Mentorship from a seasoned orthodontic practice was one of Dr. Tim Lou’s top priorities after completing his residency. He found this opportunity at Corus Orthodontists with three of Corus’ doctor and their teams: Drs. Sharon Nguyen and Anthony Mair from STO Orthodontists and Dr. Bruce Hill from BHG Orthodontics. These mentorship opportunities helped accelerate his clinical and professional growth, and he is now on a path to becoming a Corus doctor-partner.
Come along with us as we take you through Dr. Lou’s journey, where you will gain firsthand insights into the unique experience of being an associate orthodontist at Corus, and why Corus offers the ideal set-up for newly graduated doctors. Witness the career growth, treatment philosophy development, and the transformative impact that mentorship and guidance from experienced partners and their teams have had on Dr. Lou’s career.
Join us for this Associate Doctor blog series where we delve into what it’s like to work as an associate doctor at Corus.
Meet Dr. Tim Lou, Associate Orthodontist at BHG Orthodontics
Dr. Tim Lou has been practicing orthodontics since 2019 and he is passionate about biomechanics and treatment efficiency. His education includes an undergraduate degree in Chemistry from the University of Waterloo, a Master of Science Degree in Chemistry from the University of Toronto, a Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Manitoba, and a Master of Science, Orthodontics from the University of Toronto. He is an active member of numerous dental and orthodontic associations and is a fellow in the Royal College of Dentists of Canada.
Dr. Lou started his career with Corus Orthodontists in 2019 as an Associate Doctor working with Drs. Sharon Nguyen and Anthony Mair and their impressive team at STO Orthodontists in Toronto, ON. After getting married and settling in London, ON, Dr. Lou returned to Corus in the fall of 2023 and has been working with Dr. Bruce Hill at BHG Orthodontics.
What led you to become an orthodontist?
I took an interest in orthodontics at a very young age, as I was an interesting case myself – I had an odontoma that led to the removal of an impacted center incisor. Having to smile with only one front tooth showing was difficult for me. My orthodontist approached this challenge without using an implant, a unique solution which amazed me and immediately piqued my interest in orthodontics.
I was drawn in for two reasons: the unique aspect that sets it apart from general dentistry and the joy of transforming people’s smiles and witnessing the positive impact on their lives. Each orthodontic case is like a puzzle, presenting intellectual challenges that keep the specialty engaging for me. Later, when I was in dental school, I was inspired by my instructor’s passion and excitement for orthodontics during lectures, which ultimately led me to pursue a career as an orthodontist.
Now, with Corus’ supportive network of doctors and their teams, I can collaborate and share ideas with like-minded colleagues, which allows all of us to evolve and improve our practices – together. We also have industry experts at our fingertips who we can bounce ideas off when faced with a particularly challenging case.
What factors set Corus apart from other opportunities, and what motivated your decision to join?
There were two main things that stood out to me: The first was location availability. Corus has practices in multiple locations across North America, which allows doctors greater flexibility in choosing where they want to live and work. I wanted to settle in London, Ontario, and it was perfect that Corus already had an available opportunity there.
The second is the unique partnership model, which is characterized by a high degree of clinical autonomy and very different than practices that follow standardized care models. Doctors can treat their patients to the best of their ability, using the methods they prefer. But orthodontists also aren’t working in a private practice where they must make every decision by themselves; Corus has a network of doctors (and their teams) you can connect with to help navigate difficult cases and situations. For me, the balance of both was the ideal scenario, so joining Corus was the best decision.
How does being part of Corus align with your professional goals and aspirations?
I love being part of Corus because it allows me to work in a hybrid ownership model. Professionally, I don’t want to be an associate orthodontist forever; however, I enjoy the flexibility of being able to both work and spend time with my family. This model gives me the work-life balance that I’m looking for in this stage of my life.
Corus also encourages great collaboration across all practices, with systems put in place like our company intranet, our social community platform, and other communications channels that allow you to stay in touch with your peers, discuss orthodontic cases, and truly support each other.
What Corus resources or programs have been beneficial for your professional development?
Getting access to invaluable mentorship has positively influenced my approach to patient care. I started my Corus career working at STO Orthodontists in Toronto, ON where I was collectively mentored by Drs. Sharon Nguyen and Anthony Mair and their team. I learned so much during my time there, which greatly accelerated my growth and development as a professional.
Other impactful resources include the network of support Corus has provided not only to me but to my practice team. Staffing support, vendor maintenance and communication, and other operational aspects of the clinic are supported by our Home Office team which make the day-to-day operations of the practice smooth and seamless.
How was your Corus experience unique as an Associate Doctor?
Mentorship and transition support sets Corus apart from its competitors. Mentorship was integral for me when I started my career and all that I’ve learned from the experienced doctors and their teams within the Corus network has and will continue to shape my career going forward.
Transition support includes associate doctors having an overlap with the current doctor-partner, while slowly being introduced to the team, the patients, and the community. This intentional transition period is important for patients, so they feel comfortable and start to foster a trusting relationship with you. This also helps to maintain the practice’s reputation with the patients and their referring dentists as you begin to build your own name in the community.
I found this process to be unique to Corus and is definitely a value-add. It is so beneficial not only to the associate doctor, but to the doctor-partner, the practice team, and the communities we work in.
“I learned the basics in school, but working with mentors at Corus has given me the hands-on experience I need to be able to thrive in my career.”
– Dr. Tim Lou, Associate Doctor at BHG Orthodontics
What do you love about working at BHG Orthodontics?
One thing that makes working with Dr. Hill at BHG Orthodontics truly unique is being able to treat special needs patients and seeing their day brighten. Dr. Hill makes incredible connections with his patients – their eyes light up when they see him – and witnessing that inspired me to continue this legacy of providing specialized care.
The community is also important, as this is where I want to live and work, and Dr. Hill has an amazing reputation within both the Corus network and the local community.
What have you learned from Dr. Hill and his team when it comes to the patient experience?
Parents and caregivers of special needs patients are often stressed during visits due to their sensitivities, which require delicate handling. Dr. Hill and his team have established a meticulous process to ensure the comfort of these patients in our practice environment, which involves conducting familiarization visits, starting small, and emphasizing the importance of doing only what the patient allows during each visit, gradually building trust to facilitate comfortable treatment.
Dr. Hill makes a personal connection with all his patients, which is above and beyond the exceptional orthodontic care he already provides. He talks to them about things other than orthodontics, takes time to thoroughly update parents so they’re at ease every time their children are in the clinic, and so much more. Patients love him, as exemplified by the multi-generations of families he has treated.
What advice would you give other associate doctors or new graduates looking for their next opportunity?
My advice to new grads is to recognize that learning truly begins once you’re out of residency entirely. Seek out opportunities, like the ones offered by Corus, that provide mentorship and an environment that accelerates your growth – both clinically and professionally. By investing in your professional growth and development early on, you will be better equipped to determine your long-term career path.
Click here to learn more about the path to partnership that Corus offers our associate doctors from Dr. Lenore Louie.
