Dental Assistant Nation

Your practice is a business and every business needs customers who return to buy services and products as well as customers who feel valued and appreciated. The dental assistant plays a key role in all of that so let's discuss how you can impact your customers and your business.

When you think of embezzlement in the dental practice, we often think about stealing money. But what about stealing time and resources away from your teammates and patients? Let's talk about it in a very open and honest conversation. #TogetherWeRise

Dental assistants talk to us all the time about their salary. But is that all there is to having a job? In this episode, let's think about all of the things that go into a day or a career and contemplate the good and bad that contributes to our happiness ... or lack thereof.

In this episode, Dentistry's Image Expert, Janice Hurley, stops by to discuss how assistants can have more confidence and the impact that plays on their career. Let's also talk about image, what it really means and what dental assistants need to know about it.

In this episode straight from the show floor of the International Dental Show (IDS) in Cologne, Germany, we talk about a big trend we are seeing (3D printing) and how it will impact assistants. Additionally, other thoughts from the world's largest dental show.

"You were put on this earth for a reason." Dr. Alan Stern shares his best advice for assistants on how they can rediscover the passion within their careers, talk to their dentists more openly and never view their patients the same way.

Lois Villa, CDA, returns to the show to shed some additional light on what dental assistants need to know when it comes to mental health and addiction issues in their patients. These patients are in every practice. How are you prepared to work with them?

What happens when a dental assistant finds himself or herself in a situation where he or she isn't comfortable and has to figure things out on his or her own? Let's talk about it in this episode with two people who have "been there and done that."

Dental assistants, it's time that companies knew just how powerful you were. Let's talk today about tips to use your purchasing power to grow your career and your profession. Be proud and own your next trade show visit! #TogetherWeRise

Dr. David Black stops by to talk about emotional intelligence, what it means to the dental assistant, and how it can help assistants enjoy what they do more.

Dental assistants need encouragement during the week. They are the backbones of every practice but there are plenty of times they feel like the bottom rung of the ladder. How do we change that? Let's work together to encourage each other. Here's how...

Following proper infection control procedures is critical for every dental practice. In this episode, infection control thought leader and speaker Leslie Canham, CDA, RDA, CSP, joins us to give assistants some tips and ideas on improving how they tackle infection control every day and how to keep their patients safe.

In this episode, let's talk about the different ways that not only you can view competition, but how we are looking at it as well as IgniteDA. For us, it really is about "Together We Rise" and here's why.

Consultant Virginia Moore stops by with thoughts on the value of the assistant's relationship with the patient, how it can be improved and how it factors into the business of the practice.

One of the nation's top dental consultants and a former dental assistant, Lois Banta, stops by to discuss the treatment presentation and patient communication skills that can make a big difference in the career of every assistant. #TogetherWeRise

In this episode, former dental assistant Sadie Stewart from OfficeSwell.com stops by to discuss how assistants can help influence in the implementation of technology in the dental practice ... and love working with it even more.

In this episode, Tija Hunter, CDA, EFDA, CDIA, CDSO, MADAA, stops by to talk about some of the things she is seeing online when it comes to dental professionals degrading each other rather than working together. How can we turn things around? Let's talk about it.

Failures. Mistakes. Errors. They happen. It's part of life. But how do we learn from them ... and what can advice can we share about them with each other? Let's talk about a new project launched by IgniteDA and DentistryIQ.com for 2019. #TogetherWeRise

A dental assistant joins us to discuss how she is working with her patients' extraoral tissue as well as a program she is starting to help other assistants know how it can be used in their practices.

In this episode, let's tackle something that isn't discussed enough. During this holiday season, are you listening to the people who need to be heard? And are you making sure you're sharing what you need to tell others in order to be happy? Let's talk mental health, the holidays, and the assistant's role.

Lois Villa, CDA, stops by to talk about what dental assistants should know about their patients with addiction or mental health issues. She also previews her upcoming course for dental assistants during IgniteDA day at Yankee Dental Congress in Boston.

IgniteDA co-founder Kevin Henry talks to Dr. Traci Portnoff about a day of education designed specifically for dental assistants at the 2019 Yankee Dental Congress in Boston. For more information, visit www.yankeedental.com/dental-assistant

In this episode, consultant Teresa Duncan stops by to discuss case presentation skills for the dental assistant and some tips on how the assistant can improve them. She also previews her upcoming course during IgniteDA's day of education at Yankee Dental Congress 2019 in Boston.

With 2018 coming to a close, IgniteDA co-founder Kevin Henry gives dental assistants five tips to help make their 2019 the best year they've ever had in their career.

In this episode, FrontOfficeRocks.com founder Laura Hatch, BS, MS, FAADOM, stops in to talk about how assistants can team up with the front office to enhance the patient experience. Also, how can we get past the drama that can happen between the front and the back? Let's talk about it!