His small boat was being slapped and tossed as it made its way. It was listing (leaning) badly. Lake Michigan is not the Atlantic but a squall on one of the largest inland bodies of water in the world can give even the most salty of dogs a scare.

Its captain, Dr. Carl Smudde, finally went below for some well-deserved rest but the storm would have none of it. His bunk was right up against the bow and each time he began to doze, a wave would wake him, bouncing his body about like a rag doll.

Most doctors would scornfully say that running a dental practice was nightmarish enough and why risk life and limb for such a dangerous hobby? But Dr. Smudde has had even more time for his adventures since organizing his practice using Sterling Management.

Dr. Smudde told Today's Dentist about the rough waters before Sterling came to his practice:

"I just wasn't a very good manager and I wasn't searching out to get patients into my office. I was one of those people expecting them to just be there."

Since doing the Sterling program, Dr. Smudde's new patients have quadrupled from about 20 per month to 80 average and his production and collections have tripled.

Carl's demure attitude regarding office stress would make any practitioner green with envy.

"It's just imagination. I don't look at it as stress; I look at things as problems that need to be solved--some a little more difficult than others. Stress in the office doesn't cause any change in me like it used to."

Although Dr. Smudde has more time for tennis and sailing, he finds that just working at his practice can be therapeutic.

"I really think it helped save relationships with people around me--my staff, my family and my patients. People see me differently. The fact that the business is now successful is just the gravy.

"And when I do take off, I feel more comfortable about being away from the practice."