Today we’d like to introduce you to Julianne Carrara.
Julianne, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
After graduating from my Endodontic residency, I relocated to Chicago vs returning to New York. Chicago in 1997 was very affordable. Pre cell phone; Wi-Fi and Facebook, it was difficult to maintain relationships with College and High School friends. Chicago was a great place to start over.
I worked at many different dental offices-gaining knowledge of the business and creating lasting relationships with other dentists and specialists. In 2000, I opened my practice and within 4 years added an associate. We moved to a larger space in 2006. During these years, I developed patient interaction skills; management and marketing skills. These skills are not taught in Dental Schools. I have been very fortunate to have a great supporting team of mentors and employees. We all grow together. We have evolved from a simple beginning to a modern endodontic practice. We are constantly evolving as people and health care professionals. We have added technology to the practice. Endodontics has evolved to the highest levels- microscopes and 3D radiographs. The most important is understanding patients and educating them without being negative.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I am a goal oriented person. The anxiety is always there when you work with people. I always worry about my patients, employees and referral sources.
I have been very fortunate to not have the amount of debt younger dental professionals occur today. Growing up, we had dental insurance. My father was an electrician and Union Insurance was very good. I contracted with Insurance Companies earlier than most practices. I like to give back as much as I can. They also provided me with instant referral sources and great for marketing.
In 2009, the recession really changed my dental practice. People no longer had insurance and the rise of corporate dentistry plus the power of insurance companies were very difficult for my practice. Dentists were powerless. We had to run dentistry as a business-efficient; marketing budgets; restrict overhead; cut out employee bonuses.
Most dental professionals are compassionate and truly want to help patients. Compassion and business cause internal conflicts. I did not enjoy my work as much. The stress of competition; seeing greed and truly a lack of quality care had emerged. I hate witnessing poor patient care. Originally, review sites were so negative. Healthcare professionals cannot defend themselves properly. People also use these site to demand discounts and never realize how much work goes into scheduling an appointment, treatment and attempted to collect from insurance companies. I am a direct person. This can be misinterpreted as rude or cold. I cater to my patients and they were not aware of the intangibles. People do not know how well I treat them-beyond the chair.
I turned the review sites into a positive. Constructive criticism and THERAPY made me a better healthcare professional. Change is hard and liberating. I was able to find a balance and provide a type of care that was more positive and healthy for me. I will say, I’m more mentally exhausted at the end of the day. However, I go home knowing I provided great care. I learn something new from every patient I meet and greet. I take time to learn and provide more than dental care. At the time, people do not realize that the struggles are there for a reason. We all need to grow and evolve.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Care Endodontics Chicago is an Endodontic Office in Chicago’s Lincoln Park Neighborhood. Our specialty is “Root Canal Therapy”. We diagnose and treat problems related to the nerve within the tooth. There are many reasons people are referred to specialists. We receive 2-3 years of intensive education in a field-not a weekend course or continuing education articles. We dedicate ourselves to endodontic treatment. Our field has evolved with surgical microscopes and 3 dimensional radiographs- the combination of our technology; education and patient management skills provides optimal patient care, comfort and prognosis.
There are many circumstances that require endodontic attention. Pain and infection are primary. We look beyond the obvious- decay and structural/restorative failure. We work with localized or referred pain. Our diagnostic skills may actually save a person from having the wrong tooth treated-or realize it is not an endodontic issue. Trauma from clenching/bruxism; accidents; orthodontic movement and periodontal breakdown are common factors. Systemic diseases like diabetes and trigeminal neuralgia will simulate dental pain. We are investigators and communicators. I often see frustrated patients; anxious; nervous and scared. Some people are angry with a dental procedure that has failed or feel they were not treated properly. Many are anxious from previous experiences; and believe this will take 5 visits and they will be in pain and expensive. Endodontists are educators-we provide information regarding their oral health and dental condition. We promote teamwork with their Restorative dentist and other specialists for optimal care and results.
I am known for my communication skills. I spend the first 15 minutes getting to know the patient-or reacquainting myself with a former patient. We may bring up Google maps and explore their country of origin or discuss a book they are reading. This is my favorite time-I learn about the patient’s habits and formulate the best approach to treat the individual. Many of my patients learn more about me. I have never been a part of the no cavity club-I’m proud to have 6 root canals. I relate to them and build trust. I love to diagnose and formulate a mutually agreed upon treatment plan. We work with people that have some form of infection or inflammation-never healthy tissues. Life is not ideal, and I try to work within someone’s expectations and set expectations. I want to highlight the positives-not you aren’t brushing or flossing. Medications and dietary habits contribute more to dental decay than a particular brand of Toothpaste or electric toothbrush. I see many stressed individuals-new jobs, sick parents that place stress on their teeth-resulting in dental pain.
My Care Endodontic Team interact with the patient long before they meet them in person. They realize when someone may require more time or I need to contact their dental office for additional information. They research insurance information. Many patients provide the wrong dental insurance information. If there is conflicting insurance information, we investigate prior to arrival in the office. My patient coordinator has worked with me for 17 years. Together, we laugh with the patient and efficiently.
I’m proud of me. The dental profession has evolved and so have I. I embrace all the technology and relationships with Dental representatives and Referral Sources. My position at Advocate Illinois Masonic has introduced me to new dentists and recent graduates. I truly take the time to learn about every patient in the office. Dr. Josh Ries and I are an amazing endodontic partnership. He is an amazing Endodontist. Together, we evaluate cases and help each other. Patient care is elevated when we work together. We often call other specialists to help with 2nd opinions or can work a patient into an impossible schedule.
I’m very funny too.
What were you like growing up?
I’m a New Yorker – accent and all.
I cursed myself when early on- the words I’m going to be a dentist. Those words haunt me to this day. My family always said that to others- it is my Housewives’ tag line- Julie is going to be a dentist- I’m eight. I could not shake that off. Or the pink glasses my mom picked out for me in 3rd grade-the gold wire-brown tinted aviators were winners too. Kids today love glasses. It was not a good look on me.
My family-traditional Italian and Irish- and when my parent’s divorced, my mother converted the family to Judaism when she remarried. All of a sudden I went to Hebrew School and lived in a kosher home and talk about moving to Israel. This did not bode well for my grandparents and other relatives. I always felt different. I learned to adapt and speak up for myself. This is why I relate to so many people; psychology and sociology. I love to travel and learn. I truly respect cultures. Everyone has a story- and obviously therapy was a must for me.
I lived in the Library. I would go and read a book a day-loved skimming through Encyclopedias. Math and history were my favorite subjects. Today, I favor European art history and politic subjects. I love the Art Dealers- business is the same now as then-relationships and finding trends. Recently, I have been trying to get Dual Italian Citizenship. The consulate gave me problems so I embarked on a personal journey-I ordered the microfilm and went to the Newberry Library all last winter (FYI that is the only time to go- older people stay home in cold weather and the library has one computer for research). I can interpret Latin and Italian records. I know every ghost in my family. I can only get records from 1675- I would go back further.
I hate needles- I do not have my ears pierced. I would cry watching my siblings get shots or blood drawn- funny, with my line of work. That is why I engage with patient’s-that is the worst part of the appointment for me.
I have been driven and determined since birth. This is who I am. When I try something- I research and learn it almost to a scholarly level. Endodontics is construction-electricity and plumbing. My Dad’s side were carpenters and electricians. My mom is an attorney. I am able to explain my procedures in construction terms or on a scientific level. My reports -minus spelling and grammar- are legal and fact based.
I have a picture of myself as a baby- I look deep in thought-it is my personal profile picture on my Apple account. I hate photos of me-I love to take photos.
I loved sports and wrote to baseball players. I still have a postcard From Amy Carter.
My significant other and I commute-he is in Atlanta-9 years. We met when we were 10 yrs. old in Jewish Federation Sleep Away Camp. We were the 2 Italians (I’m really Italian-his side naturalized). We wrote to each other and phone calls during the School years. We dated in High School- we broke up because he did not want to take a train to visit me. I cut myself out of all our pictures and load the car up with my Long Island Friends- on the great adventure. We had an atlas of Brooklyn-no google maps. We pulled up and all so brave yelling at him to come out of the house. Pretty funny-gave him the box of him without me in the pictures and his letters.
In 2009, we reconnected on Facebook. He said to call him and I was like no one calls- we email. I called and we have been together ever since. We are the same 10 year olds that matured into an amazing adult relationship. I’m happy he will get on the plane vs train.
I have 2 bulldogs- I had a previous one. Sadie and Simon are fraternal twins- litter mates. When they were puppies, they would come to the office. People would hold them while I did the root canal. I had one bad Yelp review from some b*tch that was not my patient; came in late- she was an emergency and said my office was dirty from the dogs-the dogs were 8/10 pounds. That review is still up there- however, I get more patient referrals from the patients that held my puppies and loved it. A very famous Celebrity-pre celebrity-“A” list comedian- had Simon hold her hand.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2551 N. Clark Street
Suite 701
Chicago, Il 60614 - Website: www.careendo.com
- Phone: 7732441933
- Email: office@careendo.com
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