Practice Profile – Dr. Juan-Carlos Quintero

What can you tell us about your background?

Son of an ophthalmologist, I come from a pretty diverse cultural background, being raised partially in South America and partially in North America.

I quickly learned that the world is a very diverse place, requiring the ability to adapt to changing environments and different ways of living.

I think I am the epitome of the multicultural American citizen in modern U.S. society.

Why did you decide to focus on orthodontics?

Intellectually, it was the most stimulating of the dental specialties for me. I think it was also a personality-driven decision. I love engaging with many different types of people and clinical challenges in a single day. It’s like every patient is his/her own little challenge and television series with a new episode every 6 to 8 weeks. I think every orthodontist can relate to this. The only problem is my gas tank is pretty empty come 6 o’clock.

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

I graduated from the University of California at San Francisco ortho in 1998 so I’ve been in practice now for about 15 years. I use a combination of many different systems, but mostly the fixed straightwire appliance. We know appliances don’t move teeth; orthodontists move teeth. Some systems are more efficient than others.

What training have you undertaken?

Besides my traditional residency program, I’ve taken The Ron Roth Course, The Andrews course, The Roncone course and most of The Pankey courses in Key Biscayne, Florida. Of course I maintain current ongoing continuing education meetings such as the AAO.

Who has inspired you?

My father mostly, and then my orthodontic mentors such as Dr. Ron Roth, Dr. Larry Andrews, and Dr. Ron Roncone.

Team Quintero: Niña, Gloria, Loly, Maggie, Lily, Natalie, Meylin, Osiris, and Grace

What is the most satisfying aspect of your practice?

Although it sounds a bit cliché, the personal interactions with patients from all walks of life, especially in a place like Miami. I am really fortunate. Of course, making a noticeable difference in people’s lives is such an unbelievable honor. Recently, rediscovering orthodontics through the eyes of CBCT (i-CAT®, Imaging Sciences International) is right up there on the list, too. It has allowed me to slow down and really “see” my patients and get to know them better, anatomically and behaviorally. CBCT has made practicing orthodontics more satisfying because I feel I am helping my patients more as I see more, and know more. My growing interest in airways and airway-driven treatment planning has brought a whole new level of excitement to my job and a more profound service to my patients.

Professionally, what are you most proud of?

There have been many things from publications, lecturing, organized dentistry, and teaching.  But most of all, I am proud of my commitment to always do what’s best for my patients, despite challenging forces such as increased competition, managed care, changing trends in the delivery of orthodontics, and corporate entities wanting to intervene in how we treat patients. Most patients aren’t dentists and don’t know any better. I think it is really about always treating patients with dignity and with their best interest in mind.

What do you think is unique about your practice?

I think it’s a very high tech/high touch practice. Technology has always been a CBCT technology. As a result, I am treatment planning very differently now. We’ve reverted back to a two-step consult. We have the patient return back for a second treatment conference visit, and our conversions are above 90%. I was taught, and for many years, I treatment planned from the outside in. I looked at the face, the smile, and then slowly worked my way inward towards the teeth, gums, bone, etc. Now, I do the exact opposite: In order, I start with the airway, the paryngeal airspaces, sinuses, TMJs, skeletal relations, alveolus, root health, then move on to the pretty little white things we call “teeth.” This is pretty unique compared to how I used to practice using traditional 2D imaging.

What has been your biggest challenge?

I would say my biggest challenge has been learning to say “no.” It’s an honor when someone asks you to give a presentation or write an article, but there are only so many hours in a day. Running a busy practice, raising a family, teaching, and being involved in the community is a lot of fun but very time consuming.

What would you have become if you had not become a dentist?

It’s hard to imagine being anything other than an orthodontist. But I think if I had the talent, I would have become a professional musician or electronic DJ. I love music, it’s actually a big part of our practice, and patients ask me all the time about our music selection, which I carefully select. I particularly like the piano; the only problem is I was never very good at playing it

What is the future of orthodontics and dentistry?

Of course, computerized dentistry and virtual treatment planning is the trend. The dentist or orthodontist of the future will be the most computer savvy one. As CBCT machines, intraoral scanners, and 3D imaging software continue to evolve, they will replace panos and cephs, impressions, and human errors. Look for continued individual customization of orthodontic delivery systems such as SureSmile^™ (OraMetrix) and Insignia^™ (Ormco) using accurate root information derived from CBCT and Anatomodels^™ (Anatomage).

What are your top tips for maintaining a successful practice?

It’s relatively easy to be successful and make a comfortable living as an orthodontist in due time. But complacency is a dangerous thing. I would say don’t get too comfortable with your success. Maintain an unparalleled commitment to excellence and constant improvement. Our practice motto and our mantra is “Align yourself in excellence.” Offer the best treatment, the best equipment, the best technology, the best staff, the best facility, the best patient experience, and charge for it!

What advice would you give to budding orthodontists?

It’s so hard coming out of school now because of the mountain-size debt most graduates encounter. But be patient, focus on gaining valuable experience first, and a good salary second. Question everything you think you know, and get ready to really learn. Dr. Ron Roth used to tell me, “Don’t focus on the dollar sign.” Dr. Lindsey Pankey used to tell me, “If the money is in your heart, they’ll see it in your eyes.” My father used to tell me, “If you’re good at what you do, the money will come.” All three were right on target – best advice!

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

Lately, it seems that raising three young, beautiful kids takes every bit of free time and energy. But a perfect weekday for me begins at 4:30 a.m. — I go to the gym, come back, and “juice” using freshly picked produce from my organic vegetable garden to help fuel my 80-patient per day schedule. Weekends, I enjoy nature walks, photography, and an occasional scenic ride through the Everglades with the kids in our new, prized orange Jeep named Orange Steam.

TOP 10 FAVORITES:

1. My family
2. My patients
3. InVivoDental from Anatomage
4. AnatoModels from Anatomage
5. I-CAT^® 3D cone beam imaging from Imaging Sciences International
6. My music collection
7. My organic vegetable garden
8. Movie nights with my kids
9. My new orange Jeep Wrangler
10. AirFloss from Phillips/Sonicare