Dental Assistant Nation

Most dental assistants learned infection control on the job, and much of what gets passed around chairside is wrong. What you don't know can put you, your team, and your patients at risk. Kevin Henry sits down with Atia Black of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), veteran assistant and educator Tija Hunter, and Andy Whitehead of the Association for Dental Safety (ADS) to answer a question...

Anxious patients cancel more, delay treatment, and drain team energy fast. Kevin Henry talks with Catherine Fettig about why dental fear is so common and how past negative experiences shape patient behavior. Fear slows down appointments, leads to no shows, and creates added pressure for dental assistants who carry the emotional load chairside. Simple steps make a difference, from pre appointment s...

Seventy percent of dental equipment repairs trace back to one habit almost every practice repeats between patients. Kevin Henry sits down with Matt Baker of Right Wipe for a special edition of Dental Assistant Nation to look at what the wipes used between patients are actually doing to chairs, upholstery, sensors, lights, handles, tubings, plastics, and handpieces. Matt points to findings pulled f...

A dental practice can lose its best assistant and never figure out why. Dr. Sreenivas Koka says the answer is almost never the person. Dr. Sreenivas Koka is a prosthodontist, a former practice owner in San Diego, a former dental school dean, the former chair of dentistry at the Mayo Clinic, and one of 16 dentists in his family, and he explains why every role on a dental team carries the same weigh...

Courage is not the absence of fear. It is choosing to act while you still feel it. Dr. Elizabeth Carr joins host Kevin Henry to explain how dental professionals can balance bravery with humility to navigate difficult conversations with confidence and care. True courage starts with a foundation of knowledge and a patient focused intent, stays grounded in humility and respect for every team member,...

Becoming a confident clinic ready dental assistant should not require an expensive program or months of stressful catch up on the job. When new team members start without strong fundamentals, the entire practice feels the pressure. DentalReady.ai was built to offer a more practical and affordable path forward. Host Kevin Henry talks with Dr. Sreenivas Koka and Dr. Elizabeth Carr about a gamified a...

Most dental teams do not quit because of pay. They quit because they do not feel valued. In this conversation Dr. Paul White shows you how to change that starting today. In this episode Kevin Henry talks with Dr. Paul White, psychologist and co author of The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, about what it really takes to make your team feel seen and supported. Dr. White explains the di...

Latina dental assistants are already doing the work that keeps many practices moving, but too often their contributions go unrecognized. What happens when they stop working silently and start using their voice, culture, and bilingual skills as strengths? In this episode of Dental Assistant Nation, Kevin Henry talks with Edna Abreu about the growing influence of Latinas in dentistry and the challen...

What if the secret to keeping great dental assistants has nothing to do with fancy perks and everything to do with respect? In this episode, Dr. Marc Goldman shares how investing in his team, trusting their expertise, and creating a culture of mutual appreciation helped build a loyal and high performing practice. Dr. Marc Goldman reflects on more than four decades in periodontics and explains why...

What if the biggest factor holding a dental practice back is not technology or production goals, but the way dental assistants are valued? In this conversation, leadership coach Brandi Marzolino shares why it is time to recognize dental assistants as essential leaders, invest in their growth, and create workplaces where they can thrive instead of simply getting through the day. Brandi Marzolino jo...

What does it take to build a lasting career in dental assisting? In this episode, you'll hear firsthand how earning a CDA, embracing continuous learning, and working in a supportive environment can open doors to leadership, hygiene school, and long term career growth. Kevin Henry sits down with Molly Ward, Mikelle, and Lynn Turner to explore their career journeys at Aspen Dental and the impact of...

Is dental assisting just a job or can it become a long term career with more opportunities, higher confidence, and greater earning potential? In this episode, we explore why national certification is helping dental assistants take their careers to the next level and why leading organizations are investing in professional growth. In part two of this three part series, Kevin Henry is joined by Amber...

What does it really mean for a dental assistant to practice at the top of their scope? In this episode, industry leaders explain why certification is more than just another credential and how it can transform careers, improve patient care, and strengthen dental practices. Kevin Henry is joined by Amber Musser of Aspen Dental and Atia Black of the Dental Assisting National Board to discuss the real...

Infection control is the most important responsibility in every dental practice, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Are dental teams truly protecting their patients, or are outdated habits putting safety at risk without anyone realizing it? In this conversation, Tija Hunter, CDA, EFDA, CDIA, CDSO, MADAA joins Kevin Henry to discuss why infection control should always come before product...

Dental assisting is more than just a job. In this conversation, ADAA President Erin Hendricks shares why she believes it is a lifelong career that deserves greater recognition, stronger standards, and better opportunities for every dental assistant. Drawing from nearly four decades of experience, Erin discusses her journey from the United States Air Force to becoming President of the American Dent...

Could dental assistants soon administer local anesthesia in more states? Oregon is leading the way with one of the most progressive changes in dental assisting, and it could shape the future of the profession across the country. In this episode of the Dental Assistant Nation Podcast, Kevin Henry is joined by Tina Clarke, Atia Black, and Tony Garcia to discuss Oregon's new Local Anesthesia Function...

What if the biggest risk in your dental practice is something patients never think about? Dental unit waterline safety is often overlooked, but having the right system in place can simplify compliance, protect patients, and reduce the workload for your team. In this episode, Kevin Henry sits down with Angela Simmons to discuss why dental unit waterline maintenance deserves more attention in every...

What separates great orthodontic assistants from the rest? In this conversation, Anthony Herrera shares how patient trust, communication, and comfort can directly impact treatment success. Drawing from 14 years of chairside orthodontic experience, he explains why treating every patient as if they are the only one that matters leads to better compliance, stronger relationships, and a more positive...

Most dental teams were never taught about waterline safety in school, yet it has become one of the most important infection control topics in modern dentistry. In this episode, Angela Simmons shares why dental unit waterlines remain a misunderstood area of compliance and what practices need to do to better protect patients. Angela and Kevin Henry discuss the challenges of getting waterline protoco...

Do you think probiotics can replace brushing and flossing? A viral TikTok trend is making that claim, but dental professionals are sounding the alarm. In this episode, Kevin Henry and pharmacology expert Tom Viola break down the truth behind probiotics and oral health so dental assistants can confidently answer questions patients are already bringing into the office. Tom explains how probiotics ma...

Running a successful dental practice is not just about clinical skill. It is about consistency, training, communication, and making sure every team member understands exactly how things should be done. In this conversation, Kevin Henry and Sherrie Busby break down why clear systems and written protocols are more important than ever for modern dental practices. From staff turnover and training chal...

What separates dental assistants who stay stuck from the ones who grow into leadership and management roles? In this episode, Sherrie Busby shares the mindset shifts, career decisions, and uncomfortable moments that helped her build a 42 year career in dentistry and become a respected educator, mentor, and industry leader. Kevin Henry and Sherrie dive into the reality of growth in the dental field...

What if the water flowing through your dental unit is quietly building a hidden community of bacteria that standard routines are not fully controlling? In this episode, Kevin Henry talks with Chanda Chatham about what really happens inside dental waterlines and why consistency matters more than most practices realize. They break down how biofilm forms, how bacteria attach to particles in water, an...

Dental assistants are finally getting the recognition and support they deserve and this new opportunity could open doors that were never available before. In this episode, industry leaders Gary Steinberg and Andrew Whitehead join Kevin Henry to announce a new scholarship program focused on infection control education for dental assistants. After decades in the dental industry, both Gary and Andy s...

What if the water in your dental unit lines is putting patients at risk without you knowing it? This episode breaks down why testing, shocking, and proper protocols matter more than many practices realize. Michelle Strange, RDH, joins Kevin Henry for a practical conversation on dental waterline safety, including why testing should be routine, how shocking fits into a safe protocol, and what practi...