Leadership of Dr. Stanley Stein

Dr. Stein has been our family dentist for at least a decade. We went to him because he was recommended to us. We stayed with him because of his friendly, humorous demeanor and his conservative approach to treatment. His amicable staff reflects his personality! I’m confident you will be impressed, and will learn from Dr. Stein’s advice.
His office is at 2745 Sandy Plains Rd, Marietta, GA 30066. 770 - 977-1611.

Let’s talk about you!

• What or who inspired you to be a dentist? Was there an aha moment?

No one really inspired me. But I always knew I was very handy and mechanical and like science better than wordy subjects. I was a model car builder and I knew I had the hands.

• I see that you have a DMD degree. Is that a more specialized degree than DDS?

The DMD degree is not more specialized but does have a strong emphasis on the whole body as a system and not just concentrating on the mouth. The DMD integrates the oral cavity with the overall rest of the organ system.

• Did you ever think about going into other fields – medical or non-medical?

Yes, during high school I thought of becoming an anesthesiologist and medical career. But as time got close, I decided dentistry was a better fit for my lifestyle; fewer emergency calls and a more predictable day-by-day schedule.

• Currently you have a private practice. How long have you been in business?

I have had this office since 1978. Prior to that, I worked as an associate for one year with another dentist.

• What kinds of “day jobs” did you have before you started working in the dental field?

I worked in a gas filling station during high school and love working with cars. Later I work for an envelope company in the shipping warehouse department. I also work for a beverage company making deliveries to retail stores.

• How would you describe what you do?

As a dentist, it is my job to diagnose and treat all conditions of the oral cavity, including both teeth and surrounding soft tissues.

• You have an easy-going, yet spirited personality. Your staff is quite lively as well. Who did you get that personality from? Parents or you were just born with that nature?

My dad was very light-hearted and funny with a little bit of sarcastic wit. But I think I was born with this personality which has grown over time.

• My dad used to say, Dentists are the only doctors who operate on patients without the patients under anthesis. Is that true? Isn’t that scary for you doctor?

Yes, it is scary knowing that the patient may feel something. When I numb a patient for a procedure, I probably use more than necessary and I am very quick to ask the patient if they feel anything. Sometimes a patient does not want anesthesia and it takes the pressure off me because they know they may feel something but they are okay with it.

Some business questions:

• Did you work at a Dentist's office before you started your practice? How soon did you start your practice? 

Yes, I worked for another dentist for one year before starting my own office.

• What difficulties did you encounter in the first two years of private practice? 

The usual worries of wondering if you were going to have enough patience, but to be honest I had enough patience and did pretty well from the get-go! Hiring your first staff is hard because you do not have experience and you don't know what kind of help you are actually getting.

• What’s a typical work week like for you?

I have a great work week. I work Monday through Wednesday 8:30 to 5:00, off on Thursdays, and work Friday 7:30 to 1:30. I do not plan for particular procedures on any one day, I just take what I can get whenever it comes.

• What is/are the biggest issue(s) running a dental business?

I would say trying to keep all the staff and different personalities happy. Try to avoid “clicks” and favoritism.

• What advice do you have for small business owners to make a successful new hire?

I have been guilty of hiring the first candidate that I interview just to make it fast and easy. That is not the best method. You should talk to several candidates and take your time in deciding. References are not always quite true. So sometimes it comes down to experience and intuition and first impression of the particular candidate. If something does not seem right, you usually can not fix it. So, I would pass on that person.

• What is one way that operating a business today is the same as 15 years ago, and one way it's different?

The one way that is the same is always to treat the patient honestly and fairly. Patience knows when you are sincere. You don't have to jump into a huge treatment plan all at once. The patient will get the treatment when he or she is ready. What is different is having to deal with insurance companies and patients’ expectations of their insurance companies. We tried to make the patient aware of not trying to expect too much from their insurance carriers.

• How do you measure the value of a business – monetarily and ethically?

 I try to do the ethical values and the business and will take care of itself.

• How do you handle or what do you do if a patient disagreed with your assessment of his or her dental health? (handling difficult customers).

I don't have much of a problem with that because I am not over-selling and patients can see the treatment that I am recommending.

• How crucial are dental hygienists to your career?

The hygienist is a key member of the dental team. They clean, educate and inform the patient of many dental issues and keep teeth and gums healthy. The work they do is very time-consuming, so it freezes up the dentist’s time to work on other things and treatments.
 

• Are the dental hygienists, part of your team or independent of your team?

They are a part of the dental office team. On occasions, a fill-in hygienist may be required if the full-time/permanent hygienist has to be out for a reason. I prefer to have one hygienist so that the patients know and get comfortable with them.

• Who do you seek advice from in the dental industry? And Who did you advise? (mentoring in business).

Certainly, other dentists, lab technicians, or dental sales personnel. I teach at the Ben Marshall Dental Clinic which has associations will with the University of Georgia Dental College.

• What are the ways you employ to improve knowledge and keep up with current trends?

As part of dental licensure, 40 hours of continuing education is required every two years. Therefore, I am constantly taking courses on various dental matters to maintain my license. Before Covid, I would go to in-person classes, but now many classes are given online. Also, they are numerous dental magazine publications which can be very informative and educational. 

Time for leadership questions:

• Are leaders born or made? Some managers and owners think they are leaders. Is this true?

I think to be a leader you have to have a little extra edge, and I believe you are born with that edge. You can manage to a point but unless you take some leadership your work could collapse.
 

• Did you realize the value of leadership when you started your practice? What did you wish you knew (or had done) during college, after college, or even before college to gain leadership experience, relationship building…? This is could be advice you give children or (dental) students. Also, a reference to question #5 – have those jobs helped you?

Yes, you can gain something from all work environments. The main take away are being prideful and take ownership of what you're doing. Even lesser jobs require full commitment and attention to details to be successful. Boss can tell when an employee is committed to the job.

• What is your leadership style or leadership way? 

I tried to give some slack and freedom to the work environment but sometimes I am not strong enough and get taken advantage of, which can create bigger problems. I would not advise the “ostrich head in the sand approach” which I have been guilty of. It is hard to regain respect than to maintain and have respect at all times.

• Are character traits between successful leaders and successful entrepreneurs common?

I don't think so. You can be a good leader but not necessarily a successful entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship takes a certain amount of risk and chance that leadership does not always have to have.

• What advice would you give wannabe entrepreneurs?

Have all your ducks lined up. Think of all contingencies and what ifs. You may want to play devil's advocate with yourself. Things don't always go as anticipated.

• Have you ever failed? If yes, how did the failure set you up for later success?

Yes, of course. I will play back what went wrong and trying to stay one step ahead of the next time to prevent failure. Goes back to the question number 25, try to have a plan B, if necessary.
 

• Can you tell me about a tough day you had at work and how you (and your employees) pushed through (non-pandemic)?

There are many tough days, so they are in a way normal. We just tried to move on to the next patient and try not to let it affect your disposition on treatments for the next patient. Somehow the next day always seems not so bad.

Time Management:

• How do you manage your day and distractions? Are emails a part of this distraction? 😊

My day is usually a slower, calmed paced. So, there is room for some distractions. Yes, emails and YouTube can get you away from the minute-by-minute dentistry. Sometimes I like to be distracted. It is not always a negative.

• How do you avoid working on days off?

Very simple, I just don't! I rarely get emergencies and my normal work I can get done during the normal hours. 

• How much time off do you take a month and year?

Well, I am not a workaholic. But I also do not take many vacations. I never took too many extended vacations because of the economies of closing the office. I may take four to five days off yearly. With only working 4 days a week I do not feel over worked.

Let’s get personal and wind things down:

• Who are you most influenced by?

That is a tough one. I can't say anyone in particular.

• What motivates you?

My ego. I like the patients knowing I try to deliver the best dentistry I can. It is rewarding when you feel you have done a good and honest service to the patient. I take pictures of some of my cases and look at them from time to time and I am impressed that I did the work.

• Any good book recommendations?

 Nah, not much of a reader.

• What is an unusual habit you have?

Every morning I check the paper for editorial cartoons. I find them funny and humorous. I also must admit that I checked the obituary especially trying to keep up with patients.

• My son has completed the first half of his very first year at College. What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student about to enter the real world in a few years?

Keep the drive going. It may seem slow or the end may seem for the way. But it goes very fast. He may not realize it but those years are the best and most memorable and you will talk about that time forever.

• What advice should he ignore?

Get more sleep. Ha, ha

• Do you like sports? You are a big fan of…?

Yes, I like sports. My favorite is baseball. I'm a fan of the Braves and I love watching my grandkids play Little League. My grandsons are 9 years old and I am teaching them to play pool and they are getting very good.

• What is your favorite menu item(s)?

Tough question. I'm not picky and I like most all types of food. I tend to like Italian food with tomato sauce. One of my favorites is mesquite BBQ salmon on the grill, my specialty.

• Where are the best places you’ve ever visited?

I guess looking back I have been to more places than I realized. I have traveled to Italy, Greece, Canada, and all throughout the US. I think what sticks out in my mind is the Grand Canyon. It literally looks like a painting in the sky as a blue background.

• Let’s end this with a serious answer. What was the small step for you, that became the giant leap for yourself?

I would say when I decide to work for myself and not be under anyone else. There are too many opportunities and different ways to provide that I believe each practitioner must deliver their own style without worrying about a boss or someone looking over their shoulder. Actually, dentistry is a series of small steps that is when you put them together that is where you achieve success.