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 00:01:12,555 --> 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 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:25,040 Hello. This is Arianna Portallatin with the Becker's 32 00:01:25,040 --> 00:01:27,599 Dental and DSO Review podcast. I'm thrilled to 33 00:01:27,599 --> 00:01:29,680 be joined today by Caitlin Rehn, the clinical 34 00:01:29,680 --> 00:01:32,260 director of hygiene and assisting at TEND. Caitlin, 35 00:01:32,319 --> 00:01:33,939 thank you so much for being here today. 36 00:01:34,525 --> 00:01:36,144 Yeah. Thanks for having me, Arianna. 37 00:01:36,685 --> 00:01:37,504 Yeah. Definitely. 38 00:01:37,805 --> 00:01:39,644 To start us off here, can you introduce 39 00:01:39,644 --> 00:01:41,084 yourself and tell us a little bit about 40 00:01:41,084 --> 00:01:41,825 your background? 41 00:01:43,084 --> 00:01:45,484 Of course. Well, my name is Caitlin Reen. 42 00:01:45,484 --> 00:01:47,185 I'm from Tampa, Florida. 43 00:01:47,965 --> 00:01:48,465 I 44 00:01:48,770 --> 00:01:49,750 took a little different 45 00:01:50,049 --> 00:01:52,049 route into the dental field. So I went 46 00:01:52,049 --> 00:01:53,750 to undergrad at USF, 47 00:01:54,609 --> 00:01:57,650 graduated with a degree in poly sci and 48 00:01:57,650 --> 00:02:00,450 finance, and then decided to dip my toe 49 00:02:00,450 --> 00:02:02,069 in the dental world. So 50 00:02:02,450 --> 00:02:04,465 I went back to school to become a 51 00:02:04,465 --> 00:02:04,965 hygienist, 52 00:02:05,665 --> 00:02:07,424 and I've been a hygienist for over a 53 00:02:07,424 --> 00:02:10,305 decade now. So I began my career in 54 00:02:10,305 --> 00:02:11,205 private practice 55 00:02:12,064 --> 00:02:13,925 and then transitioned to a DSO 56 00:02:14,384 --> 00:02:16,810 where I had the wonderful opportunity to step 57 00:02:16,810 --> 00:02:19,069 away from the chair and join a clinical 58 00:02:19,129 --> 00:02:20,030 support team 59 00:02:20,330 --> 00:02:21,949 supporting a bunch of hygienists. 60 00:02:22,650 --> 00:02:25,290 And soon after, I became the hygiene director 61 00:02:25,290 --> 00:02:26,669 for this large DSO 62 00:02:26,969 --> 00:02:27,469 overseeing 63 00:02:27,770 --> 00:02:29,790 at one point over 200 locations, 64 00:02:30,665 --> 00:02:32,425 and I was in that position for about 65 00:02:32,425 --> 00:02:33,245 4 years. 66 00:02:33,705 --> 00:02:35,625 And then at the beginning of this year, 67 00:02:35,625 --> 00:02:38,504 I made the great transition to a newer 68 00:02:38,504 --> 00:02:41,564 VSO where I'm currently serving as their clinical 69 00:02:41,625 --> 00:02:42,125 director. 70 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:44,439 Great. Thank you so much for that. It's 71 00:02:44,439 --> 00:02:45,800 great to hear how you started your your 72 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:48,360 career in dentistry for sure. First question here, 73 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:49,800 what are some of the biggest issues that 74 00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:51,900 you're following in the dental industry right now? 75 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:54,680 So I would be remiss if I didn't 76 00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:56,379 mention clinical staffing. 77 00:02:56,915 --> 00:02:59,795 COVID was such an interesting and unexpecting part 78 00:02:59,795 --> 00:03:02,675 of our history that resulted in a 1 79 00:03:02,675 --> 00:03:05,314 80 in our dental staffing trends, a unique 80 00:03:05,314 --> 00:03:07,335 challenge we're still encountering today. 81 00:03:07,795 --> 00:03:09,495 What was important to our providers 82 00:03:09,875 --> 00:03:11,094 changed and evolved. 83 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:13,139 Specifically with hygienists, 84 00:03:13,759 --> 00:03:16,340 pre COVID, they wanted job stability, 85 00:03:16,959 --> 00:03:17,459 consistency, 86 00:03:18,159 --> 00:03:20,799 and we're usually in practices long term, often 87 00:03:20,799 --> 00:03:22,739 treating generations of patients. 88 00:03:23,519 --> 00:03:24,435 Post COVID, 89 00:03:24,735 --> 00:03:27,155 we've seen providers with a more independent 90 00:03:27,775 --> 00:03:28,275 entrepreneurial 91 00:03:28,735 --> 00:03:29,235 spirit. 92 00:03:29,694 --> 00:03:32,574 The popularity of company has exploded and has 93 00:03:32,574 --> 00:03:35,614 remained a popular employment option, especially for our 94 00:03:35,614 --> 00:03:36,514 newer hygienists. 95 00:03:37,340 --> 00:03:39,259 So our challenge is to figure out a 96 00:03:39,259 --> 00:03:41,280 way to utilize change agility 97 00:03:41,819 --> 00:03:43,439 and provide flexible alternative 98 00:03:43,739 --> 00:03:45,199 to attract and retain 99 00:03:45,500 --> 00:03:48,860 top talent while maintaining consistency of care for 100 00:03:48,860 --> 00:03:49,599 our patients. 101 00:03:50,344 --> 00:03:52,585 I think our next challenge as dental leaders 102 00:03:52,585 --> 00:03:54,504 is to get creative and figure out how 103 00:03:54,504 --> 00:03:55,164 to leverage 104 00:03:55,544 --> 00:03:56,044 technology, 105 00:03:56,584 --> 00:03:57,485 social media, 106 00:03:57,865 --> 00:04:00,104 and work life balance to attract the next 107 00:04:00,104 --> 00:04:01,884 generation of dental professionals. 108 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:05,000 Okay. Yeah. And, just following up on what 109 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:07,000 you said there about the temp services. I 110 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:08,360 know that that's something a lot of practice 111 00:04:08,360 --> 00:04:11,159 owners have utilized as you mentioned since the 112 00:04:11,159 --> 00:04:11,659 COVID, 113 00:04:12,439 --> 00:04:15,319 pandemic kind of exacerbated the workforce shortages. Can 114 00:04:15,319 --> 00:04:16,860 you go through some of the 115 00:04:17,814 --> 00:04:19,115 advantages and disadvantages 116 00:04:19,495 --> 00:04:22,455 of using a a temping agency for hygienist 117 00:04:22,455 --> 00:04:23,115 and assistance? 118 00:04:24,455 --> 00:04:26,074 Yeah. I mean, from the 119 00:04:26,455 --> 00:04:27,595 office's perspective, 120 00:04:27,975 --> 00:04:30,620 we always wanna make sure we've got the 121 00:04:30,620 --> 00:04:32,939 appropriate staff to treat our patients. Right? That's 122 00:04:32,939 --> 00:04:35,259 1st and foremost. So, you know, if it 123 00:04:35,259 --> 00:04:37,579 comes down to closing a day of patient 124 00:04:37,579 --> 00:04:39,899 care versus keeping our doors open to help 125 00:04:39,899 --> 00:04:40,800 those in need, 126 00:04:41,259 --> 00:04:44,504 temp services are a great options for that. 127 00:04:44,824 --> 00:04:47,464 As far as from the clinical perspective, the 128 00:04:47,464 --> 00:04:48,524 clinician's perspective, 129 00:04:49,144 --> 00:04:51,084 you know, it provides a lot of flexibility. 130 00:04:51,625 --> 00:04:53,164 Like I mentioned, that independent 131 00:04:53,464 --> 00:04:53,964 spirit, 132 00:04:54,504 --> 00:04:55,004 hygienists, 133 00:04:55,550 --> 00:04:57,889 specifically, are more in charge of their schedules, 134 00:04:58,110 --> 00:04:59,569 what days they wanna work. 135 00:05:00,189 --> 00:05:01,949 And, of course, there's trade off, you know, 136 00:05:01,949 --> 00:05:03,410 with benefits and 137 00:05:03,790 --> 00:05:04,290 consistency 138 00:05:04,829 --> 00:05:07,170 within studios and offices, but, 139 00:05:08,189 --> 00:05:09,569 it's definitely been 140 00:05:10,475 --> 00:05:12,714 a shift in the landscape, but a great 141 00:05:12,714 --> 00:05:14,895 alternative for our hygienists and assistants. 142 00:05:16,074 --> 00:05:17,995 Yeah. Thank you so much for elaborating on 143 00:05:17,995 --> 00:05:20,574 that. It's definitely interesting to discuss. 144 00:05:21,115 --> 00:05:22,875 I'm also curious. What are you most excited 145 00:05:22,875 --> 00:05:24,634 about when it comes to dentistry right now, 146 00:05:24,634 --> 00:05:25,889 and what makes you nervous? 147 00:05:27,090 --> 00:05:29,330 So I am so excited about the presence 148 00:05:29,330 --> 00:05:30,629 of AI in dentistry. 149 00:05:31,250 --> 00:05:33,569 When I began in dentistry, we were still 150 00:05:33,569 --> 00:05:37,730 hand dipping and processing traditional x-ray films. So 151 00:05:37,730 --> 00:05:40,235 to go from that to digital imaging to 152 00:05:40,235 --> 00:05:41,055 now AI 153 00:05:41,435 --> 00:05:44,014 is an incredible achievement in our field. 154 00:05:44,634 --> 00:05:47,454 We've recently partnered with Data Health to incorporate 155 00:05:47,675 --> 00:05:50,074 AI into some of our practices, and it 156 00:05:50,074 --> 00:05:51,615 has been a game changer 157 00:05:51,980 --> 00:05:55,040 in diagnosing restorative and periodontal needs. 158 00:05:55,740 --> 00:05:57,279 It's made our patient education 159 00:05:57,580 --> 00:05:58,399 and conversations 160 00:05:58,779 --> 00:05:59,600 more efficient, 161 00:06:00,060 --> 00:06:02,540 and it's reinforced our patient's trust in our 162 00:06:02,540 --> 00:06:03,759 providers as well. 163 00:06:04,604 --> 00:06:07,004 And I'm only nervous about how we're gonna 164 00:06:07,004 --> 00:06:08,845 keep up with all of the AI and 165 00:06:08,845 --> 00:06:09,345 technological 166 00:06:09,884 --> 00:06:13,104 advances within our profession because it is constantly 167 00:06:13,245 --> 00:06:13,745 evolving. 168 00:06:15,084 --> 00:06:16,524 Great. Yeah. Do you wanna go into a 169 00:06:16,524 --> 00:06:18,125 little bit more detail about that, some of 170 00:06:18,125 --> 00:06:19,830 the challenges that might come with keeping up 171 00:06:19,830 --> 00:06:21,370 with everything going on with AI? 172 00:06:22,629 --> 00:06:23,529 Yeah. I think 173 00:06:23,910 --> 00:06:26,230 just, you know, the new updates and the 174 00:06:26,230 --> 00:06:27,209 new features 175 00:06:27,509 --> 00:06:29,529 of all, you know, all the different 176 00:06:29,910 --> 00:06:31,529 technologies that are out there, 177 00:06:32,389 --> 00:06:34,235 we seem to really be hitting our stride 178 00:06:34,235 --> 00:06:36,654 in that field. And just when you get 179 00:06:36,714 --> 00:06:39,295 a group of clinicians trained on one thing, 180 00:06:39,995 --> 00:06:42,395 something else, something bigger and better is popping 181 00:06:42,395 --> 00:06:44,814 onto the scene. So just keeping our providers 182 00:06:45,035 --> 00:06:46,975 up to date with the most current technology 183 00:06:47,035 --> 00:06:49,639 that's out there because our patients are also, 184 00:06:49,639 --> 00:06:50,300 you know, 185 00:06:50,759 --> 00:06:53,079 becoming more and more aware of all the 186 00:06:53,079 --> 00:06:55,560 technology that's available, not only in dentistry, but 187 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:56,860 in health care in general. 188 00:06:58,120 --> 00:06:59,979 Yeah. Definitely. That makes a lot of sense. 189 00:07:00,279 --> 00:07:02,314 Last question here. What will the most effective 190 00:07:02,314 --> 00:07:04,634 health care leaders need to be successful in 191 00:07:04,634 --> 00:07:05,935 the next 2 to 3 years? 192 00:07:07,035 --> 00:07:09,115 So in the next 2 to 3 years, 193 00:07:09,115 --> 00:07:11,754 health care providers will first and foremost need 194 00:07:11,754 --> 00:07:12,654 to be adaptable 195 00:07:13,274 --> 00:07:15,490 to keep up with the ever evolving landscape 196 00:07:15,629 --> 00:07:16,449 of the field. 197 00:07:16,830 --> 00:07:18,769 Change is the only constant. Right? 198 00:07:19,470 --> 00:07:22,350 New technology and innovations are booming in health 199 00:07:22,350 --> 00:07:24,189 care right now as we just talked about, 200 00:07:24,189 --> 00:07:26,670 and the ability to pivot and adapt is 201 00:07:26,670 --> 00:07:27,170 crucial. 202 00:07:28,305 --> 00:07:30,625 Stay curious and explore the up and coming 203 00:07:30,625 --> 00:07:31,125 trends. 204 00:07:31,904 --> 00:07:34,404 Ask questions and keep an open mind. 205 00:07:34,785 --> 00:07:35,845 Welcome change. 206 00:07:36,464 --> 00:07:38,865 Healthcare leaders also need to maintain a clear 207 00:07:38,865 --> 00:07:39,365 vision. 208 00:07:39,985 --> 00:07:42,464 I had a great former leader once tell 209 00:07:42,464 --> 00:07:45,479 me without vision, people lose their way. 210 00:07:46,100 --> 00:07:47,240 Define your vision. 211 00:07:47,540 --> 00:07:49,699 Know who you are, what your end goal 212 00:07:49,699 --> 00:07:51,779 is, and what you want the journey to 213 00:07:51,779 --> 00:07:54,120 look like to achieving that goal. 214 00:07:54,740 --> 00:07:56,899 Keeping your long term vision in mind will 215 00:07:56,899 --> 00:07:58,039 also help you navigate 216 00:07:58,675 --> 00:08:01,175 through inevitable change and challenges that arise. 217 00:08:01,555 --> 00:08:03,875 Round yourself with great mentors and a great 218 00:08:03,875 --> 00:08:06,455 team, and the sky truly is the limit. 219 00:08:07,715 --> 00:08:09,235 Great. Well, thank you so much for that. 220 00:08:09,235 --> 00:08:11,482 And, thank you, Caitlin, for joining us again 221 00:08:11,482 --> 00:08:12,922 today. It's been a pleasure speaking with you, 222 00:08:12,922 --> 00:08:14,202 and I look forward to connecting with you 223 00:08:14,202 --> 00:08:15,102 again in the future. 224 00:08:16,202 --> 00:08:17,742 Great. Thanks so much, Ariana.