Board Profile: 4 Questions With Dr. Susan Blair by Sam Mittelsteadt

4 Questions With Dr. Susan Blair

Dr. Susan Blair is dual-credentialed in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics and applies that knowledge at two private practices she owns in the Chicago metro area: Hinsdale Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry (which Blair operates alongside Dr. Nick Riccio, her orthodontist husband) and Bloom Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. This makes Blair uniquely situated to discuss patient referrals between pediatric dentists and orthodontists from both sides of the equation; for more, see her article “The Human Touch.”

And click here to check out an Office Visit profile of the Hinsdale Ortho practice.

Your article mentions the potential behind in-person communication such as lunch-and-learns. In your experience as a pediatric dentist, how common are those types of meet-ups, and why are they effective?

Everyone is busy and lunches quickly get filled with plenty to do, but I think nothing beats face-to-face time. Getting to know the referring office’s team and providing information to them is important, so having a lunch-and-learn can be beneficial for both the referring doctor and the visiting orthodontist. It can be seen as a team-building exercise for the potential referring doctor (always a good use of time), and the team always appreciates a provided lunch.


By the time this publishes, your second child will have been born! You see patients at multiple practices, so how did you structure your maternity leave and coverage?

The downside of owning the place is that you can’t take time off—everything seems to come off the rails when you’re away! I plan to check in frequently and visit with the baby, but I have blocked out time with patients for five to six weeks, thanks to the support of my pediatric dental associate doctor and my husband, who has made himself available to see all the orthodontic patients at both offices. With my first son, I had just bought a practice and had a lot of pressure from the selling doctor, who had his own agenda, so I went back to work about two weeks after giving birth, which was miserable, especially with a first baby. Thankfully, this time around, I have owned both practices for a while and the transition has been much more relaxed at my newest office.

The upside of owning the place is that you can do whatever you want, and I plan to bring the baby with me—he might be strapped to my back or napping in the back room at the office!


You’re an animal lover. What sort of volunteer work do you do?

I am passionate about animal rescue! There is a huge crisis with pet overpopulation because so many people don’t spay and neuter their pets and still buy pets from breeders rather than shelters. My family fosters dogs, cats and kittens frequently through our awesome local humane society in Hinsdale. I also donate regularly to that humane society, one in my hometime of Oklahoma City (where I first learned about fostering and animal welfare) and two groups in Thailand.


Speaking of travel ... what’s next on your bucket list?
I've been fortunate to travel a lot over the years and hope to do more in the future, but practice ownership—even more so than being a parent!—has slowed me down for international travel.


My husband and I are planning a trip to Sedona, Arizona, to celebrate our 40th birthdays (they’re only four days apart!) with some of our closest friends. I’m also excited to visit the Grand Canyon for the first time and explore the vortexes and other natural wonders Arizona has to offer.

Sponsors
Townie® Poll
Do you have a dedicated insurance coordinator in your office?
  
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