That’s the quote that has guided Dr. Rami Dimitri’s pursuit of excellence in dentistry. He says “I read that quote a few years back and it motivated me. The Fellowship of the Academy Of General Dentistry was the ideal route to fulfill this goal (of excellence in dentistry). Receiving such an award is an honor, as it made me join this small group of elite dentists that value their patients greatly. Broadening the scopes of knowledge and skills in all fields of general dentistry, through the large number of continuing education hours, is what gives me the capability to give the ultimate care to my patients, and achieve the clinical excellence which we are all striving for in our practices. Clinical excellence is the backbone of our performance  to create patients for life, with the support of  Pacific Dental Services (PDS).”

Last year, Dr. Rami Dimitri, DDS, FAGD, of Eastvale, CA, received not one but two fellowship awards!  Dr. Dimitri was one of the recipients of the 2011 Fellowship Award from the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).  The AGD is a professional association of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up to date in the profession through continuing education to better serve the public.

The Fellowship award is presented to dentists who seek to provide the highest quality of dental care by remaining current in their profession. To accomplish this goal, Dr. Dimitri completed 500 hours of continuing dental education, passed a comprehensive exam and fulfilled three years of continuous membership in the AGD. As a recipient of the Fellowship award, Dr. Dimitri joins more than 7,000 active AGD Fellows who understand that providing great smiles and good oral health for their patients are the result of going above and beyond basic requirements.

“We are proud to honor Dr. Dimitri for his commitment to the profession,” says AGD President Howard Gamble, DMD, FAGD. “He has distinguished himself professionally among his peers and demonstrates the characteristics of a role model to both his fellow dentists and to the members of the community.”

Dr. Dimitiri also received a Fellowship Award from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). The award is bestowed on a dental professional involved in dental implant treatment. The ICOI has a Fellowship program in which active members are encouraged to achieve Fellowship status through their efforts in education, research and actual clinical experience. The ICOI is a tax-exempt, non-profit, worldwide dental educational organization. It is dedicated to communicating scientific knowledge and improving the clinical practice of dental implantology worldwide.

Dr. Dimitri graduated from the Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Cairo University in Egypt in 1984 and currently practices dentistry at   Gateway Dental Group and Orthodontics in Eastvale, California.

Starting in January 2011,  the Nevada Region issued a call to action asking our patients to donate items in exchange for discounts on treatment.  With our patient donations, we gathered enough jackets to fill the entire coat closet for CIS.  Then we asked for toys and school supplies and again our patients generously gave enough to supply CIS with months of birthday gifts for the kids and backpacks full of supplies, so they can start the school year off right. The year ended with a successful drive for toys and food for the holidays.

Our patients have been thrilled to help us with our mission to showSouthern Nevada’s students that their community is there for them. As a result, the Nevada Region and the Smile Generation were honored at the Clark CountySchool District’s Annual Recognition Breakfast along with many other companies including Stations Casinos, United Healthcare, Cox Communications and University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Regional Managers from Nevada show their award from CIS

Our region’s goal for 2011 was to become more involved with our community and make a difference.  By doing that, we developed enriched relationships within our team and with our patients.  We are looking forward to 2012 and developing more ways we can touch lives and create awareness for others to get involved in their communities. If any other regions are interested in developing programs with Communities in School, please log on to www.communtiesinschools.org to see if there is a chapter in your area.

 You can make a difference, too – donate, advocate or volunteer today!

CHICAGO (Novemberber 3, 2011)—The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), a professional association of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up to date in the profession through continuing education to better serve the public, is pleased to announce that Cari Callaway, DDS, FAGD, of Las Vegas, Nevada, received the association’s 2011 Fellowship award during the AGD 2011 Annual Meeting & Exhibits, held July 28 to 31 in San Diego, Calif.

Dr. Callaway received this year's Fellowship Award from the AGD

The Fellowship award is presented to dentists who seek to provide the highest quality of dental care by remaining current in their profession. To accomplish this goal, Dr. Callaway completed 500 hours of continuing dental education, passed a comprehensive exam and fulfilled three years of continuous membership in the AGD.

As a recipient of the Fellowship award, Dr. Callaway joins more than 6,500 active AGD Fellows who understand that providing great smiles and good oral health for their patients are the result of going above and beyond basic requirements.

“We are proud to honor Dr. Callaway for her commitment to the profession,” says AGD President Howard Gamble, DMD, FAGD. “She has distinguished herself professionally among her peers and demonstrates the characteristics of a role model to both her fellow dentists and to the members of the community.”

Dr. Callaway graduated from USC Dental School in 1999 and UCLA Undergrad in 1995 and currently practices dentistry in Las Vegas, Nevada at Montecito Town Center Dental Group and Flamingo Smiles Dentistry. In addition to the AGD, Dr. Callaway is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

About the Academy of General Dentistry

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is a professional association of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up to date in the profession through continuing education to better serve the public. Founded in 1952, the AGD has grown to become the second largest dental association in the United States, and it is the only association that exclusively represents the needs and interests of general dentists. More than 772,000 persons in the United States are employed directly in the field of dentistry. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to patients’ oral health needs. For more information about the AGD, please visit www.agd.org.

Dr. Minh Pham of Crossing Dental Group in CA receives an award from PDS Founder Stephen Thorne.

Dr. Brad O’Neill of Cornerstar Dental Group in Colorado.

“Partnering with Pacific Dental Services (PDS) is without a doubt the perfect balance of very good businessmen partnering with excellent clinicians,” Dr. O’Neill continues: “It’s like a private practice plus! Each sharing their strengths with the other with the sum being much greater than the parts. As a result I have more freedom, not less, than at any other time in my career. More joy, more time, and more income.” Dr.O’Neill is the owner-doctor of Cornerstar Dental Group and Orthodontics in Aurora, Colorado.

When one thinks of the dental industry,the term “private practice” is generally understood as “solo” private practice where a general dentist owns the equipment, the materials, the facility (rents or owns), and is ultimately responsible for the financial success of the practice. Many dentists in dental school think about this as their ultimate career goal.
However, private practice comes with both opportunities and challenges. There is the opportunity to own your own business and directly benefit from its success.The dentist is her or his own boss and reports to those stakeholders such as the bank, the vendors, and the employees relative to the success or failure of the practice. They also are able to keep all the profits for themselves. As a result, the dentist makes all the decisions. This is both rewarding and intimidating.

The challenges related to private practice can be varied and diverse. One of the common challenges is running the business side of the dental office.Too often, many dentists have little to no training in running a business.They usually end up trusting vendor partners to help them make the best decisions related to their practice.In some cases this works out well and in others, not so well.

So what is Private Practice+ ? Private Practice+ is how dentists are branding Pacific Dental Services., as Dr. O’Neill so eloquently put it in the beginning of this post.Meanwhile, Dr. Minh Pham of Crossing Dental Group, elaborates thus: “It’s like Private Practice plus, which is the luxury of owning your own practice and having the freedom in making the right and ethical clinical decisions for the patients while still having the 50 ton corporate gorilla providing the infrastructure and management leadership running the business side of things.”Private Practice+ means that a practicing dentist can benefit from a relationship with PDS in a number of ways.First, there is ownership. PDS has over 100 dentists that have purchased equity into their affiliated practice and directly benefit from the financial performance of the office.Second, it also means that they strategically partner with a business services provider, that can help them navigate those challenging business decisions that most dentists are not prepared to make.Third, it means access to capital that supports the needs and many wants of the best private practices. It means having access to proven technology that has demonstrated to make a difference in patient care and in reducing the daily overhead costs of most offices.

PDS practices are located in some of the strongest retail centers in America. They utilize proven technology such as Schick digital X-rays, CEREC CAD/CAM technology, Sirona Lasers, QSI digital charting. Providers also work with the best materials provided by vendors such as 3M, GC, Ivoclar,Kerr, Nobel Biocare and Tulsa.

The ultimate benefits are the lifestyle and income benefits. Since the PDS owner doctor shares in the equity, they benefit as the practice is profitable. The average PDS owner makes $384K annually. This allows them the flexibility to make life choices that many private practice clinicians are not afforded.

Take it from Dr. Pham, “Basically,it’s having the best of both worlds.” ]]> http://www.pacificdentalservices.com/blog/index.php/2011/09/23/what-is-private-practice-plus/feed/ 0 http://www.pacificdentalservices.com/blog/index.php/2011/06/30/xp-2011-celebrates-extraordinary-performance/ http://www.pacificdentalservices.com/blog/index.php/2011/06/30/xp-2011-celebrates-extraordinary-performance/#comments Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:47:40 +0000 taylorm http://www.pacificdentalservices.com/blog/?p=941 Pacific Dental Services’ annual event that celebrates “Extraordinary Performance” — XP 2011 was held on June 11 at the JW Marriott in LA Live. In the heart of Los Angeles, this year’s Hollywood theme was perfectly fitted to the surroundings.

The event kicked off with President and CEO Stephen Thorne’s grand entrance and key note address, “We Believe,” setting the tone for the conference titled, We Believe: Based on a True Story. The day continued with Dr. Lance Rygg’s heartfelt story of his family and relationship through the years with PDS in “An Officer, a Partner, and a Gentleman.” Dr. Rygg was followed by Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, renowned speaker and author of the bestselling business book, “MOJO: How to Get It, How to Keep It, How to Get It Back if You Lose It,” which he discussed with the XP Conference attendees. The day ended with business expert, Joseph Grenny, who presented from his influential book, “Crucial Conversations.” Between speakers, the audience was entertained and excited to see some of their very own colleagues in adaptations of Hollywood favorites, such as Blues Brothers and Charlie’s Angels.

Following the conference, all were invited to the much anticipated awards ceremony and gala dinner. The audience cheered for the Office of the Year winner’s Sierra Lakes Dental Group of Fontana and Crossing Dental Group of Perris. The awards show concluded with the presentation of the coveted Award of Distinction. The roars of approval could he heard from a distance for winner, Dr. Minh Pham. The guests finished off their evening with cocktails and an array of delectable fare at the Hollywood Night’s Dinner.

The Cover of HOW Magazine

“32 Reasons” is the name of Pacific Dental Services corporate brochure. It provides “32 Reasons” to join Pacific Dental Services.

32 Reasons Featured in HOW Magazine

Well we now have one more reason to be proud of “32 Reasons”. Our brochure was listed as the 16th best Brochure-Merit category in How Magazine’s 2010 International Design Awards. How Magazine is an industry leading design magazine.

Congratulations to everyone involved.

Our December Winner Cassi!

Here is our Colorado – I’m a BIG DEAL winner for December!! Cassi Foster our BC from Marketplace Dental Group . She has been nominated every month since we began the award.  We had 14 different nominations for December for various team members and the momentum is growing each month. Staff is really getting involved recognizing our top performers and it is great fun to watch, and get the stories about why they want the person they are nominating to win!

She is a joy to work with and truly is a BIG DEAL!!  Congratulations to Cassi!!!

It was a weekend of inspiration and celebration as Pacific Dental Services held its annual XP Conference at the Bayfront Hilton in San Diego, CA.  This year’s presenters were Stephen Thorne, John Maxwell and Connie Podesta.  Above is a video recap of the great time we had last weekend.

Dr. Brian Buehler

Pacific Dental Services appointed Dr. Brian Buehler to the position of Clinical Research Advisor at the PDS national headquarters in Irvine, CA.  Dr. Buehler has been practicing dentistry for over 20 years and is affiliated with PDS in multiple dental practices throughout California and Arizona.  His main office is located in Laguna Beach, CA.  Consistent with the strong relationship between Pacific Dental Services and Sirona Dental Systems, Dr. Brian Buehler will work with Sirona in the capacity of Clinical Advisor for their organization as well.

The appointment of Dr. Buehler furthers the PDS mission to be the “provider of choice” with a continual focus on research and development.  It’s also another step in the partnership between PDS and Sirona.  Together, they’re demonstrating that CEREC works very effectively in group practice.  Dr. Buehler will promote CEREC through demonstrations to other group practices.

“With PDS, I’m afforded an incredible opportunity to utilize the best technologies in the dental industry.  This new position allows me to further unique relationships with partner companies to ultimately raise the level of patient care provided at PDS affiliated offices.” explained Dr. Brian Buehler.  “I’m especially excited about our relationship with Sirona to continually develop CAD/CAM technologies.”

Joanna Rodgers, Vice President of Operations

Joanna Rodgers, Vice President of Operations for Pacific Dental Services, was honored as a nominee at the 2008 Women in Business Awards luncheon hosted by the Orange County Business Journal© (OCBJ©).

The annual OCBJ Women in Business Awards are given to individuals who play a unique role at their company and challenges they’ve overcome. There were over 160 nominees for the Women in Business Awards program this year. The 5 honored nominees were chosen for their accomplishments within their industry, their company, in the community and on a personal level.

Joanna Rodgers started her 14-year career with Pacific Dental Services in 1994, managing the companies’ first dental office. Her tenacity and business acumen helped to spur incredible personal and professional growth as she moved through the ranks from multi-office manager on up to Vice President of Operations for over 60 PDS affiliated dental practices within Southern California and Nevada.

Employees describe Joanna as someone who personally invests in the success of her team members. Not only is she motivated when it comes to her business team, she is equally as dedicated to her family, her husband and 4 sons. She is heavily involved in giving back to the community, as she is involved in not only individual outreach cases within her office regions, but also through corporately sponsored outreach such as annual holiday programs to adopt needy families and annual dental outreach in Mexico and urban areas.