Member Spotlight: Dr. Elizabeth Vivona Dow - Finding Purpose through Dentistry Reprinted from November/ December 2024 Newsletter

Dr. Vivona did not know that she wanted to be a dentist. She wanted to be an artist; however, coming from a family of musicians, she was encouraged to pursue science and received a degree in chemistry on a pre med track. Not wanting to spend her life in a lab, she took off to Peru and taught English at Lima's Instituto Cultural Peruano Norteamericano for four years. 

She decided to return to the US to go to medical school, but her trajectory changed after reading a blog by a woman who switched from medical to dental because it satisfied her desire create art and work with her hands. This blog resonated with Dr. Vivona and she quickly changed her course and pursued a dental career. Fueled with a new passion she sent out a bunch of resumes to local dentists looking for any position in their office. Starting as a sterile tech for minimum wage, she soon was promoted to dental assistant for the office's periodontist. After a year in the dental office, she moved to Baltimore to attend dental school.

Dr. Vivona graduated from University of Maryland School of Dentistry at the top of her class. During her senior year she was inducted into the prosthodontics honor society and participated in a dental implant internship. During her residency at University of Colorado she became IV sedation certified. 

Dr. Vivona is passionate about helping people who are scared of dentists because she can help make them feel comfortable enough to get their dental work done, "I've always sought purpose in my life. Being able to help dental phobic patients, special needs patients and even other local dentists with their more challenging cases, gives me that purpose."

Another way that Dr. Vivona helps her patients who are nervous about having dental work done is by using a therapy dog. Although Dr. Vivona's Carolina dog, Otis, was not intended to be a therapy dog, she noticed how he would try  to comfort her daughter when she was upset. So now Otis helps patients by allowing them to scratch his ears or placing his head in their lap until they are comfortable, after which he goes to sleep. The office teases that the dog gets to sleep on the job!

Dr. Vivona recently partnered with Dr. Harmeet Kaur. This has allowed both women to share admin duties, cover each other for  vacation and to be present for their young daughters. Dr. Vivona says, "It's nice for both of us to share our gripes and triumphs with someone else who completely understands!"

After meeting her husband, Dr. Andrew Dow during their Colorado Residency, they moved back to Andrew's hometown, Eugene. Although, Dr. Vivona had pictured herself living in Colorado to enjoy skiing there, she has learned that Oregon Skiing isn't too bad and is happy that the dental community here is much more close knit than she had experienced in Denver.

One of the biggest challenges for Dr. Vivona is balancing motherhood and work. When her daughter was younger she had associates working in her office, allowing her to work only 2-3 days a week. With her daughter in school, Dr. Vivona now works a four day a week schedule and takes time off when needed so she can be present for her daughter's school and sporting events. Dr. Vivona and her family all enjoy outdoor activities together including hiking, camping and downhill skiing.

In 2022, Dr. Vivona and her daughter became Italian citizens. Her husband will be eligible to apply for citizenship through marriage in a couple years, but will need to pass an Italian proficiency test first. Having EU citizenship has allowed Dr. Vivona and her family to dream of a ski cabin in the Alps. Should her daughter, who loves languages and traveling, wants to study in the EU that will be an option for her as well.

Member Spotlight: Dr. Kim Kutsch, owner of Oral BioTech, Shares Wisdom and Advice Reprinted from September/October 2024 Newsletter

On August 10th, Dr. Kutsch Kutsch welcomed Lane and Southern Willamette Dental Societies for lunch and a tour of Oral BioTech. His company makes Carifree products. The meeting was held in their fulfillment building in Tangent. Dr. Kutsch and his VP of Operations, Brian, gave the tour. The tour included the quality control lab, where products are tested before being approved to be shipped out, and the fulfillment area. All those who came to the social went home with Carifree product samples. How was Dr. Kutsch inspired to create Carifree products? 

Dr. Kutsch practiced dentistry for forty-two years, building his first practice in Corvallis with longtime friend Steve Long in 1979. Dr. Kutsch also met Dr. Bill Blatchford early in his career and appreciated his mentorship. Bill had a philosophy about only working three days a week. So, early on in Dr. Kutsch’s practice, he followed Dr. Blatchford’s recommendation and got his schedule down to three days a week. 

Working three days a week may seem counterintuitive; however, Dr. Kutsch said, “Dentistry is so consuming, emotionally and physically.” A dentist works with patients during one of the most stressful parts of their week and may have to give patients news they do not want to hear. Working three days a week gave Dr. Kutsch time to recharge and sharpen his mind, making it easier for him to deal with challenging situations when they arose.

 Less time in the dental office also allowed Dr. Kutsch time to invent and pursue his other business ventures. He became very interested in using lasers, becoming one of the first dentists in the country to use them. When he started working with American Dental Laser, he felt that the handpiece they made was awkward to use. He told the company engineers what was needed to make the handpiece work better in a patient's mouth; however, they didn’t improve it. Dr. Kutsch then realized he could design his own business, and his first business was launched. His mind was opened to the possibilities of building and creating anything. He went on to create more businesses throughout his career. 

Dr. Kutsch devised four criteria for whether he would build another company. First, it had to be something he was passionate about. Second, it had to be something that would allow him to be the best in the world. Third, it was something that would be fun. Fourth, it could be done without venture capital. 

Dr. Kutsch advises dentists considering starting their own company not to give up their day jobs until their new income replaces their current income. The odds of new companies surviving are not very high. If one is building something that involves the dental industry, it could be a good idea to stay in practice, even if it is just two days a week. When Dr. Kutsch designed new products, he could get immediate feedback from patients, and often, patients would have no problem giving him biofilm samples for his research.

Dr. Kutsch also recommends the book The Art of Impossible, which looks at human performance potential and gives strategies to unlock one’s full success. The book shares how your curiosity leads you to your passion, leading you to a life purpose. 

This philosophy is reflected in Dr. Kutsch’s latest company, Oral BioTech, and how it evolved from his curiosity regarding caries. He couldn’t understand how his patients were getting caries even when doing everything they were supposed to do. He felt as though he was missing something, and he took two years to study the issue of caries intensely and concluded the answer was to change the mouth's pH. Whether it was a result of medications, lack of saliva, or too much sugar, it still was all in relationship to the pH. 

So, Dr. Kutsch decided to look for the best pH product on the market but discovered that they were all very acidic. Out of his passion came Carifree products, which attack tooth decay using its elevated pH system to help balance bacteria levels to create a healthy mouth and prevent cavities. This is the work that has become Dr. Kutch’s life purpose, “I’m having so much fun. I just turned 70 and I’m having more fun now than I’ve ever had in my life and I’m doing my best work."

Member Spotlight: Drs. Norm and Ryan Magnuson Father and Son Living and Practicing the Magnuson Way

Magnuson Dental’s original location on Delta Oaks Drive in Eugene was opened in 1982. This office was Dr. Norman Magnuson’s first dental practice. Their second location in Harrisburg opened in 2019 after Dr. Ryan Magnuson, Norm’s son, joined the practice. Their dental practice encompasses general, family, and Cosmetic dentistry.

Dr. Norm Magnuson took his son Ryan on dental trips starting at the early age of 12 to places like Mexico, Russia, and Nicaragua. These trips were about more than just dentistry; they were able to provide a much-needed service in underserved areas.  This service-oriented approach is ingrained in the Magnuson practice philosophy. The father and son have done nine trips together. These international experiences laid a foundation for their collaborative work at their practices.

Another important aspect of the Magnuson’s philosophy is to create a work environment that feels like an extension of their family life. Work-life balance is important. Norm’s wife, Debby, has been the office manager for many years, and his children have also worked in the office at one time or another. Their patients are also cared for like they are part of their family, and many have become multigenerational clients. Dr. Ryan Magnuson shared how he and his siblings would jump off the roof of their father’s clinic, much to the amusement of patients.

One noticeable innovation is the practice’s incorporation of therapy dogs. Having a well-trained dog available for work can help alleviate the anxiety that some patients feel about dental visits.  “Our dogs are a big hit with patients, especially kids,” Ryan explained. Additionally, having dogs at the office helps create a calm environment that addresses the emotional needs of their patients. They also make a note on a patient’s chart if they have any issues with dogs so they can be mindful of when not to have a dog present when they come in. The dogs are also trained never to enter the treatment areas.

Dr. Norm Magnuson made sure to avoid pushing his son into dentistry. Instead, he helped make sure that Ryan explored all his interests. Initially, Ryan seemed more interested in becoming a veterinarian or a medical doctor, but later, during his sophomore year of college, he decided to go into dentistry.  Like his father, Ryan encourages his children to explore their interests and, at the same time, focuses on instilling the values of hard work and service. He coaches a variety of sports year-round, spreading his values beyond his family and into his community. He is the type of coach who wants everyone on the team to have a good, positive experience playing sports and values this over winning the game.

Member Spotlight: Seth Holland DMD AKA Dr. Bert Walpack reprinted from LCDS May/June 2024 Newslsetter

Lane County Dental Society has a comedian in its membership. Eugene dentist Dr. Holland moonlights as Dr. Bert Walpack when performing comedy. He has an upcoming show, Oral Fixation, at the Olson Run Comedy Club on July 18th. This would be an entertaining event for dentists, assistants, and hygienists. Why not plan a fun night out for the whole dental office?

Dr. Holland's practice is Mount Pisgah Family Dental in Eugene. Although he grew up in rural New Jersey, Dr. Holland has lived in Oregon since 2007 and graduated from OHSU in 2013.  He has advanced training in IV sedation, dental implants, and pediatric dentistry. He is also an Academy of General Dentistry Fellow. Dr. Holland's family enjoys outdoor activities such as skiing and mountain biking. They are also Oregon Duck Basketball fans.

Oregon is your second home state; how did you end up here? Do you still have family in New Jersey? I grew up in northern New Jersey and it was real pretty. There  is a lot of farm land there and it reminds me of the Willamette Valley. I moved to New York after college to be an engineer but after a few years I decided to switch careers to become a dentist. I wanted to move to either Colorado or Oregon to go to dental school so I chose Oregon because of its proximity to the ocean and at the time I was really into track and field.

It sounds like your family loves the great outdoors. Did you play any sports or ski when you were younger? I played a lot of basketball when I was growing up but I also did some downhill skiing. The snow in New Jersey and the East in general is very icy and not great for carving turns I feel spoiled skiing out here since I have yet to ski on  sheet of ice in Oregon.

Why did you choose dentistry as a career? Are you the first dentist in your family? I was working as a fire protection engineer but not loving the job so I took a career test and it pointed me towards dentistry. I am not the first dentist in my family. My grandfather Albert Holland had a dental practice in New Jersey for 30 years.

Are there any areas of dentistry you are interested in or want to do more of in your practice?I take a lot of classes with the Oregon Academy of General Dentistry so it’s a great birds eye view of what types of care you can provide for your patients. Currently I’m spending a lot of my learning about oral facial pain.  

When did you first start getting into comedy? When I lived in New York City after college I did it for three years but then I took a 10 year break when I got busy with dental school and having a family.

When did you create your stage name, and what inspired you? I use a stage name because I was pretty bad at stand up when I restarted and I didn’t want people to find out how bad I was. No one wants to see their dentist dying on stage.

What is the funniest thing about dentistry? I like reading the notes the hygienists write regarding the personal affects of the patients like: “Patient has a cat named Trudy and won a hot dog last summer on vacation in Iowa.” You read the notes and you’re like ‘how would someone describe me in two sentences to make my dental seem more magical?’ 

Do you have any advice for dentists who want to make their practice more fun for themselves, staff and/or patients? I guess its obvious that you need to hire people you like being around so that its fun to come to work. Also I think you got to keep taking continuing education so you always have something you are excited about in dentistry.

Is there anything else that you would like to share about yourself? I  performed in the Hell Yes Comedy Festival, the B4Udie Comedy Festival, the Portland Maine Festival and Don’t Tell Comedy shows. 

Member Spotlight: Dr. McCully Celebrates the End of a 50-Year Dental Career Reprinted from Lane County Dental Society March/April 2024 Newsletter

 "A big reason for my success has been my staff over the 50 years that I practiced. Many of them worked with me for many years, and to them, I owe a huge debt of gratitude. After retiring, much to my surprise, many of them showed up at my home for my retirement party. I am truly blessed."

As a young man growing up in Eugene, George McCully ran an Oregonian Paper route for nine years, participated as a camp counselor at YMCA Camp, obtained The Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout rank, and represented South Eugene High School as the snow skiing state champion his senior year. After high school in 1968, he began as a Pre-dentistry major at the University of Oregon, with late admittance, "No one told me that one needed to apply for college. I just assumed that after grade 12, one became a Freshman at the U of O." He worked his way through college, including working summers at the cannery until receiving a "Co-Step" position his junior year of dental school with the Indian Health Service's dental clinic at Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in North Dakota. After graduating from dental school in 1973, Dr. McCully was awarded an Internship/General Practice Residency at the IHS hospital in Gallup, New Mexico.  He married his wife, Diane, and moved back to Eugene after he completed his internship and graduated from dental school in 1974. 

Setting up his practice from scratch was challenging for Dr. McCully. His new practice was 500 square feet and located at 1374 Willamette. Soon, the couple had a new daughter.  The McCully family adopted a frugal lifestyle with a diet full of powdered milk, canned applesauce, and corn on the cob. How times have changed! Back then, Dr. McCully owed $11,000 after graduation between his truck and school debt. His first house with two bedrooms and one bath was $22,000, and a gold crown was $95!

In 1985, Dr. McCully moved to his new office at Spencer View Dental. This latest move allowed him to expand; however, it added additional financial pressure and stress. Although all may have seemed like it was going well for him, he felt burnt out after 15 years of dentistry. He worked long hours to make more money: 6 days a week, with 12 hours a day staying open on Thursday evenings and Saturdays.

Dr. McCully credits his Practice Management Study Group with helping him develop a new approach to scheduling that would allow him to take more time off, and at the same time, be more productive through working six weeks and taking the seventh week off. The head of his study group said if he tried this strategy, he would see that he would make as much or more money working fewer hours. For Dr. McCully, this turned out to be true.

Dr. McCully attributes the blessings he received through opportunities others gave him, seeing more in him than he saw for himself.  He received his fellowship and mastership in the AGD because The Executive Secretary of AGD, Bernie Taylor, believed in him. Dr. McCully helped mentor Harry Alber's Study Clubs and joined his group The Academy of Cosmetic and Adhesive Dentistry, later serving as its president. He served as an ODA Trustee and also served as a member and President of the Oregon Board of Dentistry. He was also honored by the AGD as the Oregon General Dentist of the Year in 2022.

Now Dr. McCully is retired and looks forward to his future, traveling with Diana and spending a lot of time on their boat. One of their upcoming trips is planned for Roatan, an island of the north coast of Honduras.

Member Spotlight: Dr. Mariya Costa, DMD - Amazon Creek Dental, reprinted from LCDS January/February 2024 Newsletter

Dr. Mariya Costa has always been interested in medical sciences. As an undergraduate at the University of Washington, she studied microbiology to go into dentistry or medical school. What attracted her to dentistry was that she could help people in a very real way. Before college, she worked as a dental assistant; during college, she volunteered at a dental clinic at a church. Before going to dental school, she worked in a pathology lab for three years.

Mariya went to Roseman University College of Dental Medicine in South Jordan, Utah. Before starting her studies in Utah, she traveled with a friend to all the national parks in Utah, including Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park.  While in Utah, she missed the coast and the Pacific Northwest.

Dr. Costa met her husband, Edward, in North Bend after moving to Oregon after dental school. Their first date was a double date with their dogs at the beach. Edward had a chocolate lab, and Maria had a black lab. Although they spent a lot of time at the beach calling their dogs to come back, they found that they really enjoyed their time together, and now they are married and proud parents of two labradors and a cat. Edward spent ten years as a firefighter and paramedic. He worked in an urgent care clinic before assisting his wife as her Clinic Administrator at her new practice, Amazon Creek Dental. His computer expertise and technical prowess have been an asset to the clinic. During their off hours, the couple enjoys hiking and visiting local restaurants.

Mariya is now beginning her second year at her practice. The first year was an exciting time full of learning what she needed to know about running her own business.   She discovered that there is a big difference between being an associate and owning your own practice.  She recommends that anyone considering starting their own practice take time to talk to other new owners and ask them questions. She also recommends spending as much time as possible at the practice you are considering purchasing. On a working day, you can see how the operations run and meet the staff.

Member Spotlight: Dr. Erica Crosta reprinted from November/December 2023 issue of Lane County Dental Society's Newsletter

 

I am an Oregon native! I grew up in the Portland area and have always loved this beautiful state. I earned my Bachelors of Science from Oregon State University and then transitioned to Oregon Health and Science University for my Doctorate of Dental Medicine. After earning my dental degree, my husband and I moved to Nevada so I could attend the University of Nevada for my Masters of Science and certification in orthodontics. 

We couldn’t stay away from Oregon so we moved back and lived in Bend for 6 years where I was an associate in a private practice. January 2023, we decided to make the move over the mountains to be closer to family and friends and we are very excited to call Eugene home. 

When I am not working at Oregon Family Orthodontics, you will find me spending time with my beautiful family! My husband, Trevor and our two boys, Nash (almost 4 years old) and Knox (almost 2 years old). We are always looking for adventure; hiking, camping, swimming, snowboarding, surfing, pretty much anything outdoors. We are very excited to be a part of the Eugene community and look forward to exploring everything it has to offer!