Podcast
Dental Sound Bites
Hosted by American Dental Association · EN
Dental Sound Bites is an ADA podcast created for dentists, by dentists. Join our hosts, representing different paths in their careers, for real talk on dentistry's daily wins and sticky situations. Tune in to benefit from the wisdom of your peers and share some laughs along the way. Come for the camaraderie, stay for insightful discussions with leading experts from our industry and beyond.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the American Dental Association.
19episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Bonus Episode: Season 7 - Best Moments
1w ago00:04:17Tap to summarizeThe conversation continues. In this bonus episode, Dr. Arnell Wright and Dr. Effie Ioanidou reflect on their journey into dentistry, and share their favorite moments from Season 7. For more information visit https://www.ada.org/podcast
Transcribe →Building Financial Security
2w ago00:52:19Tap to summarizeIt's the money roadmap you need now to help you build long-term financial security. We're sharing five money moves you can make today, what you need to know before switching career paths, and the one student loan deadline that you can't afford to miss. For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast Featured Guests: Joseph McGrath Dani Buschick Dr. Michael Jerkins Show Notes In this episode, we explore practical ways to take control of your finances and plan for long-term financial security. We're talking about student loans, what to know when switching careers, and the five money moves you can make right now. To help explain what everyone needs to know about student loans, we asked our friend Joseph McGrath from KeyBank to walk us through new details, dates, and updates. Mr. McGrath shares that big student loan changes are coming, and that July 1, 2026, is the key date to know. He explains that some programs are being phased out, and that federal repayment options may narrow significantly. Big changes are underway for income-driven repayment as well, impacting both dentists and residents. With new federal loan caps and fewer repayment options, Mr. McGrath underscores the importance of borrowers understanding their loan structure, exploring available options, and seeking professional guidance to navigate the changes. Dani Buschick, financial wellness coach, and host of the podcast Life. Money. You. joins us to break down the five numbers every dentist should know to take control of their financial well-being. Ms. Buschick offers actionable tips and an easy-to-follow framework for creating spending plans, automating savings, and building lasting financial stability. Small actions can create big impact. Ms. Buschick emphasizes the importance of understanding your debt, building an emergency fund, protecting your credit, automating savings, and using available resources available, like free financial coaching, to create sustainable habits and personalized financial plans. Our next guest, Dr. Michael Jerkins, joins us to talk about how to navigate career transitions. Dr. Jerkins is the President and Co-founder of Panacea Financial and is also a practicing physician in Little Rock, AR. Dr. Jerkins explores the transition between employee and practice owner roles and highlights the financial and personal considerations involved in these career shifts. To prepare for these career transitions, Dr. Jerkins emphasizes the importance of building a trusted advisory team, assessing your financial readiness, and developing a clear plan. Resources Read an ADA News story about <a href= "https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/august/one-big-beautiful-bills-impact-on-student-loans/?_gl=1*xaz86z*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NzU2MDEzNzMuQ2p3S0NBancxdExPQmhBTUVpd0FpUGtSSHFsWHBhcC1mODByNmZ2anRwY1lkaTJyMlFpbV94WUFQdnFmRDIzMU1adTZnQUZRWVBLc0RSb0N1YnNRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*NzQ5NTMzMDQ5LjE3NzA5MDQyODA.*_ga*Njc5ODkyODc1LjE3NjMwNzE1MjU.*_ga_X8X57NRJ4D*czE3Nzc1NzkwNzgkbzEzOSRnMSR0MTc3NzU3OTA4OSRqNDkkbDAkaDA.*_ga_NVSBFQCBYE*czE3Nzc1NzkwNzgkbzEzOS...
Transcribe →Substance Addiction and Recovery
Apr 2100:38:36Tap to summarizeAn honest conversation about the challenges surrounding substance addiction and misuse, and the available pathways people can turn to for support, healing, and long‑term wellbeing. Featured Guest: Dr. Bill Claytor For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast Show Notes In this episode, an honest conversation about the challenges surrounding burnout, substance addiction and misuse, and the available pathways people can turn to for support, healing, and long-term wellbeing. Our special guest is Dr. J. William "Bill" Claytor, Jr., a nationally recognized dental professional from Shelby, NC, with expertise in general dentistry, substance use disorders, mental health, and burnout prevention. Since 2022, he has served as Executive Director of North Carolina Caring Dental Professionals. Dr. Claytor shares the moment he realized he needed help managing burnout and the pressures of dentistry, and what he did to seek out help. Plus. He shares the life lesson he learned from this experience. What began as volunteering with North Carolina Caring Dental Professionals turned into something much bigger, ultimately leading Dr. Claytor to step into the role of executive director and continue to help shape the organization's future. The discussion dives into the most common mental health issues facing dentists right now, along with realistic steps they can take when they find themselves in these situations. The stigma associated with substance misuse or asking for help often comes up as a major challenge, along with other difficult hurdles. For anyone quietly struggling with substance misuse, addiction, burnout, or mental health challenges, Dr. Claytor highlights some of the available resources, and outlines the first steps toward getting support. Dr. Claytor also introduces a simple but powerful framework for wellness using the acronym C.A.S.E., focusing on being collegial, improving access to care, breaking down stigma, and finding ways to engage and empower one another. This episode also tackles a tough but important question: how to recognize when someone needs help and how to approach them with care. Drawing from his own experiences, Dr, Claytor offers guidance, tools, and resources to help listeners support colleagues who may be struggling. Resources Find peer support and wellness resources for dentists across the U.S. through the Well-Being Directory. The ADA offers many programs and resources to support your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. You can find a complete list at ADA.org/wellness. Reach out to your local and state societies to see what resources are available near you. The Well-Being Index, an anonymous validated assessment, resource and measurement tool developed by the Mayo Clinic to address clinician distress and well-being, is newly available at...
Transcribe →Sticky Situations: Ethics Edition
Apr 700:32:00Tap to summarizeAfter‑hours calls, patient autonomy, nervous patients… how do you handle the ethical curveballs that show up in everyday practice? We've got advice to help you confidently navigate some sticky situations. Featured Guest: Dr. Kelly Roth Special Guests: Dr. Craig McKenzie, Dr. Maryann Lehmann, and Dr. Lance Attiq For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast Show Notes In this episode, we are talking about sticky situations. From after‑hours calls to patient autonomy, and nervous patients… how do you handle the ethical curveballs that show up in everyday practice? We've got advice to help you confidently navigate the tough issues. Our guest for this episode is Dr. Kelly Roth, a general dentist in Canton, OH. She is the speaker of the House of Delegates of the Ohio Dental Association. She also previously served as the ODA's vice speaker of the House of Delegates and is the past chair of the ADA Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs, past chair of the ODA Credentials, Rules and Order Committee, past chair of the ODA Ethics Subcommittee, past member of the ODA Council on Membership Services, and past president of the Stark County Dental Society. She is a member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, Academy of General Dentistry, National Association of Parliamentarians, American Institute of Parliamentarians, and International College of Dentists. Dr. Roth breaks down the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct, explaining what it is, why it matters, and the critical role it plays in modern dentistry. In this episode, dentists openly share their stickiest real-world scenarios. First up, we're joined by Dr. Craig McKenzie, an assistant professor of dental anesthesiology and the director of the Center for Patients with Special Needs at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. He is a past national president of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) and was a founding member of the Coalition for Modernizing Dental Licensure. He currently serves as a member of the ADA Council on Membership, CODA site visitor for dental anesthesiology, as well as the Pennsylvania Dental Association's (PDA) Membership Committee and New Dentist Committee. He was recognized for his contributions with the ADA's 10 Under 10 award in 2025. Dr. McKenzie shares his real-world case involving an adult patient with special healthcare needs who understood the risks and benefits of a specific procedure but was too anxious to consent, highlighting how he navigated consent, patient autonomy, anxiety management, and family involvement. Our next guest is Dr. Maryann Lehmann, who has been in private practice for over 35 years in Darien, CT. She has been a dental researcher as part of the PBRN PEARL Network, and an inventor holding numerous patents in dental technology. Her philanthropic efforts include being a volunteer adjunct professor of General Dentistry at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, making service trips with students, and working at the CT Mission of Mercy. Dr. Lehmann feels her greatest intention in being a dentist is to improve the quality of dental care for the greater good. Dr. Lehmann shares how the overwhelm of all-hour messaging, and non-urgent demands have blurred patient boundaries after hours and raises questions about charging for emergency call-backs. The conversation turns to defining dental emergencies, boundaries, delegating in these situations, and how to protect dentists' mental health while still fulfilling ethical obligations. Dr. Roth shares a story of an incident that helped her define boundaries for herself. After prescribing medications to someone she believed to be a patient of her practice, she reflected on the lessons learned and the importance of establishing safeguards for emergency care. Our last sticky situation comes from Dr. Lance Attiq, a general dentist practicing at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Arizona. With involvement in dentistry since a young age, his experience includes roles as a dental assistant, free clinic manager, clinical dentistry IT coordinator, and active participant in organized dentistry. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Attiq serves as Adjunct Faculty at the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, where he educates students and colleagues on leveraging technology to improve patient care. Dr. Attiq recounts treating an extremely nervous patient who was vomiting before and a...
Transcribe →Advocacy in Action
Mar 2400:37:38Tap to summarizeWe're taking a look into ADA advocacy: the wins, the hurdles, and the real behind‑the‑scenes work that is shaping oral health now. Featured Guest: Dr. Laurie Rosato Special Guest: Dr. Sara Stuefen For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast Show Notes In this episode, Dr. Laurie Rosato joins us to explain how advocacy shapes daily dental practice, why it's essential for protecting patient care, and how the American Dental Association is advocating for the profession. Dr. Laurie Rosato is a practicing dentist in Concord, New Hampshire. A long-standing member of the American Dental Association, and an active member of her state and local society. Her passion has always been to be involved with shaping the profession, and she advocates every year at the NH Statehouse on current issues. She has served her state level Government Affairs team as Chair for over 10 years and currently serves on the Council for Government Affairs at the ADA. Dr. Rosato currently is also President Elect of the New Hampshire Dental Society. She is passionate about teaching and brings students every semester into her practice to learn about dentistry; several have gone on to become dentists; many have become assistants and hygienists. Dr. Rosato shares her journey from becoming interested in advocacy, to testifying at the New Hampshire statehouse, and serving on the ADA Council on Government Affairs, highlighting how grassroots action informs national strategy. Some of the biggest misconceptions around advocacy, Dr. Rosato explains, are about seemingly "slow" progress, with Dr. Rosato detailing the complex process of bill sponsorship, education, and persistence on Capitol Hill. The conversation spotlights some recent wins for dental advocacy, including the Massachusetts MLR bill as a case study in patient‑powered advocacy and how it sparked nationwide reform efforts. Dr. Rosato shares examples of the work ADA advocacy is doing now, and that they've been able to introduce or support 26 bills in Congress over the past two years. Dr. Sara Stuefen, a general dentist in Iowa, a Tenth District Trustee of the American Dental Association, and Vice Chair of the Iowa Dental Political Action Committee, joins us to explain the latest developments in dental insurance reform, ERISA, and how the ADA is pushing Congress on this issue. The conversation closes with a call to action and an explanation on why dentist voices matter at every level- local, state, and national. Resources Learn more about ERISA Plans. Find out how the latest Insurance Reform Bill Upholds State Regulations. Read about Legislation introduced to apply state dental insurance laws to self-funded plans. Take a look at the 2025 ADA Advocacy Highlights. <li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW72962039 BCX0" role="listitem" aria-setsize=...
Transcribe →New Oral Cancer Recommendations
Mar 1000:25:21Tap to summarizeDiscover how evolving evidence is reshaping oral cancer guidelines and informing patient care. What all dentists need to know now about new oral cancer recommendations and the ADA's innovative approach to clinical practice guidelines. Special Guest: Dr. Alessandro Villa For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast Show Notes In this episode, we dive into the new ADA Living Guideline Program, the first in oral health, and learn all about this new initiative and its first set of recommendations on oral cancer. Our special guest is Dr. Alessandro Villa, DDS, PhD, MPH, Chief of oral medicine, oral oncology and dentistry at Miami Cancer Institute, where he also serves as program director of the Oral Oncology Fellowship. He is a Professor at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University. Dr. Villa specializes in oral mucosal and salivary gland diseases, oral precancers and oral complications related to cancer treatment. Before joining Miami Cancer Institute in 2022, he was Chief of Oral Medicine and Oral Oncology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF); he also directed the oral medicine residency programs at UCSF and Harvard University. His research focuses on oral leukoplakia, cancer therapy-related complications, and the prevention of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers. Dr. Villa is actively involved in several investigator-initiated and sponsored clinical trials and has authored more than 180 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Villa provides an in-depth overview of the ADA's Living Guideline Program, explaining its purpose, how it works, and the key ways it differs from traditional guidelines. Living Guidelines are developed with the same level of rigor as traditional guidelines, but they use a distinct infrastructure design for continuous updates to emerging evidence, Dr. Villa shares. The development of these Living Guidelines is driven by a multidisciplinary panel that typically includes general dentists, dental hygienists, oral medicine and oral pathology specialists, oral surgeons, and other relevant experts. These panels also incorporate patients and additional stakeholders. Dr. Villa shares that they use the great evidence-to-decision framework to help dentists efficiently move from data to recommendations in a timely manner. All of this is built inside a digital platform. When evidence is conflicting or limited, Dr. Villa explains, the transparent process for Living Guidelines ensures clarity and integrity. The first set of recommendations from the ADA's Living Guideline program is on the evaluation of potentially malignant disorders in the oral cavity. Dr. Villa gives us more details about these recommendations, and the findings to date. Dr. Villa explains how the results of the Living Guidelines recommendations affect how clinicians should implement these guidelines. Resources Learn more about the ADA's Living Guideline program. Take a look at the updated oral cancer guideline in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA). These updated recommendations guide the use of cytology adjuncts for early oral cancer detection in an interactive format. Stay connected with the ADA on social media! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, <a class= "Hyperlink SCXW76077723 BCX0" href= "https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-dental-association/" ta...
Transcribe →Heart & Oral Health Link
Feb 2400:40:14Tap to summarizeWe're talking about the fascinating link between the mouth and the heart, and how tiny microbes play a big role. Tune to find out what oral health can tell us about overall health. Special Guest: Dr. Jessica Mark Welch For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast Show Notes In this episode, we're connecting the dots between the oral microbiome and overall health and talking about the fascinating link between the mouth and the heart, and how tiny microbes play a big role. Our guest for this episode is Dr. Jessica Mark Welch, a Senior Scientist and Full Professor at the ADA Forsyth Institute in Somerville, MA. Dr. Mark Welch and her team use both imaging and DNA sequencing approaches to investigate the structure and organization of the oral microbiome. She is co-developer of the Combinatorial Labeling and Spectral Imaging-Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (CLASI-FISH) strategy for imaging the spatial organization of microbial communities, with which she and her colleagues have discovered highly organized, complex structures in human dental plaque and on the human tongue. Her group uses DNA sequence data to construct pangenomes of oral microbes and examines metagenomic data to investigate why different bacteria live where they do, and how we can encourage the growth of health-promoting bacteria in the mouth. Dr. Mark Welch curates the Human Oral Microbiome Database to provide the research community with high-quality, curated information about oral bacteria, their genomes, and their distribution throughout the mouth. Dr. Mark Welch explains her work with oral microbiome, and the connection between heart health and oral health. She shares that the mouth contains hundreds of bacterial species that form distinct communities on teeth (dental plaque) and on the tongue (tongue biofilm). A balanced oral microbiome supports normal metabolism and contributes to blood pressure regulation. Researchers are investigating why so many different bacterial species coexist in the mouth and how these interdependent microbial communities share metabolic functions to support each other. Dr. Mark Welch says her research explores how differences in people's mouth bacteria might explain varied responses. The conversation shifts to the implications of microbiome research for oral health and how a deeper understanding of bacterial communities could eventually influence approaches to patient care. Resources Learn more about the research from the ADA Forsyth Science Institute. See what makes ADA Forsyth® dentech™ the top conference for oral health innovation — find out more. Stay connected with the ADA on social media! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok for the latest industry news, member perks and conversations shaping dentistry.
Transcribe →New Radiography Recommendations
Feb 1000:37:11Tap to summarizeA clinical conversation about the updated recommendations to enhance radiography safety in dentistry. Special Guest: Dr. Erika Benavides For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast Show Notes In this episode, we are having a clinical conversation about the updated recommendations to enhance radiography safety in dentistry. We explore the major changes from previous guidelines, the rationale behind discontinuing patient shielding, the importance of patient‑centered imaging, and practical implications for dentists and academics. Our guest is Dr. Erika Benavides, a Clinical Professor and Associate Chair of the Division of Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Radiology, and the Director of the CBCT Service at the University of Michigan, School of Dentistry. She is a Diplomate and Past President of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (ABOMR). She also served as Councilor for Communications of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and Chair of the Research and Technology Committee. Dr. Benavides is a Fellow of the American College of Dentists and has published multiple peer-reviewed manuscripts in the multidisciplinary aspects of diagnostic imaging. She has been a co-investigator in NIH funded grants for the past 10 years and recently served as the Chair of the expert panel to update the 2012 ADA/FDA recommendations for dental radiography. Her clinical practice is dedicated to interpretation of 2D and 3D dentomaxillofacial imaging. The two-part recommendations were updated by an expert panel which included radiologists, general and pediatric dentists, a public health specialist, and consultants from nearly every dental specialty. Dr. Benavides shares some of the main takeaways and new updates is that that lead aprons and radiation collars are no longer recommended. This recommendation includes all dental maxillofacial imaging procedures and applies to most patients. Also, a recommendation to avoid routine or convenience imaging, and focus instead of patient-centered imaging, based on the patients' specific needs. And, when possible, previous radiographs should be obtained. Dr. Benavides shares that imaging must be patient‑specific, not protocol-driven, and encourages dentists to ask the following questions before dental imaging: "Do we need this additional information? Is this additional information going to change my diagnosis, or it's going to contribute to the diagnosis and treatment planning?" The group discusses some of the possible challenges, and opportunities, to implement these new recommendations. Resources: This episode is brought to you by Dr. Jen Oral Care. Learn more about Dr. Jen. Read the full clinical recommendations American Dental Association and American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology patient selection for dental radiography and cone-beam computed tomography Find more ADA resources on X-Rays and Radiographs. <p class="Paragraph SCXW3...
Transcribe →Dental Industry Predictions for 2026
Jan 2700:51:06Tap to summarizeA look at the top trends and challenges for dentists in 2026. Dr. Marko Vujicic, chief economist and vice president of the ADA Health Policy Institute, shares the industry predictions to help you prepare for the year ahead. Special Guest: Dr. Marko Vujicic For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast Show Notes In this episode, we're looking at the top trends and challenges for dentists in 2026 with our guest Dr. Marko Vujicic, chief economist and vice president of the ADA's Health Policy Institute. The episode starts by looking back at the predicted dental trends for 2025, which were staffing shortages, insurance challenges, and rising overhead costs. When speaking about economic confidence, Vujicic notes that at the end of 2024 dentists expressed a significant rise in economic optimism about the stability of the dental sector. But, by the end of 2025 confidence levels had dipped, and practice confidence dropped as well due to tariffs, economic uncertainty, and larger national concerns. The ADA's Health Policy Institute (HPI) conducts quarterly surveys. Dentists are invited to enroll in the panel by emailing hpi@ada.org to help share their experiences and strengthen national data. Dentists were asked about their biggest expected challenges for 2026, and they reported that their core issues remain consistent with last year's, but with insurance leading the list, followed by staffing shortages and overhead cost increases. These issues remain steady across urban and rural practices, as well as with different practice modalities. About 90% of dental practices report they are still struggling with hiring staff, even though there's a growing pipeline of dental hygienist graduates, and a rebound in patient volume. The conversation explores whether technology could help with this issue, but dentistry remains a hands-on profession with limits on how much can actually be automated. Dentists shared with ADA's HPI that this year they intend to hire more staff, reevaluate their insurance networks, and invest in equipment, technology and software. Some key findings from HPI's Practice Ownership Trends report shows that today's early-career experience is very different from past generations with a delayed path to practice ownership. Data shows that most dentists will eventually become owners, just later in their careers. The major change: ownership is delayed, not disappearing. Another interesting theme that emerged from the data was the generational, cultural, and priority shifts happening in the profession. Also, HPI introduces fresh insights into gender pattens that show that even though women start with a lower rate of practice ownership than men, the ownership gender gap closes by mid- and late- career. The conversation shifts to explore the challenges and opportunities from the broader national policy forces shaping dentistry in 2026, and the impact of the economic data influencing decisions in multiple states. HPI continues their research and is focusing on tracking emerging dental policy issues, research on the impact of Dental Loss Ratio (DLR) regulations, and forthcoming analysis of oral trends within Medicare Advantage, to list a few. Resources Read ADA's Health Policy Institute's report Practice Ownership Trends in Dentistry: A New Look at Old Data. <li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW259005796 BCX0" role="listitem" aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-l...
Transcribe →Leading with Vision
Jan 1300:30:14Tap to summarizeA conversation on leadership and what the future of our profession could look like. We're talking with ADA President Dr. Rich Rosato. For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast Show Notes In this episode, listen to a conversation on leadership and the future of the dental profession with ADA President Dr. Richard Rosato. Dr. Richard Rosato, a Concord, New Hampshire, oral surgeon is president of the American Dental Association. In addition to being a past president of the New Hampshire Dental Society, he's served on various ADA committees, councils, and task forces, later representing District One on the ADA Board of Trustees from 2019-2023. The married father of three is a graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Rosato reflects on transitioning into the role of ADA President, and shares his focus on unity, visibility, and action across the profession. What are the key priorities of Dr. Rosato's leadership? He shares with our audience the philosophy and pillars of his ADA presidency, including the long‑term vision for shaping the future of dentistry through Oral Health 2050, a forward‑looking initiative designed to guide the profession. The effort includes the development of five expert panels focused on the topics that matter most to dentists and their patients. The importance of dentists' voices at both the state and national levels is reinforced by Dr. Rosato, as he addresses declining membership numbers, while encouraging active engagement as a way for members to shape policy, direction, and the future of the profession. The discussion reinforces the importance of dentist participation at both the state and national levels. Dr. Rosato encourages active engagement as a way for members to shape policy, direction, and the future of the profession. Dr. Rosato underscores his trust in collective dialogue, diverse viewpoints, and allowing thoughtful processes to unfold by sharing his belief that the "smartest person in the room is always the room" itself. How can effective leaders handle friction? Dr. Rosato discusses one of his most significant leadership challenges and highlights the importance of leading with both short‑term realism and long‑term optimism. Rather than viewing limitations as setbacks, he explains how constraints challenge leaders to be more creative, innovative, and intentional in shaping meaningful solutions for members. Resources Read the statement on clinical autonomy referenced in this episode. Learn more about advocacy and how you can join the ADA, America's leading oral health advocate, in fighting for what matters to you and your patients. Connect with Dr. Rosato on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or email at rosator@ada.org. Stay connected with the ADA on social media! ...
Transcribe →