Dental Assistant Nation

Susan Gunn, CFE, is a speaker, author, consultant, and certified fraud examiner. She speaks around the country on the matter of ethics in the dental practice, and that's what we discuss in this episode. How have ethics changed since COVID-19? What are ethics like in today's dental practice versus the one from a decade ago? This and more is discussed here. Susan can be reached at susan@susangunnsol...

Katie Burkett, the managing partner and executive coach for Fortune Management as well as a former dental office manager, joins the show to discuss communication in the practice and the role she sees dental assistants playing in leadership as dentistry continues to advance. For more information on her April 14 event, drop an email to katieburkett@fortunemgmt.com.

In this episode, Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, joins the show to talk about the growing role of the infection control coordinator in the practice. What is it? Would it be a fit for any dental assistant? What impact can it have on the practice and patients? We talk about these questions and more.

In this episode, Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, DMD, the chief editor of Dental Economics magazine, stops by to discuss the ways that she believes dental assistants impact their patients during and after every visit. She shares some things that she has seen work in her practice, and tips that she believes can benefit every dental assistant.

Mary Govoni, CDA, RDH, MBA, returns to the show to discuss what dental practices should be doing about masking in the business now that we have reached another phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses the role of dental assistants and how important communication within the team and with patients about any changes to policy are. This is a timely, must-listen episode.

Stephanie Botts, BSDH, RDH, CEAS, rejoins the show to discuss the importance of ergonomics for every dental assistant. From tips on positioning with patients to the importance of micro breaks during the day, this show is a must-listen and is designed to have you feeling better at the end of the day.

In this episode, Dr. Jeanette MacLean, a pediatric dentist working in Arizona, discusses the important role that dental assistants play with our youngest patients as well as how dental practices can have greater success with them and their parents.

Dental's pharmacology expert, Tom Viola, RPh, returns to the show to talk about a new study on cannabis and its effects on your female patients. What do you need to know about the interesting study and how it can impact some of your patients (and potentially you as well)? We ask Viola for his expert opinion.

In this episode, Dr. Margaret Scarlett, who has been on the front line of infection control since the HIV/AIDS epidemic first appeared, joins the show to discuss how she has seen the role of dental assistants evolve. He also gives her thoughts on the power of assistants in today's dental practice.

In this episode, dental's pharmacology expert, Tom Viola, RPh, returns with some news from the FDA that will be of interest for every dental practice. Let's talk about that, its connection to opioids, and the dental assistant's important role in all of it.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Heather-Dawn Lawson-Myers, a dentist in Jamaica who has a passion for helping dental assistants grow in their careers. We talk about her program, dentistry in her country, and how she sees the relationship with her assistants. Join us for this international discussion!

In this episode, Dr. Greg Asatrian, an orthodontist working in Michigan and the founder of the "Braces Explained" YouTube channel, joins the show to talk about what dental assistants need to know about working in orthodontics and how he and his assistants communicate and work together. Plus, what separates good from great dental assistants? We discuss.

Dental's pharmacology expert, Tom Viola, RPh, returns to the podcast with two stories you must hear. He dives into the research on hand sanitizer and some allergic reactions that have been reported, as well as the trend of "mouth taping" on TikTok. This is an episode no one in dentistry will want to miss.

In this episode, we kick off 2022 with Tija Hunter, CDA, CDIPC, EFDA, CDIA, CDSO, CDSH, MADAA, one of the leading thought leaders in the dental industry for dental assistants. Hunter talks about mistakes she has seen when it comes to OSHA, documentation, and infection control, and offers ways to make sure your practice doesn't succumb to these errors.

In this episode, long-time dental assistant Dilaine Gloege, CDA, CPC, who is now the director of education and client services for Unified Smiles, joins the show to talk about the importance of education for all dental assistants and gives some advice for all assistants heading into 2022.

In this episode, Amber Lovatos, RDH, joins the podcast to talk about an ever-growing part of the United States demographic and what it means to be Latino, Latina, Latinx, Hispanic, and so much more. Whether it's learning more about your dental patient or your dental coworkers, this is an eye-opening conversation.

We travel to the Atlanta area to visit in person with Tonya Lanthier, RDH, the founder and CEO of DentalPost.net, the leading job site in the dental industry. DentalPost has just completed its annual salary survey and state of the dental industry report, so we get insight on what were the findings that matter to dental assistants.

This time of year, Lexus always advertises a "December to remember" for their excellent line of cars. What about this month will make it one you will always remember in your professional career? It will take planning and communication. Let's talk about it in today's podcast and help you get 2022 off on the right foot.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, IgniteDA co-founder Kevin Henry details 3 things he is thankful for every day in every dental assistant. For everything you do every day for your dental practice and dentistry, thank you dental assistants!

After a week of trade shows in San Diego and Seattle, IgniteDA co-founder Kevin Henry shares some of the business and economic trends he heard discussed and how they may impact dental practices in 2022. He also shares his views on what he has seen from attendees at dental trade meetings from Orlando to Seattle.

In a wide-ranging interview, Nicole Fortune, RDH, discusses the lessons she learned as a dental assistant she keeps with her today as a hygienist, the working relationship between hygienists and assistants, and the question she believes assistants should be asking patients. Learn more about her at NicoleFortuneRDH.com.

Teresa Duncan, one of the leading voices on dental insurance in our industry, stops by to talk about what it might take for the dental assistant to transition from the back to the front and what opportunities might be available in 2022. You want trends? We have that here.

As we head toward the holidays, goals for the new year will become a focus. But there's more to goals than just saying they should happen. It takes preparation and passion, as IgniteDA co-founder Kevin Henry discusses in this podcast. Let's get you ready to accomplish your goals in 2022 and beyond.

In this episode, Lois Baker Villa joins the podcast to give her thoughts as a dental assistant of the importance of mental health, being mindful, and communicating with others. As the holidays approach, it's perhaps more important than ever to take note of your mental health and what can be done to improve it.

It was a slip up of words, but the term "action-motivated" has stuck with IgniteDA co-founder Kevin Henry. Now he shares the meaning behind the words with you and why they suddenly have inspired him when it comes to dental assistants in 2021 and beyond.