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:
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What is The DOC Podcast?
The DOC Podcast brings you unique educational content taught by Dr. Mike DeLuke, a Board Certified Orthodontist with over 20 years of clinical and academic experience. Dr. DeLuke built his orthodontic practice from scratch in the early 2000s and grew it into a multimillion-dollar enterprise in less than 10 years. He was able to retire from private practice at the age of 46 years old, and now devotes his energy to teaching his colleagues how to succeed both personally and professionally.
Dr. DeLuke has served as a faculty member at numerous hospitals and orthodontic residency programs around the country, including as the cleft craniofacial orthodontist at Albany Medical Center in New York, and as a clinical professor at The University of Connecticut in the Department of Orthodontics. He is presently an adjunct professor at Nova Southeastern University in the Department of Orthodontics.
The DOC Podcast will bring you in-depth discussions and interviews with industry leaders and experts on a variety of topics including clinical excellence, practice management, finance and wealth creation, health and wellness, taxes and accounting, fitness, and much more!