1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,980 Hey there, dental professionals and industry enthusiasts. 2 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:06,000 Picture this. It's October, and you're in the 3 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:07,779 middle of one of the most transformative 4 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:10,880 experiences of your career. You're at the Becker's 5 00:00:10,880 --> 00:00:13,359 Fall Future of Dentistry Roundtable in the vibrant 6 00:00:13,359 --> 00:00:16,015 city of Chicago, fresh off an incredible 3 7 00:00:16,015 --> 00:00:19,155 days at the Hyatt Regency. Imagine yourself inspired 8 00:00:19,214 --> 00:00:19,954 and invigorated 9 00:00:20,255 --> 00:00:23,375 after attending captivating keynote sessions by none other 10 00:00:23,375 --> 00:00:26,690 than the legendary boxing world champion and CEO, 11 00:00:26,910 --> 00:00:28,769 Lila Elite, and the extraordinary 12 00:00:29,150 --> 00:00:32,750 professional basketball player, Caitlin Clark. See yourself engaged 13 00:00:32,750 --> 00:00:33,890 in lively discussions, 14 00:00:34,190 --> 00:00:36,909 exchanging ideas, and collecting a stack of business 15 00:00:36,909 --> 00:00:39,854 cards from fellow dental experts and potential partners. 16 00:00:40,414 --> 00:00:42,114 You've networked with over 350 17 00:00:42,655 --> 00:00:45,215 attendees and learned from more than 80 speakers 18 00:00:45,215 --> 00:00:47,475 who are at the forefront of dental innovation. 19 00:00:48,335 --> 00:00:51,534 You sat in on educational sessions exploring topics 20 00:00:51,534 --> 00:00:54,015 that elevate dental care as a critical element 21 00:00:54,015 --> 00:00:57,109 of whole person health. You've witnessed firsthand how 22 00:00:57,109 --> 00:00:58,969 digital technology is revolutionizing 23 00:00:59,510 --> 00:01:00,490 patient outcomes 24 00:01:00,870 --> 00:01:04,250 and how both large DSOs and independent practices 25 00:01:04,390 --> 00:01:07,270 are flourishing. Get ready to transform your career 26 00:01:07,270 --> 00:01:09,049 and don't miss out on this incredible 27 00:01:09,435 --> 00:01:12,495 opportunity. The Becker's fall future of dentistry roundtable 28 00:01:12,635 --> 00:01:15,935 is from October 30th to November 1, 2024. 29 00:01:16,474 --> 00:01:18,655 Get registered by going to beckersdental.com 30 00:01:20,075 --> 00:01:21,854 and clicking on the events page. 31 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:24,719 Hello. This is Arianna Portallatin with the Becker's 32 00:01:24,719 --> 00:01:26,420 Dental and DSO Review podcast. 33 00:01:26,719 --> 00:01:28,319 I'm thrilled to be joined today by doctor 34 00:01:28,319 --> 00:01:30,020 Ronald Saffer of my orthodontist. 35 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:32,240 Doctor Saffer, thank you so much for being 36 00:01:32,240 --> 00:01:32,980 here today. 37 00:01:35,055 --> 00:01:36,015 It's my pleasure. 38 00:01:36,575 --> 00:01:39,454 Thank you for inviting me. Yeah. Definitely. To 39 00:01:39,454 --> 00:01:41,215 start us off, can you introduce yourself and 40 00:01:41,215 --> 00:01:42,674 tell us a little bit about your background? 41 00:01:44,734 --> 00:01:45,375 Yes. I'm, 42 00:01:46,334 --> 00:01:47,075 an orthodontist. 43 00:01:47,534 --> 00:01:48,194 I graduate 44 00:01:48,620 --> 00:01:51,120 2,002 from NYU College of Dentistry. 45 00:01:51,420 --> 00:01:53,760 And, you know, a couple years later, 46 00:01:54,299 --> 00:01:55,680 I was working for a pediatric 47 00:01:56,219 --> 00:01:58,939 dental group in the tristate area. And then 48 00:01:58,939 --> 00:02:01,659 2 years later in 2004, I, opened up 49 00:02:01,659 --> 00:02:03,760 my first office in Ewing, New Jersey. 50 00:02:04,465 --> 00:02:04,784 And, 51 00:02:05,265 --> 00:02:08,144 I grew that practice, that office to a 52 00:02:08,144 --> 00:02:11,824 pretty good size, substantial size by 2012 and 53 00:02:11,824 --> 00:02:15,264 introduced a lot of operational efficiencies and things 54 00:02:15,264 --> 00:02:16,245 into the practice. 55 00:02:17,310 --> 00:02:19,870 And, at that time, I decided that why 56 00:02:19,870 --> 00:02:21,950 why do I why am I limiting myself 57 00:02:21,950 --> 00:02:25,310 to just one community and one, location? And 58 00:02:25,310 --> 00:02:27,150 why don't I take this, you know, great 59 00:02:27,150 --> 00:02:28,849 service that we're doing for the community 60 00:02:29,355 --> 00:02:31,594 and extend it to other communities in in 61 00:02:31,594 --> 00:02:33,835 New Jersey? And that's what we did. We 62 00:02:33,835 --> 00:02:36,415 started, you know, adding more locations. Currently, 63 00:02:37,034 --> 00:02:37,915 we have about, 64 00:02:38,635 --> 00:02:39,455 9 locations 65 00:02:39,835 --> 00:02:41,514 in New Jersey. I have 8 locations in 66 00:02:41,514 --> 00:02:42,895 New Jersey and one in Pennsylvania. 67 00:02:43,879 --> 00:02:46,939 And, we have 5 locations under contract, 68 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:49,340 that belong to 2 practices. 69 00:02:50,360 --> 00:02:52,939 So we're looking to, expand farther, 70 00:02:53,719 --> 00:02:56,139 and continue the growth and success. 71 00:02:57,555 --> 00:02:58,854 Great. Thank you for that. 72 00:02:59,314 --> 00:03:00,754 To start us off, what are some of 73 00:03:00,754 --> 00:03:02,514 the biggest issues that you're following in the 74 00:03:02,514 --> 00:03:03,895 dental industry right now? 75 00:03:04,675 --> 00:03:07,155 Well, I think the greatest trends right now 76 00:03:07,155 --> 00:03:09,814 are, really the artificial intelligence, 77 00:03:10,115 --> 00:03:11,735 the rise of the aligners. 78 00:03:12,819 --> 00:03:14,979 There you know, we're seeing more and more 79 00:03:14,979 --> 00:03:17,860 patients asking for aligners, and aligner technology has 80 00:03:17,860 --> 00:03:18,360 really, 81 00:03:19,300 --> 00:03:20,360 improved substantially, 82 00:03:20,740 --> 00:03:22,659 you know, within the past few years. Not 83 00:03:22,659 --> 00:03:24,520 only there are more companies offering, 84 00:03:26,474 --> 00:03:28,034 you know, greater solutions, but also, 85 00:03:28,895 --> 00:03:31,935 the technology itself has really been improved. And 86 00:03:31,935 --> 00:03:35,055 aligner aligners really, you know, work really well 87 00:03:35,055 --> 00:03:37,294 these days for majority of our patients. So 88 00:03:37,294 --> 00:03:39,375 we're offering those to more and more patients 89 00:03:39,375 --> 00:03:39,875 than, 90 00:03:40,389 --> 00:03:43,930 a bigger portion of our, practice or patients 91 00:03:43,990 --> 00:03:46,950 are are, you know, choosing aligners versus braces. 92 00:03:46,950 --> 00:03:48,409 So that's the aligners, 93 00:03:49,030 --> 00:03:50,490 the there's advances 94 00:03:50,870 --> 00:03:52,169 in digital technology 95 00:03:52,469 --> 00:03:56,165 with scanners, digital custom brackets, and braces. 96 00:03:56,944 --> 00:03:58,944 So all of these really offer to the 97 00:03:58,944 --> 00:04:00,645 patient a more definitely 98 00:04:00,944 --> 00:04:02,645 a lot less invasive, 99 00:04:04,064 --> 00:04:04,564 procedures 100 00:04:05,105 --> 00:04:07,710 for the patients, more convenience. They don't have 101 00:04:07,790 --> 00:04:09,310 come as many times to the office. But, 102 00:04:09,310 --> 00:04:11,870 like, with braces, typically, treatment takes 2 to 103 00:04:11,870 --> 00:04:13,389 3 years. You have to come every single 104 00:04:13,389 --> 00:04:13,889 month. 105 00:04:14,430 --> 00:04:16,589 You have you kinda have broken braces, broken 106 00:04:16,589 --> 00:04:19,389 wires, you know, taking your kid or yourself 107 00:04:19,389 --> 00:04:19,710 out of, 108 00:04:20,915 --> 00:04:21,675 you know, work. 109 00:04:22,235 --> 00:04:23,834 So all of those can really cause a 110 00:04:23,834 --> 00:04:26,875 lot of inconveniences with with aligner treatment. Most 111 00:04:26,875 --> 00:04:29,274 of those inconveniences go out the door and 112 00:04:29,274 --> 00:04:31,774 it offers a really great patient experience. So 113 00:04:31,915 --> 00:04:33,935 that's really the greatest trend in orthodontics. 114 00:04:34,235 --> 00:04:36,620 You know, obviously, work force changes, 115 00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:39,660 and other things, 116 00:04:40,040 --> 00:04:42,060 the trends in the DSO market, 117 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:44,540 more dentists offering aligners, 118 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:47,400 and orthodontic treatment. So all of these are 119 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:51,000 factors that are playing in our orthodontic market 120 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:51,584 these days. 121 00:04:52,625 --> 00:04:54,785 Okay. And I'm also curious, what are you 122 00:04:54,785 --> 00:04:57,104 most excited about when it comes to dentistry 123 00:04:57,104 --> 00:04:58,544 right now? And is there anything that makes 124 00:04:58,544 --> 00:04:59,285 you nervous? 125 00:05:00,144 --> 00:05:03,204 Yeah. I mean, excitement. I I love technology. 126 00:05:04,224 --> 00:05:04,971 So I'm very excited about all these advancement 127 00:05:04,971 --> 00:05:05,007 in technology, robotics. I I do see a 128 00:05:05,007 --> 00:05:05,524 future where, you know, there's 129 00:05:06,704 --> 00:05:07,204 gonna 130 00:05:21,214 --> 00:05:23,395 What I think makes most of us nervous, 131 00:05:23,694 --> 00:05:26,495 particularly the older you get, is the speed 132 00:05:26,495 --> 00:05:28,654 up change, you know, the changes that we 133 00:05:28,654 --> 00:05:31,134 need to do in order to match the 134 00:05:31,134 --> 00:05:33,055 changes that are happening, you know, in the 135 00:05:33,055 --> 00:05:35,314 in in the industry. So training, 136 00:05:36,199 --> 00:05:38,379 incorporating the equipment, buying the equipment, 137 00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:41,420 you know, changing the way we do things, 138 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:43,800 based on the changes that are happening in 139 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:46,120 the marketplace. So those are things that kind 140 00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:48,520 of not necessarily make me nervous, but make 141 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:50,360 me think I wanna, you know, wanna take 142 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:51,500 proactive action. 143 00:05:52,564 --> 00:05:53,384 Okay. Yeah. 144 00:05:53,925 --> 00:05:56,165 Speaking of, new technology, I know you mentioned 145 00:05:56,165 --> 00:05:58,165 that that's something you're very excited about. Can 146 00:05:58,165 --> 00:05:59,365 you tell me a little bit more about 147 00:05:59,365 --> 00:06:00,104 the role 148 00:06:00,404 --> 00:06:03,365 that, these new emerging technologies such as AI 149 00:06:03,365 --> 00:06:05,204 and robotics, what kind of role that can 150 00:06:05,204 --> 00:06:07,649 have in the orthodontics field specifically? 151 00:06:08,910 --> 00:06:11,389 Yeah. Well, I mean, a lot. Well, aligner 152 00:06:11,389 --> 00:06:13,009 technology is already, 153 00:06:13,389 --> 00:06:15,790 an AI technology. So, I mean, that was 154 00:06:15,790 --> 00:06:17,949 introduced 25 years ago. So I should say, 155 00:06:17,949 --> 00:06:19,889 you know, as far as pioneers of 156 00:06:20,264 --> 00:06:22,365 incorporating AI technology into, 157 00:06:22,920 --> 00:06:24,476 you know, dentistry, 158 00:06:24,824 --> 00:06:26,904 you know, we've we've made quite a headway 159 00:06:26,904 --> 00:06:27,564 by now. 160 00:06:28,104 --> 00:06:30,664 But there's obviously a lot more right now. 161 00:06:30,664 --> 00:06:33,064 We're talking about, you know, technologies like Chat 162 00:06:33,064 --> 00:06:35,004 GPT and, things of, 163 00:06:35,384 --> 00:06:37,920 same as chat GPT that can be employed 164 00:06:37,920 --> 00:06:41,220 in marketing, in operations, in HR. 165 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:44,399 So those are really, what really is gonna 166 00:06:44,399 --> 00:06:46,240 change the landscape within the next 3 to 167 00:06:46,240 --> 00:06:48,800 5 years is, all of those AI technologies 168 00:06:48,800 --> 00:06:49,860 that are gonna be introduced, 169 00:06:50,545 --> 00:06:53,105 in our administrative work, in our in our, 170 00:06:53,705 --> 00:06:55,824 you know, clinical work. And the clinical work, 171 00:06:55,824 --> 00:06:57,425 as I mentioned, you know, AI is mostly 172 00:06:57,425 --> 00:06:58,084 in the 173 00:06:58,464 --> 00:07:01,365 realm of treatment planning. So for instance, 174 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:03,600 one of the things that, you know, is 175 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:05,680 already happening and will take place is, like, 176 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:08,960 treatment planning, diagnosis, and treatment planning. And, of 177 00:07:08,960 --> 00:07:11,139 course, you know, as a as a dentist 178 00:07:11,199 --> 00:07:12,020 or a physician, 179 00:07:12,720 --> 00:07:14,639 the ultimate decision is gonna be at the, 180 00:07:15,199 --> 00:07:16,800 you know, by the clinician. They have to 181 00:07:16,800 --> 00:07:18,894 make the decision, but AI can be very 182 00:07:18,894 --> 00:07:19,394 helpful 183 00:07:19,935 --> 00:07:21,154 in in providing, 184 00:07:21,694 --> 00:07:23,875 accurate diagnosis for conditions 185 00:07:24,495 --> 00:07:25,714 and also proposing, 186 00:07:26,254 --> 00:07:28,675 you know, treatment plans for patients. 187 00:07:29,134 --> 00:07:31,875 So, those are really also very exciting, 188 00:07:32,490 --> 00:07:34,529 areas in in dentistry that can, you know 189 00:07:34,649 --> 00:07:37,129 and especially in orthodontics because orthodontics is a 190 00:07:37,129 --> 00:07:38,889 little bit more complicated when you wanna propose 191 00:07:38,889 --> 00:07:39,709 treatment plans. 192 00:07:40,250 --> 00:07:42,910 Patients might need surgery. They might need extractions, 193 00:07:44,009 --> 00:07:47,185 you know, growth modification, different types of things, 194 00:07:47,185 --> 00:07:49,504 then, that's where the AI can come in 195 00:07:49,504 --> 00:07:51,045 and and play a great role. 196 00:07:51,985 --> 00:07:53,264 Yeah. Definitely sounds, 197 00:07:53,585 --> 00:07:54,085 exciting. 198 00:07:54,865 --> 00:07:57,504 Last question here. What would most effective health 199 00:07:57,504 --> 00:07:59,425 care leaders need to be successful in the 200 00:07:59,425 --> 00:08:00,645 next 2 to 3 years? 201 00:08:01,930 --> 00:08:02,430 Well, 202 00:08:02,889 --> 00:08:03,389 okay. 203 00:08:03,689 --> 00:08:05,930 Well, definitely there I I think one of 204 00:08:05,930 --> 00:08:07,149 the greatest things, 205 00:08:07,529 --> 00:08:08,649 I I love what, 206 00:08:09,129 --> 00:08:09,629 Eric, 207 00:08:10,729 --> 00:08:11,229 Hoffer, 208 00:08:11,930 --> 00:08:14,329 who said it's a great quote that I 209 00:08:14,329 --> 00:08:16,774 love to, to repeat, which is in times 210 00:08:16,774 --> 00:08:19,814 of change, learners inherit the earth while the 211 00:08:19,814 --> 00:08:22,615 learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with 212 00:08:22,615 --> 00:08:24,634 a world that no longer exists. 213 00:08:25,495 --> 00:08:28,375 So it it's really the truth and the 214 00:08:28,375 --> 00:08:30,535 reality of the situation that in times of 215 00:08:30,535 --> 00:08:31,035 change, 216 00:08:32,070 --> 00:08:35,029 the learners, the ones that are continuously learning 217 00:08:35,029 --> 00:08:38,490 and wanting to update and renovate and 218 00:08:39,029 --> 00:08:41,769 move with the change will inherit the earth, 219 00:08:42,070 --> 00:08:43,450 while the learned 220 00:08:44,184 --> 00:08:46,665 will find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with 221 00:08:46,665 --> 00:08:49,384 a world that no longer exists. And so 222 00:08:49,384 --> 00:08:49,884 that's 223 00:08:50,504 --> 00:08:52,904 what is what needs to happen is with 224 00:08:52,904 --> 00:08:54,665 the leaders, they have to have a vision 225 00:08:54,665 --> 00:08:55,404 for future. 226 00:08:56,264 --> 00:08:58,684 They need to adapt their style 227 00:08:59,850 --> 00:09:02,470 to the changes and to their vision. And, 228 00:09:03,129 --> 00:09:04,910 so I think those are the 2 adaptability, 229 00:09:06,290 --> 00:09:08,029 is would be one of the greatest 230 00:09:08,570 --> 00:09:11,070 qualities to have at this time and also, 231 00:09:11,450 --> 00:09:12,990 having a vision for future. 232 00:09:14,315 --> 00:09:16,714 Yeah. Definitely. And, just adding on to that, 233 00:09:16,714 --> 00:09:18,315 is there anything that you can share about 234 00:09:18,315 --> 00:09:20,794 how your leadership style has changed just throughout 235 00:09:20,794 --> 00:09:22,554 the years of owning your practice and opening 236 00:09:22,554 --> 00:09:23,375 up new offices? 237 00:09:24,954 --> 00:09:25,454 Yes. 238 00:09:26,179 --> 00:09:27,940 You know, I I would say if I 239 00:09:27,940 --> 00:09:30,519 was going to go to Ron Safar 1.0 240 00:09:30,659 --> 00:09:32,659 to Ron Safar 2.0, you know, 241 00:09:33,139 --> 00:09:34,759 I I was much more, 242 00:09:35,459 --> 00:09:37,639 you know, trying to do things 243 00:09:38,419 --> 00:09:40,339 on on my own and, you know, really 244 00:09:40,339 --> 00:09:40,839 orthodontics 245 00:09:41,144 --> 00:09:42,585 and just being in business for the past 246 00:09:42,585 --> 00:09:43,085 24 247 00:09:43,785 --> 00:09:46,504 years. One thing that has really changed taught 248 00:09:46,504 --> 00:09:48,264 me has been that I you know, you 249 00:09:48,264 --> 00:09:50,764 can only accomplish things with great teams 250 00:09:51,144 --> 00:09:52,845 and building great teams, 251 00:09:53,545 --> 00:09:55,545 that support you, are are with you along 252 00:09:55,545 --> 00:09:56,190 the way. 253 00:09:56,750 --> 00:09:59,149 You know, that that is what really makes 254 00:09:59,149 --> 00:10:01,789 a great company is the is the team 255 00:10:01,789 --> 00:10:04,190 and the employees and the culture that you 256 00:10:04,190 --> 00:10:06,370 really try to foster. So, 257 00:10:06,830 --> 00:10:08,830 that is really what I've really learned as 258 00:10:08,830 --> 00:10:11,534 my, experience as an orthodontist for the past 259 00:10:11,615 --> 00:10:13,375 20 years. I'm building a team. We currently 260 00:10:13,375 --> 00:10:14,995 have 80 80 team members, 261 00:10:15,694 --> 00:10:16,654 you know, and, 262 00:10:17,214 --> 00:10:20,014 it's it's really delightful to see how the 263 00:10:20,014 --> 00:10:20,754 team members, 264 00:10:21,134 --> 00:10:21,875 they actually, 265 00:10:22,495 --> 00:10:23,235 you know, have 266 00:10:23,789 --> 00:10:27,169 completely they completely understand the vision, the mission, 267 00:10:27,549 --> 00:10:30,190 and they they have incorporated all those core 268 00:10:30,190 --> 00:10:32,370 values that we, you know, continuously 269 00:10:32,830 --> 00:10:33,330 emphasize. 270 00:10:33,870 --> 00:10:36,904 And, they actually wanna do things. It's not 271 00:10:36,904 --> 00:10:38,824 that they're doing things because we tell them 272 00:10:38,824 --> 00:10:40,504 to do things, but they're doing things because 273 00:10:40,504 --> 00:10:42,664 they really want to do those things. And 274 00:10:42,664 --> 00:10:44,365 that's really beautiful to see. 275 00:10:44,985 --> 00:10:46,584 Great. Well, thank you so much for sharing 276 00:10:46,584 --> 00:10:48,745 that. Yeah. Those were all my questions. So 277 00:10:48,745 --> 00:10:50,184 thank you so much for joining us today, 278 00:10:50,184 --> 00:10:52,509 doctor Safra. It's been a pleasure speaking with 279 00:10:52,509 --> 00:10:54,029 you, and I look forward to connecting with 280 00:10:54,029 --> 00:10:55,090 you again in the future. 281 00:10:56,029 --> 00:10:57,790 Okay. Great. Thank you. Yes. Thank you for 282 00:10:57,790 --> 00:10:58,590 having me, and, 283 00:10:59,389 --> 00:11:01,970 wish everybody best of, luck with everything. 284 00:11:02,670 --> 00:11:04,850 Yes. Definitely. Have a good day. Bye bye.