11,000 meals. When I treatment plan and speak with patients my focus is on a patient's function over esthetics. Esthetics are subjective and while patients are very concerned with how their dentition looks I’ve found that explanations based on discussions of smiles don’t really drive case acceptance or satisfaction

11,000 meals is about the number of meals a patient will have in 10 years (3 meals a day x 365 days x 10 years + a few snacks = 11,000). This number of meals is an objective way to explain treatment to patients to get case acceptance or explain why a restoration might need replacement. A denture or filling lasting 10 years might seem like a failure to most patients, but in the context of 11,000 meals it seems like an achievement.

I’m looking for my first post-residency job as a general dentist, where I can help more patients eat their next 11,000 meals. I have a diverse background in design and business and am looking to join a practice with partnership / ownership opportunities.