Episode Overview: In this episode, I welcome Dr. Daniel Camacho, a board-certified orthodontist and owner of Forever Smiles Orthodontics in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Together, we dive deep into the realities of private practice ownership, financial independence, work-life balance, and the evolving landscape of orthodontics and dental education.

Guest Bio: Dr. Daniel Camacho immigrated from Colombia as a child, completed his undergraduate and dental degrees at the University of Connecticut, and earned his orthodontics certificate and master’s from Seton Hill University. He is known for his patient-centered, boutique practice model and his commitment to mentoring the next generation of orthodontists.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Dr. Camacho’s journey from immigrant to orthodontist and practice owner
• The decision-making process behind buying vs. starting a practice
• The impact of mentorship and residency experiences on career direction
• Financial literacy for dentists: lessons from "Rich Dad, Poor Dad"
• Good debt vs. bad debt, and leveraging business ownership for financial growth
• The importance of building assets, not just income
• Work-life balance and the “three cups” analogy: health, happiness, and money
• Building a strong practice culture, leadership, and team management
• The value of private practice in a corporatized dental world
• Differentiation through customer service and patient care
• The need for modernizing orthodontic education and embracing new technologies
• Early intervention in orthodontics and the importance of airway health

Takeaways:

• Private practice ownership is still viable and rewarding for new orthodontists.
• Financial discipline and asset-building are key to long-term success.
• Leadership and culture are the foundation of a thriving practice.
• Embrace change, invest in education, and always strive to improve patient care.

Special Mentions:

• Airway Palooza 2025: Oct 17-18, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Use code DOCPALOOZA for $500 off! (https://airwayhealthsolutions.com/palooza)
• More resources & CE: https://theorthocoach.com

📧 Contact Dr. Mike: drmike@theorthocoach.com
👥 Join the DOC Community on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16n4MR78DP/

👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes on practice management, financial tips, and clinical excellence in orthodontics!

Thank you for listening!

Don’t miss this fascinating conversation with the amazing and world-renowned Dr. Audrey Yoon!

We discuss:

• How Audrey’s journey in sleep medicine began and the role her training at UCLA played in that journey.
• The role that Dr. Stanley Liu played in Audrey’s passion for airway-focused orthodontic treatment.
• How an interaction with Dr. Christian Guilleminault (“CG”) changed Audrey’s life and launched her into a career focused on airway adult and pediatric airway.
• How Audrey and Mike were both inspired by medical colleagues to go out and teach about airway orthodontics.
• The challenges associated with using polysomnography and AHI classification for diagnosis of pediatric sleep apnea, and why CG expressed regret for creating an AHI scale for pediatric patients.
• The potential for a blood test that determines if a child has sleep apnea.
• Why it is logistically challenging and medically unethical to conduct a double-blinded RCT on the effects of with treatment and control groups.
• The plethora of literature that exists demonstrating the positive impact of expansion on airway patency.
• The difference between anatomical and neuromotor factors in the etiology of OSA/SDB.
• The role the dentist/orthodontist can play in the correction of anatomical factors that contribute to OSA/SDB.
• The recent position statement of the AADSM regarding the impact of different treatment modalities on OSA.
• The reason why many orthodontists remain reluctant to incorporate airway-centered treatment into their practices.
• Audrey’s message to the people who say that it is inappropriate or even malpractice to treat children under the age of 6yo.
• The fact that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry lists growth disturbances and airway problems as some of the considerations for treatment at any age that the issue is detected.
• Why Audrey sees a number of referrals from her medical colleagues seeking assistance with sleep-related breathing issues.
• What Audrey is working on now to advance the role of orthodontists in sleep medicine, including forming the World Dentofacial Sleep Society.

And much, much more!!

In this enlightening episode of The DOC Podcast, I welcome Beth Lambert, a prominent advocate for addressing the root causes of chronic childhood conditions. Beth, the founder and executive director of Documenting Hope, shares her extensive research on the escalating rates of chronic illnesses in children, such as autism, ADHD, and autoimmune diseases.

With a focus on personalized and systems-based treatments, Beth discusses the potential environmental stressors contributing to these conditions and emphasizes the importance of holistic healing approaches. This episode delves into the complexities of modern healthcare, the significance of the gut microbiome, the controversial effects of vaccines and fluoride, and the potential of emerging treatments such as photobiomodulation and stem cell therapy. Don't miss this vital conversation that aims to reshape our understanding of health and healing for the next generation.

00:27 Meet Beth Lambert: Advocate for Children's Health
03:42 Beth's Personal Journey into Health Advocacy
07:44 Challenges with Conventional Medicine
12:26 The Broken Healthcare System
19:38 The Rise of Chronic Diseases in Children
24:29 Exploring the Total Load Hypothesis
35:58 The Vaccine Debate and Health Policies
45:56 The Altruistic Nature of Healthcare Providers
46:37 The Broken Healthcare System
47:07 The Importance of Diagnostic Time in Orthodontics
49:02 Fluoride Debate: Safety and Efficacy
50:14 Public Health Policy and Fluoride
51:42 Personal Experiences with Fluoride
53:18 Diet and Oral Health
55:09 The Role of Sealants in Dental Health
59:08 Historical Perspectives on Tooth Decay
01:04:13 The Gut Microbiome and Overall Health
01:08:34 Sleep and Pediatric Health
01:16:28 The Future of Regenerative Medicine
01:21:56 Partnerships in Healthcare
01:23:38 Conclusion and Resources

LINKS:
Epidemic Answers: www.epidemicanswers.org

The Documenting Hope Project: www.documentinghope.com

A Compromised Generation: http://sentientpublications.com/shop/books/all-titles/a-compromised-generation/

Brain Under Attack: http://www.brainunderattack.com

Follow Beth on Socials: @documentinghope