to become a successful orthodontist. The 3-day event offers a variety of educational lectures, access to industry vendors, raffles and exciting extracurricular events.

This year, GORP is being held in Cleveland, Ohio (home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – hence the musical inspiration for the blog post), at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown Hotel, August 3-6, 2017!

If you are planning to attend GORP, take a moment to meet Shannon Patterson, CPR, CMSR, Director of Practice Opportunities and Anthony Copple, JD, Transition Specialist. Shannon and Anthony, along with our entire team, are here to provide doctors, both new and established, help in reaching your orthodontic dreams and goals, in terms of your future orthodontic careers. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding practice opportunities, placement services, buyer representation services and current market trends.

If you are unsure about the direction of your future orthodontic career, Shannon Patterson, our Orthodontic Placement Specialist, can provide guidance with your career choices and discuss current market trends in the orthodontic industry. She will have a list of our current practice opportunities, including associate positions, equity-minded associate positions and practices for sale throughout the United States. If you have identified a practice purchase opportunity or an opportunity to join an existing practice as a partner, Anthony will be available to address questions you may have regarding buyer representation.

To quote the famous catchphrase of Casey Kasem, “Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars!” Also click here to listen to a great playlist assembled by the Huffington Post about pursuing your dreams; hopefully it will provide inspiration during your orthodontic journey!

3 Reasons to Visit Our Team at the AAO

Visit Bentson Copple at the AAO Annual Session
The AAO Annual Session is one of the most highly anticipated events for the orthodontic community each year. There are so many activities, as well as networking and learning opportunities under one roof for doctors, staff and exhibitors. Just like you, we enjoy learning about new trends, advancements and the overall health of the orthodontic industry at the Annual Session. As a company, we use events such as these to increase our knowledge and, in turn, pass along this wisdom to the ortho community in articles, lectures or during our client transactions. There are three reasons you should take note of the events Bentson Copple & Associates are participating in at the AAO Annual Session (April 21 – 25) in San Diego.

Opportunity for Information Sharing

The Annual Session offers many educational lectures and we are honored to share our knowledge in a variety of learning environments. Listed below are a few lectures that you may want to attend:

Practice Transition Seminar
Friday, April 21 – 8:00am – 5:30pm
The all-day Practice Transition Seminar is a tool to aid orthodontists during the challenging time of a career transition. The seminar brings together a four-person panel of transition experts to share insights for orthodontists preparing for a future transition.

Invisalign In-Booth Lecture
Saturday, April 22 – 12:00pm – 12:50pm
Chris Bentson will be presenting an Invisalign in-booth lecture (Booth #505). The title of the lecture is “No Voodoo – How Invisalign Adds Profit to Your Practice” and its content will offer market data showing that practices are growing their business with Invisalign treatment. Seeking growth and higher profits? This presentation will offer real data and insights about how Invisalign treatment can fit into one’s practice model.

State of the Orthodontic Industry
Sunday, April 23 – 10:30am – 11:30am (Repeat Monday, April 24 – 10:30am – 11:30am)
Results for the solo and small group practice were very strong in 2016, and doctor-owners are looking to build on that in 2017. With many forces pushing and pulling to change the shape of dentistry, Chris Bentson will offer doctor-owners the knowledge to make necessary strategic decisions with present facts regarding the current market.

New Orthodontist/Resident Conference
Sunday, April 23 – 2:30pm – 4:00pm
This program, sponsored by the AAO, with keynote speaker Chris Bentson, will address the steps to follow to pursue specific orthodontic career paths or practice modalities. Following his 40-minute presentation, attendees will break into small groups for discussions. Shannon Patterson, our Director of Practice Opportunities & Orthodontic Placements, and Doug Copple will be two of many leading the discussions.

Networking

Many doctors attend the meeting just for the available networking opportunities. One of the most anticipated networking opportunities is one especially for doctors seeking career opportunities. Our team will be a part of the third annual Orthodontic Career Fair.

Orthodontic Career Fair
Sunday, April 23 – 4:00pm – 5:30pm
The Orthodontic Career Fair offers the opportunity to engage face-to-face with employer representatives and discuss possible opportunities. The event will feature many companies and practices with available opportunities, such as associate positions, equity-minded associate opportunities and practices for sale.

Meet Our Team Face-to-Face

Face-to-face meetings are not just preferable, but necessary for building deeper, stronger bonds with clients and maintaining productive relationships. The Annual Session provides just that. We invite all doctors to stop by the Bentson Copple & Associates Booth (#3537) any time during the Annual Session and speak with us in person. Our team will be happy to discuss plans for a potential practice valuation/appraisal, a practice transition, recruiting or any other change of orthodontic ownership. Residents and job seekers can also learn more about our placement services and career opportunities. Be sure to pick up a complimentary copy of the Bentson Copple reSource newsletter, published for all orthodontists, regardless of practice size or career stage.

GORP 2016: Connect With Your Future Career

Bentson Clark & Copple GORP 2016
The 2016 Graduate Orthodontic Residents Program (GORP) is quickly approaching and our team is excited about attending this year’s event. The meeting is being held in Ann Arbor on the University of Michigan campus, August 4-7, 2016.

If you will be attending GORP, please take the opportunity to meet with Shannon Patterson, CPR, CMSR, Director of Practice Opportunities and Anthony Copple, JD, Transition Specialist. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding practice opportunities, placement services, buyer representation services and current market trends.

If you are unsure about the direction of your orthodontic career, Shannon Patterson, our Orthodontic Placement Specialist, can provide guidance with your career choices and discuss current market trends in the orthodontic industry. She will have a list of our current practice opportunities, including associate positions, equity-minded associate positions and practices for sale throughout the United States. If you have identified a practice opportunity with equity, Anthony will be available to discuss and address questions you may have regarding buyer service representation. We look forward to meeting you Michigan!