From Navy Dentist to Ortho-Driven Growth: Building a Thriving Practice in Small-Town Ohio | Dr. Craig Hewitt

In this episode of the Orthodentistry™ Today podcast, host Dr. Dan German engages with Dr. Craig Hewitt, a general dentist who has successfully integrated orthodontics into his practice. Dr. Hewitt shares his journey from dental school to serving in the Navy, where he gained invaluable experience working alongside specialists. After returning to his hometown of Eaton, Ohio, he took over a small practice and gradually expanded it, focusing on orthodontics as a key service. The conversation highlights the importance of continuing education, patient feedback, and adapting to the needs of the community in building a thriving dental practice. Dr. Hewitt emphasizes the significance of listening to patients and responding to their requests, which has been instrumental in his practice's growth. He discusses the transition from general dentistry to a more orthodontics-focused practice, explaining how he navigated challenges and learned from both successes and mistakes. The episode concludes with insights on the importance of investing in oneself through education and finding a niche in dentistry, encouraging young dentists to pursue their passions while providing quality care to their patients. Keywords orthodontics, general dentistry, dental practice growth, continuing education, patient care, orthodontic outcomes, dental community, practice management, dental innovations, dental career advice Takeaways "Orthodentistry is the future of comprehensive care." "I learned so much in that first year and it provided such a great foundation for me as general dentistry to move on and grow from there." "Experience is learning from our successes, but also learning from our mistakes." "Invest in yourself; it's the best return on investment you can make." "Listening to your patients is key to growing your practice." "You can provide a service that people value and want for their children." "I made a conscious decision to alter what I was doing to protect my physical self." "Confidence comes from experience, and we treat with a lot of confidence." "The beauty of general dentistry is finding where we want to focus." "It's about delivering holistic care to precious people with real lives." Sound bites "Orthodentistry is the future of comprehensive care." "You took a tiny little practice and added education." "My physical lifespan in dentistry has an expiration date." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Orthodentistry™ Today 01:01 Dr. Craig Hewitt's Journey in Dentistry 04:34 Transitioning to Orthodontics 08:12 The Importance of Continuing Education 12:22 Navigating Patient Needs and Referrals 15:06 Choosing Between Orthodontics and Implants 20:39 The Physical Toll of Dentistry 24:00 Growing an Orthodontic Practice 29:00 Advice for Future Dentists 36:09 Conclusion and Key Takeaways