Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Fulbright.
Michael, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a dentist. I think my childhood dentist was a big part of that since my visits to his office were always enjoyable. By no means did I have perfect teeth, but my dentist always made my visits fun and educational. I had a long educational path to become a dentist and I needed to work while in school to pay bills. During dental school I did temp work as a hygienist, both helping to pay bills and exposing me to different types of dental practices. After graduating in 2000 I practiced with a renowned cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills. It was then that I acquired a desire to learn the art of cosmetic dentistry. I did extensive post-graduate training and continued to learn from one of the best in the business. In 2003 I purchased my practice from an amazing doctor in the South Bay community that I love and knew I wanted to settle in. My practice is my passion… I love that we get to help people every day. We use some of the most advanced tools and technology in this industry, which keeps this field exciting for me. As I’ve transitioned my practice into a total health practice, our goal is to help patients better understand the how and why things are happening in their body and what they can do to make changes. I believe the whole healthcare paradigm must change, and I am committed to helping make that change. Doctors need to work together and patients need to better understand how the health of their mouth can impact their overall health.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
phone interview?
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Fulbright Cosmetic & Reconstructive Dentistry – what should we know?
We do general dentistry and treat families, which I love because we have long-lasting relationships with people and their kids, and I love getting to know them. We are probably best-known for our cosmetic work and full-mouth reconstruction. The cosmetic work is like art. I have to account for things like facial structure, size and shape of the teeth, how big of a smile, etc. The surgical cases can be extremely complex and I love the challenges that each one presents. Several years ago, I pursued a fellowship at the Pacific Implant Institute to further expand my knowledge of implant surgery techniques and healing properties. Good technology can make surgeries safer and more predictable, and good techniques can help patients heal faster and avoid pain… having both of these is critical for a patient’s comfort and confidence. I am proud of the fact that we can deliver all of this with confidence to our patients.
I think striving to be the best and always looking out for my patient’s best interest is what sets us apart. We call it the triple win – the patient needs to win; the practice needs to win and the team needs to win.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
There is no way I could do what I do without my team. Every single one of them has an integral part of this practice. We use fun nicknames that help explain what they ‘really’ do. Our dental assistants are the Ninjas since they are on the go-go-go working on patients and using all of the technology and equipment… basically doing backflips all day to keep up with the pace of our office. Our hygienists or ‘hygienicses’ see our patients the most consistently and are helping educate them about the importance of their preventative care and them at-home regimens. We have a Director of First Impressions (our appointment coordinator and team leader) who welcomes all of our patients and works with them on scheduling and on helps out with insurance claims. Our treatment coordinator, or the Financial Freedom Fighter, sits down with patients to discuss their treatment plans and works with them on financial arrangements. Last but not least, my wife helps coordinate it all, running aspects of the business that I cannot since I’m seeing patients all day.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1815 Vía El Prado Ste. 200
- Website: www.fulbrightdental.com
- Phone: 310-316-4477
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fulbrightdental/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FulbrightDental
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ful_bright
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/fulbright-cosmetic-and-reconstructive-dentistry-redondo-beach-2?osq=dr+michael+fulbright
- Other: www.fulbrightsleep.com
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