Introducing Our New Online
Editorial Director
by Alan A. Curtis, DDS, MS, Online Editorial Director, Orthotown.com
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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
Facebook.com/Curtis.Orthodontics
Linkedin.com/in/dralancurtis
Youtube.com/CurtisOrthoAZ
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