Crown Council Mentor of the Month

Passion, Innovation, and Impact with Dr. Brett Titensor

In this inspiring leadership series episode, we sit down with Dr. Brett Titensor, a trailblazing dentist who is redefining the patient experience through his innovative, technology-driven practice. As the youngest ever lifetime qualified member of Crown Council, Dr. Titensor shares his remarkable journey - from his early influences and mentors to the challenges and triumphs of practice ownership. Listeners will gain invaluable insights into navigating the transition from dental school, building a high-performing team, and leveraging cutting-edge digital dentistry to deliver exceptional care. Dr. Titensor's passion for the profession and bold vision for the future of dentistry will leave you energized and eager to elevate your own practice. This is a must-listen episode for any dentist seeking to push the boundaries of what's possible in the industry.

"Behind the Smiles" with Dr. Charlie Cooper

Dr. Charlie Cooper, a prominent mentor in the Crown Council, discusses his journey from a general dentist to a cosmetic dentist, highlighting his 20-year practice and subsequent partnership with Dr. Deborah Gray King. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship, particularly from Dr. Chiro and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Cooper advises young dentists to learn financial basics, stay within their expertise, and avoid being overly generous with patient payments. He also stresses the significance of treating patients like VIPs and creating a welcoming, family-like environment for staff. His practice, Atlanta Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, is renowned for its high-quality care and patient experience.
Here are the key topics and action items from the podcast:
Topics:
Introduction to the Crown Council's mentor of the month podcast and leadership series
Dr. Charlie Cooper's background and the Atlanta Center for Cosmetic Dentistry
Early influences and mentors that shaped Dr. Cooper's career
Advice for young dentists starting their careers
Building a successful and patient-focused dental practice
Creating a positive work environment and treating staff like family
Work-life balance and maintaining strong personal relationships
Action Items:
Learn financial basics like reading balance sheets and P&L statements
Don't be the bank - collect payments upfront when possible
Find mentors and emulate successful individuals in the field
Consider getting accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Treat patients like VIPs and focus on providing a high-quality experience
Foster a sense of family and camaraderie among your staff
 

"People. Process. Production" with Dr. David Rice

Dr. David Rice, a mentor and leader in the dental profession, discusses his journey and advice for young dentists. He emphasizes the importance of choosing the right mentors, who should be cheerleaders, top-tier professionals, and contrarians. Rice shares his own experiences, including his first failed associateship due to insufficient vetting and the value of postgraduate programs. He advises young dentists to focus on building self-determined futures, managing debt wisely, and prioritizing people, process, and production in their practices. Rice also highlights the significance of having a vision and seeking mentors who can help achieve that vision.

Mentor of the Month with Dr. Kerry Bryant "The Evil Trinity of Processed Foods"

Dr. Kerry Bryant shared his journey from a low-fat diet to a ketogenic lifestyle, which significantly improved his health metrics. He discussed the impact of diet on chronic diseases, emphasizing the importance of mitochondria and hormesis. Bryant's A1C levels improved from 7.2 to 5.5 after adopting a diet high in healthy fats and low in carbohydrates. He highlighted the role of ketones in brain health and the negative effects of fructose. Bryant also noted the correlation between diet and conditions like Alzheimer's and cancer, advocating for a low-carb, low-sugar, and low-vegetable oil diet to improve overall health and patient care.
Introduction and Background of Dr. Kerry Bryant
Steve Anderson introduces Dr. Kerry Bryant, highlighting his 24-year career in dentistry and his practice in Maine.
Dr. Bryant is a fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry and the Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
The topic of the discussion is Dr. Bryant's personal journey in health and wellness, rather than clinical dentistry.
Steve Anderson emphasizes the importance of sharing personal experiences within the Crown Council.
Dr. Bryant's Initial Health Journey
Dr. Bryant recounts his early beliefs about low-fat diets and exercise, which he adopted in the 1960s and 1970s.
He shares his health scares, including a heart stent in 2012, his mother's heart attack, and his father's cancer.
Dr. Bryant's brother also passed away from pancreatic cancer, leading him to reevaluate his dietary habits.
He began studying nutrition and neurology, shifting his focus to the importance of diet and other lifestyle factors.
Shift in Dietary Beliefs and Health Metrics
Dr. Bryant explains his new belief that diet is "king" and exercise is "queen," with sleep being crucial.
He introduces the concept of hormesis, where exposure to certain stressors can have beneficial effects.
Dr. Bryant shares his personal health metrics, noting a significant improvement in his A1C levels from 7.2 to 5.5.
He discusses the importance of ketones and the role of insulin resistance in health.
Impact of Ketosis and Dietary Changes
Dr. Bryant describes his dietary changes, including a reduction in carbohydrates and an increase in healthy fats.
He explains the science behind ketosis and its benefits for brain health, referencing Dr. Dale Bredesen's work.
Dr. Bryant emphasizes the importance of avoiding fructose and its addictive properties.
He shares his personal struggles with sugar addiction and the positive impact of his new diet on his health markers.
Influence on Patient Care and Practice
Dr. Bryant discusses how his new health focus has influenced his interactions with patients.
He shares his approach to educating patients about nutrition and its impact on health.
Dr. Bryant mentions the importance of maintaining an open mind about various health approaches.
He reflects on the limited knowledge of nutrition among physicians and the need for better education.
Challenges and Controversies in Health Advice
Dr. Bryant acknowledges the controversies surrounding statin drugs and the importance of individualized approaches.
He shares his experiences with other health professionals and their varying opinions on diet and health.
Dr. Bryant emphasizes the need for continuous learning and staying updated on the latest health research.
He highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of health issues, rather than just treating symptoms.
Personal and Professional Growth
Dr. Bryant reflects on his personal growth and improved quality of life since adopting a ketogenic diet.
He shares his experiences with meditation, exercise, and other stress-reduction techniques.
Dr. Bryant discusses the positive impact of his new health habits on his family and practice.
He emphasizes the importance of sharing his knowledge with patients to help them improve their health.
Advice for Beginners in Ketosis
Dr. Bryant advises starting with a low-carb diet and gradually incorporating ketosis.
He recommends resources like Dr. Steven Finney's YouTube videos for learning about ketosis.
Dr. Bryant emphasizes the importance of eliminating processed foods, sugar, and vegetable oils from the diet.
He shares his personal journey and the challenges he faced in adopting a ketogenic lifestyle.
Broader Impact of Diet on Health
Dr. Bryant discusses the broader impact of diet on health, including the role of inflammation and metabolic health.
He shares statistics on the prevalence of metabolic diseases and their impact on healthcare costs.
Dr. Bryant emphasizes the importance of preventing chronic diseases through dietary changes.
He reflects on the challenges of changing dietary habits and the role of the food industry in health issues.
Final Thoughts and Call to Action
Dr. Bryant concludes by emphasizing the importance of fixing diet to improve health and reduce healthcare costs.
He shares his belief that addressing dietary issues is crucial for preventing chronic diseases.
Dr. Bryant encourages others to stay informed and continue learning about health and nutrition.
Speaker 1 thanks Dr. Bryant for sharing his insights and experiences, highlighting the importance of personal health journeys.

"Building Confidence" with Dr. Brian Harris

Dr. Brian Harris is recognized as one of the nation's top cosmetic dentists. His process and unique approach to cosmetic dentistry is the reason why so many of his patients come from out of state to see him for their smile transformations. He has been featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine, New Beauty, marthastewart.com, Allure, Health Magazine, Modern Day Living, Oprah Magazine, USA Today, Newsweek, INC Magazine and various other publications. He is known as The Virtual Dentist and a pioneer in tele-dentistry after his creation of Smile Virtual. He is also the creator of the Snow Whitening System and Klen Products. Dr. Harris and his wife Maury have been married for 24 years and have four children.
“Building confidence is at the heart of everything I do. My main goal? To make everything as clear and simple as possible right from the start. I want you to know your options, the costs, and all the details without any stress, and all from the comfort of your own home. When we meet, we're ready to hit the ground running. Whatever your dental needs, I’m here to help, making sure everyone who walks through my door leaves with a smile they feel great about. Here's what sets me apart: I listen, I connect, I understand. There's no one-size-fits-all in my practice; there's just what works for you.”

"Best Doctor to Work For" with Dr. Lindell Kemmet

Dr. Kemmet grew up on a farm near Tappen, ND where his father farms and runs a water/irrigation well drilling company.  His father jokes that he stayed in the family business drilling holes.  The rest of Dr. Kemmet’s family, his mother and sister, are registered nurses.  It is easy to see why dentistry, with its hands-on, practical application to medicine was a draw to him with his solid North Dakota born and bred background!  
 Uniquely, Dr. Kemmet attended a boarding high school in West St. Paul, MN, St. Croix Lutheran High School, then received his degree in Chemistry from NDSU in Fargo.  He went on to receive his degree in Dental Surgery from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis in 2007.  Dr. Kemmet initially practiced in South Dakota for nearly 3 years with the Indian Health Service before joining a residency program in Oklahoma for an additional year after that.  He then moved back to Minneapolis for 2 years and worked for a large private practice group dental office, as well as for Children’s Dental Services, a low-income high-need dental service where he practiced throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul area in Head Start facilities, grade schools, and middle schools.  
 In 2012, Dr. Kemmet made the decision to move back “home” to North Dakota.  To him, Minot was the perfect blend of city and country. He purchased the dental practice of Dr. Curtis Kumpf, and within 18 months had relocated his practice, freshly redesigned by his friend Chris Hawley, to its current location in the heart of the Town & Country Center Mall.  
 Dr. Kemmet loves family time with his wife Grace and their three children, two dogs and cat. They are always finding ways to road trip for a hike in the mountains, fishing with his friends for charity, or finding a concert to attend. His life hobby has been prairie dog “hunting” which really is just long-distance precision shooting. They are currently enjoying gardening, home renovations, and anything else they can do together.
 Professionally Dr. Kemmet doesn’t seem to know the meaning of slowing down. He is always looking to advance not only his own knowledge, but the field of dentistry itself in the rapidly changing field of airway related dentistry and growth and development, where his passion lies. He has mentored classes at Spear Education in Scottsdale Arizona since 2010 in areas from same-day crowns with CEREC technology, to treatment planning, and now focusing on Airway. 
 In addition to running Kemmet Dental Design, Dr. Kemmet is working to change how dentistry is taught in ND. It was Dr Kemmet’s vision of helping our community of dentistry in ND through increased access to dental hygiene and assistant training.  He believes we have just scratched the surface of where we need to be.  He has a goal to double our Nursing classes in Minot as well as triple our Dental Hygiene and assisting classes to help alleviate our national shortage and grow our community.  To accomplish this, he envisions a full dental hygiene clinic where extern dentists from regional dental schools can complete their training and current dental assistants and hygienists from other areas in our country can also learn expanded function dentistry. This would help alleviate the demand for dental services in west and northwest ND and help our city and state residents with the best care possible.  Fires start with a spark, and he has no shortage of fire in his passion for dentistry. 
Marvel Comics has pitched a new superhero movie, though Dr Kemmet doesn’t want anyone to think that this is fantasy.  It’s for real life, as Bluey would say.

"Find Your Passion" with Dr. David Hornbrook

Dr. David Hornbrook is a gifted clinician and product researcher turned mentor. Through education, Dr. Hornbrook guides participants of his instructive events to the realization that they, too, possess the ability to practice aesthetic dentistry at the very highest level.
He is one of dentistry’s most famous faces and one of the pioneers of live-patient, hands-on clinical education, as the founder and past director of Pac-live and the Hornbrook Group. He has been a guest faculty member of the post-graduate programs in Cosmetic Dentistry at Baylor, Tufts, SUNY at Buffalo, UMKC, and the UCLA Center of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Dr. Hornbrook lectures internationally on all facets of aesthetic and restorative dentistry and has published articles in all of the leading dental journals. A prolific researcher and materials enthusiast, he consults with numerous manufacturers on product development and refinement. Dr. Hornbrook’s warm and engaging style earns him the highest possible marks from participants and meeting sponsors.
Education and Training
Dr. Hornbrook received his undergraduate degree from San Diego State University. He fulfilled his dental training and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1986.
In his commitment to continuing education, Dr. David Hornbrook became a Diplomate in the American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry (ABAD) after completing a 250-hour course and 500 question examination in 2018, meeting the ABAD's stringent criteria for technical expertise and natural artistry.
Achievements and Awards
Dr. Hornbrook is among the distinguished elite as 1 of only 62 dentists throughout the world who has achieved fellowship from the esteemed American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. In 1999, Dr. Hornbrook was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award GenR8TNext for Educational Excellence. Dr. Hornbrook received the Mentor of the Year Award Crown Council in 1997. As the founder of the Hornbrook Group, Dr. Hornbrook travels around the country spreading his knowledge and love of dentistry to various dental programs.
Previously the director and Founder of PAC-live and the Hornbrook Group, Dr. Hornbrook has a unique hands-on approach to clinical mentorship. Dr. Hornbrook further enhanced the growth and quality of dentistry around the country and the world through his membership with the Pacific Aesthetic Continuum, and through co-founding the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. Throughout his esteemed career, Dr. Hornbrook has trained and mentored thousands of other dentists to not only provide outstanding results but to pursue excellence in dentistry.

"The Creation of Espire Dental" with Dr. Jennifer Derse

Dr. Jen Derse loves creating beautiful smiles for her clients, restoring their self-confidence and happiness. She also knows more cow jokes than anyone…so try to top that! After dental school at Marquette University School of Dentistry, Dr. Jen focused her practice on cosmetic dentistry in Scottsdale and taught at the Arizona School of Dentistry. In 2010, Dr. Jen moved to Denver to join Espire Dental, formerly Levin Family Dental, where she has maintained a Top Dentist award by 5280 Magazine every year since that time.
Knowing every person is unique and beautiful in their own way, Dr. Jen completed the Kois Continuum (an advanced graduate dentistry program) and focuses her dental practice on esthetic and restorative dentistry. She loves puppies, traveling, cycling and spinning (you can ask how she fell off the spin bike).
She is actively involved in the Denver community, serving on local non-profit boards and fundraising with Smiles for Life. She has also gone on numerous medical missions to the Dominican Republic and Guatemala to provide dental care in needy communities. To build upon her service in non-profits, she started the Derse Levin Foundation, Espire’s philanthropic arm that funds humanitarian work along wzith local charities.
Fun fact: as a leading cosmetic dentist specializing in dental veneers, same day crowns, and Invisalign, Dr. Jen is often called up as an expert witness for dental cases presented to the Colorado Dental Board. (Cue the Law & Order drum beat…).