Little Teeth, BIG Smiles

Host Dr. Joel Berg speaks with Dr. Chelsea Fosse, Vice President of the AAPD Research & Policy Center (RPC) on the current hot topics in public health and how the RPC is working to make an impact. Dr. Fosse delves into the impacts of federal updates on pediatric dentistry and the organizations advocating for the health of children. She shares a timeline for&n...

Incoming AAPD CEO Dr. Jessica Y. Lee joins host Dr. Joel Berg for an engaging discussion of her goals and vision for the Academy’s future. She shares her journey through pediatric dentistry, delving into what excites her most as she shifts from academia to leader of the AAPD. In this heartfelt and genuine conversation, Dr. Lee compares taking on the CEO role to “coming home” and hopes to bring tha...

In this very special episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles, host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. John Rutkaushas on the verge of his retirement after 27 years as American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and AAPD Foundation CEO. Dr. Rutkauskas shares his personal highlights from his career, many of which made a profound impact on the profession – f...

Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Juan Yepes, a distinguished professor and AAPD 2026 featured speaker, for a discussion focused on Dr. Yepes unique journey to become both a pediatric dentist and medical primary care physician. Dr. Yepes shares his stories from studying in numerous programs around the globe and how they e...

Dr. Cody Masts joins host Dr. Joel Berg for a conversation on the importance of building relationships with your pediatric patients. Dr. Mast shares his winding journey that led him to choosing dentistry and why working in pediatrics appealed to him after first treating adults. He also discusses how cultivating relationships can be even more impactful for your bu...

On this episode, host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Jorge Castillo, past president of the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry (IAPD) to discuss Dr. Castillo’s session at AAPD 2026 in Las Vegas. The session, featuring Dr. Castillo and other international experts, delves into the global perspectives on early intervention with deve...

This episode of Little Teeth, BIG Smiles explores how co-locating pediatric dentistry and orthodontics under one roof advances dentistry’s version of the Triple Aim: improving patient experience, enhancing population oral health, and reducing per-capita costs. Dr. Christina Carter joins our host Dr. Joel Berg for a discussion that reframes co-location not as a convenience...

Pediatric dentist and entrepreneur Dr. Ashley Lerman joins little teeth, BIG Smiles to chat with Dr. Berg about her company First Grin and how its unique approach to teaching families about oral health care. Dr. Lerman shares how First Grin was born out of her experience right out of residency, working in a clinic, seeing dozens of high-risk patients a day who often had little-to-no prevention kno...

Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by American Dental Association (ADA) President Dr. Richard Rosato. In this conversation, Dr. Rosato shares his journey from shifting gears from pediatric medicine to pediatric dentistry as a student and how his relationships have affected his participation in organized dentistry.  Dr. Rosato shares his experience as a private practitioner and business owner, and h...

Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Tim Wright on this episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles for a discussion of hot topics in dentistry and how those topics make it into the profession’s academic publications. Dr. Wright also delves into his experience as Editor of JADA, the Journal of the American Dental Association. Now in his fourth year, he explains the manuscript submission and review process,...

Host Dr. Joel Berg speaks with Dr. Chelsea Fosse, Vice President of the AAPD Research and Policy Center (RPC) on the current hot topics in public health and how the RPC is working to make an impact. They delve into how pediatric dentistry can continue to lead the way among the other dental specialties and with our medical peers on care for those children and adults with disabilities and other spec...

Dr. David Carsten joins little teeth, BIG Smiles host Dr. Joel Berg for a conversation on waterline safety. A previous Chair of Infection Control for the Washington State Dental Commission, Dr. Carsten shares information on how waterlines can be compromised and what practitioners can do to maintain waterline safety to protect their patients and themselves.  Guest Bio:  David Carsten, DDS...

Dr. Jeanette MacLean, a trailblazer in minimally invasive SDF practices, joins Dr. Joel Berg to discuss how observations and a willingness to try a different approach can positively benefit both providers and patients. Dr. MacLean shares how her own learning experiences seeing the same patients year after year in private practice led to her desire to consider less aggressive treatment options. She...

LTBS host Dr. Joel Berg sits down with incoming American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry President Dr. Tom Ison to talk about his leadership journey. Dr. Ison shares how he felt the pull to specialize in pediatrics after practicing as a general dentist, and how that choice impacted him as a rural practitioner. He also delves into his agenda for the 25-26 Academy year, including honoring the legacy...

Dr. Carolyn Strom joins host Dr. Joel Berg to discuss the impact of literacy on how the brain continues to learn and process information. Dr. Strom shares her experience as a first-grade teacher in an area with high rates of intergenerational illiteracy and how her interactions with parents and students led her to dive deeper into the neurosciences of learning and comprehension, particularly in re...

On this exciting episode of LTBS, host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by AAPD 2025 keynote speaker Mick Ebeling for a candid conversation delving into Mick’s mantra of “commit, then figure it out.” Sharing the story of an accidental invention that made the seemingly impossible possible, he highlights his unique problem-solving approach that brings together passionate and talented people to create solutio...

Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Rose Dodson, founder and CEO of Sedation Resources for this episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles. Dodson discusses the importance in a strong foundation for sedation management and how emergency training is an integral piece of a practitioner’s overall skill set. She also delves into the latest updates in technology supporting safety.  Guest Bio:  Rose Dods...

Dr. Jade Miller joins host Dr. Joel Berg for a very special episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles discussing a major opportunity within organized dentistry. After nearly 25 years, Dr. John Rutkauskas will be retiring as AAPD CEO in July 2026. Dr. Miller, as chair of the search committee to find AAPD’s new leader, shares details of the role as well as what it means to join an AAPD staff committed to...

Legendary pediatric dentist Dr. Heber Simmons joins little teeth, BIG Smiles host Dr. Joel Berg, for a conversation featuring the highlights of his nearly six-decade long career. A previous AAPD Distinguished Service Award recipient, Dr. Simmons shares in detail the highlights of his career, beginning with how he got started in pediatric dentistry during his time in the Army and as the first pedia...

In the latest episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles, host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Don Schmitt for a discussion on the importance of fluoride. A hot topic in recent news, fluoride – and specifically water fluoridation – has decades of science supporting its positive impact on the prevention of tooth decay. This is a great listen for a clinician looking for support with in-office conversations...

Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. John Blake, the current Affiliate Membership Trustee of the AAPD Board, to for a conversation focused on how the advocacy and research of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry influences and supports not only pediatric dentists, but general dentists as well. Dr. Blake shares his unique professional journey as a general dentist focused on pediatric needs an...

Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by seasoned talent acquisition expert Ron Harrison for a conversation focused on the struggles of finding – and keeping – talent in dentistry. Harrison specifically dives into the similarities between the hiring practices of the early 2000s tech boom companies and DSOs, and how they can impact smaller, privately-owned practices. Learn how important a fast-paced, effici...

On this episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles, Dr. Susan Fisher-Owens, a nationally known pediatrician who is joining pediatric dentists on the front lines protecting children’s oral health, to discuss the importance of the care of adolescents to support them as they grow into their adult selves. Dr. Fisher-Owens shares important aspects of the adolescent psyche that all health care providers should...

In this episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles, host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Patty Medland, a pediatric dentist and orthodontist, to discuss the intersection and collaborative opportunities between the two specialties. Dr. Medland delves into the potential positive impacts to growth outcomes of early monitoring or treatment for children by a collaborative care team.  Guest Bio:  Dr....

In this episode of Little Teeth, BIG Smiles, host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Brett Kessler, a general dentist and the President-Elect of the American Dental Association (ADA) to discuss his extensive career and leadership roles within organized dentistry. Dr. Kessler reflects on his journey from an engineering student at the University of Iowa to his decision to pursue dentistry. He shares per...