Membership

As a member of DDSmentoring.com you will have unlimited access to the website. You will have a priority status when communicating with Dr. O'Brien. This means that if there is an urgent issue requiring counsel with Dr. O'Brien, you will receive an answer within 24 hours or sooner. You will have downloadable access to all videos and publications from the DDSmentoring.com Library. There will be ongoing educational conversation in the Forums. Most important, as a member you become Dr O'Brien's personal project for one year. Dr. O'Brien prides himself on being able to assist you in incorporating implants into your general practice. Every implant case that you submit to Dr O'Brien will be treatment planned and packaged so that your case presentation is complete and professional. All cases will be reviewed in detail via a one-on-one basis. You will receive private tutoring from the first incision to final cementation. Every detail of the case will be covered. In the event there is a complication, Dr. O'Brien will assist you in the management of each situation. Your cases will be world class and presentation ready. Dr. O'Brien will also assist you in ordering materials or product necessary to complete each case. Only members will be offered hands on training in advanced surgical procedures. You will be able to arrange private surgical instruction on your patient in Dr O'Brien's surgical theater for the price of the surgery. This allows you to learn on your patients without the out-of-pocket high price of other training facilities.

With you membership, all fees associated with all day seminars given by Dr O'Brien will be credited to your account so that there is no additional cost for attendance. Dr. O'Brien will make an assessment of you general practice and make suggestions for additions or modifications of your current procedure to increase your production. Past members of DDSmentoring.com have seen a 20- 30% increase in gross in the first year simply by being open to change and ready to learn. Your membership benefits go far beyond this explanation, but that will only be realized once a member.

Dx & Tx Planning

Members will be able to upload their Dicom files for evaluation and case planning. When the case is uploaded, Dr. O'Brien is notified via e-mail that a case is ready for his evaluation. Once the case is completed and ready for review, the member is notified that Dr. O'Brien is ready to meet and go over the case. A time is then arranged when both doctors are available for 1 hour period of time. Members are then allowed to share Dr. O’Brien’s screen over the Internet and treatment plan their case using the leading 3-D imaging program, Anatomage. During this training session, all aspects of the case will be discussed in detail. The discussion of the surgery is completed from initial incision to final closure. During this private consultation members will also be allowed to ask specific questions related to software applications, methods and materials, latest literature support, and details related to staff and case management. These private sessions are an invaluable resource into Dr. O'Brien's 30 years of experience with dental implants and managing his general practice.

Literature Review

Everyday Dr O'Brien reviews the major refereed Journals. On a weekly basis he selects those articles related to implant dentistry that will edify the membership. He then publishes the PDF file in the DDSmentoring.com Literature Review Library. This Library is organized by the date that the paper is published. All members will have unlimited access to this library as well as the ability to store or download each paper of interest free of charge. Dr. O'Brien believes that constant awareness of the most recent publications is what separates him from other implant doctors. You will always have the ability to stay on the cutting edge of well refereed publications as well as being able to apply this knowledge into your daily routine.

Professional Forums

As a member you will have access to two professional forums. The first forum is called the Case Forum. The Case Forum is created by Dr. O'Brien as he posts the most recent diagnosis and treatment plan completed for one of the members. With his posts will be a detailed explanation of preoperative and postoperative parameters as well as any photographs used to treatment plan the case. In the case forum, other members will be allowed to comment on the treatment and asked questions in a running dialogue identifying each doctor's statement. Dr. O'Brien is able to oversee the comments and intervene where he feels it is appropriate. The second forum will be called the Doctors Forum. In the Doctors Forum each member will be able to post their own cases. This could range from an implant case that they are currently treating to a perio surgery or full mouth reconstruction that they wish to discuss with the group. Other members will be able to comment on the cases in the doctor's forum. This interactive forum brings general practitioners together for the purpose of learning together. The group benefits from the vast range of experience and diverse education as Doctors share their knowledge.

Continued Education

Once inside the website, members will have the ability to view cases that are being completed by other doctors. This will allow members to learn from other members cases. Learning from others cases is the best way to broaden your experience. Not only will each case be published, but you will be able to ask questions in two separate forums. This doctor interaction is unprecedented. As DDSmentoring.com grows, so will your ability to diagnose and treatment plan your own cases without assistance simply by being exposed to the volume of cases being completed by the group. This Face Book like approach to doctor communication is one of the unique innovations that Dr O'Brien has developed by founding DDSmentoring.com.

Online Support

Members will never feel alone in a difficult situation. One of the biggest reasons for doctors not getting involved in implant dentistry is the fear the unknown. Making that first incision for your very first edentulous full thickness reflection is nerve racking at any level. Having access to an expert will give members the confidence to move forward in areas that they would have not approached in the past. When unexpected issues arise, being able to contact Dr. O'Brien online allows member's access to the detailed steps necessary to rectify this situation. Proper antibiotic treatment as well as information regarding expert assistance, is an e-mail away. Members will have the ability to e-mail Dr. O'Brien with their questions and get a prompt answer while developing new techniques in their practice. This ongoing educational process over the period of one year is like having a mini-residency in your office.

Doctor's Endorsments

For all of you that don't know, Gary and I did our undergrad together at USC. As always he had a bigger 'you know what' than I did and applied for dental school before getting a BS. I waited. He was in the class ahead of me and was my mentor back then. (Boy, could I could tell you some stories.) After we graduated we lost contact with each other. I stayed in the Orange County and Gary moved to the LA area. I always knew that he was intended for big things and when we reconnected several years ago he did not disappoint.
When he and I get together as friends, it's just like old times. Just two friends. But when I go to his lectures, I am amazed at his vast knowledge of everything dental. The most amazing thing is that Gary is not doing this for the money! He sincerely wants us to expand our practices and be extremely successful. For those of you who are not using all of his resources, what are you waiting for?

Robert Moretta DDS
Huntington Beach, CA


As I understand it there are approximately 30 members in our group. I think there were 16 that attended the meeting on Friday. What a rich experience we enjoyed having, our almost private, mentor share his knowledge with us in such an enjoyable fashion. I don't know why only half would come for this but you really missed an incredible day.
Practicing mostly in isolation since 1980 I have found the format and interaction here to be priceless. It's so nice to know I can post a question for the group to look at and make comments on. I would encourage everyone to participate on the board. The more we all share the more we learn.
And a BIG Thanks to you Gary again for all you do. Donald Turnkey DDS.
I could not agree MORE! How can we learn without mentors or making every mistake in the book. I appreciate the classes for learning and fellowship. I've been practicing solo for 30 years and even with a lot of CE you end up with unanswered questions. Gary get some sleep! You won't been around for your family or us with that pace.
Thanks,

Rod Burton DDS


I just made a really good purchase and want to share it with the forum.
The item? Planning of implant placement.
I did a case with Dr. O’Brien and was really impressed with all I got. Upload your case to him, CT scan. He starts with the esthetics and works backwards to where the implants need to be. He is careful to allow enough bone on the buccal. He sends you screen shots which allow you to be comfortable with the placements and esthetics. He chooses your implants for you.
If you happen to own Anatomage’s Invivo5 (It is really great) you can actually get into the very very fine detail of what he has done and understand it even better. (I did that.) Then, I spoke with him via video conference. I could see his screen and all that he wished to convey very clearly. (if you have some kind of screen shot capture software you can snap away and save all the teaching points and nuances.
Most people already have some form of screen capture.) I got to ask all my sub-atomic questions, and he answered every one of them. He was very patient. He invited me to call him back just before the surgery to review flap design. Beyond that...he can scan your models and generate a stent for you, if you wish. The only thing he didn’t do for me was to cut the osteotomies and screw in the implants! I am VERY satisfied with what I got for what I gave. Kudos, Dr. O’B, and thank you!

Dr Paul Hettinger
Ocoee, FL


Hey Gary,

I had a pretty cool experience last night.
I went to a class on grafting/membranes last night given by a local periodontist and a pretty good friend. We work closely and he's been favorable to my desire to expand my practice into implants/perio surgery.
He gave a great lecture, but I can't tell you how nice it was to be WAY ahead of the curve. The typical question by the crowd was something like "give me your recipe for bone grafting" and it was a delight to hear him say, "it depends on what you are trying to accomplish." That left most of the attendees stumped, because they don't know what they are trying to accomplish and what the products on the market actually do... As a good periodontist, he didn't offer much more. In other words, he kept the secrets to himself! Don't get me wrong, he is a really good guy and he gave a good lecture, but he knows how to keep his referrals up too! :)
I have spent three lectures with you this year and I was able to understand the basic principles of osseoconduction and osseoinduction. I was able to have a working discussion with the local "expert" about the importance of BMP-2 and "how to get it" from the products available on the market and what the products are and how to use them.
I would say that the typical GP in the room was stumped and have just been throwing the cheapest bone they can find into their patients and hoping it works. I say this not to blow smoke or sound like a kiss ass, but my return on investment with DDSMentoring has been fantastic.

Dr. Scott Fletcher
California


“I have been working with Dr O’Brien and DDSmentoring now for a few months as a member of his beta test program. This personal mentoring for implants is just what I needed as a General Dentist. If you want to learn fast and efficiently DDSmentoring.com is for you. The information is tailored to your needs and your cases from beginner to advanced practitioner. I am keeping cases in my office that I would have referred out in the past. DDSmentoring.com gives me the confidence I needed to take my practice to the next level.”

Dr. Don Trunkey
California


“I joined DDSmentoring.com because I had taken one of Dr. O’Brien’s courses in Dental Implants. I knew that he would be great teaching me implants. What I didn’t know is that he was going to teach me much more. Dr O’Brien taught me to see things in my practice that I didn’t realize I could do. Now, I am extracting wisdom teeth, completing 4 rooted second molars, perio surgery and much more with confidence. I feel comfortable because he is there to guide me and answer my questions. I look forward to going to work again! DDSmentoring is the best educational investment I have ever made.”

Robert Moretta, DDS
Huntington Beach


"Recently I began consulting with Dr. Gary O'Brien at DDSmentoring.com regarding several implant cases. His expertise was invaluable in the planning and placement of a complex anterior implant case involving 4 anterior implants. He spent considerable time discussing the case, doing surgical mockups, and fabricating the surgical guide. We also discussed the potential complications and what to do in each situation. Dr. O’Brien and I did a virtual surgery on his computer together online before I did it in the mouth. The surgery went precisely according to plan with incredible accuracy and results. I would recommend DDSmentoring.com for all who want to enhance their skills in the growing implant arena."

Thomas Wieg, DDS
Bakersfield, California


“I am overwhelmed by Dr O’Brien’s generosity. DDSmentoring has assisted me on my first five implant cases. I am finally actually doing implants in my private office. I have taken many implant courses over the years without ever feeling comfortable enough to actually do the surgery my self. I can’t tell you how many times I would send a patient to the specialist for an extraction and the patient comes back with an implant without my knowledge in a position that is almost impossible to restore. Now I am doing my own implants with confidence because of DDSmentoring.com. It will take me a while to absorb all this. Seeing what Dr. O’Brien did will preclude a thousand questions. DDSmentoring.com was the best investment I have made to enhance my practice in a long time.”

Paul Hettinger, DDS
Florida


“Every time I talk to you I feel like I know nothing. I think of myself as a pretty smart guy. No, you don't try to make me feel that way, it just is. I have always thought and knew I am a great dentist, you are only bringing me to the next level and the next and the next. I am having so much fun you can’t believe it! I look forward to coming to work and finding my next challenge. I can't wait to start doing perio surgeries. Just don't get too busy helping everyone else and not have enough time to help me. This DDSmentoring.com program is changing my practice toward greatness :)”

Robert Moretta, DDS
Huntington Beach


“I just placed an immediate upper central incisor implant last week that I would have never done without your help through DDSmentoring.com. The implant was less than a millimeter from the incisive canal and from the lateral incisor root. From his extensive knowledge of over 25 years doing implants, Dr O’Brien guided me through and helped me with the virtual placement of the implant and then had the surgical guide fabricated. When it came time for the actual surgery I had the initial osteotomy done with NO STRESS and in less than 15 minutes the implant was in, grafted and closed up. DDSmentoring.com has allowed me to take my implant practice to the next level.”

Dr. Don Trunkey
California


“GP's have no choice any longer! When I send a patient to an OS for extraction, he comes back with an implant…not necessarily where I would want it. I send a patient for a perio consult...he comes back with an implant. Endo is looking at it too. As if that weren’t enough, the specialists now badmouth crown and bridge so badly that it is impossible to sell a bridge any longer, even when it is the treatment of choice. Doing fillings at PPO insurance rates can no longer support a practice. If I want to continue to be a dentist, I must place my own implants and be very careful about the specialists to whom I refer. "Class warfare" of another variety. Dr. O’Brien, I'll tell the world. I've been out there scratching in the dirt for worms, and you mosey up with a Hereford (cooked medium rare) for me. DDSmentoring.com is today’s answer for the GP that wants to survive! What's the next big revelation? Is their any other quantum leap waiting out there for me?”

Paul Hettinger, DDS
Florida


“Personalized case planning is just one of the many benefits to the DDSmentoring.com program. Check out all that is being offered and it’s easy to see that this program is a no brainer for anyone wanting to take their implant skills to the next level. My confidence has soared. Thank you!”

Dr. Don Trunkey
California