1
00:00:00,399 --> 00:00:03,040
Hello. This is Ariana Portolaaten with the Becker's

2
00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:04,660
Dental and DSO Review podcast.

3
00:00:04,960 --> 00:00:06,639
I'm thrilled to be joined today by doctor

4
00:00:06,639 --> 00:00:09,039
Keith Callas from the Small Makers Dental Center.

5
00:00:09,039 --> 00:00:10,639
Doctor Callas, thank you so much for being

6
00:00:10,639 --> 00:00:12,639
here today. To start us off, can you

7
00:00:12,639 --> 00:00:14,320
introduce yourself and tell us a little bit

8
00:00:14,320 --> 00:00:15,139
about your background?

9
00:00:16,385 --> 00:00:16,885
Sure.

10
00:00:18,065 --> 00:00:18,804
I am,

11
00:00:19,585 --> 00:00:23,585
doctor Gis Kallis, general dentist. Graduated from Howard

12
00:00:23,585 --> 00:00:24,085
University

13
00:00:24,464 --> 00:00:25,765
in 1993.

14
00:00:26,864 --> 00:00:28,884
Been a private private practice

15
00:00:29,184 --> 00:00:30,005
since then.

16
00:00:30,809 --> 00:00:31,309
In

17
00:00:32,090 --> 00:00:32,590
2018,

18
00:00:33,770 --> 00:00:37,369
founded and led Smilemakers Dental Center, a dental

19
00:00:37,369 --> 00:00:37,869
organization

20
00:00:38,809 --> 00:00:41,710
based on general dentist and specialist.

21
00:00:42,825 --> 00:00:43,325
In

22
00:00:44,104 --> 00:00:44,604
2022,

23
00:00:46,024 --> 00:00:46,524
expanded

24
00:00:46,905 --> 00:00:49,245
to 6 locations across Northern Virginia.

25
00:00:50,185 --> 00:00:52,125
Our team members of 70

26
00:00:52,425 --> 00:00:52,925
plus

27
00:00:53,465 --> 00:00:55,804
professionals include general dentists

28
00:00:56,185 --> 00:00:57,005
and specialists

29
00:00:57,700 --> 00:01:01,539
committed to delivering exceptional care and fostering private

30
00:01:01,539 --> 00:01:02,280
work environment.

31
00:01:03,219 --> 00:01:04,840
As a CEO, alongside

32
00:01:05,219 --> 00:01:07,959
my leadership team, I oversee operations,

33
00:01:08,579 --> 00:01:10,200
systems, and processes.

34
00:01:10,825 --> 00:01:13,004
In time, I play a dental

35
00:01:13,385 --> 00:01:13,885
director

36
00:01:14,265 --> 00:01:15,805
role where I mentor

37
00:01:16,105 --> 00:01:17,084
the organization

38
00:01:17,385 --> 00:01:17,885
dentist

39
00:01:18,344 --> 00:01:21,784
to make sure all the and compassion dental

40
00:01:21,784 --> 00:01:22,284
services.

41
00:01:23,369 --> 00:01:23,769
And,

42
00:01:24,170 --> 00:01:27,369
I am honored to to join Becker's Dental

43
00:01:27,369 --> 00:01:28,349
podcast today

44
00:01:28,729 --> 00:01:30,829
to share my insights and experiences.

45
00:01:31,930 --> 00:01:33,289
Thank you. We're so happy to have you

46
00:01:33,289 --> 00:01:35,369
join us. First question here, what are some

47
00:01:35,369 --> 00:01:37,129
of the biggest issues that you're following in

48
00:01:37,129 --> 00:01:38,750
the dental industry this year?

49
00:01:39,894 --> 00:01:40,394
Sure.

50
00:01:41,575 --> 00:01:42,795
This is a great question.

51
00:01:43,814 --> 00:01:46,635
So I am a leader of a small

52
00:01:47,015 --> 00:01:47,515
emerging

53
00:01:48,454 --> 00:01:48,954
DSO.

54
00:01:50,694 --> 00:01:53,194
The issue that we face is all about

55
00:01:53,969 --> 00:01:57,030
scaling and operations of those multi locations.

56
00:01:57,890 --> 00:01:59,350
As, this is

57
00:01:59,810 --> 00:02:01,350
when you move to

58
00:02:01,890 --> 00:02:02,710
6 locations,

59
00:02:03,329 --> 00:02:04,150
you have,

60
00:02:05,490 --> 00:02:08,069
multiple components you need to satisfy,

61
00:02:08,645 --> 00:02:11,224
and it's all around having the systems,

62
00:02:11,685 --> 00:02:12,425
the processes

63
00:02:13,044 --> 00:02:13,544
going.

64
00:02:14,085 --> 00:02:16,085
But in the same time, I share the

65
00:02:16,085 --> 00:02:16,985
same issues

66
00:02:17,365 --> 00:02:18,585
of Delta leaders.

67
00:02:19,525 --> 00:02:20,745
From single practice

68
00:02:21,205 --> 00:02:21,705
owners

69
00:02:22,004 --> 00:02:23,784
to large DSO leaders.

70
00:02:24,900 --> 00:02:26,120
As we all

71
00:02:26,580 --> 00:02:27,400
in in today's,

72
00:02:28,580 --> 00:02:29,080
circumstances,

73
00:02:29,379 --> 00:02:30,199
we go through

74
00:02:30,659 --> 00:02:31,959
staff shortages.

75
00:02:33,699 --> 00:02:34,280
We are,

76
00:02:34,979 --> 00:02:37,319
all having an issue in attracting

77
00:02:38,165 --> 00:02:40,425
and retaining those qualified professionals.

78
00:02:42,485 --> 00:02:44,985
And the second issue here is the technology,

79
00:02:46,405 --> 00:02:46,905
advancement,

80
00:02:47,284 --> 00:02:49,625
which is it's really changed our lives

81
00:02:50,085 --> 00:02:52,585
the way we see dentistry, we practice dentistry,

82
00:02:53,219 --> 00:02:55,319
but in the same time, to have this,

83
00:02:56,580 --> 00:02:58,199
systems of automation

84
00:02:59,219 --> 00:03:00,120
from diagnosis

85
00:03:00,900 --> 00:03:01,400
to

86
00:03:01,860 --> 00:03:04,919
management tools like AI, 3 d printing,

87
00:03:05,474 --> 00:03:09,014
digital impressions, you need to implement it and

88
00:03:09,794 --> 00:03:12,914
train all the staff members how to get

89
00:03:12,914 --> 00:03:14,134
the best out of it.

90
00:03:16,115 --> 00:03:18,615
3rd issue is the economic pressures.

91
00:03:19,139 --> 00:03:20,360
In today's market,

92
00:03:21,060 --> 00:03:24,439
the rising cost is hurting all dental practices.

93
00:03:25,139 --> 00:03:27,400
Same time is the high, interest,

94
00:03:28,259 --> 00:03:28,759
rates

95
00:03:29,299 --> 00:03:32,099
and also delayed the insurance and,

96
00:03:32,500 --> 00:03:33,000
reimbursement.

97
00:03:34,235 --> 00:03:37,294
And finally, the the issue is all about

98
00:03:37,435 --> 00:03:37,935
having,

99
00:03:38,474 --> 00:03:40,814
the patient acquisition and retention.

100
00:03:42,234 --> 00:03:43,454
So those are

101
00:03:43,754 --> 00:03:46,474
this is the issues today and all dental

102
00:03:46,474 --> 00:03:47,614
practices facing.

103
00:03:48,659 --> 00:03:50,360
Alright. Thank you for sharing those.

104
00:03:50,659 --> 00:03:52,900
Next question here. What are you most excited

105
00:03:52,900 --> 00:03:55,060
about when it comes to dentistry right now,

106
00:03:55,060 --> 00:03:56,439
and what makes you nervous?

107
00:03:57,620 --> 00:03:58,120
So

108
00:03:58,419 --> 00:03:58,919
when,

109
00:03:59,219 --> 00:04:00,599
it comes to the excitement,

110
00:04:01,314 --> 00:04:03,254
dentistry is is a great profession.

111
00:04:03,634 --> 00:04:04,134
I

112
00:04:04,914 --> 00:04:06,215
enjoy every day from

113
00:04:07,314 --> 00:04:08,854
when I was a

114
00:04:09,794 --> 00:04:10,294
start

115
00:04:10,675 --> 00:04:11,574
starting dentist

116
00:04:11,955 --> 00:04:13,495
today where I have

117
00:04:14,580 --> 00:04:15,479
multiple locations

118
00:04:15,780 --> 00:04:17,639
and oversee all those locations.

119
00:04:18,419 --> 00:04:21,779
So I'm really today, I'm really excited about

120
00:04:21,779 --> 00:04:23,079
the the strategic

121
00:04:23,379 --> 00:04:23,879
growth,

122
00:04:24,899 --> 00:04:28,519
which is expanding our services to include specialized

123
00:04:28,740 --> 00:04:29,240
treatments.

124
00:04:30,205 --> 00:04:31,985
In doing this, we've been partnering

125
00:04:32,524 --> 00:04:33,584
with nationwide

126
00:04:34,444 --> 00:04:34,944
specialty

127
00:04:35,324 --> 00:04:36,305
dentals company

128
00:04:36,685 --> 00:04:39,745
in the field of oral surgery and orthodontics.

129
00:04:40,925 --> 00:04:43,485
Same time, we are entering new markets through

130
00:04:43,485 --> 00:04:43,985
strategic

131
00:04:44,839 --> 00:04:46,220
acquisition and partnership.

132
00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:47,899
The other,

133
00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:49,180
excitement

134
00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:51,819
today is really the technology

135
00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:55,000
that changed the way we see dentistry, the

136
00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:56,300
way we practice dentistry.

137
00:04:57,205 --> 00:04:59,465
There we are implementing the AI,

138
00:04:59,845 --> 00:05:01,944
our diagnostic tools like

139
00:05:02,404 --> 00:05:04,185
X rays AI systems,

140
00:05:04,805 --> 00:05:06,904
digital dental scans, and,

141
00:05:08,165 --> 00:05:10,105
this change the accuracy

142
00:05:11,639 --> 00:05:12,860
in our treatment

143
00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:14,060
planning.

144
00:05:14,759 --> 00:05:17,420
So in in doing this, we are moving

145
00:05:18,199 --> 00:05:18,699
dentistry

146
00:05:19,080 --> 00:05:22,620
from an art based on science to science

147
00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:23,819
based on technology.

148
00:05:24,794 --> 00:05:25,454
At historically,

149
00:05:26,714 --> 00:05:29,854
dentistry combined artistic skills with scientific

150
00:05:30,555 --> 00:05:31,055
knowledge.

151
00:05:31,914 --> 00:05:32,975
But with this

152
00:05:33,754 --> 00:05:34,254
technology

153
00:05:34,714 --> 00:05:35,214
integration,

154
00:05:36,714 --> 00:05:37,214
example,

155
00:05:37,879 --> 00:05:38,540
CAT cam,

156
00:05:39,399 --> 00:05:40,459
AI, 3 d printing,

157
00:05:41,560 --> 00:05:42,060
we

158
00:05:42,439 --> 00:05:42,939
improved

159
00:05:43,399 --> 00:05:43,899
our

160
00:05:44,199 --> 00:05:45,740
accuracy and efficiency

161
00:05:46,439 --> 00:05:46,939
dramatically.

162
00:05:48,040 --> 00:05:49,100
Yeah. I'm also,

163
00:05:49,639 --> 00:05:51,819
excited about the patient experience.

164
00:05:53,595 --> 00:05:56,014
So through also using a lot of technology

165
00:05:56,955 --> 00:05:59,535
and management skills, we've been introducing

166
00:06:00,314 --> 00:06:00,814
personalized

167
00:06:01,835 --> 00:06:03,775
patient engagement platform,

168
00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:08,240
and we tailor the the dental care toward

169
00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:10,819
those patients. At the same time, we're optimizing

170
00:06:11,279 --> 00:06:13,300
our model, system, processes

171
00:06:13,839 --> 00:06:16,740
in achieving exceptional patient retention.

172
00:06:18,044 --> 00:06:20,144
And sometime, I'm excited for

173
00:06:20,444 --> 00:06:21,425
my team members.

174
00:06:21,884 --> 00:06:24,764
So as we are concentrating on the patient

175
00:06:24,764 --> 00:06:25,264
experience,

176
00:06:25,884 --> 00:06:26,544
we concentrate

177
00:06:26,845 --> 00:06:27,985
on the team member

178
00:06:28,365 --> 00:06:29,824
development and experience.

179
00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:33,300
So we are investing in continuous education

180
00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:35,220
and training for our staff,

181
00:06:36,079 --> 00:06:36,579
and

182
00:06:36,879 --> 00:06:39,459
always trying to create positive

183
00:06:39,920 --> 00:06:40,899
company culture.

184
00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:43,060
Same time,

185
00:06:43,439 --> 00:06:44,579
we develop

186
00:06:45,294 --> 00:06:46,194
a individual

187
00:06:46,654 --> 00:06:47,954
career path for

188
00:06:48,334 --> 00:06:49,074
team members.

189
00:06:49,854 --> 00:06:52,115
And finally, I'm very excited about innovation,

190
00:06:52,574 --> 00:06:53,314
which is

191
00:06:53,854 --> 00:06:54,354
pioneering

192
00:06:55,134 --> 00:06:57,474
remote monitoring and auditive solutions

193
00:06:58,430 --> 00:06:59,729
for dental diagnosis,

194
00:07:00,189 --> 00:07:02,209
dental treatment, and dental care.

195
00:07:02,909 --> 00:07:06,849
And all this happening because of the

196
00:07:07,229 --> 00:07:07,969
x rays,

197
00:07:08,430 --> 00:07:09,649
AI analysis,

198
00:07:10,269 --> 00:07:11,149
and the,

199
00:07:11,789 --> 00:07:13,250
the digital scans.

200
00:07:13,935 --> 00:07:16,915
Also, we're establishing the key, but we're establishing,

201
00:07:18,175 --> 00:07:19,395
the key performance

202
00:07:19,855 --> 00:07:20,355
indicators

203
00:07:21,694 --> 00:07:22,654
in all our,

204
00:07:23,694 --> 00:07:26,514
protocols. And this way, we measure and

205
00:07:26,895 --> 00:07:27,395
optimize

206
00:07:27,774 --> 00:07:29,235
systems and positives.

207
00:07:30,790 --> 00:07:31,290
Alright.

208
00:07:32,069 --> 00:07:34,069
And last question here. What will the most

209
00:07:34,069 --> 00:07:36,490
effective health care leaders need to be successful

210
00:07:36,710 --> 00:07:38,330
within the next 2 to 3 years?

211
00:07:39,350 --> 00:07:41,210
In my opinion, two strides

212
00:07:41,830 --> 00:07:43,210
as a dental leader

213
00:07:43,670 --> 00:07:45,449
and as our health care leader,

214
00:07:46,604 --> 00:07:47,824
this is really require

215
00:07:50,125 --> 00:07:52,064
a distinct blend of skills.

216
00:07:53,004 --> 00:07:53,404
So,

217
00:07:54,204 --> 00:07:56,384
the dental leaders, they need

218
00:07:56,764 --> 00:07:58,384
to build their organization

219
00:07:59,644 --> 00:08:01,024
on patient experience

220
00:08:01,779 --> 00:08:03,319
and team member experience.

221
00:08:04,180 --> 00:08:05,079
So the health

222
00:08:05,459 --> 00:08:07,800
care leaders must adopt strategic

223
00:08:08,339 --> 00:08:08,839
thinking

224
00:08:09,300 --> 00:08:10,040
and actions

225
00:08:11,060 --> 00:08:12,199
driven by

226
00:08:12,660 --> 00:08:13,959
management concepts

227
00:08:14,514 --> 00:08:17,254
like total quality control, best practices,

228
00:08:17,714 --> 00:08:18,615
and benchmarking.

229
00:08:20,275 --> 00:08:22,995
And, also, they need to craft a core

230
00:08:22,995 --> 00:08:25,095
value driven mission statement

231
00:08:26,355 --> 00:08:26,855
guiding

232
00:08:27,235 --> 00:08:29,095
the company's overall direction,

233
00:08:30,189 --> 00:08:31,970
Assuring exceptional experiences

234
00:08:32,269 --> 00:08:34,910
and outcomes for the patients and team members.

235
00:08:34,910 --> 00:08:36,450
So it's always unique to

236
00:08:36,830 --> 00:08:38,529
to to work with patients

237
00:08:39,070 --> 00:08:40,450
and team members.

238
00:08:41,149 --> 00:08:43,330
And then, also, the the

239
00:08:43,934 --> 00:08:46,115
the health care leaders, they need to,

240
00:08:46,654 --> 00:08:47,715
have systemic

241
00:08:48,495 --> 00:08:48,995
approach

242
00:08:49,615 --> 00:08:51,235
to develop care system

243
00:08:51,615 --> 00:08:54,355
to define and measure clinical excellence,

244
00:08:54,815 --> 00:08:55,315
leadership

245
00:08:55,855 --> 00:08:56,355
effectiveness,

246
00:08:56,735 --> 00:08:58,274
and financial prosperity

247
00:08:59,009 --> 00:09:00,230
for their organization

248
00:09:00,690 --> 00:09:02,070
and team members.

249
00:09:02,929 --> 00:09:03,570
And they,

250
00:09:04,050 --> 00:09:07,429
need to, look for data driven decision making.

251
00:09:08,769 --> 00:09:09,830
So they identify

252
00:09:10,529 --> 00:09:11,029
discrepancies,

253
00:09:11,410 --> 00:09:12,470
analyze data,

254
00:09:12,894 --> 00:09:13,394
and

255
00:09:13,934 --> 00:09:16,195
then be able to reach solutions

256
00:09:16,575 --> 00:09:19,315
based on best practices and benchmarking.

257
00:09:20,735 --> 00:09:22,894
And also the leaders, I think, they need

258
00:09:22,894 --> 00:09:23,394
to

259
00:09:23,695 --> 00:09:24,195
practice

260
00:09:24,654 --> 00:09:25,794
emotional intelligence.

261
00:09:26,179 --> 00:09:30,339
So they foster genuine connections with patients and

262
00:09:30,339 --> 00:09:31,079
team members.

263
00:09:32,259 --> 00:09:33,639
And also I think,

264
00:09:34,019 --> 00:09:35,480
they need to have the decision

265
00:09:36,019 --> 00:09:36,519
making,

266
00:09:39,654 --> 00:09:41,715
in doing this, be navigating complex

267
00:09:42,095 --> 00:09:46,274
health care system, balancing patient needs, organizational

268
00:09:47,054 --> 00:09:48,915
goals, and secure allocation.

269
00:09:50,095 --> 00:09:50,915
With all

270
00:09:51,375 --> 00:09:51,875
this,

271
00:09:53,419 --> 00:09:54,160
they can

272
00:09:55,899 --> 00:09:58,559
go and excel in driving this exceptional

273
00:09:59,179 --> 00:10:01,120
care innovation and growth.

274
00:10:02,299 --> 00:10:04,059
Great. Well, thank you so much for joining

275
00:10:04,059 --> 00:10:05,899
us today, doctor Kellis. It's been a pleasure

276
00:10:05,899 --> 00:10:07,511
speaking with you, and I forward to connecting

277
00:10:07,511 --> 00:10:08,731
with you again in the future.

278
00:10:09,351 --> 00:10:10,571
Thank you very much.