The Most Interesting Dentist in the World

By DDS Jack Von Bulow

So, believe it or not, this is my third book. I’ve written a weekly column for local rags since 1998. And prior to my early monthly spots for our local Chamber publication, I can honestly confess I never saw twenty years of published writing coming.

For the last twenty years, family has remained my story, my mission, and my passion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jack Von Bulow, DDS
• Release date: Nov 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9781732372511

DDS Jack Von Bulow

Dr. Von Bulow was born, raised, and still lives just outside of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley; he's practiced restorative dentistry there, after founding Temple City Dental Care, for just over 40-years. And although 40-years of anything translates into a certain chronological result, Dr. V assures us his physiological number lands somewhere near the number itself. Dr. Von Bulow received his Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Los Angeles and his DDS degree from the University of Southern California and is intent on continuing to learn. The Temple City Dental Care intention is "Making a world-class difference for others and making Dentistry fun." And Dr. V. is blessed with a team that can make patients feel safe and liked on "Hello." The TCDC commitment is helping patients become their own best healthcare advocates; and the commitment extends beyond the dental practice as doctors and team participate in multiple community projects, often initiated by team members. Dr. Von Bulow is a member of the Academy of Laser Dentistry, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the Crown Council; he's also a Board of Directors member of the American Academy of Clear Aligners where Dr. V also mentors other North America Invisalign orthodontics providers. Von Bulow and Team have earned awards for service, teamwork, and Invisalign care; doctors and Team commit to more than 100-hours of training per year. In his spare time, Dr. V enjoys reading, going to the movies, and following USC Trojan Football; he exercises at a level the uninitiated might consider obsessive-compulsive. Von Bulow has written a weekly column for local rags for over 20-years; he's published three books, including "Can We Smile?", "Molar Jockey Memoirs" and now, "The Most Interesting Dentist in the World" (based on one of his columns and the fact he won a t-shirt in a video competition.) Dr. V's written perspective is all his own, coming from the lighter, humorous side but also embracing an opinionated view of a decidedly big picture. Dr. Von Bulow asks, "Why not practice effective business, healthcare, and dentistry within a culture of love, humor, and compassion? And maybe some Trojan Football domination.

Book preview

c h a p t e r   o n e

No Problem in Paradise

SO WHEN I OPENED THE DOORS in Temple City, the likes of Kanye and Tom Brady hadn’t even been born…but they both knew just as much about business as me.

One month into my providing dental care for pay, I thought I was doing alright. But then The Man hit me with stuff like payroll tax and worker’s comp insurance.

And if there’s one thing I can say about the practice-management education I received in dental school (right across the street from the Coliseum), it was that the faculty totally made sure we weren’t over-prepared.

Fast-forward 20 years, and, for the first time in my adult life, I actually boarded a plane seeking continuing education outside of LA County. Three of us headed out to Canmore, Alberta, Canada; we were looking for information, inspiration, and help. We learned systems, practiced verbal skills and talked about marketing. It was the training that had been missing for a couple of decades…and we haven’t stopped since.

I read Napoleon Hill’s visionary Think and Grow Rich, became part of a mastermind group of like-minded colleagues, and my team and I engaged the community. We developed an intention: Making a world-class difference for others and making dentistry fun. My first mentor with no Von Bulow DNA encouraged me to write, and I’ve missed only a few published weeklies since 1996.

Writing was probably the substitute for all of the serious counseling I needed but never got after some tough family times. My big brother died the year I applied to dental school; my dad died — before my eyes — three months into my new practice. I was caregiver for my mom’s last ten years. What was most important and vital to my existence was my family…and it was gone.

Relationships didn’t work because of my fear of loss and their fear of playing second fiddle to my caregiving or my ghosts.

And just when I was resigned to never getting close and never being happy, something crazy happened. And then it happened again…and again.

As I focused on business and learning, I found myself in the company of like-minded people I couldn’t help but grow to love. It was as if they could all do family, caring, and fun the way Pavarotti could do Ave Maria.

And over the past year, my team and I have worked hard, lived our intention, and saw family in ourselves, our patients, and our community. We also hit some impressive goals. Last week we celebrated with laughter, a few tears, and even a head-first launch off of a 40-foot tower and down a 4,000-foot zip line.

We weren’t leaving anyone behind; we had one another’s backs, and together, we all experienced some breakthroughs…even though we didn’t always agree on stuff 100% of the time.

But isn’t that what family is all about?

c h a p t e r   t w o

All in the Family

IF YOU’RE ANYTHING LIKE ME, there are probably some dates on the calendar that rack up way more anticipation endorphins than you’ve ever likely scored spinning on a stationary bike in a roomful of mirrors.

And there are times when I can get slightly linear, like I’ve been stuck on The 405 at 6PM…for a week. But when doubt seems to be transitioning to burnout, I source the spirit of legendary USC Coach Pete Carroll because, …something awesome is probably coming right around the corner.

Last week, something awesome happened in Washington, DC (and who coulda seen that coming?). It was time for the GP Invisalign Summit and a chance to be reunited with a family of colleagues. Our inner circle of 26 presidents is composed of professional cousins who are smart, funny, loyal, and generous; they lead with their hearts.

Somehow, I was drafted into the elite group while nature called, and nobody was making eye contact with anybody. And it’s really cool, even though I remain the oldest guy in the club.

We have a leader who calls himself The Wolf, has cajones the size of basketballs (figuratively), is really smart, has an x-ray vision of the future, lives on Long Island and does stand-up comedy. He can also teach the way Elvis could move…for a white guy.

We love Invisalign care, and we’re freakin’ good at providing it. And who knew you could transform lives with plastic?

Two years ago, I made it to the stage for the Invisalign Summit Shootout, a competition featuring the four top Invisalign cases completed over the preceding two years (I lost to a skinny guy with skinny pants and an accent). This year, I didn’t make it to the Final Four but managed two of the top sixty…and I think I see Pete Carroll comin’ around the corner.

My two semi-finalists had their lives forever changed. Chris has become a true scholar…with a smile; Ming now has a social life (and should probably owe me ten bucks for every date he successfully negotiates).

Turns out, my case from two years ago was also in play. Over some red wine and popcorn and wearing hooded owl pajamas (don’t ask), a dentist introduced himself and then asked how 2015 patient Jessica was doing (with a singing career, a marriage, and a baby on the way, Jessica’s doing just fine). My new dentist buddy from San Jose had shown his patient the video of my Jessica presentation, and now someone’s family photos, job interviews, smile, and life will never be the same.

When you can be part of something bigger than yourself and make a difference for the family you serve, the family of which you’re a part, and even people you don’t even know, you have a legit shot at fulfillment.

Years ago, I heard Anthony Robbins speak of fulfillment. Robbins shared that the rich, the famous, and the privileged still commit suicide. People who are fulfilled seem to learn the true value of life…and have a chance to live life to the fullest.

So here’s to fulfillment! And here’s to family!!!

c h a p t e r   t h r e e

Long Distance,

Calling the Universe

SO EVERY MORNING, on walking through the office door, I check in on what’s up with the Universe. And it’s cool because the Universe sends me emails…as in "TUT: A note from the Universe (www.tut.com)*."

And what I’ve learned from Tut is that the Universe is a lot like my mother: it’s good at making me feel guilty.

Having recently spent considerable time thinking about stuff I never thought I’d experience in a million dog years in the U.S., I knew I needed a good, stiff, 100-proof shot of the Universe to get me back on track. So I looked up what the Universe had told me on my birthday.

Every burden bears a gift, Jack, every challenge brings a treasure, and every setback hides a blessing.

Is it just me, or do time and space sometimes seem far too good to be true?

"Hallelujah,

The Universe"

And to make it worse, the Universe always signs off with, Thoughts become things; choose the good ones. Dang it!

Last week, the CEO of a top global dental-manufacturing company came under fire, mostly from my colleagues, for sharing and speaking his conscience…through a full-page ad in USA Today.

Dr. Dan Fischer founded Ultradent Products, Inc. 38 years ago in his garage with the help of his children. Today, the company lives up to its mission to Improve oral health globally through science, creativity, and education by being a world leader in developing high-tech dental materials, devices, and instruments. The company and its leader also have a long history of reaching out to help others. In fact, for the last several years, Ultradent has contributed its top whitening product, Opalescence, to our Smiles for Life campaign. And I wish appreciating a company with a conscience wasn’t so special these days.

The one-page ad shortly followed the weekend of intolerance, hatred, violence, and racism in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dr. Fischer’s essay addressed the president’s response and expressed an incompatibility of his and the country’s core values with those of the chief executive. Fischer wrote of his respect for the presidency and love of country. But if Dr. Fischer met the president, he would simply turn his back and, ideally, face the flag.

Too many of my colleagues seem either to embrace the president’s behavior and approach or are not willing to rock the boat while Nazis and Klan members are identified as some fine people and racist sheriffs are pardoned. For me, it’s odd that someone can spend eight years in college and have more tolerance for someone like the current president than they can muster for Dr. Fischer. One of my cherished mentors taught me, You teach people how to treat you; seems like