Getting to Know Dr. Curtis by Alan A. Curtis, DDS, MS, Online Editorial Director, Orthotown.com

 

Introducing Our New Online Editorial Director
by Alan A. Curtis, DDS, MS, Online Editorial Director, Orthotown.com

Hello! I’m excited to formally introduce myself to the Orthotown community. My name is Alan Curtis and I am Orthotown.com’s new Online Editorial Director. I have been in the practice of orthodontics since 2006 when I graduated from my orthodontic residency program (Baylor College of Dentistry – the best orthodontic program in the world!). With so few years under my belt, I am humbled by the opportunity to be a part of such a great community! Like many of you, I have a great passion for orthodontics. I can think of no better career. I feel so lucky to have grown up in a family where my father was an orthodontist, otherwise I might not have come to know about this great profession!

Recently, while interacting with residents at the orthodontic program where I am an instructor, I was struck by the doom and gloom attitudes the other instructors were feeding to the residents. “The golden days of orthodontics are over,” they said. I choose to look at things differently! I love the challenges of running a small business and creatively coming up with ways to grow despite the “down economy.” Sure, running a business in hard economic times after spending 11 years in college with the associated six-figure debt load isn’t something I can shrug off but I choose to look at things in a positive light. We set our own hours, we decide what our work environment will be like and we get to choose our co-workers. We have the opportunity to interact with other educated professionals regularly. I am grateful to be able to provide a comfortable living for my wife, my three children and me. The “golden years” (that I never experienced) might be over, but look at the bright side, there’s only one way to go from here. In many ways I am grateful that I am an orthodontist at this time in history. The Internet, social media and study clubs make communicating with a vast number of orthodontists across the country and the globe possible.

I practice in a time that (with a CBCT in my office) I can easily see and predict the prognosis of an impacted cuspid. I practice in a time that I can pull out my Buck Rodgers diode laser and trim back soft tissue that gets in my way. I can use CAD/CAM technology to diagnose and treat problems more efficiently. Rather than adjusting headgear all day long, I can strategically place TADs to make anchorage decisions to expedite treatment or achieve treatment outcomes that are otherwise unachievable.

I love being involved in all that this profession has to offer. I am a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. I am active in organized dentistry and study clubs on a local, state and national level. I am a board member representing Arizona to the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists. I am a member of the AAO’s council on orthodontic practice. I value the ability to interact with my fellow orthodontists and dentists in person and online. In my opinion, this is one of the most rewarding aspects of our profession. I am always looking to meet new colleagues and discuss the practice of dentistry with them. I enjoy socializing with people who are like-minded and have the very same struggles and challenges that I face every day. When I was approached by Dr. Farran to participate further on the Orthotown team I jumped at the chance! I look forward to connecting with you digitally and face to face! Together let’s create the next golden age of orthodontics! See you online!

Alan A. Curtis DDS, MS
Curtis Orthodontics
CurtisOrthoAZ.com
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