Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Winter 2017 - 25

Let's Talk About That

Dr. Patrick Turley Interviews
Dr. Straty Righellis

Dr. Patrick K. Turley
Editor, Let's Talk About That
Manhattan Beach, CA

Dr. Straty Righellis
Oakland, CA

Biography
Dr. Straty Righellis, a Diplomate of the American
Board of Orthodontics, is an associate clinical
professor at the both the University of the Pacific
and the University of California, San Francisco.
He also lectures annually to residents at Boston
University, Harvard University, the University of
North Carolina, the University of Colorado, and
Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health orthodontic residents.
Dr. Righellis is a reviewer for the American Journal
of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
(AJO/DO); he has written over 35 articles and
papers on treatment efficiency and treatment
excellence, and has lectured to over 350 groups
nationally and internationally. He authored a
chapter on treatment efficiency and excellence
for the textbook Goal-Directed Orthodontics.
In 2014, Dr. Righellis was one of six judges who
selected the best paper in the AJO/DO. In 2015,
2016, and 2017, the AJO/DO acknowledged his
contribution as one of its top reviewers (according to the number of reviewed manuscripts).
Dr. Righellis is a faculty member at the Foundation for Advanced Continuing Education (FACE)
teaching program, past president of the Edward
H. Angle Society of Northern California, and a former PCSO delegate to the AAO. He graduated
from UCLA Dental School and received his orthodontic specialty certification from University of
California, San Francisco. In addition, he maintains an active private practice in Oakland, CA.
Patrick Turley (PT): Think of the reasons you
wanted to become an orthodontist years ago.
Do they still hold true today?
Straty Righellis (SR): I was in the sixth grade
when I decided to become an orthodontist. I
liked what my orthodontist did. He would carry
on a conversation with me about school or
sports as he shaped some wire on the table near
the chair. He had two assistants who helped

Winter 2017  PCSO Bulletin

him with a number of procedures. Also, I noticed
he would interact with my parents and other
patients in the office. Although much has
changed since that time, those same elements
are what I truly enjoy in practice today. Of course,
diagnostic and treatment changes have evolved
as more clearly defined treatment goals have
been established.
PT: As a full-time practicing orthodontist, an
educator, and a volunteer in organized orthodontics, do you have a perspective on the future of
orthodontics?
SR: As an orthodontist with a fee-for-service
practice, and as an educator who leads seminars
with orthodontic residents from many programs
in the U.S. and internationally, I do have a few
observations.
First and foremost, orthodontic programs continue to attract the brightest minds in dentistry.
These individuals are personable and inquisitive.
It amazes me that our specialty continues to
attract the top dentists; that's a credit to our
orthodontic profession.
However, when I speak to orthodontic residents,
I sense a shift in what new orthodontists will do
when they graduate. More residents are delaying
entering private practice, probably due to student
debt. They are not sure where they can afford
and/or want to live and work. The opportunities
to associate in a fee-for-service orthodontic practice are few, and the number of days per month is
limited. As a result, alternative practice modes
are enticing to the young graduate.
PT: Can you be more specific about these different modes of practice?
SR: There are alternatives and options not only in
healthcare, but in all of consumer life. For example, the neighborhood grocery store must compete with large, corporate grocery outlets. In
dentistry, and specifically in orthodontics, this is

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Winter 2017