Hollywood Confidential

So, now that I’ve hung up the gown, the shield, both masks, the loupes, the laser filter, and cap, I’m embracing some added freedom to share stuff.

And you might have heard my Invisalign story (yada, yada, yada) more than once. But there are parts of the story that I’ve never divulged. And my stinginess doesn’t serve anything all that noble like protecting the innocent or guarding my sources. Mostly, I’ve refrained from sharing what would tend to have y’all judge me for my immaturity, silliness, or just plain ole stupidity. But at the same time, I believe the trinity of flaws I’ve confessed is exactly what it takes to keep you young (and I left out vanity.)

I’ve always been vain, wanted to stay young, and always looked and listened for any form of humor, and (on the sly) attention.

The sunglasses I wear while whale watching, ordering a Havana Cappuccino, or posing with patients who’ve completed Invisalign care (in front of a poster displaying a short woman with a big head) are indeed part of my SoCal brand. But the shades also cover my optic baggage and eyebrow scarcity. The poster makes my oversized melon seem smaller and in my own delusional mind I look much taller than a more likely shrinking 5’9”.

What really turned me into a total clear aligner true believer was my attending the Invisalign Summit for the first time. The biennial meeting included an event called the Shootout. The competitors presented their Invisalign cases on stage in front of all those attending (around 1,000 GPs and teams); the winner was determined by texted vote. What I saw on stage encouraged me to take on more challenging cases; and I thought it would be crazy awesome to be up there one day. And at the super-amazing Summit party and after moderate libation, I karaoked for the first time…in front of a band and backup singers. I can’t say the attention bothered me.

Two transformational moments arrived in 2015. My Align Territory Manager nominated me for Reingage, “The (Invisalign) course that changed everything.” My new mentor was a little different, he performed full out comedy while teaching. In fact, Dr. David Galler now works stand-up in Las Vegas, his present educational home base. And then, within days, I learned that the only case I’d ever submitted for “The Shootout” made it to the Final Four.

Galler had so much energy and was so funny, it was almost impossible not to learn everything you didn’t know you didn’t know about Invisalign. So, even though I’d been a dentist for almost 40-years, I was still as impressionable as I was at my first glimpse of the Matterhorn…in Anaheim. And I saw my first Galler video, “Invisalign Man.” Initially, I wanted to share the video with my non-Invisalign colleagues just to make them jealous. But then, being in one of ‘em became a goal; make that an obsession.

Okay, and the Shootout result was a joke; the final vote processed by a text accounting firm straight outta the year 2000 Florida. I lost to a French-Canadian wearing sausage pants, an accent, and the willingness to use traditional braces as part of clear aligner orthodontics.

But I freakin’ loved the experience! I walked-on to Eminem and “Lose Yourself” wearing a cardinal and gold hooded silk robe. My first slide was the USC Trojans emerging from the tunnel at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on a Saturday night. Galler and Pete Carroll occupied two of my FIVE Mt. Rushmore positions. I dropped the Mike as my beautiful patient sang “Smile” from a ginormous screen. I was no longer a closet attention hound, everything had changed.

Over the past seven years, my Los Aligners Team has won the Galler Cup, I’ve become a Board member for the American Academy of Clear Aligners, I even get to write this column every quarter, I’ve had a chance to travel to the Bahamas, Jamaica, and New Orleans for winter meetings; we’ve made a major difference in the lives of patients we see as family. I’ve met the coolest colleagues on the planet. And I’ve weaseled my way into every Galler video project, gained greater speaking parts, and provided Invisalign care for patients who just might get me more screen time.

When Access Hollywood’s Mario Lopez requested Invisalign for boyhood best friend, make-up artist, and future Orson Welles all-purpose actor/filmmaker Rodney, in return for being the Galler Reunion Convention spokesperson, I stepped up. Did it for nuthin’ and even took a smiling photo with Lopez.

When Galler’s multi-talented filmmaker Tara sought me out for Invisalign care, following another impressive video performance, I was honored; almost composed an acceptance speech. And…it’s amazing how persuasive you can be while providing care for the casting director. I think Tara may have been kidding when she promised me a ten-film contract and a trailer at the next shoot.

Tara also won a competition involving 1,000 filmmakers. I received an invitation to see Tara’s Before Dawn, Kabul Time, a riveting 15-minute ultra-dramatic short, shown with Jordan Peele’s “Nope” during its opening weekend. Tara addressed me as her “star” right in front of my spin class date when we arrived. And I know sweetness when I hear and see it, so I’ll take my new title because (just like Shakespeare) I'm considering the source.

And it’s just one more thing to love about Invisalign, hanging out with colleagues who can stay out all night, and building better lives. Being on the screen, acting silly and immature and enjoying the attention may sound a little unprofessional. But if you’re anything like me AND you’re a dentist, that’s show business!