Debbie Castagna - Bio

Debbie's Bio, continued...  

Hazel Torres, who some consider to be the patron saint of dental assistants (she authored “Modern Dental Assisting” the textbook used by 1000’s of dental assistants), was the Director of the Dental Assisting Program at the College of Marin, where I received my training.  She was a woman to be reckoned with—and had a true passion for dentistry.  In her classroom, we learned so much more than how to take bitewings without cone cuts or mix alginate like butter.  She told us we would be working with intelligent people who provided an important service to the community and that “commanded” us to be excellent.  She explained patients depended on us to be our best and our team relied on us—our work was important.  I bought in hook, line and sinker.  Not all auxiliaries had the educational opportunity I did.  Talk about luck.  Remind your team today of their importance to you.

I spent six great years at what was then, the University of the Pacific, School of Dentistry. I taught Dental Auxiliary Utilization (4-handed dentistry, ergonomics, patient management) to the third year dental students.  It was an opportunity to work collaboratively with a great team of highly trained assistants and wonderful pediatric dentists.  It was there that I met Dr. James Pride.  He had just started a dental office design and practice management company, The Pacific Institute (now Pride Institute).   I knew I wanted to work for him some day.  When I shyly (I’d love to say “boldly”, but it was “shyly”) told him I wanted to work for him, he told me to get back to private practice and learn as much as I could about running a successful dental practice.  Thankfully, I took his advice.  Oh, and while at UOP, I met my husband, Dr. Dan Castagna.  He was a dental student then and now enjoys being a full time Assistant Professor in Restorative Dentistry.  Yes, my years at UOP were and continue to be important and fulfilling!

My last job in private practice was with great friends, Drs. Gary and Gabby Thodas.  We met while they were in dental school at UOP and I was a dental assisting student. Years later, I became their Financial Coordinator and loved working for them.  They allowed me to feel a sense of ownership in their practice--something I try to translate in my consulting; I learned how valuable it is for employees to feel invested in the success of the practice.  There was one particular lesson learned that I’m particularly grateful for—that having fun at work certainly helps to make a practice great.  Thanks you two.  Five years of laughing and learning prepared me for my next dream job.

A consultant at Pride Institute.  I walked through those doors on 1/2/91 and felt like I had won the lottery!  While there, I worked with great people—some of the brightest minds in consulting.  Dr. Pride’s philosophy was clear to me.  I had to perform at a high level to help dentists achieve their goals.  His Philosophy Statement said that those who worked for him were required to be “Exceptional People” and I did all I could to try to measure up.  I learned what it meant to be purpose-driven, the necessity for dentists being business-people and the need to be a good manager (“inspect what you expect” is carved into my psyche).  Those years were part boot camp, part Masters Program and all growth and development—in ways I had never expected.  I am so grateful for those years.  I also learned that being entrepreneurial involves taking risks—not easy at the time, but I knew it was important for me to move on and consult my way.

Being a co-founder of Mosaic Management Group was pure joy!  Along with partners Virginia Moore, Pam Gorrell, Jody Catalanello, Linda Valencia and Ventana Weir, designed a consulting process we knew would help dentists and their team members in a fresh way.  It was a creative time, immersed in collaboration while doing great work around the country. Together we wrote the book, "Get Paid for Your Services".  Virginia and I started to grow as popular lecturers and relished having those opportunities together.  It was time for the two of us to branch out on our own.

My partnership with Virginia has been the stuff professional dreams are made of.  We started working together on 1/2/91 at Pride Institute.  We share a friendship, work ethic and business philosophy.  Looking back over the years, being creative, collaborative and agile have been particular strengths of our partnership.  Together we:

• Started the consulting business, Insight Solution.
• Developed a speaking business which led to worldwide speaking opportunities.
• Wrote 8 books, training resources for dentists and staff.  We discussed writing another book on our travel adventures--but we'd never finish it. The laughter would consume us!  We hired a marketing firm that advised we change our business name.  We chose The Practice Source—a “source” for dentists for consulting and product.
• We both had the honor of being President of The Academy of Dental Management Consultants.
• Dentistry Today has named us both “Leaders in Consulting” each year since 2005. A wonderful distinction!
• Started The Consulting U in 2007, a training program for consultants who want to enhance their business or for other dental professionals who want to start their own consulting businesses.  A gratifying experience.

Our dear friend and colleague, Jill Townsend, has been our copywriter, editor, web master, marketing advisor and supporter for years.  Her positive and generous nature (I don't think she knows the word “no”) has no boundaries.  Wow, Jill, thank you.  We could never have done all of this without you.  I'm grateful that the "thank-you's" will continue.

Have I said that I consider myself lucky?  It’s impossible, in a series of bullet points to express how one partnership and friendship could be so rich.  So much life has happened in our 24 years—growing businesses, serving clients, marriage (I was one of Virginia's bridesmaids), losing parents, traveling the world together.  We’ve laughed until we cried, worried together, celebrated and supported one another.  Seasons change and now, we are on to our own individual endeavors.  We will continue to lecture together which brings us joy.  Perfect!

April 2, 2014 Castagna Coaching is launched.  Let the games begin!

And now, for you, my clients.  What makes this work particularly worthwhile—and amazing, is the relationships I’ve shared with you—so many of you friends.  This work is often personal and intimate and the way many of you have allowed me into your practices and your lives is simply an honor.  I am thrilled with your accomplishments, feel your challenges, understand setbacks, cheer you on, prod and provoke you, love hearing stories about those you love and the things you do, and of course, sharing laughs (too many to count, Dr. E—“we have a care to share situation!”).  Thank you, you have enriched my life immeasurably—you are what are significant to me.

So friends—or to the friends I’ve yet to make, thanks for this indulgence.  I believe that if someone is considering hiring me, a bulleted list of prior work experiences and accomplishments isn’t enough.  If you are looking for a trainer, perhaps it is (and this is which all due respect to trainers), but that isn’t my approach. My coach--yes, coaching is important to me too, the gifted and wise Mary Fox, says that this work is an inside job—you work from the inside out. It requires your head and heart.  When you bring both to the work you do, magic happens.