The Dr. Phil Klein Dental Podcast Show

Today we'll be discussing ways to empower dental hygienists and dental assistants to deliver exceptional care, going beyond what is typically expected of them, and reaching new heights in clinical outcomes and career satisfaction. Our guest is Lancette VanGuilder, a trailblazer and leader in dentistry for more than two decades. She practices as a complete health dental hygienist with 28 years of experience. She is the founder of a nonprofit mobile dental hygiene business and is recognized as an international CE speaker and serves as the current Vice-President of the American Dental Hygienists' Association.

Accessing dental implant health is different than accessing the health of a natural tooth. So when it comes to implants and the surrounding tissue and bone, what do we look for and how do we proceed with our hygiene treatment and our recommendations to the patient regarding a feasible homecare strategy? Our guest is Michelle Strange, a registered dent hygienist with a masters in dental education. She brings over 20 years of experience to her numerous roles in dentistry. You can get more information at levelupip.com. Thanks to our episode sponsors: Philips Oral Healthcare - https://www.philipsoralhealthcare.com/ VOCO America - https://www.voco.dental/us/

So we're beginning to hear more and more about the benefits of warming composite. For one thing, because of the lower viscosity at the time of application, it's a whole lot easier on your hand. But the real benefit lies in adaptation and we all know that the better adaptation, the less likely we'll see recurrent decay and post-operative sensitivity. To tell us why she loves warming composite and how easy it is to make the transition in your operatory to this technique, is our guest Dr. Lauren Rainey. Dr. Rainey is a regular contributor on Viva Learning.com and currently teaches direct restorative techniques to dentists in the US & Canada.

At varying extents, most of us are doing cosmetic dentistry in our practice. But how do we manage the 12 year old that is suffering from what we call SnapChat Dsymorphia? It's a mindset that makes individuals feel inadequate as a result of constantly comparing themselves to social media influencers. They're requesting aggressive treatment like veneers hoping to turn their teeth into celebrity smiles. So what's the best way to approach this? To tell us more about it is our guest Dr. Susan McMahon. Dr. McMahon has devoted her professional career to the pursuit of advanced technologies in cosmetic and minimally invasive dentistry. She frequently lectures across the United States and abroad on minimally invasive dentistry, technology and conservative, undetectable cosmetic dentistry. Thanks to our episode sponsors: GC America - https://www.gc.dental/ COLTENE - https://www.coltene.dental/viva-hyflex/

Most dentists are noticing the changes in the industry. Supplies are getting more expensive, insurance collections are decreasing, and large dental organizations are moving into the neighborhood! So what's the difference between a DSO, DPO, and DPG? And why does all this matter and how does it affect you as a dentist and practice owner? To tell us all about it is Dr. Weston Spencer, Chief Dental Officer for SPP and a practicing general dentist in La Jolla, CA. Thanks to our episode sponsors: NSK America - https://www.nskdental.com/ Ivoclar - https://www.ivoclar.com/

This episode focuses on the importance of patient communication and what we can do as dentists to improve our communication skills and processes. Our guest is Dr. Todd Snyder, a regular contributor to Viva Learning.com, a cosmetic dentist, international author, lecturer and consultant to a variety of dental companies. You can reach Dr. Snyder at: https://www.legion.dentist/. Thanks to our episode sponsors: 3M - https://www.3m.com/clarity-aligners-flex/ DENTALEZ - https://www.dentalez.com/

So how important is continuing education in our career? How important is it for the young dentist to find a mentor, someone that can provide invaluable practical advice? And what does it take to find a good mentor? We'll be asking our guest Dr. Devin McClintock these questions as she shares her experiences on some of the best ways to enjoy and excell in dentistry. Dr. McClintock graduated with honors from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.

In this episode, we'll be talking about dental lasers, exploring their multifaceted clinical uses, matching specific laser types with particular clinical applications, and discussing the reasons why every dentist should contemplate incorporating one into their operatory. Our guest is Dr. Scott Benjamin, who is in private practice in rural upstate NY and is an internationally recognized authority on dental lasers and advanced dental technologies. Dr. Benjamin has faculty appointments at several universities, is the Chairman of the ADA Standards Committee Working Group on Dental Lasers and is a Past-President of the Academy of Laser Dentistry. He currently serves on the editorial review board for several prestigious dental journals. Thanks to our episode sponsors: DENTALEZ - https://www.dentalez.com/ J. Morita - https://www.morita.com/usa/

To tell us how to establish your niche, spread the word and attract the kind of patients you want to treat is our guest, Dr. Lauren Rainey. Dr Rainey owns and operates her own clinical practice and currently teaches direct restorative techniques to dentists in the US & Canada. Thanks to our episode sponsors: COLTENE - https://www.coltene.dental/viva-hyflex/ Philips Oral Healthcare - https://www.philipsoralhealthcare.com/

Today we're going to address the age-old question, how do we increase patience acceptance of our treatment plans? Now there is a lot behind this, including quite a bit of psychology of course, so to help us put this all in perspective, is our guest Ella Mullokandova. Ella has over 16 years of experience as a dental hygienist and restorative dental partner. She is the co-founder of Converge Dental, a company that helps dental practices succeed and grow, emphasizing the importance of an organized, systematic approach to improved patient care and profitability. Thanks to our episode sponsors: BISCO - https://www.bisco.com/ Ivoclar - https://www.ivoclarusa.com/finder/makeitemax/index.php

So what do we mean by profit over production or even profit first. Doesn't this go against everything we're about as healthcare providers. Well, maybe not. Because working really hard and having little left over at the end of the week is not a sustainable situation nor is it good for your practice, employees or your patients. So lets talk with Dr. Julie Woods. She's a board-certified periodontist and has been practicing since graduating from Baylor College of Dentistry in 2004. Her book, Profit Over Production: Understand Dental Business and Choose Your Practice Destiny, was released in September 2023 and is still an Amazon best-seller. Thanks to our episode sponsors: VOCO America - https://www.voco.dental/us/ Philips Oral Healthcare - https://www.philipsoralhealthcare.com/

Transitioning into a digital dental practice and streamlining your digital workflow can be a bit overwhelming. There is certainly a lot to learn and many things to think about before purchasing your new technology. So to help us get a better handle on all this is our guest Dr. Anthony Mennito. He has been involved with digital workflow in the dental practice for almost 20 years. He is in private practice in SC and is an adjunct faculty member at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Mennito also is part of an excellent in-person CE program in Charleston SC. You can find more info on that at imprescourses.com. Thanks to our episode sponsors: BISCO - https://www.bisco.com/ 3M - https://www.3m.com/clarity-aligners-flex/

Minimally Invasive Dentistry are more than just buzz words. In fact, today we can do amazing things to treat decay and save a tooth without doing any drilling at all. To tell us all about it is Crystal Spring. She is a registered dental hygienist who spends her life operating her mobile dental practice throughout the state of Montana. She has had amazing success with arresting, regenerating and saving teeth through noninvasive means. We are very happy to have her share some of the work she is doing in the area of prevention and minimally invasive dentistry.

As a dental healthcare provider, are you feeling overwhelmed or burnt out? Do you have days where you're so exasperated with so many different things in your practice that you wonder how you can keep going to work every day. Well, according to many experts, you are not alone... So the question is what can you do to make things better, feel more fulfilled about your career and be, just plain happier? Well, it may not be as difficult as you may think to turn things around. To help us put this all in perspective and give us some real life recommendations into how to enjoy dentistry again is our guest Dr. Josie Dovidio, a dentist with 22 years experience and a certified wellness consultant. Thanks to our episode sponsors: J. Morita - https://www.morita.com/usa/ DENTALEZ - https://www.dentalez.com/

Dentures are something we've been making patients for a very long time. Some of us are still doing it the old fashioned way and there's certainly nothing wrong with that. But, without a doubt, digital dentistry has had a stunning impact on the fabrication of dentures. The question is, "Do we print or mill?" Let's find out with our guests Dr. Austin Vetter, a practicing dentist in Fargo ND and Jonny Jakson, an Exocad Designer & Trainer from Evolve Dentistry.

What exactly is a health-centered practice? What's the advantage of being a health-centered practice? How does it grow your practice and really make you love what you do? To answer these questions is our guest Dr. Stephanie Vondrak. She owns and operates a private practice in Elkhorn, Nebraska. She has pursued over 600 hours of post-doctorate education in TMD, occlusion, orthodontics, and sleep apnea including the Pankey Institute, the Schuster Center, and the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain. Thanks to our episode sponsors: COLTENE - https://www.coltene.dental/viva-hyflex/ Shining 3D - https://www.shining3ddental.com/

It cannot be overstated how important it is for the dentist to perform regular oral cancer exams on all patients. We've heard it many times, "early detection of cancer is critical for a favorable prognosis." In today's episode we'll be specifically talking about the rise in throat cancer and the dentist's role in safeguarding patients against this insidious and potentially deadly disease. To tell us more about it is our guest, Dr Mohammad Kamal. Dr Kamal completed his Pathology training at Harbor UCLA Medical Center in California, serving as a chief resident. He completed subspecialty fellowship training in Gastrointestinal and Liver Pathology at UCLA and he is board certified in Anatomic Pathology. Dr. Kamal served as Medical Director of LabCorp’s Dianon Laboratory and as Chief Medical Officer for PLUS Diagnostics. Thanks to our episode sponsors: Philips Oral Healthcare - https://www.philipsoralhealthcare.com/ VOCO America - https://www.voco.dental/us/

When working on a primary tooth, how do we decide between indirect or direct pulp cap therapy? What about a pulpotomy or even an extraction? And if we can save the tooth, what are the best materials to use over a vital pulp? To tell us all about it is Dr. Carla Cohn. She has a ton of experience in this as she is a GP who only treats children.

In the past, we didn't have many choices when it came to CAD CAM blocks. But today we do. In this episode, we'll be talking to a dentist who is well aware that Zr wins the strength contest but he has plenty of reasons to stay the course with LiSi. He specifically prefers a specific Lithium Disilicate bloc that saves him the step of firing after chairside milling. To tell us all about it is Dr. Yao-Lin Tang, who has over twenty years of practical knowledge in cosmetic and general dentistry. He is a CEREC user since 2005, a certified CEREC trainer, and a Visiting Faculty at CDOCS.com.

One of the common procedures we do as dentists is remove teeth. And for most us, it's a fairly routine procedure. But with more research on the topic of tooth extraction and the extraction site itself, and how it all relates to implants, we're learning that minimizing the trauma to the surgical site is of utmost importance. To tell us more about this is Dr. Isaac Tawil. Dr Tawil received his Diplomate from the International Academy of Dental Implantology. He is a graduate of NYU Dental School and practices in Brooklyn NY. Thanks to our episode sponsors: GC America - https://www.gc.dental/ NSK America - https://www.nskdental.com/

Injection molding. What can it do for your practice and how can it be a perfect fit for your patients? To tell us all about is Dr Tal Wilkins, a dentist who loves this technique and uses it often. He says the patient can get a full mouth rehab at a third of the cost of veneers. Dr. Wilkins maintains a private practice in Aiken, South Carolina and is a visiting faculty member and serves on the Board of Advisors at the Pankey Institute.

Today we'll be talking with Cornelia Cone. Cornelia is the office manager, practice advisor and wife of Dr. Miles Cone. She and her husband run a boutique prosthodontic practice in Portland Maine. Cornelia has been instrumental in transitioning their practice from analog to digital and has gained great expertise in keeping their practice on course and successful in the realm of digital dentistry. Thanks to our episode sponsors: 3M - https://www.3m.com/clarity-aligners-flex/ BISCO - https://www.bisco.com/

When it comes to infection control, do we just go back to what we were doing before COVID? Do we use the same masks, gloves and PPE and follow the same pre-pandemic IC protocol? How safe are our offices right now regarding the spread of disease? To answer these questions and more is our guest, Dr. Karson Carpenter, a practicing dentist, OSHA approved trainer and serves as president of Compliance Training Partners.

So how do we start our journey into digital dentistry? To help guide us through all of this is our guest Dr. Miles Cone. In addition to achieving board certification in Prosthodontics, Dr. Cone is also a Certified Dental Technician. He currently has a boutique practice in Portland Maine where he works closely with his wife Cornelia who is the office manager as well as his close advisor regarding many aspects of the practice. Thanks to our episode sponsors: NSK America - https://www.nskdental.com/ Ivoclar - https://www.ivoclar.com/

Today we'll be discussing zirconia, arguably the most popular and talked about material in indirect restorative dentistry. To tell us why the rage and what to look for, is our guest Dr. Larry Grillo. He is the founding partner in a three partner, three associate practice in South Florida. He has over 30 years of experience in general practice with an emphasis on aesthetics, implants, crown and bridge & veneers.

Only a year ago, Dr. Miles Cone, a respected prosthodontist and educator, made the big leap from analog to digital dentistry. It could be argued that he's entered the game a little late, but for years he resisted, based on a number of preconceived ideas about the kind of practice that actually needs and should have a digital dental practice. But once he entered into digital dentistry, everything changed. To tell us about his journey, why it happened and how it completely transformed his life is our guest, Dr Miles Cone. In addition to achieving board certification within his specialty of prosthodontics, Dr. Cone is also a Certified Dental Technician. He currently has a boutique practice in Portland Maine where he works closely with his wife Cornelia who is the office manager as well as his close advisor regarding many aspects of the practice. Thanks to our episode sponsors: BISCO - https://www.bisco.com/ J. Morita - https://www.morita.com/usa/

Today we'll be discussing the soft-tissue diode laser and how it can help you perform a variety of soft-tissue procedures with greater patient comfort and less healing time. Our guest is Dr. Chad Duplantis, who maintains a small group private practice in Fort Worth, TX, focusing on aesthetic and restorative dentistry. In 2020, Dr. Duplantis co-founded the Facebook Group Dentists IN the Know, which is designed to keep the dental industry well-informed.

Today we'll be learning how to deal with difficult questions posed to us by our patients, usually right there in our operatory. Being prepared to answer these questions in the most effective way can empower you to improve your rapport with your patient, get things started off on the right foot and ultimately lead to improved case acceptance. Our guest is Dr. Mark Hyman, who was in private practice for thirty-two years and currently serves as an Adjunct Full Professor and Special Assistant to the Office of the Dean at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry in Chapel Hill, NC.

Joining us today is Dr. Jacob Dent, a dentist who has not only excelled in his field but has also demonstrated remarkable compassion and innovation. Half of his dental practice is dedicated to serving patients with special needs, ranging from autism, dementia, Alzheimer's, to cerebral palsy and other intellectual developmental disabilities. He has transformed his practice into one that is more profitable than ever before, gives him limitless career satisfaction and provides the necessary dental care to a large group of patients that have intellectual developmental disabilities. This episode covers his story and success that you will find truly remarkable and inspiring.

The advantage of piezo-surgery is multi-faceted. It's ideal for minimizing patient discomfort following virtually all oral surgery procedures. It many cases it obviates the need to create a surgical flap, helps protect adjacent teeth and restorations during extractions, precisely cuts hard tissue while precluding injury to soft tissue. When cutting, it produces negligible heat which is critical in maintaining vitality of adjacent tissue. And these are just a few of the major advantages of using piezo technology in oral surgery and periodontics. To tell us all about it is our guest Dr. Todd Engel. Dr. Engel has extensive experience in Dental Implants, CT Guided Surgical Design, and Complex Treatment Planning as well as Full Mouth Rehabilitation. He established the Engel Institute, located in Charlotte, NC, which focuses on live patient education with topics ranging from implant placement, grafting, and full arch conversion surgery. The Institute's implant courses have been taught across US and its alumni consists of well over 12,000 dental professionals.

Anterior direct restorations have numerous considerations when compared to posteriors. In this episode we will go over these and discuss how to simply anterior direct restorative procedures while achieving exemplary results. Our guest is Dr. Mehrdad Razaghy. His journey in dental research began by joining Dr. Pascal Magne’s research laboratory at Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. Dr. Razaghy has contributed to various books, journals, and publications in the world of restorative and biomimetic dentistry. His expertise is in dental photography, biomimetics, and minimally invasive and additive dentistry.

So what are the advantages, disadvantages, myths and facts about air driven versus electric handpieces. Should we be using one over the other? Why should we equip our office with electric if we're all set up with compressors that drive our air driven handpieces? Our guest is Dr. Foroud Hakim. Dr Hakim holds a full time position in the Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry at University of the Pacific. He has maintained a private practice for over 30 years where his deep ties with the dental industry allow for beta testing and consulting for new product evaluation and development.

The impact of CBCT and 3D imaging acquisition, processing, and interpretation on surgical and non-surgical endodontics has been stunning. To tell us all about it is our guest Dr. Ali Nasseh. He is a practicing endodontist and senior clinical faculty and lecturer at Harvard School of Dental Medicine for the past 27 years.

Until recently, Dr. Sarah Winter, who runs a cosmetic focused practice in La Jolla CA, used two different composite systems for her direct restorative cases. She used a micro-filled composite for her anterior cases for high polishability and a bulk fill for her posterior cases which provided lots of strength. But recently, she found one material that actually does both, offering strength and esthetics. According to Dr. Winter, this newer material has made her life and her staff's a whole lot easier. Today we'll talk about her transition to this new restorative composite.

Today we'll be talking about how single shade composite systems can decrease chair time, lower overhead and create exceptional esthetic results. Our guest is Dr. Stephanie Vondrak, who owns and operates a private practice in Elkhorn, Nebraska. She has pursued over 600 hours of post-doctorate education in TMD, occlusion, orthodontics, and sleep apnea including the Pankey Institute, the Schuster Center, and the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain.

Today we'll be discussing why tissue retraction is so important in achieving the ideal impression, what our options are and how to think critically about our restorative field and keeping it dry! Our guest is Dr. Lauren Rainey, who owns and operates her own clinical practice. She currently teaches direct restorative techniques to dentists in the US & Canada.

Many of us are using bulk fill composite and universal adhesives for our direct restorative procedures. And our goal, as in any clinical procedure, is to create the best restorations in the most efficient way. And chairside efficiency not only improves the patient experience but also boosts productivity and profitability. Today we'll be discussing efficient esthetics using direct composites. Our guest is Dr. Joshua Austin, who maintains a full time restorative dentistry practice in San Antonio, Texas. He is an editorial director and monthly columnist for Dental Economics magazine focusing on dental products and technology. Dr. Austin also lectures around the country on topics such as digital marketing and mental health.

In today's episode, we'll explore the science behind tooth sensitivity, dissect the various reasons why it occurs after restorative work, and arm you with the knowledge you need to navigate this common clinical challenge. We'll discuss strategies using glass ionomer materials and we'll learn how the experts use silver diamine fluoride to achieve amazing results. Our expert guest today is Dr. Jeff Brucia. Dr Brucia is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of the Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry and is in private practice focusing on Esthetic and Restorative dentistry in San Francisco, California.

There is no question that digital dentistry has revolutionized our profession. The impact of digital scanning and printing has enabled clinicians to provide faster, better and more affordable high end dentistry. Today we'll be discussing digital solutions specifically for implant dentistry. Our guest is Dr. Isaac Tawil, who has an extensive history in the dental field and is a recipient of two coveted awards: the Pierre Fauchard award for outstanding achievements in dentistry and the Presidential Service Award. He is the Founder of Advanced Implant Education and is a new product consultant for several dental companies.

Today we'll be discussing things to look for in a composite system and how to utilize these materials as efficiently as possible. Our guest is Dr. Anthony Mennito, an adjunct faculty member at the Medical University of South Carolina. He currently works in a cosmetic dental practice that utilizes an evidence based approach with the goal of providing the most durable and esthetic dentistry possible. Dr. Mennito has published a variety of research articles on the topics of dental materials.

There are many benefits to transitioning from traditional impression-based indirect restorations to digitally scanned and fabricated crowns, bridges, onlays and veneers: Convenience for patients, increased productivity, increased accuracy and efficiency, and elevated patient experience which leads to increased referral rates. Shown to be true by many dental offices, modernizing your practice directly will increase your bottom line revenue. To tell us more about making the leap into digital dentistry is our guest Dr. Susan McMahon.

Advancements in technologies and software can now help simplify workflows between specialists in the areas of alignment and restorative dentistry. Today we'll be learning how using a digital treatment software facilitates case collaboration between an Orthodontist and Dentist to create a comprehensive treatment plan.

Did you ever get a bad online review? How did you respond? In this episode, we'll address some land mines to avoid when responding to a bad online review. Our guest is Dr. Karson Carpenter, dentist and CEO of Compliance Training Partners. Thanks to our sponsors: BISCO - https://www.bisco.com/ Cranberry - https://www.cranberryusa.com/

This episode is Part 1 of a 3 part series titled: Attract, Convert and Deliver. Part 1 deals specifically with Marketing Your Practice. Our guest is Dr. Todd Snyder, a regular contributor to Viva Learning.com, a cosmetic dentist, international author, lecturer and consultant to a variety of dental companies. He hosts a weekly podcast, Delusional: Winning the Weekly War of Dentistry. You can reach Dr. Snyder at: www.Legion.Dentist. Thanks to our sponsors: Cranberry - https://www.cranberryusa.com/ BISCO - https://www.bisco.com/

As dental healthcare providers, our primary goal is to diagnose and treat oral health conditions. But a dental practice is also a business. And like every successful business, it needs a clear and strong value proposition. It should define how you deliver your "brand promise" and how your offering will deliver value to your patients and staff. Your value proposition differentiates you, positions your offering as “unique,” and makes it clear why patients should choose you as their dentist. To tell us more about how we can define our value and communicate it to our patients and our team, is our guest Dr. Lori Trost. Dr. Trost is a recognized dental educator, author, and clinical consultant who maintains a comprehensive restorative practice in the Greater St. Louis, Missouri area.

Regardless of where we practice, it is highly likely that we have patients that suffer from substance-use disorders. Many of us are faced with cases where severe decay, hyposalivation, and poor plaque control may be the result of depressant, stimulant or opioid misuse. Today we'll be discussing how to recognize the clues of a substance-use disorder from a routine oral exam and talk about how we can deliver safe and effective dental care for these patients. Our guest is Dr. Ronni Brown, a leading expert on substance-use disorders and its oral effects. Her research on the impacts of drug-use patterns on caries severity has garnered international interest. She is a best-selling author, published researcher, and clinician. Dr. Brown practices at the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility.

Too often, clinical dental hygienists have a limited view of their role as, what our guest calls, inflammatory disease prevention specialists. While this is the crux of what hygienists do, patient care goes well beyond. Today we'll be talking about the oral-systemic link and how hygienists can leverage this to add life-saving value to each patient they see and improve the profitability of their practice. Our guest is Alicia Murria, a quality care enthusiast, technology integration specialist, and productivity coach. She has devoted her career to empowering professionals to provide high quality services utilizing the dental hygiene scope of practice as standard for care.

Today we'll be discussing some important improvements and modifications in both electric and air-driven handpieces. Additionally, we'll address some really important tips on how to extend the life of handpieces and answer the question, "With the latest electric handpiece advancements, is there still a place for air-driven handpieces in our practice?" Our guest is Dr. Marc Geissberger, who practices in Greenbrae, California and was a full professor, department chair and educator at the University of the Pacific for 30 years. He has published on restorative dentistry for the past two decades and teaches many and hands-on programs and lectures all over the world.

Today we'll be discussing the pros and cons of both conscious and IV sedation. Our guest is Dr. Michael Morehead, Clinical Director of Sedation for Heartland Dental Care. He is a US Army Reserve Colonel and Dental Director for the Atlantic Region.

So the question is, when a patient presents with a blown out tooth and can't afford to spend a ton of money, can we restore the tooth with a composite filling and will it last? Our guest today, Dr John Gammachia, says yes we can! In fact, a great deal of his practice is based on doing this as he pushes the envelope with today's advanced composite materials utilizing the latest bonding technology, and of course, meticulous clinical technique. Today we'll talk to Dr. Gammichia about how he does this with such a high rate of clinical success and at the same time maintains a very profitable practice. Dr. Gammichia owns a private practice in Orlando, FL, lectures throughout the country and has published articles on how to use composite for severely broken down teeth. He is a courtesy faculty member at the University of Florida in the Department of Operative Dentistry.