Newly Erupted

Dr. Brianne Butler joins the podcast for a conversation detailing her unique experience as a practitioner in rural Washington and the choices led her to her work. A long-time children’s health advocate, Dr. Butler shares her journey from interning in Senator Patty Murray’s office during healthcare bill negotiation...

Dr. Sara Werb joins host Dr. Joel Berg for a deep dive into behavior management. The duo discusses the importance of maintaining an individualized approach to behavior management. A former teacher, Dr. Werb shares tools she’s applied to create a “curriculum” for her patients, not only educating them on oral health but also to be more comfortable in the chair. Dr. Werb also shares what she’s learne...

Dr. Joel Berg is joined once again by Dr. Scott Schwartz, this time to tackle how candidates can best prepare for the Residency application process. Dr. Schwartz emphasizes the importance of considering the “obvious questions,” like which type of program is the best fit for your future professional aspirations and learning style. He shares way...

Dr. Kathleen Schultz returns to Newly Erupted for a conversation on identifying oral lesions. Dr. Schultz shares her systematic approach with host Dr. Joel Berg, delving into how the consistency lessens the potential for missing something during an oral examination. She details the various presentations of lesions and ways practitioners can discuss the exam and a...

Pediatric Dentist and Entrepreneur Dr. Tyler Hanks joins host Dr. Joel Berg for a discussion on designing your own brand rooted in authenticity. Dr. Hanks talks about how he has found success leaning into his passions and personality in ways that put patients and parents at ease as soon as they enter his practice. He&n...

Host Dr. Joel Berg chats with Dr. Elise McCollum about how she turned a family hobby into a way to support community care. Dr. McCollum shares her journey as a dentist with an interest in wine to a full-fledged vineyard owner, and how her two passions have converged to support access to care and the AAPD Foundation.     Guest Bi...

Dr. John Liu joins Newly Erupted to share what he’s learned from making the transition from private practitioner to academician, including how his residents help him learn daily. Dr. Liu and good friend and host Dr. Joel Berg discuss what factors impacted Dr. Liu’s shift to teaching, including desire for a new work/life structure and a readiness to give back to the profession, and how impressed he...

Dr. Anne O’Connell joins Newly Erupted for a conversation focused on dental trauma education within the global community. She shares her unique perspective as a European clinician who received American training, underscoring the importance of being adaptable as the global ideology and resources evolve. As a leading voice in this area and an editor of the recently released 6th Edition Handbook of P...

Dr. Scott Schwartz joins Newly Erupted to speak directly to the prospective pediatric dentists going through the residency application process. Dr. Schwartz shares his experience and perspective as a program director, along with best practices for putting your best foot forward as a candidate. He emphasizes the importance of preparedness and an understanding that the interview is mutual – consider...

Dr. Anthea Mazzawi joins host Dr. Joel Berg to share her story as a pediatric dentist, a practice-owner and a mother. She delves into how the multifaceted roles have shaped her as a professional and leader, especially the opportunities to foster a network of peer experts. Dr. Mazzawi emphasizes the importance of a willingness to learn and making your own path. Guest Bio:    Dr. Anthea Ma...

Recorded on-site at AAPD 2025 in Denver, host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by dental entrepreneur Dr. Chris Lugo for a chat on the business side of dental office management. Dr. Lugo discusses his experiences as a multi-practice owner who also mentors residents and associates in the financial background important in business. This is a must-listen if you’re considering owning your own practice.  G...

Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Kathleen Schultz to talk about her specialty, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and how she translates her experience having fun with learning while a student in her own work with residents. Dr. Schultz, a lecturer for the AAPD Oral Comprehensive Exam review courses, speaks to the importance of having a strong peer network so you never feel like you’re “going it...

On this episode of Newly Erupted, host Dr. Joel Berg talks about the keys to avoiding burnout with Dr. Trudy-Ann Frazer. Dr. Frazer shares her three-step approach to mitigating burnout, particularly for female practitioners and what steps to take once you realize burnout has taken hold – either in yourself or your team.  Guest Bio:  Dr. Trudy-Ann Frazer has experience working exclusively...

Dr. Joel Berg is joined by cariology expert Dr. Brian Novy for a discussion on all there’s still to learn about dental caries. Dr. Novy delves into the importance for practitioners to understand the science of cariology, particularly when working with patients and families that may be opposed to traditional treatments, like fluoride. He also shares his personal path in evidence-based dentistry res...

On this episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles, host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Brittaney Hill, the 2024 recipient of the AAPD Jerome B. Miller “For the Kids” Award. As an up-and-coming practitioner, Dr. Hill shares her experience as a mentee and the impact her mentors had on her career trajectory into pediatric dentistry and the public health sphere. She also delves into how those experiences ha...

Dr. Suzie Bergman joins host Dr. Joel Berg for a discussion on her Ted Talk, “Why is healthcare disjointed” and why evidence-based treatment is imperative for unique issues like temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Dr. Bergman shares her perspective as a dentist who also suffers with TMD and what she learned from various treatments prescribed under a “one size fits all” approach.  Guest Bio:&n...

Dr. Lauren Yap joins host Dr. Joel Berg to chat about the upcoming AAPD Pediatric Oral Health Advocacy Conference (POHAC) in Washington, DC. Each year, hundreds of early career pediatric dentists visit the nation’s capital to advocate for the issues impacting the profession and optimal oral health of all children with congressional staff. Dr. Yap shares her experiences as a previous POHAC attendee...

Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by fellow Iowan and pediatric dentist Dr. Casey Goetz to discuss the importance of access to care for children in rural areas and the benefits to early career practitioners for setting up practices in these areas. Dr. Goetz shares his experience as a private practice pediatric dentist in rural Missouri serving a majority of patients with Medicaid and how he uses his ow...

Host Dr. Joel Berg is once again joined by Dr. Clarice Law, this time to discuss her recent move after two decades at one institution and her advice for others determining what their next steps may be. Dr. Law shares the multiple ways her career has evolved over the past three decades. Emphasizing all the opportunities the shift to academia has provided, she discusses the appeal of formally studyi...

Newly Erupted host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Marilyn Sandor for a discussion on the bright future for virtual care in dentistry – or “teledentistry.” With both practitioners and patients looking for convenience and efficiency, virtual care can set a practice apart. The conversation emphasizes the vital role communication plays in all patient care, but particularly when making the shift to mor...

Dr. Harlyn Susarla joins Newly Erupted and host Dr. Joel Berg to discuss the importance of embracing leadership opportunities, along with strategics risks, for early career pediatric dentists to effect positive change. She shares her firsthand experiences with exiting her comfort zone and how those situations built up her confidence in her own expertise and ability to ask the right questions – inc...

On this episode of Newly Erupted, host Dr Joel Berg is joined by Ellie Wetzel to discuss the integration of therapy animals into dental practices, highlighting the legal considerations and benefits of establishing in-office therapy animal programs. Wetzel emphasizes the importance of choosing the right animal, understanding the differences between service and emotional support animals, and th...

Newly Erupted host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Hani Eid for an insightful conversation on growing a private practice to fulfill community needs. Dr. Eid shares his journey from opening a four-chair private practice in Longview, Ore. to owning five practices in neighboring communicates in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Eid discusses the impact of expansion on access to care for children in an area w...

Dr. Brianna Muñoz joins host Dr. Joel Berg for a discussion on her path into pediatric dentistry – her lifelong career goal – and the pivotal role an interest in public health played in developing her ethos. In this episode, Dr. Muñoz shares how merging many of her unique interests, including biology, chemistry, and dance, along with a commitment to interprofessional care shaped her as a communica...

Newly Erupted host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Martha Wells, Chief of Dentistry at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital – and the first dentist on their faculty track. In this episode, Dr. Wells shares her day-to-day experience in a hospital faculty setting and the importance of connections she’s made, specifically with peers on a similar professional path and the nursing team at St. Jude’s....