Episode 31
31: The Key to Doing More Aesthetic Dentistry - Dr. Jason Olitsky
Jason Olitsky is a restorative dentist who knew he wanted to focus on the aesthetics of dentistry. He has been in practice for 11 years and focuses on improving his work and teaching other dentists to do the same. He has taken a unique approach and has focused on the all important aspect of video, photography, and presentation.
Having great pictures and videos opens up the communication with the patient and the lab and just makes outcomes more clear and predictable. Jason keeps all of his information organized in keynote and can easily pull it up whenever a similar case comes up. He focuses on perfecting his craft, using great equipment, having a studio with great lighting, and patient communication. In this episode, you will learn a lot about cosmetic dentistry by a young dentist who happened to write the book on it.
You can find Jason here:
Show Notes
[02:33] Jason has had a practice for about 11 years. His practice focuses on mainly aesthetic dentistry. He is a father with a five-year-old and an eight-year-old. His kids are also and take up a lot of his time.
[03:08] He and his family live very close to the beach and spend a lot of time there. He surfs and play soccer and travels around the lectures.
[03:44] Jason has been very intentional about the direction that he wants to practice it.
[03:52] Doing a lot of aesthetic dentistry is always work. There's the challenge of getting better and the sad times when there are failures.
[05:26] Restorative dentists can only get so far and then they are stuck and it's time to break through.
[06:10] The value of being good at photography and video to present cases to your patience.
[06:52] Jason needed to get a digital SLR camera and really know how to use it. You can use point and shoot, but at the end of the day, you need to step up to SLR.
[09:23] To get good at shooting pictures you have to have a high f-stop. 22 or higher for Canon and 32 or higher for Nikon. This gives you the deep depth of field that you are looking for to get all of the teeth in focus.
[10:43] What predictability means to Jason in his practice. There shouldn't be any apprehension, if there is, you haven't been going through the proper steps of predictability.
[12:01] The crucial steps in predictability include getting good preop pictures and sitting down with the patient and sharing areas where you can improve and areas where you may not be able to. Point out the areas where there could be compromises when you are finished.
[12:41] Patients appreciate you openly discussing areas where there may be a compromise in the beginning.
[13:27] Minimizing errors using photography.
[13:43] How it's important to get the expectations out of the patient and tell them what you can and can't do. Let the patient be part of the treatment planning process.
[15:14] One of Jason's treatment rooms is a photo studio. People see and expect to have their smile analyzed. Especially for aesthetic dentistry. Then they go through the pictures. The first day they sign a model release. It means they may share their pictures.
[18:59] Jason takes all the pictures of his patients in his practice. When he feels that a patient is uncomfortable smiling, he asks questions and is able to get the right pictures
[19:24] He takes a an abbreviated series for new patients. He also takes video too.
[20:42] Photography is the cornerstone to the whole thing.
[21:43] Photography has changed so much. It is more about presentation than anything else.
[22:27] Your pictures are almost as important as the cases you're working on.
[23:02] How to improve your photography and get to something that you would actually want to put in one of your lectures.
[23:14] Lights on extended bracket arms create more dimensionality.
[23:35] Diffusers also help make the picture more flattering. Studio strobes and umbrellas also soften the light even more.
[25:33] The best part of the photography is the communication part with the patient.
[26:02] Patients will mirror you. If you feel uncomfortable they will feel uncomfortable too.
[27:19] We don't give any special instructions for makeup.
[28:10] Patients have to come back for the post op. You can do the photo session then. Check the smile. If they have reservations it is not photo shoot time.
[30:07] He poses everyone the same just to see what happens. With portrait photography you get to be a Jedi and use your hands to direct a patient around.
[32:31] If you can get a patient to laugh, you can get a great photo.
[33:10] Patient go to questions. Connect emotionally to prepare for what they are there for. Talk about when you first noticed this concern.
[35:37] Ask someone how their smile has affected them. You're going to get a deep story.
[37:46] When showing pictures go back to the concerns that they have. How shorter teeth can mature the face. The teeth can be lengthened.
[39:06] Let the patient know that they are not in an isolated situation.
[40:16] All of his pictures and videos are in a keynote. He has all the information to show patients and to teach his courses.
[43:05] The importance of the perfect lighting for video. Get a camera that can autofocus in video mode. He selectively does video.
[44:17] Get a clean background. Use a sheet or a shirt taped on the wall. Paint a wall. Make a backdrop. Change the light. Don't shoot with the ring flash. Get a speed light and diffuse it.
[47:26] Photography is a skill you can get at without hurting anybody. Take your camera off automatic and shoot in different modes. Get confident and good at using your camera. Lower prices to make your smile designs when starting out.
[50:51] Jason and his wife created a book about cosmetic dentistry for patients.
[52:23] Jason travels with a group of dentists giving training courses. They drive around the country and bring courses to you. Clinical mastery courses.
Links and Resources:
The Naked Tooth: What Cosmetic Dentists Don't Want You to Know
Canon EOS 80D Digital SLR Camera Body (Black)
Nikon D7200 DX-format DSLR Body (Black)
LumiQuest ProMax Pocket Bouncer Kit with Gold & Silver Inserts
