Dr. Victor Martel, a general dentist practicing in Florida, is back on the Everyday Oral Surgery podcast with Dr. Stucki for another round of expert insight. This time, he’s here to talk about comprehensive treatment planning and how surgeons can work with the GP to provide excellent patient care. Tune in as Dr. Martel defines comprehensive treatment planning and big-picture dentistry, explores how it can grow your practice, and unpacks the key barriers that hold clinicians back from putting it into action. Dr. Martel deep dives into grand rounds and how they fit into this conversation, shares a key frustration he sees with All-on-X cases, and breaks down his initial comprehensive patient exam, including what he calls the ‘tour of the mouth’ at the second visit. He emphasizes the critical role of communication between GPs and specialists, and underscores the need for clinicians to invest in educating themselves and their teams on comprehensive treatment planning. Don’t miss this insightful episode and a powerful reminder that when we work together and keep the big picture in mind, that’s where the magic happens!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Welcoming back Dr. Vic Martel, a general dentist practicing in FL.
• How Dr. Martel defines comprehensive treatment planning: big-picture dentistry.
• Where generalists fail (even at the very first visit).
• How comprehensive treatment planning can grow your practice.
• We look at the barriers holding clinicians back from doing comprehensive planning.
• Looking at patients from a comprehensive standpoint, and his definition of holistic dentistry.
• Why he believes first-time patients should not be brought to the practice for a cleaning first.
• His thoughts on how a specialist could help a general dentist comprehensively plan.
• We deep dive into grand rounds and how they fit into this conversation.
• Dr. Martel shares a pet peeve: all-on-X cases.
• A tour of their mouth: a breakdown of how he structures a comprehensive dental exam and what makes it effective.
• He explains the permission statement.
• Why it’s essential to include specialists in the communication of the comprehensive plan.
• The main summary take-home point Dr. Martel wants listeners to walk away with: learn to comprehensively plan treatment.
• Where to learn more about Dr. Martel and his courses.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Victor Martel on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-martel-dmd-91431922

Dr. Victor Martel on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/drvicmartel/

Dr. Victor Martel Email — martelacademy@gmail.com

Martel Academy — https://www.martelacademy.com/

The Dawson Academy — https://thedawsonacademy.com/

Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/

Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.com

Dr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059

What does comprehensive treatment planning look like, and how can specialists and general dentists design it together? In this episode, Dr. Grant Stucki sits down with Florida general dentist and educator Dr. Vic Martel to unpack the ins and outs of comprehensive treatment planning. Dr. Martel explains why many dentists were never taught comprehensive planning in dental school, how this leads to a reactive mindset, and why slowing down to assess occlusion, periodontal health, joints, and restorative needs as a whole improves outcomes for patients and practices. Together, they explore real-world barriers and practical solutions to comprehensive treatment planning and the importance of surgeon-led education and interdisciplinary planning. Dr. Martel shares how he runs new-patient exams and builds trust with patients while coordinating with specialists. He also explains how investing in your referral network can help a practice grow and how a thoughtful, comprehensive treatment plan makes life easier for everyone on the team. Tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Comprehensive treatment planning and why many dentists are underprepared.
• The difference between “tooth fixer” dentistry and being a “physician of the mouth.”
• Learn how comprehensive treatment planning benefits patients and practices.
• Find out about the biggest barriers to comprehensive treatment planning.
• How comprehensive planning impacts case acceptance, treatment, and patient outcomes.
• Hear how generalists and specialists can work together to design a comprehensive plan.
• Explore the history behind grand rounds and why it is an effective educational tool.
• Important considerations around implant solutions and the risk of removal.
• He shares his comprehensive dental exam setup and his overall approach.
• Discover how shared plans improve coordination, referrals, and patient confidence.
• Final takeaways and why dentists should focus on educating their referral network.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Victor Martel on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-martel-dmd-91431922/

Dr. Victor Martel on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/drvicmartel/

Dr. Victor Martel Email Address — martelacademy@gmail.com

Dr. Victor Martel Phone Number — 561 602 7222

Martel Academy — https://martelacademy.com/

Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/

Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.com

Dr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059

Tori removal may not be the most glamorous procedure, but it’s one that demands skill, patience, and careful preparation. In this episode of Everyday Oral Surgery, host Dr. Grant Stucki welcomes Dr. Richard Akin, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Baton Rouge, to explore the nuances of managing these challenging cases. Dr. Akin reflects on lessons learned from early practice with his father, the unique anatomy and patient factors that complicate these cases, and the importance of knowing when removal is truly indicated. He shares practical techniques for both maxillary and mandibular tori, from flap design to instrument choice. Dr. Akin also discusses the realities of insurance coverage and billing, and how reimbursement rarely reflects the complexity of the work. Along the way, he emphasizes patient communication, setting realistic expectations for recovery, and taking the time needed to avoid complications. Tune in to hear insights that can help you refine your approach and set patients up for better outcomes!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to Dr. Richard Akin, an OMS in Baton Rouge.
• Dr. Akin’s early training with his father and transition into solo practice.
• Why tori removal remains a core responsibility of oral surgeons.
• Indications for removal, from hygiene challenges to painful ulcers.
• Preparing patients for recovery and setting realistic expectations.
• Step-by-step techniques for removing maxillary and mandibular tori.
• Managing thin tissue, closure difficulties, and post-op care.
• Instrument choices that make tori removal safer and more efficient.
• Strategies to minimize tearing and ensure proper healing.
• Recognizing rare complications such as flap necrosis.
• Why suturing technique and flap care are critical to healing.
• Dr. Akin’s range of patient stories, from food entrapment to denture challenges.
• Typical healing timelines and patient resilience after surgery.
• Insurance coverage and billing realities for tori removal cases.
• Dr. Akin’s favorite books, hobbies, and daily practices.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Richard Akin — https://www.drakin.com/
Dr. Richard Akin on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-akin-644aa932/

Dr. Richard Akin email — rick@drakin.com
Dr. Richard Akin Powerpoint —

7 Goldman-Fox Knife — https://www.hufriedygroup.com/en/dental-knives/7-goldman-fox-knife

1/2 Orban DE Knife, EverEdge™ — https://www.hufriedygroup.com/en/dental-knives/1-2-orban-periodontal-knife-0

Forceps to extract tooth number five —

Hearts in Atlantis — https://www.amazon.com/Hearts-in-Atlantis-Stephen-King-audiobook/dp/B0000547DG

Surrender — https://www.amazon.com/Surrender-40-Songs-One-Story/dp/B09ZK1XJ4X

Hidden Potential — https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Potential-Science-Achieving-Greater/dp/0593653149

The Overstory — https://www.amazon.com/Overstory-Novel-Richard-Powers/dp/039335668X

Breaking Bad — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0903747/

Better Call Saul —