What a joy it has been for me to have two granddaughters. For over 100 years there were no females born into my family. I had a brother. My dad had a brother. His brother had two boys. My grandfather had sisters in Hungary, but it was over 100 years before we had granddaughters.
I had no idea what to do. I knew exactly what to do with boys since I had plenty of experience.
My life would not have been the same without these young girls who are now young women. I’ve watched both of them grow and transform into beautiful, responsible, intelligent, and motivated young women that I’m proud to say share my last name.
Both were into dance. I watched from the audience and hoped no one saw my tears. I so wished my parents and grandparents could have witnessed them blossom.
In a way, I see the same transformation as I’ve watched some of my students grow and blossom in their own way.
They do the airway dentistry dance every bit as beautifully as my granddaughters do The Nutcracker.
I see their posts of their cases on my forum. I agree or disagree and make suggestions with their treatment plans. I help them with cases in progress. I coach them in what to do, why to do it, and how to do it.
They all learn. They do it at different paces. They do it in different ways.
As the years go by and they grow their skills and confidence, they need me less and less.
I find myself making fewer suggestions and congratulating them on their knowledge. I even tell them they are beginning to not need me. Often, they don’t listen and still want my advice.
The interesting thing is that they stay part of the group and continue to learn.
I continue to learn as well.
We all win. But more importantly, their patients win with better airways and healthier metrics.
I don’t want to go to my grave carrying information I’ve learned from others or innovations I know work that others are not doing.
These doctors will carry on and innovate on their own. They will teach others. More people will benefit. Kids will be healthier as a result.
I will leave a legacy behind, just as my granddaughters and grandsons will represent me.
Orthodontics will slowly morph from a mechanistic trade centered on making incisors straight and teeth fitting like gears.
A new set of goals will replace the time-worn goal of straight teeth.
Orthodontics will emerge as the center of health care. I’m not kidding. That’s where it should be.
More than 100 years ago, dentists were treating in the primary dentition to prevent mental retardation. That wrong turn toward treating only in the permanent dentition with the goal of a picket fence of teeth will be overshadowed by the goal of health.
The word “health” appeared often in early 1900s dental literature but is rarely seen in journals today. We will see that change.
My students’ practices grow and flourish.
Dentists go from burnout to having smiles on their faces. They love going to work on Monday.
Their teams are on board and become ambassadors for what they are doing.
Some pediatric dentists retire their handpieces and never place another stainless steel crown. They recognize and treat airway issues in three and four year old children.
Others help adults eliminate pain that has plagued them for years or help them breathe better, live more productive lives, and likely live longer.
These practices flourish even in areas where there are more dentists than Starbucks.
I’m happy to play a small part in helping doctors and patients thrive.
I’ve had many help me.
I’m just paying it forward.
