Beyond the Mouth: ADA's practice podcast

Healthcare is a multifaceted environment and humans are the common factor across all areas. Guests Drs. Sarah Parker and Laurie Wolf discuss improving personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers on the frontlines in order to improve human performance in complex and sometimes uncomfortable settings. This episode also discusses redesigning six-foot distancing processes in dental offices. To achieve an environment where patients and staff can be as safe as possible, our guests share the importance of understanding what the human capabilities and limitations are and taking into consideration the processes and environment when designing equipment.

Dentistry is rapidly adapting how they manage dental insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hear how one dentist in Iowa is adjusting the processes for day-to-day operations in her dental office. Guest Dr. Sara Stuefen shares what it’s like running a practice during unexpected circumstances—from hiring additional staff to verifying patient eligibility and negotiating fees with dental insurance companies to budgeting for personal protective equipment (PPE) costs.

Dentists, along with other healthcare providers, may experience professional burnout, stress, anxiety, and depression at a high rate. Understanding mental health and taking actionable steps towards wellness are key strategies to reach a life full of purpose, gratifying relationships, and connection. In this episode, Guest Alexa James, chief executive officer at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago, shares action steps dental leaders can take to foster mental health among their teams and themselves. James underscores ways to recognize signs that someone may be struggling with their mental health. She shares resources to support dental team leaders in addressing the stressors of the pandemic and beyond.

Since March 2020, many dental offices have experienced employment disruptions such as a furlough, layoff, reduction of hours, or unpaid leave. In this episode, we catch up with season one guest Ginny Hegarty, dental practice management strategist, speaker, coach and author, to talk about the new dental hiring challenges today. Ginny shares her expertise on helping dentists develop their leadership skills as they guide their offices into recovery from the pandemic.

New dentists often graduate six-figures in debt and subsequently worry about the consequences of their student loan debt on their chances of one day owning a dental practice. When looking at a dentist’s loan portfolio, guest Alex Macielak of Laurel Road says that student loan debt is only one piece of the financial pie. He shares strategies for loan repayment planning to help new dentists reach their financial goals. Hear how dentists can manage their student loan debt with interest waivers and flexible repayment options under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed in March 2020.

Transitioning a dental practice from one owner to another is so much more than just a business transaction. Both buyers and sellers might become overly focused on the contract details, losing sight of the big picture. Our guest Dr. Suzanne Ebert reflects on her own practice transition, and shares why finding the right match for the dentist and the practice is crucial to ensuring long term success.

Dentists have found themselves in uncharted territory during COVID-19. As they balance operating a dental office around all the pandemic considerations, what about maintaining patient privacy? The ADA’s Health Informatics expert Patrick Cannady talks about the HIPAA privacy rule and misconceptions related to HIPAA and the pandemic.

Dr. Daniel Klemmedson, the American Dental Association's 157th President, explains why it's better to be involved rather than sit on the sidelines, and how we move forward during a pandemic.  

Tooth Talk co-hosts Peter Aiello and Sarah Milligan explain why dentists are ideal advocates for public health. They offer advice on starting at the local government level and how to work your way up.

Dr. Joy Poskozim chats about her efforts treating the geriatric population, and the nuts and bolts on weaving those patients into her practice.

Drs. Bill Claytor and Jim Willey share their years of experience and research on dentist burnout. From systemic factors to individual indicators, they explain the need to create a healthy practice environment and preserve the doctor-patient relationship.

Kirk Dewart of BMO Harris pulls back the curtain on the practice loan application process, and how it's more important to track your credit than your debt.

Dr. Katie Vincer Sears shares her experiences volunteering in Africa and how she handled being away from her practice.

ADA staffer Dennis McHugh works on members' dental benefits issues at the ADA. In his second appearance on the show, Dennis discusses the pros and cons of in-office dental plans.

Heidi Nickisch Duggan, director of the ADA Library & Archives talks about the resources and treasures the ADA Library holds, from the highly useful to the strangely fascinating.

Dr. Chad Gehani, the American Dental Association's 156th President, reflects on his career and tells us why he wants to be a "servant leader."

Let’s get off the hiring speedway. In this episode we speak with Ginny Hegarty, who says hiring well is less of a race and more like a three-hour tour. Ginny explains how hiring slowly and following a process will help you secure the right staff.

In this episode we speak with Jeffrey Fraum, one of the ADA's lawyers. Jeff gives a brief tutorial on what to look for in exit clauses and auto renews, so that you know exactly what you're getting into before you sign on the dotted line.

In this episode we speak with Dr. Julia Mikell about her career path from military service to private practice, and what her years of service taught her about dentistry.

In this episode, Dennis McHugh describes his experience in helping ADA member dentists solve their own dental benefits issues. From crowns to COB to covered/non-covered services, Dennis dives into the common problems his team hears about every day, and where they have seen successes.

In this episode we speak with Dr. Emelia Sam about her path towards mindfulness and developing a foundation of compassion. From her perspective as an oral surgeon, educator, and caring human being, she shares her personal journey, instilling mindful behaviors in her students and helping her patients feel most comfortable when under her care.

Can one person really do it all? In this episode we speak with Dr. Erinne Kennedy about her brand of work-life balance and how mentoring has helped her along the way. She describes how she dealt with burnout, and what she learned inside and outside the four walls of dental school.

ADA legal counsel Cathryn Albrecht discusses family leave in dental offices. What rights do owner dentists have? What rights are reserved for staff? What's the best approach to keep both sides respectful and happy?

We speak with two dentists who opened new practices in the last year, one in California and the other in New Jersey. They tell it to us straight, this is what it’s really like to open a new office.