Outer Limits

"If you don't push your limits, you'll never get better." Frank Sonnenberg

So I didn't even know there were two "Outer Limits" TV series. But I was "eyes-on-the-tube for the mid-60s version that debuted just after JFK declared we'd land a man on the moon by the end of the decade.

And to think Neil Armstrong's "...one small step for Man, one giant step for mankind" was accomplished with technology far less powerful than the iPhone I just used for some "Outer Limits" research. Some perspective: In my high school mid-60's, I was using a freakin slide rule, a math tool invented in the 1620s!

What I've learned after 46 years of providing dental care is each goal along the journey was reached by taking one small first step.

Yesterday was a memorable lucky day. I had the chance to be a guest on Famous Unshakeable Dr. Allen Lycka's "Authorities Unplugged Radio" show. Doc Lycka is an internationally acclaimed cosmetic Dermatologist who, these days, limits his activities to being a gifted keynote speaker, bestselling author, coach, and mentor. I've done podcasts, public speaking, and even TV (Live TV at the MLB All-Star game in Chicago is content for another article). I took my first step into radio, and it wasn't scary; it was a conversation with a friend.

And I'm fortunate to be a member of Dr. Allen's International Order of Fantastic Professionals (IOFP). And just as it is with other honored professional organizations of which I'm a member, I base my selection on a one-time deadly top-spin crosscourt return of tennis serve (taken early) and my El Pollo Loco fictional virtual interviews with the great Andy Rooney.

If you tune into my 22 minutes of fame on Authorities Unplugged, you'll notice that Dr. Lycka speaks slowly and clearly, asks insightful questions, and does about 95% of the listening. And just like Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch, I don't believe in coincidences. My memorable teachers were soft-spoken, thoughtful listeners who took an authentic personal interest. Doc Lycka, ONE dental school instructor from Fresno (also named Jack), a Mt. Rushmore of advisors/mentors, and my parents compose my all-star team.

Doc asked me about a defining moment in my transition from practitioner to mentor, teacher, and writer; he asked my thoughts on the evolution of technology in Dentistry. I see helping others as the best step forward to retaining my sense of purpose, curiosity, and the chance to keep on learning. The evolution of technology led me to one mentor who opened the door to meeting another who helped me put a "10" on my forehead that changed my life forever.

For my first twenty years in practice, I loved helping people. And I felt like a glorified repairman. Then, out of nowhere, I found a materials mentor who, with select colleagues, developed Adhesion Dentistry; he referred me to the mentor who restored my pre-dental school confidence while teaching us everything we hadn't learned about leadership, teamwork, culture, community, and business. Dr. Ray Bertolotti and Mr. Walter Hailey represent two spots on my Mount Rushmore and a first learning step to Downtown LA and my first flight since age-12 (to Canmore, Alberta Canada), respectively.

My Team and I created a welcoming , fun culture that helped patients feel safe and listened to, and gave team members room to learn, grow, and lead. Together, we created art. We made a difference. We helped patients and one another take many first steps

Doc Lycka was also interested in learning more about my new business, Impact Assisting Academy, LLC (arriving in early 2026), and training Dental Assistants. What an opportunity for me! I get to work with a great friend, Dani Williams, RDA, my strongest team leader during the 22 years we worked together. And finding purpose, working with friends, and helping young people just might be the real Fountain of Youth...especially if you can hang onto a touch of immaturity and look and listen for opportunities to have fun.

Mentoring high school students interested in Health Science careers has been a joyful experience I never saw coming. And who doesn't want a consistent dose of youthful enthusiasm and the chance to magically convert a laundry list of mistakes into teaching opportunities?

With each question and answer, I realized the career choices I'd made were parts of a journey that began with, taking a breath, and a small step forward.

Nearing the 16-minute mark, Doc asked me about one special patient who still stood out.

One of many special patients that come to mind is Emily. Emily was a strong-minded 19-year-old young woman with narrow upper and lower arches and severe upper and lower crowding. I began seeing Emily at age thirteen and recommended a consult with my Orthodontist buddy down the street who'd transformed my "trainwreck" smile. I saw Emily once a year through most of high school. Emily would soon be off to college and was ready to take the step; she didn't want extractions or traditional braces. Emily asked about Invisalign.

I saw an opportunity to provide the same kind of life-changing care I had received two years into my practice way back in 1978. I'd been super self-conscious and just like Emily, had a tendency to screen out my mouth with my hand (patients needed canine hearing talent). Until 2003, I hadn't even considered providing Orthodontic care (I took no joy in bending wires in dental school.) But in 2002, Invisalign care was made available for GP providers. I took a breath and a careful step. In 2015 I took two steps. For the first time, I submitted an Invisalign case for the Align Summit Shootout, a competition of sorts showing clear aligner orthodontics' outer limits. I wound up being a finalist and presented the top restorative case in North America to over a thousand colleagues and teams in Las Vegas at Aria. What a freakin blast!

I also met Dr. David Galler, arguably the leading GP Invisalign educator on the globe and leader of the American Academy of Clear Aligners (AACA), the most productive Invisalign group in North America. I became president of the LA chapter of Reingage, "the course that changed everything." I remain a board member.

Emily and I both took a small step forward and a giant step into Emily's future. Emily got off to a determined start following a strong treatment plan. Emily followed the plan even while at college in northern California. I just checked Emily's Clinical Notes, the Hygienist reports Emily is wearing her retainers every night.

You've seen the results. Outer limits are where we say they are.