The Dr. Phil Klein Dental Podcast

Is your composite-only approach leaving high-risk caries patients vulnerable to endless cycles of recurrent decay, retreatment, and crown failure? Dr. Brian Novy brings decades of expertise as Director of Practice Improvement at the DentaQuest Institute, adjunct associate professor of restorative dentistry, former ADA Council of Scientific Affairs member, and chairman of the CAMBRA coalition. The...

Are your patients asking for beautiful veneers but hesitant about tooth reduction and high costs? What if you could deliver stunning aesthetic results in a single visit with minimal or no anesthesia? Dr. Stephen Shaw, a 2003 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, has developed a comprehensive approach to patient-centered dentistry that emphasizes comfort and cutting-edge tec...

What happens when a dentist returns from vacation to discover open sterilization pouches with red indicators in the trash - meaning potentially unsterilized instruments were used on over 100 patients? This nightmare scenario became reality for one pediatric practice, creating a crisis that could have destroyed the practice and the doctor's career. Dr. Karson Carpenter brings over 25 years of exper...

Are you truly maximizing your dental assistant's potential, or are they stuck juggling suction, retraction, and instrument passing while your restorative outcomes hang in the balance? Today's guest is Shannon Pace Brinker, CDA, a nationally and internationally recognized dental assistant educator with over 25 years of clinical experience. Shannon has trained over 60,000 dental assistants across he...

Are you leveraging silver diamine fluoride to its full potential, or are you still viewing it as just a pediatric treatment option? Dr. Timothy M. Bizga brings a unique perspective to dentistry, having worked as both a chairside assistant and dental lab technician before earning his DDS from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, where he received the Francis B. Vedder award for excellenc...

What would you do if your dental practice received a subpoena from the attorney general's office demanding detailed documentation of your infection control protocols? One practice owner faced exactly this nightmare scenario when a complaint escalated from their state board of dentistry to the AG's office. Dr. Karson Carpenter joins the show to discuss this real-world case. Dr. Carpenter is a pract...

How can 3D printing transform your dental practice from just another piece of equipment into a powerful revenue generator? The technology is advancing rapidly, yet many practitioners remain hesitant to embrace its potential. Dr. Miles R. Cone joins us to share his remarkable transformation from analog to digital dentistry. A graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine who completed a th...

Are you weighing your practice transition options but hesitant to give up clinical autonomy? The emergence of Dental Partnership Groups offers a compelling alternative to traditional DSO acquisitions. Dr. Weston Spencer brings a unique perspective to this discussion as both a practicing general dentist in La Jolla, California, and Chief Dental Officer for SPP (Save Private Practice), a dental part...

How does a young dentist who came to America at 18 without speaking English transform a struggling insurance-dependent practice into a thriving fee-for-service aesthetic dentistry destination in just one year? Meet Dr. Luis Abrahante, a 2022 University of Alabama Birmingham graduate who has accomplished what many consider impossible in today's dental landscape. At just 31 years old, Dr. Abrahante...

Are you limiting your potential by waiting until you feel "ready" to take the next step in your career? What if the key to success is starting before you think you're prepared? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Carla Cohn , a University of Manitoba graduate with over 30 years of experience who has revolutionized her approach to pediatric dentistry. Dr. Cohn completed a post-graduate i...

How do you identify and safely treat dental patients with sickle cell disease when many don't even know they have the condition? Misunderstanding this complex hematologic disorder leads to unnecessary extractions, patient suffering, and missed opportunities for compassionate care. Today's guest is Linda Chandler, a registered dental hygienist with over 45 years of experience in sickle cell patient...

Are your patients missing out on treatment that could prevent years of occlusal wear, periodontal issues, and the need for extensive restorative work simply because you haven't offered clear aligner therapy? Dr. Sheila Samaddar brings over two decades of clear aligner expertise to this conversation, having been among the first general dentists to adopt Invisalign in 2002. Internationally recognize...

What would you do if a contaminated needle dropped and pierced your patient's eye during a routine procedure? This shocking scenario isn't hypothetical—it led to a patient losing her eye despite multiple rounds of antibiotics and hospitalization. Dr. Marie Fluent brings over 35 years of comprehensive dental experience to this critical discussion on ocular safety. A University of Michigan School of...

Have you ever wondered if there's a way to detect dental decay before it becomes visible to the naked eye, before it shows up on radiographs, and even before it reaches the white spot lesion stage? Dr. Juan F. Yepes is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Graduate Education in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Indiana University School of Dentistry and an attending at Riley Childre...

Have you ever considered how orthodontics could become the ultimate practice builder, not just for moving teeth, but for creating a complete patient ecosystem that drives comprehensive treatment acceptance? Dr. Yan Kalika brings a unique perspective to modern orthodontic practice, combining his background as an international chess master with over 20 years of clinical excellence. A Phi Beta Kappa...

Are you experiencing hand pain, shoulder tension, or fatigue that seems to worsen throughout your workday? These aren't just occupational hazards—they're warning signs that could derail your entire career if left unaddressed. Caitlin Parsons, a registered dental hygienist with 17 years of clinical experience, is the founder of The Aligned Hygienist and a leading voice in dental ergonomics educatio...

Are you leaving money on the table by only billing dental insurance when medical insurance could cover the same procedures? Most dental professionals don't realize they can legally bill both insurance types for medically necessary treatments. Kandra Sellers, RDH, brings over 25 years of dental industry experience as a widely respected dental coach and educator in oral systemic health. As founder a...

Dr. Graz Giglio shares decades of clinical experience on how to make your veneers beautiful and long-lasting. He talks about the steps in veneer cases that dentists sometimes overlook and some of the common mistakes dentists tend to make. He says, if done correctly with the right material, veneers can last over 25 years. So if you’re looking to add veneers to your practice and/or improve your clin...

Are you unknowingly setting yourself up for chronic pain and career-ending injuries? Most dental professionals don't realize that their daily work positions are systematically breaking down their musculoskeletal system. Katrina Klein brings 17 years of dental hygiene experience along with specialized credentials as a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist, and Functi...

How can you instrument a molar canal in under 10 seconds while preserving more dentin than traditional techniques? What if you could complete most endodontic procedures with just two files instead of multiple instrument sequences? Dr. Henrique Bassi joins us as a world-respected endodontist from Brazil with over 30 years of experience who developed one of the first heat-treated NiTi instruments. A...

What if you could transform your dental practice by identifying underlying causes instead of just treating symptoms? When you spot canine-to-canine wear patterns while posterior teeth remain intact, you're actually seeing evidence of a patient's desperate nighttime attempts to open their airway—and this changes everything about how you should approach their care. Dr. Stephanie Vondrak brings over...

What if you could deliver high-strength zirconia crowns in the same timeframe as traditional glass ceramics, with better fit and no adhesive bonding required? Dr. Mike Skramstad, a 2000 graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry with 20 years of teaching experience, brings deep expertise in digital dentistry to this conversation. As a resident faculty member at Spear Education and...

What happens when a disgruntled patient or employee weaponizes regulatory agencies like OSHA or the state dental board against your practice? How prepared would your office be if you received a subpoena from the attorney general's office demanding proof of compliance? Dr. Karson Carpenter, a practicing dentist with over 25 years of experience in compliance consulting, joins the discussion to share...

What if taking a few candid photos of yourself while working could prevent years of chronic pain and extend your career by decades? The reality is that most dental professionals are unknowingly compromising their bodies every single day through poor ergonomic habits that seem minor but compound into serious musculoskeletal problems over time. Stephanie Botts brings over 14 years of clinical dental...

How can artificial intelligence transform your practice's efficiency while addressing today's biggest challenge—staffing shortages and patient case acceptance? Join us for an essential conversation with Melissa K. Turner, BASDH, RDHEP, EFDA, known as @thetoothgirl, a 20-year veteran dental hygienist and award-winning speaker. Turner is the 2022 recipient of the Sunstar Award of Distinction, dental...