Dr. John White discusses how his experience in the US Air Force and CE pursuits have shaped his practice.

 

What can you tell us about your background?

 As are most orthodontists, I was at the top of both my college and dental school classes. I joined the US Air Force to hone my dental skills in a general practice program where I hoped I would be chosen for sponsored specialty training. My efforts and test results were rewarded with the opportunity to train at Case Western Reserve’s orthodontic program. During my 12-year Air Force career, I was honored to serve as a Consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General, and as staff orthodontist at both Walter Reed Army and Bethesda Naval medical centers, as well as two Air Force medical centers. I chose to return to my home in northeast Ohio in 1988 to raise my family and to fulfill a promise to my old instructors at Case by joining the faculty in the Department of Orthodontics. In my 20 years as clinical professor, I’m very proud to have been involved in the education of more than 100 orthodontists and to be honored twice as instructor of the year. More recently, I have been invited to speak at universities and professional meetings nationally and internationally. 

 

When did you decide to become an orthodontist and why?

Becoming an orthodontist is something that I chose even before I was in college, while undergoing orthodontic treatment myself. The combination of art and science, the impact on other’s lives, and the long-term relationships with patients and their families was just what I wanted in life. 

Is your practice limited solely to orthodontics?

In a general sense, yes, but I also provide a significant amount of TMD and sleep apnea therapy. 

Why did you decide to focus on orthodontics?

I chose orthodontics because it offered me the greatest fulfillment of my love of esthetics and design. As an orthodontic specialist, I can make a difference in peoples’ lives that affects those around them as well. 

Do your patients come through referrals?

Yes and no. I enjoy very strong referrals from patients and their families. I treat a lot of family and staff of other dental professionals, but the referrals from dental colleagues has been affected by the economy and by consultants advising general dentists to offer three names. Consequently, I have begun to market myself directly to potential patients through radio and cable TV to broaden my patient base (successfully, I might add). 

How long have you been practicing orthodontics, and what systems do you use?

I have been exclusively practicing orthodontics for 30 years. I currently use 3M Unitek’s SmartClip™ and Clarity™ SL brackets. I am the leading Invisalign® (Align Technology) provider in northern Ohio. I recently added SureSmile® technology (OraMetrix). I offer lingual appliance therapy with 3M Unitek’s Incognito™ system. My imaging utilizes the Galileos CBCT in both offices with both Sirona’s proprietary imaging software and Invivo’s Anatomage. The office runs on OrthoTrac (Kodak Dental Systems by Carestream Dental). 

What training you have undertaken?

Initially, I got thrown into the deep end of the swimming pool during my first tour as a military orthodontist.  I was the support orthodontist for the orthognathic/craniofacial/OMFS programs at Walter Reed, Andrews, and Bethesda. I was intimately involved in a couple of hundred orthognathic surgeries with over a dozen different oral surgeons in less than 2 years. During that tour, I was able to attend Dr. Ricketts’ BioProgressive long course. My next tour taught me to deal with every possible treatment plan and bracket system in use in 1984; that is, I was overseas, and I inherited several hundred transfer patients over 3 years. Since then, I completed the Roth-Williams 2-year course, Ron Roncone’s management courses (x3), Herbst courses with Dischinger and Mayes, Hilgers’ Non-Compliance Appliance course, and more TMD courses than I care to recall, including Grummons, Okeson, and Williamson. I was the first orthodontist to complete the first four Neuromuscular Core courses at LVI, as well as the K-7 training course. 

Who has inspired you?

My father John White (artist, engineer, and man of complete integrity), Gene Williamson (my first orthodontic instructor and consummate gnathologist), Milt Rabine (an instructor in my residency who was as passionate about orthodontics at 80+ as anyone I ever met), Ron Roth (discipline and focus on “the goal”), Uncle Ron Roncone (who taught me to view the bigger picture and set an example that I can only hope to emulate), Anoop Sondi (outstanding clinician and outspoken advocate for orthodontic excellence), Clayton Chan, Mike Mazocco, and Robert Jankelson (three geniuses who taught me neuromuscular occlusion), and Tony Robbins (nothing like walking on glowing red-hot coals barefoot [x4] to make you confident in any situation). 

What is the most satisfying aspect of your practice?

Having the resources to purchase and utilize truly state-of-the-art equipment, and to attend the best courses taught by exceptional people to elevate the level of care that I provide. 

Professionally, what are you most proud of?

The friendship of outstanding colleagues, the insights that they have shared, and the ability to provide care that goes far beyond just straight teeth and a healthy, functional occlusion. I change peoples’ lives! 

What do you think is unique about your practice?

The integration of gnathology and neuromuscular principles to guide TMD therapy and orthodontic care. And unsurpassed integration of advanced technology dedicated to providing the best comprehensive care, loosely based on an orthodontic model. Cone beam 3-D technology for imaging/diagnosis, including condylar position and airway, etc., 3-D imaging for treatment planning and progress monitoring, both for fixed and aligner therapy, 3-D modeling for treatment planning, and execution with Invisalign® and SureSmile®. 

What has been your biggest challenge?

Up until now, it has been remembering to stay profitable as I add expensive technology for my own reasons while patients and their parents just want a better smile and have a vague belief that all orthodontic care is basically the same. But, it is becoming more a matter of finding the time and energy to do even half the things that I still want to do. 

What would you have been if you didn’t become a dentist?

A cosmetic surgeon! 

What is the future of orthodontics and dentistry?

To survive and thrive, orthodontics must stop the march towards generic care. If “good” orthodontic care is based solely on a magic bracket, with a perfect generic prescription, brackets placed precisely that don’t fall off, and a magic generic arch wires/archform, without IPR or extractions (even when needed), and a lack of concern for joint and muscular function, why go to a 2-3 year residency?

The future of orthodontics is going back to the basics of individual comprehensive diagnosis and treatment planning based on information from the best tools available, and utilizing the best customized appliances.

As for dentistry, the same holds true. 

What are your top tips for maintaining a successful specialty practice?

Constant and never-ending improvement is based on attending the best continuing education that you can find, both in your area of expertise and any topic that touches it, and acquiring the best tools available. 

What advice would you give to budding orthodontist?

Invest in yourself with CE, and stay focused, yet balanced. 

What are your hobbies and what do you do in your spare time?

What spare time? (I’m not balanced – Do as I say, not as I do!) My wife and I travel. 

Top Ten List 

1. CBCT – Sirona Galileos
2. Intraoral Scanner(s) OraMetrix® and Cerec AC®/Blue Light
3. SureSmile® Technology
4. Invisalign® (You must go to the TREAT facility in Costa Rica to open your eyes)
5. Soft tissue laser
6. UltraLow frequency TENS and K-7 Computerized Jaw Tracking and EMG
7. MicroScrews/TADS
8. SmartClip™/Clarity™ SL/3M Unitek Curing Lights
9. Herbst/Forsus
10. Sesame Communications™ 

Dr. White received his BS Magna Cum Laude in 1974 from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). He graduated with a DDS in 1997, Cum Laude, from Ohio State University, and an MSD in orthodontics from CWRU in 1982. He served in the US Air Force Dental Corps from 1976-1988 and has been in private practice in suburban Cleveland since. He is an Associate Clinical Professor at CWRU, a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, and a Premier Elite Invisalign® Provider. He has two offices (10 years old and 3 years old). He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.bracesbywhite.com.