Dr. Joseph Funderburk: Experiences on Buying an Existing Practice and Bringing an Associate on, as well as, Techniques for Implant Placement in the Posterior Maxilla Using Versah Drills

Today’s guest is Dr. Joseph Funderburk, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Specialist at Grand Junction Oral Surgery, Colorado. He joins us on the show to talk about running a practice and share some of his techniques for surgery procedures too. Dr. Funderburk received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (UCHSC) in Denver, and he kicks the show off talking about his education and plans to set up a practice in his hometown thereafter. Grand Junction is a small town and Dr. Funderburk talks about the challenges of inserting himself into the small community of oral surgeons there. He shares the story of how he eventually struck a deal with an older surgeon to buy his practice, thereafter partnering with him for many years, and why he is having to take on a new associate now. We speak to Dr. Funderburk about the challenges of running a practice, hearing him weigh in on some of the techniques he is using to market his business. From there, we take a deep dive with Dr. Funderburk into the world of instruments, anesthesia, and techniques around implants and bone grafting. Dr. Funderburk talks about his use of a precordial stethoscope, nasal hood, Versah drills for implant placement, and his protocol around drug administration for putting his patients to sleep. For all this and more, be sure to tune in today.

Key Points From This Episode:

• An overview of Dr. Funderburk’s education and experiences joining a practice after.
• The story of how Dr. Funderburk bought a practice from an older surgeon in Grand Junction.
• Reasons why typical partnerships don’t work and how Dr. Funderburk navigated this.
• How the first phases of the partnership worked out regarding logistics and staff.
• Why Dr. Funderburk ended up taking on a new associate who will become a partner at his practice.
• Some of the biggest challenges Dr. Funderburk faces as a practice owner.
• Systems Dr. Funderburk has put in place to market his practice; integrating his staff with that of other practices.
• The mission statement at Dr. Funderburk’s practice; ways his services go beyond what is required.
• Recent changes to Dr. Funderburk’s techniques and the benefits of these shifts.
• The protocol at Dr. Funderburk’s practice regarding administration of anesthesia drugs.
• Devices and setups Dr. Funderburk uses to administer anesthesia drugs.
• Why Dr. Funderburk had to work harder recently; how things are going with his new associate.
• Dr. Funderburk’s techniques for taking out upper maxilla molars; why he doesn’t use forceps.
• Approaches to grafting and implants at Dr. Funderburk’s practice.
• Techniques for implant placement in the posterior maxilla using Versah drills.
• Advice from Dr. Funderburk for future guests on this podcast.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Joseph Funderburk

Colorado State University

Versah

Grand Junction Oral Surgery

Dr. Grant Stucki Contact — 720-775-5843