Dental Assistant Nation

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...

What if the reason you feel drained at work is not the workload, but the lack of feeling valued? In this episode, Kevin Henry explores a question that sparked powerful conversations among dental assistants across multiple states. When was the last time you truly felt valued in your practice? The answers reveal how appreciation often shows up in small but meaningful ways, from a simple thank you to...

Most dental assistants don’t realize they could be the reason a patient’s cancer gets caught early enough to save their life. In this episode, Kathryn Gilliam and Kevin Henry dive into the often overlooked role dental assistants play in patient care, especially when it comes to oral and head and neck cancer detection. Kathryn shares why assistants should be trained to perform both intraoral and ex...

Dental assistants must know these hidden drug risks in patients Dental assistants are often the first line of defense in patient safety, especially when patients use opioids, kratom, or other substances that may not appear on standard drug tests. Many patients do not disclose what they take, which increases the risk of dangerous drug interactions, oversedation, and medical emergencies during treat...

Most dental assistants don’t realize how valuable they truly are until they learn this. Success in dentistry is no longer just about clinical skills but about mindset, leadership awareness, and continuous growth. Dental assistants play a critical role in keeping practices productive, organized, and patient focused, yet many struggle with unclear expectations and limited career direction. Understan...

In this episode, Tom Viola, RPh, breaks down why dental teams need to start asking the right questions about cannabis use and why it matters more than ever. From increased blood pressure and pulse to complications with anesthesia and healing, cannabis can change how a patient responds in the chair. The conversation also explores how modern cannabis use is more discreet and varied than most people...

Working in a dental practice should be built on trust, but what happens when something in the office does not feel right? In this episode of the Dental Assistant Nation Podcast, Kevin Henry sits down with dental consultant and author Susan Gunn to have an honest conversation about ethics inside dental practices. Many dental assistants have quietly struggled with situations where decisions in the o...

What if the stress you carry home from work is not about the job at all but about the energy you are giving away without even realizing it? In this powerful conversation on the Dental Assistant Nation podcast, Kevin Henry sits down with author and entrepreneur Anne Karber to unpack the truth about boundaries, self awareness, and what it really means to take control of your life. Anne shares how ma...

Expanded Function Dental Assistants are helping dental practices work smarter, improve efficiency, and deliver better patient care. Taking on expanded functions allows assistants to perform more advanced clinical duties, which increases production and strengthens the partnership between doctor and assistant. Success depends on understanding the legal scope of practice, proper scheduling, and havin...

Education access, financial barriers, and limited career awareness continue to slow the pipeline of new dental assistants entering the workforce. At the same time, patient demand keeps growing, putting more pressure on clinical teams. Organizations like PDS Health are actively working to close this gap through scholarships, mentorship, externship opportunities, and structured career development pr...

What dental assistants really want from their careers might surprise most practices. Imagine walking into a room with hundreds of dental assistants and asking them what matters most at work. The answers reveal a powerful pattern about growth, recognition, and having a real voice in the practice. Dental assistants shared that they love helping patients and keeping everything running smoothly, but t...

What if the future of dentistry is already sitting inside your practice and your assistant is the one who unlocks it? Digital dentistry brings speed, confidence, and opportunity into the practice by allowing assistants to create appliances in house, reduce wait times, and deliver same day solutions patients can trust. Scanning and 3D printing streamline workflows, improve patient communication, an...

Most dental bite problems are not caused by difficult patients or complex cases. They happen because the bite is rarely measured. In this episode of the Dental Assistant Nation podcast, we explore how accurate bite measurement can completely change patient outcomes and day to day efficiency in the dental practice. Kevin Henry sits down with prosthodontist Dr. Robert Kerstein to explain why traditi...

Dental assistants work under constant pressure, expected to stay focused, calm, and precise while caring for patients and supporting the dental team. Over time, this demanding pace often leads to stress, physical pain, mental exhaustion, and burnout, especially when dental assistants put everyone else first and ignore their own health. This conversation explores why burnout is so common in dental...

Can a dental assistant really achieve financial freedom without a high salary or burning out? In this episode of the Dental Assistant Nation podcast, Kevin Henry sits down with Angela Tipton, founder of Fire Your Career, to talk about what financial freedom actually looks like for dental assistants. They explore the idea that freedom isn’t about getting rich fast, but about living on your terms th...