About

Dr. Bob Margeas, a professor at the University of Iowa, Editor-in-Chief of Inside Dentistry, speaker, and educator, shares how he’s able to juggle everything while maintaining his private practice, Iowa Dental Group. He confesses that he was fired not just from his first job but from his second job, too, and shares the funny encounter that happened 20 years later. Despite a rocky start, he didn’t stop – which has paid off in the form of massive opportunities, growth, and success. Listen in to hear what Bob would tell his younger self if he could – and get a peek into what he’ll be sharing at The Exchange. Time Stamped Show Notes: 03:00 – Introducing Dr. Bob Margeas, a dental professional in Des Moines, Iowa, professor of Operative Dentistry at the University of Iowa, and Editor-in-Chief of Inside Dentistry 04:05 – What Bob did before dentistry 04:15 – He was a biology major and decided to take the test to get into dental school at the very last minute 06:30 – Bob’s dental confession 06:50 – At his first job, he did a filling for his girlfriend and gave her a discount even though his boss told him not to; he was fired from his second job, too 08:00 – When he was fired from his second job, he owed his boss $3,000; 20 years later he was at the Kois Center as a scientific advisor for composites and adhesives 08:30 – His old boss was at the Kois Center and heard Bob’s name at a symposium; they reunited and his old boss called him his “first associate” 09:20 – Until 2001 when he merged with the best dentist in Des Moines, he did well; but it didn’t take off until he found a mentor and was given an opportunity 10:10 – On making the jump to the aesthetic arena 10:35 – He was interested from the very beginning; in his first 5 years he had 500 hours and laid the foundation to be able to teach down the road 13:10 – If you have someone who believes in you, a lot can happen 13:20 – When aesthetic cases go wrong 13:25 – After 30 years of doing veneers, he still gets apprehensive when he’s going to seat 8-10 veneers; he doesn’t do them all at once 13:55 – If you’re not nervous, you’re not taking it seriously and that’s when things can go wrong 15:50 – On digital vs. analog impressions for implants 16:05 – The digital ones slowed him down because he works with just one dental assistant; he still uses analog dentistry 17:00 – Tim and Mike like digital; they say you can do 90-95% digital 18:08 – Bob has about $10,00-worthof parts and pieces for implants; the most profitable thing they do is posterior single-tooth implants 09:15 – When Bob got into implants and composites 19:30 – He started learning about implants in the 80s; he started placing implants in 2002-2003 and had a veteran as a back-up 20:30 – He restores implants and does about 200-240 implants a year 21:05 – He got into composites at the University of Iowa and took his first course in Chicago 3 times, then became an assistant 22:20 – He started lecturing in Canada in 2000 22:45 – On how he’s been so accomplished 22:50 – He was single and didn’t get married until he was 53; he had lots of time to write, research, and learn 24:02 – He got married in 2014 to a dentist; he now has two step-kids and flies back and forth from Iowa to Michigan where the family lives 25:20 – His practice is lean and mean; he implemented a bonus plan for his hygienists so they would be motivated to see more patients 27:20 – Now, there has never been a month where they didn’t hit bonus 27:50 – On the secret to success 27:50 – Happiness is the key to success; his goal is to educate the patient and have them accept the dentistry that they need 29:50 – When you feel bad for patients, bad things happen and you make bad decisions 30:45 – Advice for his younger self 30:50 – He would tell himself not to wait so long to start his own practice; he was an associate for a long time but you can make much more money as your own boss 31:30 – If he bought a practice, he would ask the cost of servicing the debt of that practice and if he could live off the rest after paying the debt 32:45 – Practice where you want to live and always look at the numbers and what you can make 33:10 – Bob is grateful for his mentors who gave him opportunities 33:35 – Some successes 33:40 – He’s fortunate to be a part of some prestigious dental organizations; he has a teaching center and is an expert in a town of experts 34:20 – He has an open door policy and helps people through cases; he recommends sharing information and is grateful for the respect of his peers 34:50 – On The Exchange, Smile Source’s annual meeting 35:08 – He’ll be talking about everyday dentistry in the morning; he will explain how he uses composite resin to alter the vertical/change the tooth shape to get people by 36:00 – He’ll show some live demonstrations in the afternoon and it’ll be interactive 3 Key Points If you’re passionate, people will want to share knowledge. Incredible things can happen with a mentor. When you feel bad for patients, you make bad decisions. Contact/Resources Timothy’s Family Practice – Chips Dental Mike’s Practice – Advanced Dental Bob’s Practice – Iowa Dental Group