Dental Assistant Nation

In this episode, Kevin Henry interviews Lisa Heaton from CareQuest Institute for Oral Health about the importance of health screenings in dental practices. They discuss the disconnect between patients' willingness to undergo screenings and the low percentage of patients actually receiving them. They also highlight the role of dental assistants in facilitating these screenings and reducing patient...

In this conversation, Kevin Henry and Linda Harvey discuss the importance of patient safety training for dental assistants. They explore different ways for dental assistants to receive training, including mentorship, consulting, and additional courses. They emphasize the need for dental assistants to be aware of their state's requirements and to seek out training in areas relevant to their practic...

In this episode, Kevin Henry, founder of Dental Assistant Nation, interviews Sarrah Rose, the CEO and founder of Elixr, about Gen Z and their needs and desires in the dental practice. They discuss the loneliness that Gen Z often feels, the importance of connection and relationships, and how older generations can better connect with Gen Z. Sarah also explains how Elixr uses AI coaching to help peop...

Today's episode is a pivot for Dental Assistant Nation founder Kevin Henry after a comment from a recent meeting drew his attention. Dental assistants, what are your goals for the rest of 2024? What's keeping you from achieving them? We all have to be ready to take that next step, but it's up to us to set the path. In this episode, let's embrace what is to come. Here's why and how.

After an unexpected week off to deal with his dad's medical emergency, Dental Assistant Nation founder Kevin Henry discusses finding work-life balance and how dental assistants can work with their dentists to plan ahead for contingencies. As always, communication is key, as is knowing what you want in teams of the ideal work-life balance.

In this episode of the Dental Assistant Nation podcast, host Kevin Henry interviews Linda Harvey, a dental assistant advocate and patient safety champion. They discuss the important role of dental assistants in patient safety and the various hats they wear in the dental practice. They also delve into four types of medical errors in dentistry: communication, documentation, infection control, and me...

In this episode, Kevin Henry interviews dental hygienist Cris Duval about the lifeguard approach to patient care. Duval emphasizes the importance of dental assistants in improving patient outcomes and increasing practice profitability. She encourages dental assistants to decide who they want to be for their patients and to ask quality questions that uncover patient values and motivations. Duval al...

In this episode recorded live at the Speaking Consulting Network meeting in Austin, Texas, Tija Hunter, EFDA, explains what dental practices are doing wrong when it comes to their HIPAA and OSHA training. From common mistakes to what OSHA inspectors may be looking to find in the practice, we cover a wide range of topics. Connect with Tija at tijaefda@gmail.com.

Suzanne Cano, founder of LunaLite Dental, shares her journey from dental assistant to entrepreneur and the development of LunaLite, an x-ray positioning device. She discusses the impact of faith, innovation, and disruption in the dental industry, offering advice for dental assistants with innovative ideas. The conversation highlights the importance of patient experience and the future of LunaLite...

Episode 334: Narrowing the focus for dental assistants in the practice by Dental Assistant Nation

In this episode recorded live at the California Dental Association (CDA) meeting in Anaheim, Dental Assistant Nation founder Kevin Henry sits down with CDA's Teresa Pichay, CHPC, and Ashley Reich to discuss the dental assistant's scope of practice and why it's important for every dental assistant and dentist to know what their state law allows dental assistants to do. This is an important episode...

Fresh off his day of speaking at the Pacific Northwest Dental Conference (PNDC), Dental Assistant Nation founder Kevin Henry shares two questions that were asked of him in Seattle by dental assistants and how he responded. Are these problems plaguing you and your dental practice?

In this episode, Kevin Henry, founder of the Dental Assistant Nation, explains the importance of stay interviews, what they are, and why dental assistants should be having one with the dentist before the first half of 2024 is over. What do you need to make this happen? How can these be successful for the dental assistant, dentist, and practice? Kevin shares his best tips here.

In this episode, dental assistant Mila McNeely returns to the show to discuss a connection in the oral-systemic link she believes every dental assistant should be willing to discuss with his or her patients ... the link between periodontal disease and erectile dysfunction. You can see the study detailing the link referenced here ... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5672720/

In this conversation, Kevin Henry interviews Lynda Ricketson, the president and CEO of the Dental Lifeline Network, to discuss the organization's mission and impact. The Dental Lifeline Network is celebrating its 50th anniversary and has served over 170,000 patients, providing over $550 million worth of donated dental treatment. They connect patients who are elderly, living with disabilities, medi...

Neo of Neo Positivity, a mindset specialist, shares his journey of discovering the power of manifesting and the law of attraction. He emphasizes the phrase "thoughts become things" and the importance of staying focused on positive thoughts. Neo discusses the impact of limiting beliefs and how they can hold us back from achieving our goals. He encourages individuals to fear negative thoughts and re...

Episode 327: The front vs. back battle and the importance of documentation by Dental Assistant Nation

In this episode, Kevin Henry interviews Lynda Sherman, a certified dental assistant and founder of Get Mouthy, a sustainable dental subscription box. Lynda shares her journey in dentistry and how she discovered her passion for the environment. She discusses the importance of sustainability in dentistry and her mission to protect the oceans. Lynda also talks about her nonprofit organization, the DO...

In this episode, Kevin Henry interviews Tom Viola, RPh, a renowned dental pharmacology expert. They discuss various topics related to dental pharmacology, including controversies surrounding antibiotic prophylaxis and self-medication. Viola emphasizes the importance of accurate medical history and the role of dental assistants in obtaining this information. He also highlights the influence of "Dr....

In this episode, Kevin Henry and Mary Govoni discuss the COVID isolation guidelines and what dental assistants need to know. They emphasize the importance of following the guidelines for healthcare workers and taking necessary precautions. They also highlight the need for dental practices to continue practicing infection control and screening patients for respiratory symptoms. Mary provides resour...

Dental Assistant Nation founder Kevin Henry has a strong message for every dental assistant as Dental Assistants Recognition Week (DARW) 2024 kicks off. Simply put, sometimes the recognition has to come from within. An emotional episode filled with hope and love for all dental assistants out there.

In this episode, Dental Assistant Nation founder Kevin Henry is joined by Matthew Nelson, a practice analyst with the California Dental Association, to discuss how dental assistants can help new dentists get comfortable in the practice. They cover topics such as the role of the dental assistant as a leader, the importance of trust and communication, establishing leadership and handling differences...

In this episode, Kevin Henry, Dental Assistant Nation's founder, interviews Stephanie Botts, RDH, an ergonomic specialist, about the importance of ergonomics in dentistry. Stephanie shares her background and how she became interested in ergonomics. She emphasizes the need to prioritize ergonomics and not wait until pain or injury occurs. Stephanie discusses common mistakes in dental assisting, suc...

In this episode, Kevin Henry and Mary Govoni, CDA, RDH, discuss the use of lead aprons in dental radiography. They address the recent recommendations from the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and the American Dental Association regarding patient shielding. While the use of lead aprons is no longer necessary in most cases due to advancements in digital imaging systems, there are...

In this episode of the Dental Assistant Nation podcast, Kevin Henry interviews Ashley Reich, RDA, from the California Dental Association about Smile Crew California. Smile Crew California is a program aimed at addressing the dental assistant shortage by providing accelerated training and entry-level positions for dental assistants. The program has been successful, with 14 boot camps held to date a...