The strength of your practice depends on more than clinical skill. It depends on who is leading the business behind the scenes. In this episode of the Everyday Oral Surgery Podcast, Dr. Grant Stucki welcomes back Dr. Roger Levin, CEO of Levin Group, to explain the evolving role of the office manager and why it is critical to long-term success. Dr. Levin describes how today’s office manager must function as the chief operating officer (COO), overseeing operations, workflow, scheduling, and team performance. He explains how structured systems, clear scripting, accessible financing, and consistent follow-up improve treatment acceptance and strengthen the patient experience. The conversation also explores how office managers can identify and fix system-level problems, manage online reviews, maintain compliance, and lead their teams with clear boundaries and accountability. Tune in to learn how empowering your office manager can help your practice run more efficiently and reach its full potential!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Dr. Levin returns to summarize the full role of the office manager.
• Why office managers must function as chief operating officers (COO) of the practice.
• How they need to oversee all non-clinical operations, workflow, and systems.
• Ensuring treatment acceptance improves through structured follow-up systems.
• Why office managers need to understand financing for the practice and patients.
• Their role identifying system failures and implementing system solutions.
• How office managers can monitor patient satisfaction and manage online reviews.
• Implementing compliance systems using checklists and timelines.
• Leadership as an office manager: leading with clear boundaries, respect, and accountability.
• How openness to growth determines whether office managers succeed at the COO level.
• Reflections on how strong office managers can become trusted partners in practice growth.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Roger Levin — https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-levin-69ab744/

Levin Group — https://levingroup.com/

Office Manager Practice Mastery Program — https://levingroup.com/office-manager-practice-mastery-program/

Episode 313 — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/10-power-tips-for-multi-office-practice-growth-with-dr/id1535284898?i=1000717140271

Episode 343 — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-office-manager-to-chief-operating-officer-what/id1535284898?i=1000747669987

Episode 346 — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/recruiting-and-building-an-awesome-team-with-dr-roger-levin/id1535284898?i=1000749939370

Episode 349 —

Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/

Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.com

Dr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059

Facelift rejuvenation is a fantastic procedure that can truly elevate your practice and change the lives of your patients, if done well! In this episode of Everyday Oral Surgery, Dr. Stucki welcomes Dr. Harkaran Rana back to the show to discuss the newest procedure he’s mastered: facelift rejuvenation. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about what a facelift is, what it does for a patient, and some common misconceptions about its results. We delve into preop care and the history of facelifts before our guest walks us through his own surgical technique for this procedure. He even discusses postop care and shares why he reminds patients to be patient regarding their facelift results. Finally, Dr. Rana encourages oral surgeons to consider adding this procedure to their skill sets. If you have any questions for Dr. Rana, feel free to email him directly or reach out to Dr. Stucki. Thanks for listening!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Welcoming Dr. Harkaran Rana back to the show.
• What a facelift rejuvenation does (and what it doesn’t do).
• The preoperative care and assessment for this procedure.
• Dr. Rana gives us a brief history of facelift procedures.
• A step-by-step breakdown of how our guest does a facelift.
• What postoperative care looks like for this procedure.
• Cautioning patients against impatience with facelift results.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Harkaran Rana on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/harkaran-rana-aa3637179/

Dr. Harkaran Rana Email Address — harkaran.s.rana@gmail.com

Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/

Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.com

Dr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059

When a tooth comes out, the real learning starts. In this episode, Dr. Grant Stucki and returning guest Dr. Richard Akin delve into how, after an extraction, the socket can reveal bur marks, bone cracks, flap tension, and root morphology that can influence your surgical outcomes for better or worse. They break down what to look for in mandibular and maxillary sockets, how to manage loose bone fragments and avoid future bone spicules, when to extend or modify your flap, and how to use imaging and instrumentation more effectively in difficult molar extraction cases. They explore why open communication among the dental team is essential, what to check for after a successful extraction, how to prevent complications, the impact of mobility on the healing process, and why training and empowering staff are crucial for patient care. Dr. Akin also explains the role of assistants as a second set of skilled eyes and gives his thoughts on perfectionism, humility, and the idea of continuous learning in surgical practice. Tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• The “black hole” analogy for the extraction socket and why it is a source of feedback.
• Why the patient’s tooth ‘belongs’ to the surgeon and what is at the core of molar surgery.
• They each share what they look for in the socket and how this helps guide their approaches.
• Find out why the right assistant for delicate work on extraction sockets is essential.
• Unpack why visualization, lighting, and flap exposure are vital for a successful surgery.
• They compare their tooth extraction procedures and surgical techniques.
• Dr. Akin explains why performing tooth extractions systematically ensures a good outcome.
• Find out whether to remove small bone fragments after maxillary tooth extraction.
• Learn about post-surgery flap management techniques and the ‘reading the roots’ concept.
• Discover the importance of self-assessment and continuous learning for patient outcomes.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Richard Akin — https://www.drakin.com/

Dr. Richard Akin on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-akin-644aa932/

Dr. Richard Akin email — rick@drakin.com

Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/

Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.com

Dr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059

Patients may assume you’re highly trained, but what they’re often looking for first is reassurance that you genuinely care. In this episode of Everyday Oral Surgery, host Dr. Grant Stucki welcomes return guest Dr. Richard Akin, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon practicing in Louisiana, for a thoughtful conversation on the science of empathy in clinical care. Together, they explore how warmth and presence can shape patient trust even more than perceived competence, and how just a minute of focused listening can make a meaningful difference. They share simple ways to build connection, from using a patient’s name and sitting at eye level to educating patients as equal partners in care. Dr. Akin also reflects on the emotional weight of this work, the risks of empathy fatigue, and how the right kind of connection may help ease burnout. He offers practical sustainability insights as well, including how adjusting your schedule and building autonomy can support a longer, healthier career. Tune in for a human-centered discussion on why empathy is so important for both patients and providers.

Key Points From This Episode:

• The story behind the phrase “no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care” and how it applies to oral surgery.
• Why patients assume competence, but seek out signs of genuine care.
• How 90 seconds of focused listening matters more than prolonged distracted listening.
• Research on how patients rate warmth and benevolence higher than perceived competence.
• Ways that surgical bravado can block deeper connection and understanding.
• Findings on how patient compliance improves when they feel personally cared for.
• Helping patients feel like informed partners through education and clear choices.
• Simple connection tools, like using the patient’s name and sitting at eye level.
• Lessons from Unreasonable Hospitality and the practice of truly seeing the patient.
• How emotional barriers and detachment can contribute to burnout in healthcare.
• Why the right kind of connection can help relieve clinician burnout.
• Scheduling and autonomy as keys to long-term energy and sustainability.
• How connection with patients can lower stress more than rushing through care.
• Reflections on the modern medical system and transcending transactional care to build more relational, trust-based patient connection.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Richard Akin — https://www.drakin.com/

Dr. Richard Akin on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-akin-644aa932/

Dr. Richard Akin email — rick@drakin.com

From Tension to Trust: The Science of Connection in Healthcare (with Dr. Richard Akin) —

‘Empathy: The Human Connection to Patient Care’ — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDDWvj_q-o8

Unreasonable Hospitality — https://www.amazon.com/Unreasonable-Hospitality-Remarkable-Giving-People/dp/0593418573

Being Mortal — https://www.amazon.com/Being-Mortal-Medicine-What-Matters-ebook/dp/B00JCW0BCY

Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/

Dr. Grant S

In today’s episode, Dr. Stucki sits down with financial experts Bob Spiel and Nate Williams, who push back on the idea that dental specialists should sell their practices to Dental Support Organizations (DSOs) or private equity groups. Using straightforward financial modeling, they question the belief that corporate buyers always offer the best payout, pointing out that long work-back commitments and illiquid equity can leave doctors with less overall value than a traditional private sale. They suggest that, in many cases, surgeons are essentially paying for their own buyouts with years of future work, while also giving up a significant amount of professional independence. By calling attention to the risks of share dilution and reduced control over day-to-day decisions, they encourage doctors to hold onto independent ownership of their most valuable assets. Overall, the episode serves as a practical warning about how Wall Street-driven incentives can affect both the financial health and clinical direction of the dental profession.

Key Points From This Episode:

• We are introduced to our guests, Bob Spiel and Nate Williams.
• Debunking the goal and purpose of private equity (in the dentistry space).
• They look at the hypothesis that private equity-backed DSO groups pay more for practices than private doctors (an in-depth hypothetical scenario).
• Another hypothetical scenario: what it looks like when practices are sold to businessmen.
• Nate explains the 5-year work-back.
• He unpacks the rollover equity: minority non-marketable shares of an entity.
• What happens to shares when the ship sinks.
• Big cash up front and what that means for the future.
• Navigating misinformation as an industry.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Nate Williams, CPA on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-williams-cpa-cfp

Practice Financial Group — https://practicefinancialgroup.com/

Bob Spiel on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobspiel

Spiel Consulting — https://spielconsulting.com/

Dentist Partner Pros — https://dentistpartnerpros.com/

Just Say NO to the DSO — https://open.spotify.com/show/2DRR7iWpDQiX1NSyaSIWzK

Questions — questionsjustsaynotothedso@gmail.com

Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/

Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.com

Dr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059

“Quitters never win, and winners never quit.” It’s more than a catchphrase for Dr. Julia Jackson—it’s the mindset that has defined her career. Today’s episode of Everyday Oral Surgery spotlights the pioneering oral and maxillofacial surgeon as she reflects on her demanding training and her experience as the first African-American woman in her specialty to practice in Virginia. She shares the importance of “thinking outside the socket,” a philosophy that led her to found the International Implant Institute to provide continuing education for general dentists. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Jackson emphasizes persistence and resilience, encouraging students and residents to stay committed to their goals despite systemic or personal challenges. Tune in to hear about her journey to becoming an OMS, the impact of launching the International Implant Institute, why fear should never stand in the way of serving others, and her advice for aspiring surgeons. Thanks for listening.

Key Points From This Episode:

• A brief history of Dr. Jackson’s training, background, and current practice setup.
• Two important lessons Dr. Jackson learned in her internship.
• Her journey as the first African-American practicing female oral surgeon.
• Thinking outside the socket: Dr. Jackson shares about the International Implant Institute.
• The key benefits Dr. Jackson gains from the International Implant Institute
• She sheds light on the truth of teaching general dentists to do implants.
• Limits and boundaries, and the importance of patient selection when thinking of doing an implant.
• Dr. Jackson shares advice for young potential surgeons trying to find their way.
• Two best words to hold on to: Don’t quit!
• Leave perfectionism behind.
• Where to learn more about the International Implant Institute.
• Dr. Jackson fires back her answers to the rapid-fire question round.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Julia Jackson on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-julia-jackson/

Dr. Julia Jackson on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/socket_grafting_girl/

International Implant Institute on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/people/International-Implant-Institute/61561700447527/

Dr. Julia Jackson on Email — toothtitans@gmail.com

International Implant Institute — https://intlimplantinstitute.com/

Training Ivy: How to Become the First Practicing Female African-American Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in both the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth of Virginia — https://www.amazon.com/Training-Ivy-African-American-Maxillofacial-Commonwealth/dp/1530927218

Temple University — https://www.temple.edu/

Howard University — https://howard.edu/

Burn the Boats: Toss Plan B Overboard and Unleash Your Full Potential — https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Boats-Overboard-Unleash-Potential/dp/0063325616

White Lotus — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13406094

Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram —

What if the “wait and see” approach to suspicious oral lesions is putting patients at risk? In this episode, Dr. Paras Patel, an oral maxillofacial pathologist based in Texas, joins us to challenge outdated thinking and share a more proactive, data-driven approach to early detection and prevention. We begin with a key shift in the field: moving from the term ‘potentially malignant lesions’ to ‘precancerous lesions’, and what that change signals about risk, responsibility, and intervention. Dr. Patel unpacks how evolving diagnostic criteria, new treatment pathways, and better follow-up protocols are changing outcomes. He explains why he favors a two-week monitoring window for leukoplakia, how non-traditional risk factors like HPV and iron deficiency come into play, and why there is no single pathway to disease. The conversation also explores how biomarkers, advanced testing, and even AI can support clinicians in tracking change over time and making more informed decisions. Finally, Dr. Patel shares practical guidance on managing ulcers and tissue abnormalities and why consistent follow-up is critical, even after a patient has been referred.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Updated terminology, from ‘potentially malignant lesions’ to ‘precancerous lesions’.
• How the field has evolved through updated criteria, new treatment options, and more.
• How Dr. Patel approaches follow-up to protect patients from developing cancer.
• Developments in pathology and treatment methods.
• Why Dr. Patel favors a two-week period to monitor leukoplakia.
• Non-traditional risk factors, including HPV and iron deficiency.
• Understanding the multiple pathways to this kind of pathology.
• Leveraging a variety of biomarkers and tests for direction as a clinician.
• How AI can support this data collection process.
• What Dr. Patel recommends for navigating ulcers and tissue during surgery.
• The platinum-based therapy he has been using with great results.
• Why follow up protocol is so important.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Paras Patel on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/paras-patel-6023a7a1/

Dr. Paras Patel on ResearchGate — https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Paras-B-Patel-2158422405
Center for Oral Pathology — https://www.centerfororalpathology.com/
Oral Diagnostics SDFW — oraldiagnosticsdfw@gmail.com
WHO Oral Epithelial Dysplasia: Classifications — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6503768/
Yen-Chen Kevin Ko on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/yen-chen-kevin-ko-561469115/
Glenn Hanna on ResearchGate — https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Glenn-J-Hanna-2006701454
Alessandro Villa on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessandrovilla-oralmedicine/
Nivolumab for Patients With High-Risk Oral Leukoplakia — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37971722/
MD Anderson — https://www.mdanderson.org/

Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Instag

Meetings don’t have to drain time or energy. In fact, they can become one of the most effective tools in a well-run practice! In this episode of the Everyday Oral Surgery Podcast, Dr. Grant Stucki welcomes back Dr. Roger Levin, founder and CEO of Levin Group, for a focused discussion on conducting effective daily business meetings, also known as morning huddles. Dr. Levin challenges the idea that meetings are inherently inefficient and explains why, when done well, they’re essential for clear communication in busy oral surgery practices. He breaks down ten practical rules for running effective daily meetings, showing how short, structured check-ins help organize the day, reduce interruptions, and keep teams aligned. The conversation also clarifies what belongs in a daily meeting versus a monthly staff meeting and why office managers play a critical role in setting agendas, managing time, and maintaining focus. Tune in for practical guidance on turning daily meetings into a reliable system that supports efficiency, leadership, and teamwork in your practice!

Key Points From This Episode:

• How meetings gained a reputation as inefficient in business.
• Why oral surgery practices rely on meetings more than most industries.
• Three essential meetings for practices: daily business, monthly staff, and annual strategy.
• A breakdown of Dr. Levin’s ten rules for daily business meetings.
• Rule 1: Start with why and a clear agenda for every meeting.
• Rule 2: Define the objective so everyone knows what the meeting is for.
• Rule 3: Invite only the people who truly need to be in the meeting.
• Rule 4: Start on time and end on time to show respect and leadership.
• Rule 5: Appoint a facilitator to run and control the meeting.
• Rule 6: Keep updates brief to maintain focus and momentum.
• Rule 7: Use a “parking lot” to keep discussions on agenda and save off-topic ideas for later.
• Rule 8: Encourage participation so meetings stay relevant and engaging.
• Rule 9: Document action items, assign them, and give deadlines.
• Rule 10: Follow up immediately so meetings lead to real action.
• Why short, consistent daily meetings outperform long, infrequent ones.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Roger Levin — https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-levin-69ab744/

Levin Group — https://levingroup.com/

Office Manager Practice Mastery Program — https://levingroup.com/office-manager-practice-mastery-program/

Episode 313 — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/10-power-tips-for-multi-office-practice-growth-with-dr/id1535284898?i=1000717140271

Episode 343 —

Episode 346 —

Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/

Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.com

Dr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059