Message Boards
Today's Active Topics Today's Active Cases Browse Forum Categories My Recent Activity My Messages Private Groups My Marked Threads My Subscriptions
Today's Active Images Today's Active Polls Most Active Topics Global Townie Map Advanced Message Board Search Message Board Terms of Use

Board Profiles: 3 Questions With Dr. Andrew Sarpotdar

Start Discussion
Orthotown Magazine

Dr. Andrew Sarpotdar may have a penchant for applying findings from Myers-Briggs Type Index assessments when figuring out how to improve interpersonal communication, but in his article “‘Type’ Casting," the Arizona orthodontist also cautions about using such types as a screening tool. “Our personality type is not who we are—merely a facade we develop in response to our environment,” he says. In our exclusive Q&A, Sarpotdar discusses how he has applied MBTI assessment results to his own practice, what he’s looking forward to at this year’s Mother of Pearls Conference and more.
How have you used Myers-Briggs Type Index assessments to positive effect at your practice?
Soon after my office started exploring MBTI, I promoted two of my employees to leadership positions at the same time. One of them was an independent and idealistic “Advocate” (INFJ), while the other was an authoritative and hierarchical “Executive” (ESTJ). In retrospect, it should have been no surprise when conflict arose around the ESTJ trying to assert dominance over the INFJ, in spite of them being in charge of independent departments. What in the past would have erupted into a major issue, with potential to lose one or more of my leaders, was resolved amicably as we talked through the perceptions and drives that had led to the altercation. Through empathy and self-awareness, we were able to resolve the conflict and it never arose again.


As the founder of the Orthodontic Pearls Facebook group and its annual meeting, what’s something you’re excited about for this year’s Mother of Pearls Conference in San Diego (Oct. 12–14)?
It has been a pleasure watching both the forum and the meeting grow and mature over the past five years. This year’s meeting in San Diego will be the best one yet in light of our exceptional speaker lineup and venue, but I’m most excited about reprising my role as a “Bite Straight Boy” in the all-orthodontist band Relapse. This year will include a Top Gun-themed performance on the USS Midway for all attendees. It’s going to be a blast!


Tell us more about your puggles, Chief and Lexie, who are regulars at Icon Orthodontics and inspired your “Puggle Patrol” kids club.
The puggles have probably been the most popular element of our practice since my wife, Dr. Jenny Sun, and I introduced them six years ago. They’re not officially designated therapy dogs, but they are certainly therapeutic for both our patients and our team! We started off keeping the dogs in the back office for team morale, but they soon became such a hit with patients that I constructed a fenced-off “puggle park” in an unused area of our office, where they stay throughout the day rather than roaming around and getting too friendly with patients undergoing treatment. A few years ago, we incorporated them as mascots in our observation program, which we call the “Puggle Patrol,” and they’ve been core to our practice identity ever since.
Orthotown Magazine
September 2025
Orthotown Magazine September 2025 Read Current Issue Read Archived Issues
Sponsors
Townie® Poll
Do you have a dedicated insurance coordinator in your office?
  
Site Menu
Message Boards Magazine Continuing Education Podcasts Blogs Classifieds News Events Townie® Poll Ebooks Townie Choice Awards
Company Info
Contact Us Advertise With Us Howard Farran DDS, MBA Policies and Agreements
Site Help
Sally Gross, Member Services Specialist
Phone: +1-480-445-9710
Email: sally@farranmedia.com
©2025 Orthotown, a division of Farran Media • All Rights Reserved
9633 S. 48th Street Suite 200 • Phoenix, AZ 85044 • Phone:+1-480-598-0001 • Fax:+1-480-598-3450