The Dr. Phil Klein Dental Podcast

How do you accelerate your clinical skills without sacrificing quality? Young dentists often struggle to find the balance between efficiency and excellence while navigating an overwhelming array of career options. Dr. Sara Kuckhoff brings a fresh perspective to professional development in dentistry. A graduate of Emory University and the Medical University of South Carolina, she completed the pres...

Should you choose stainless steel, zirconia, or resin-based crowns for your pediatric patients with extensive decay? When is full coverage the right choice over direct restorative techniques? Dr. Carla Cohn brings over 30 years of clinical experience as a general dentist devoted exclusively to pediatric dentistry. She graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1991, completed a post-graduate int...

How can dental hygienists move beyond traditional patient cleaning to become true leaders in case acceptance and patient care? When hygienists embrace ownership of their role, they can dramatically transform both patient outcomes and practice dynamics. Dr. Kelly Tanner, RDH, PhD brings a unique perspective to dental hygiene leadership with her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Dental Hygiene from...

Are you unknowingly setting yourself up for career-ending injuries while practicing dentistry? Despite investing years and resources into our profession, many dental professionals overlook the single most critical factor that could determine how long they can practice pain-free. Katrina Klein is a registered dental hygienist with 16 years of experience who has transformed her expertise in dental e...

Are you unknowingly turning beneficial fluoride varnish into a destructive "fluoride bomb" that could endanger your young patients' teeth? This critical mistake happens when clinicians apply fluoride varnish over plaque-covered surfaces, creating hydrofluoric acid that can cause extensive tooth damage. Dr. Brian Novy brings decades of preventive dentistry expertise as Director of Practice Improvem...

Are you getting the most out of your intraoral scanner, or is this powerful technology sitting underutilized in your practice? Many dental offices have made the digital leap, but few are maximizing the clinical advantages these devices offer. Dr. Christopher Pescatore brings over three decades of digital dentistry experience to this discussion. A graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistr...

How can 3D printing transform your approach to complete denture fabrication while maintaining profitability and patient satisfaction? Dr. Russell Schafer brings a unique perspective to removable prosthodontics as a general dentist and owner of NOLA Dental-Prosthetics and General Dentistry in New Orleans, Louisiana. With a mechanical engineering background from Rice University (BS 2007, MS 2008) an...

How prepared is your practice if a disgruntled employee files an anonymous complaint with OSHA? One recent case resulted in six serious violations and over $10,000 in fines—all because basic compliance measures weren't in place. Dr. Karson Carpenter, a practicing dentist with over 25 years of experience in regulatory compliance, serves as President of Compliance Training Partners. As an OSHA-appro...

Should you make the leap to electric handpieces, or could the latest air-driven technology deliver the power you need while maintaining the ergonomic advantages you prefer? Dr. Miles R. Cone brings a unique perspective to this handpiece debate. A graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, he completed a three-year prosthodontic residency while serving as a Major in the United States A...

Are you truly delivering extraordinary patient experiences, or are you just another dental office claiming to be "friendly" and "high-quality"? Most practices believe they're exceptional, yet they struggle to differentiate themselves from every other dental office in their community. Dr. Ankur Gupta graduated from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 2004 and is a certified AGD/PACE p...

What happens when traditional implants aren't feasible, but conventional bridges feel too aggressive? Whether facing insufficient bone, medical contraindications, or age considerations, many single-tooth replacement cases require a different approach. Dr. Marvin Chacon brings over 15 years of private practice experience in conservative cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry from San Jose, Costa Ric...

Are you addressing the root cause of your patients' dental problems, or just treating the symptoms? Many common dental issues like bruxism, scalloped tongues, and repeated crown failures may actually be signs of underlying sleep-disordered breathing. Dr. Jacqueline Patterson brings over 15 years of experience as a general dentist and certified orofacial myofunctional therapist. She received her Do...

How can you ensure predictable outcomes when dental materials evolve faster than clinical protocols? Dr. Howard Glazer brings five decades of clinical experience to this comprehensive discussion of modern dental materials and techniques. As a Fellow and Past President of the Academy of General Dentistry, former Assistant Clinical Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Fellow of the Amer...

Dr. Dean Elledge, a seasoned dentist based in Kansas City, found himself at a crossroads in his career. While many might have settled into routine, Dr. Elledge wanted something more—something that would reignite his excitement every morning. His dream? To become the director of a residency program. However, there was no such opportunity available near his home in Kansas City. But when he learned a...

What if the biggest challenge in your dental practice—managing employees—could become your greatest opportunity for growth and profitability? Dr. Todd C. Snyder, DDS from UCLA School of Dentistry, brings decades of experience in comprehensive aesthetic dentistry and full mouth rehabilitation to this strategic discussion. A faculty member at UCLA's Center for Esthetic Dentistry where he co-develope...

Are you unknowingly compromising sterility in your instrument processing cycle? Even when your spore tests consistently pass, contaminated instruments could still be harboring dangerous microorganisms. Dr. Marie Fluent brings over 35 years of dental experience to this critical discussion, having worked as a dental assistant, practice owner, infection control coordinator, and clinical instructor. A...

Are you truly protecting your patients and staff from infection transmission, or are gaps in your disinfection protocols putting everyone at risk? Dr. Emily Boge brings over 20 years of dental hygiene and assisting experience combined with dual doctorates in Education and Organizational Leadership. She champions innovation in product development with five collaborative dental patents, conducts evi...

How has pain management in dentistry evolved from ancient tree resins to today's sophisticated anesthetic techniques, and what breakthrough innovations are reshaping patient comfort? This episode features Dr. David Isen, who maintains a private practice in Toronto, Canada, running a Sleep for Dentistry clinic specializing in anesthesia-based care. Dr. Isen has delivered over 400 presentations worl...

Are you struggling to find and retain quality dental team members in today's competitive market? With staffing shortages affecting practices nationwide and no quick resolution in sight, dental professionals need innovative approaches to build and maintain their ideal teams. In this essential episode, Melissa K. Turner, BASDH, RDHEP, EFDA brings her extensive expertise as a registered dental hygien...

How has composite technology evolved to simplify inventory while delivering better clinical outcomes? What makes modern nanohybrid composites suitable for both anterior and posterior applications? Dr. Troy Schmedding brings 30 years of restorative experience to this discussion on contemporary composite systems. He holds a DDS from University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, ser...

Are you maximizing your intraoral scanner's potential, or just using it to avoid impression material? While 53% of dentists now use digital scanners, most are missing the transformative power of the initial scan visit. Dr. Christopher Pescatore brings over 30 years of aesthetic dentistry experience and pioneering work in digital workflows since the 1990s. A national and international lecturer, pub...

Why do patients lose confidence in their treatment when they see their provisionals? What if your temporaries could actually set positive expectations for the final restoration while maintaining perfect margins for extended periods? Join Dr. Susan McMahon, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine who leads one of Western Pennsylvania's largest cosmetic dental practices....

How many of the common oral lesions you encounter in practice could be masking something far more serious than they appear? Dr. Ashley Clark is an Associate Professor and Division Chief of Oral Pathology at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. She holds a DDS from Indiana University and a certificate in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology from The University of Florida. Dr. Clark has prev...

Are you relying too heavily on adhesive materials, or are they truly revolutionizing your restorative outcomes? As minimally invasive techniques become the standard of care, many clinicians are questioning where to draw the line between tooth preservation and predictable long-term success. Dr. Troy Schmedding brings over three decades of clinical experience to this conversation. He earned his DDS...

What happens when a talented dentist becomes a practice owner but lacks natural leadership skills? How can you transform a toxic work environment without completely changing who you are? Dr. Ankur Gupta brings over 20 years of dental experience to this candid discussion about leadership evolution. After completing a one-year GPR in Cleveland, Dr. Gupta started his practice from scratch in 2005, on...