Ask Dr. Bernard: What does it mean to be a Schulman Study Group practice?

Drs. Bernard and Eimer are both members of The Schulman Study Group (SSG), a nationally-recognized association of prominent—among the top 1 percent—orthodontic practices. Recently, Dr. Bernard was approached and asked, "What does it mean to you and Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics to be a member of The Schulman Study Group?"

When Dr. Bernard joined Dr. Harry Osborne in the practice in the 70’s, Dr. Osborne was writing educational brochures for a business man named “Bud” Schulman who owned a dental supply company. Mr. Schulman began to help young orthodontists who used his company with business and promotional plans to help make their practices successful. In the 80’s, the orthodontists who had been mentioned by Bud Schulman formed a group called the Schulman Study Group. Annual meetings were held and Bud Schulman presided over the meetings of the most progressive and successful orthodontists in the country.

Today, the Schulman Study Group is comprised of 125 orthodontic practices in the US and Canada. Dr. Ron Redmond leads the group since Bud’s passing and there is a long waiting list to join. The annual meeting is every March and each member must submit two “pearls” from their practice to share with others. The members also share other statistical data and practice ideas that make each practice more current and “cutting edge”. Between annual meetings, The Schulman Group hosts a meeting for staff advancement in the fall and daily e-mails among members to help solve problems and pass on valuable information to the members.

Dr. Bernard attended his first Schulman Study Group meeting in 1984 and he and his wife Sally will be leaving on March 7th for a week long 2010 meeting.” I can’t imagine practicing orthodontics without the support and backing of the members of this wonderful study group”, says Dr. Bernard. He firmly believes that his practice and his patients have greatly benefited by membership in this prestigious group.

Questions, part two: What should you be asking Drs. Bernard and Eimer?

Last week, we gave our patient a short list of questions Drs. Bernard and Eimer can usually expect from our patients. Today, we thought we'd share three questions Drs. Bernard and Eimer would like families to ask:

(A) How much experience do the Doctors have?
Answer: Both Doctors have had general dental experience as well as Air Force dentistry before getting their Masters Degrees in
orthodontics. Dr. Bernard has been in practice for 39 years and Dr. Eimer for ten. Dr. Eimer also taught at the Ohio State College of Dentistry and Dr. Bernard teaches at Mercy Hospital Residency Program.

(B) Are the Doctors Board Certified Orthodontic Specialists?
Answer: Dr. Bernard was certified by the American Board of Orthodontics in 1986 and re-certified in 2008. Dr. Eimer has passed his written Board exam and is certified while waiting to present his cases. Both Doctors practice orthodontics exclusively.

(C) Are both doctors current on new technology and treatment methods?
Answer: combined, both doctors average around 60-80 hours of continuing education each year. They now are placing mini-screws for anchorage, using a diode laser for soft tissue management and using invisible aligners, as well as clear self-ligating brackets. The entire office is digital and chart-less.

If you have any questions about what you should ask Drs. Bernard or Eimer, or if you have questions about your treatment, please give us a call!

Questions, part one: Common questions for Drs. Bernard & Eimer

At Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics, every family that is new to the orthodontic experience has many questions. Today, Drs. Bernard and Eimer thought we'd share the most common ones asked:

(A) How long will the braces be on?
Answer: We always give an educated "guess" which depends greatly on growth, tooth eruption, bone biology and cooperation.
Probably the biggest factor is cooperation from the patient, which we cannot control.

(B) Will it hurt?
Answer: We like the word "soreness" rather than hurt, the amount of soreness depends on the severity of the malocclusion (tooth
or jaw misalignment) but only lasts 12 to 48 hours and can be controlled with Advil, cold liquids and patience. No activities have to be curtailed due to soreness.

(C) What do braces cost?
Answer: The fee for treatment varies according to the severity of the problem and the time involved. The exact fee is given to each
family at the initial visit and this includes all visits and treatment during the braces and retainer period. The fee can be paid in full
with a discount or over the treatment period with no interest.

Stay tuned next week for Part Two: Questions Drs. Bernard & Eimer would like families to ask. Enjoy your week!

19th Annual Scholarship Award at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics!

Attention: All High School Seniors!
Once again Drs. Bernard and Eimer’s office is offering three scholarships in the amount of $1,000 to seniors in our practice from all local schools.

To qualify:

**The student must be a high school senior.
**Has been (or is being) treated at Bernard and Eimer Orthodontics.
**Write a 500-word essay on “A Vision of My Future After High School.”
**Submit three copies to be presented to three judges.
**Must include a “Cover Letter” with your name, addresses and phone number (also include school name and counselor’s name.
**Submit all of the above on or before Tuesday, April 1, 2010 (Include your activity schedule).

Judges from various civic groups in the area will review the entries and the top three will be chosen. Keep in mind these entrees should be treated as three individual applications since they are distributed to three individual judges.

**If there are not three individual applications or any part of the requirements is not met the entrée will be disqualified. Please post this letter or announce on your PA system so that any high school Senior from our office can have the opportunity to try for this Scholarship.

If you have any questions regarding the above please contact our office
at (330) 470-7785. Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully,
Drs. Bernard, Eimer and Staff