An Interview With Dr. Larrabee

When did you first become interested in the dental field/orthodontics?

Dr. Larrabee: As a kid, I was always trying to figure out what I wanted to be. In the 5th grade after watching the show “Family Ties”, I decided I wanted to be like Alex P. Keaton and get into the field of business.  I wrote to the University of Michigan Business School to see what I needed to do and what it was all about. Two years later, in the 7th grade, I got my braces off and saw an amazing change in my smile along with receiving many compliments. I immediately redirected my University of Michigan dream to become an orthodontist.

The funny thing is, when I was interviewing for my orthodontic residency at the University of Michigan 22 years later, I was asked the question “when did you decide you wanted to be an orthodontist?” I answered, “7th-grade sir” – they laughed and thought I was kidding!

What do you like most about being an orthodontist?

Dr. Larrabee: Where do I start!? I love starting the day with the amazing team we’ve assembled! We start each day huddling together and make a game plan of how we can make the day special for our patients and their families visiting us.

I love seeing our patients excitement their 1st visit back after starting treatment! Getting to showing them how fast our technology is creating their smile, and (better yet) showing patients their before and after pictures when they complete treatment is rewarding.

To top it off, I get to meet awesome new families and individuals every day that need our care and have given us the nicest compliment – they chose to trust us with their smile.

So to answer your question, I guess I don’t have a favorite, I love it all – I’m a lucky guy, I love what I do.

Describe your typical workday.

• 5:15 am – wakeup and workout
• 6 am – shower and get ready as nice as I can so that my wifey will say “You look nice!” or “You smell good!”
• 6:45 am – kiss the family goodbye, drive for 38 minutes to work listening to sports talk radio, podcasts, and usually ending up my drive with some “BPM radio”
• 7:30 am – check my Invisalign treatment plans and get ready for our morning team huddle
• 7:40 am – AO team huddle (This is where we make a game plan of how to be the best part of your day!)
• 8:00 am – Start seeing patients
• 1:00 pm – A quick lunch, usually while catching up on clerical work and management for AO
• 2:00 pm – Back to the clinic I go to start seeing our afternoon patients
• 5:00 pm – End of day team huddle (We usually review all the awesome that happened each day and strategize ways to improve for our patients)
• 5:15 pm – drive home (back in my 2nd office/my car) calling to check on patients, colleagues and my family
• 6:00 pm – change clothes then grab a quick dinner with family and catch up
• 6:30 pm – I’m off to basketball, baseball or flag football practice with atleast one of my three kiddos!
• 8:00 – 9:30 pm get home and get ready to do it all over again 🙂

Where do you see orthodontics in 10 years?

Dr. Larrabee: I see orthodontics becoming even more of desire for people 10 years from now as dental education and dental aesthetic awareness grows in our culture.

From an orthodontist perspective, I, unfortunately, see a large range of the level of care and provider education becoming available. At home or DIY treatment is just coming on the scene now. Orthodontic patients will really need to do their homework to make sure they are going to the provider that will meet their smile goals and expectations.

Outside of the office, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Dr. Larrabee: I love playing with and coaching my kids in their sports, working out, and teasing my wife; Anything where my whole family is together, building memories!

If you hadn’t become an orthodontist, what would your dream job be?

Dr. Larrabee: I would be a quadruple threat! Actor/singer/rapper by day and a shooting guard for the Lakers at night!