Thomas Giacobbi, DDS, FAGD
Editorial Director,
Dentaltown Magazine |
Life as a dentist can be lonely. In spite of our advancements in technology, products and processes, the profession often behaves like a cottage industry. I consider myself very fortunate that I have successfully bucked the trend. Since graduation from SUNY at Buffalo in 1995, I have worked in group settings. My dental resume includes a taste of everything dentistry has to offer. I worked as a public health service extern the summer after my junior year, completed a two-year general practice residency, was an associate dentist for two years, then relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, where I worked in a “corporate dental” office for two years before I found the best job in dentistry – associate dentist with Dr. Howard Farran. This was a turning point in my career. When I started work at Today’s Dental, Howard was preparing to launch Dentaltown.com. The little cottage industry was about to lose its walls. However, the key decision that has the biggest impact on my career path was personal. I married my dental school sweetheart in 1996, and in 2001, with two children and a third on the way, we did the most logical thing a dental couple could do – we opened a practice from scratch. Five years later we are continuing to grow at a breathtaking pace.
Why am I sharing my story with you? It is the basis for my new column in Dentaltown Magazine. In this inaugural column, I want to describe my plan and goals for this monthly feature. I have served as editorial director for this fine magazine since 2003 and the industry access provided by this position, as well as my experience as a full-time practicing dentist (four days/week), puts me in a position to have something to share. Needless to say, Dentaltown.com and Dentaltown Magazine have given every dentist the opportunity to share their trials and triumphs, to ask for help and provide assistance.
I will share stories from my practice and share the solutions that have worked and the ones that have failed. In that same spirit, I want you, the reader, to send me your problems, and I will provide insight and suggestions for a solution. I will also provide research for an answer when necessary. Please contact me via email at tom@dentaltown.com.
When it comes to new products, dentists are naturally skeptical; I am no different. If I have discovered a new product that is particularly special, I will share the information here. These will be products and services that I use in my own practice, and I am a tough customer. In fact, quality and customer service are two of my favorite issues.
This sharing and discussion has a distinct goal – to encourage your participation in our Web community. Dentaltown has grown to more than 80,000 members since Howard and I first met eight years ago. We have something to offer everyone via message boards, case presentations, continuing education and much more. One of our most exciting annual traditions is the Townie Choice Awards. This month we will post the ballot on our Web site and begin the process of determining the best products and services according to our community. No other award in dentistry provides such a clear picture of the best products in dentistry. Your participation improves the results, so please take the time to cast your votes. We have designed the ballot to be completed in small bites. Each set of questions can be answered in a group, and you can revisit the ballot several times. With the 2008 national election currently in the news, you are already well aware of the value of your vote. Please take a moment to share your thoughts with me on any topic, and I will do my best to address the topics in this space every month.
Thanks for reading. |