The famous chef Emeril Lugasi was famous for his signature phrase about how to maximize the pizzazz of his cooking. He would also say, "This is how we kick it up a notch--BAM!" as he through a spice of some source into the pot. We can do this in our practice too.

The late Albert Schweitzer, famous theologian, philosopher, and philanthroper once told a friend of mine, Hugh O'Brian, something very profound that changed Hugh's world view and encouraged him to begin the Hugh O'Brian Foundation (https://sites.google.com/a/hkuyl.org.hk/hkuyl/about-us/what-is-hoby) that has fostered leadership potential in sophomore high school students for decades. I have stayed in contact with Hugh over the years on occasion and have learned valuable lessons from him through our friendship. As many of you know, Hugh O'Brian played Wyatt Earp on the '50s television show and in several movies with another slightly better known actor, Ronald Reagan.

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One of the most memorable discussions I had with Hugh was many years ago over lunch at a leadership seminar that I attended, where he was present. He just happened to sit down to eat at my table. There was a lot of small talk, and he told me about time he had spent in Africa with Albert Schweitzer (http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1952/schweitzer-bio.html), a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. I was fascinated. As Hugh got up from the table, he said, "Let me leave you with the parting words of Dr. Schweitzer as I left him in Africa... 'Now that you have the knowledge about what needs to be done, it's up to you to decide what to do with it."

So, most of us on SpearTalk have spent countless hours, time away from our practices and families, and thousands of dollars in continuing education to reach this level of care that we can provide to our patients. In fact, I added it up a few years ago, and I have actually spent more on CE over the past 18 years than I invested in dental school! It's amazing that many of us, including myself, still have a hard time implementing what we learn along the way. We build roadblocks for ourselves like "My patients can't afford it," "I don't have a lab that can do that," "Insurance won't pay for it," etc. In reality the problem is central.... centered right between our own two ears!

One of the best ways I know to break the roadblocks is not to spend more on marketing, not to take more CE that we still don't implement, and not to rationalize why people don't do what we suggest. It's simply this: Place yourself in the hands of a skilled master dentist who is great at doing what you would like to do. Learn what it's like to be the patient and experience the awards that come with a master's touch. Take care of your own dental health before you even attempt to sell your awesome training and skills to others!

I was reminded recently how fortunate I am to have had many mentors along the way. Remember this.... Every person on the top of the pyramid has many shoulders to stand on--every one of them is critical to the success of the pyramid. One of those mentors has become a great friend and my personal dentist--and he is a master. Several years ago, I asked him to help me with headaches I was having, which lead to a discussion about occlusion and a workshop in occlusion where I deprogrammed my own muscles and mounted my case. He then recommended orthodontics to me, which, of course, I emphatically declined. The final treatment plan was for him to equilibrate me, which he did in front of the ADA Annual Session on an IMAX-like movie screen. Let me say, please, that was intimidating! However, his calm demeanor made me feel comfortable and at ease at my most vulnerable time. Earlier this week, he examined me again. You know what? My occlusion is just as stable now as it was 8 years ago when he adjusted my occlusion.

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Gary DeWood is my dentist, and I love what he has done for me!

While I'm far from the master that Gary is, I can't help but think that my experience in his hands continually impacts my understanding of what my patients experience and my enthusiasm in presenting optimal care according to the principles I've learned through Pankey and SpearEducation.

So, get out there and kick it up a notch! If you need dentistry done, what obstacles are you subliminally creating to presenting optimal care to each and every one of your patients? Find a great dentist, and get the work done that you want to provide for your patients. It really helps when you can say to your patients, "I had this same thing done, and it's the best thing I ever did!"

Thanks, Dr. DeWood, for being my dentist!