Dental Slang With Dr. Christopher Phelps And Dr. Jodi Danna

Dr. Ardalan and Dr. Phelps go way back, having gone to university at UNC-Chapel Hill and reuniting again in dental school at NOVA in Ft. Lauderdale. But they took different paths in dental school, and Dr. Reza Ardalan has become one of the premier pediatric dentists in the Carolinas.  Pediatric dentistry is the top choice among incoming dentists, but Dr. Ardalan never thought he'd end up there. He saw other dentists at school studying endodontics and tried to fit in, but it wasn't his passion. However, a pediatric practice fits his lifestyle, and we discuss some of the differences between pediatric vs. general practices that inspired Dr. Ardalan to work with children.  Talking to children is much different than speaking with parents or adult patients, and the hallmark of a pediatric dentist is their ability to communicate. It's important to get down to their level and explain the procedures in their terms, but treating kids with respect and understanding is key in Dr. Ardalan's offices.  Dr. Ardalan creates t

Dr. David Little has been working with dental implants for nearly four decades. He's seen the evolution of the processes, protocol, and tools dentists use to improve their patients' smiles and how digital technology is making it easier than ever to incorporate implants into general practice. GPs should not be intimidated by implants, Dr. Little says. He breaks down his system for extracting, grafting, and placing implants and shares his opinion on the different media he's using with his patients. He explains his logic behind the biologics of implants and what companies he's working with to procure suitable membranes.  Dr. Little will be writing a book for GPs that will provide a more hands-on experience through video and other digital resources. He wants dentists to avoid some of the common pitfalls he fell victim to. But, most importantly, he wants dentists to continue thinking traditionally. Among all of the new technology and digital accouterments, we will still need to rely on our skills first and foremos

Full-mouth rehabilitation is at the center of Dr. Christian Yaste's dental philosophy. He is the founder of Ballantyne Center for Dentistry and Charlotte Dental Implant Solutions in Charlotte, North Carolina. He specializes in cosmetic dentistry and wants general dentists to know they don't have to shy away from full-arch implants. Dr. Yaste took many different paths on his career trajectory -- from dental school in Michigan to private practice and corporate dentistry to establishing his own cosmetic practice. A fortuitous presentation by Nobel changed the way Dr. Yaste looked at dentistry forever, but it would take almost 20 years to incorporate implants into his practice.  He shares how his first experience with full-arch implants was a disaster and how he learned to play to his strengths. More specifically, when it came to implant protocols, Dr. Yaste wanted something more streamlined, more digital, than what was available at the time and quickly realized it was something he would have to design on his own

Dr. AnnMarie Olson knows a lot about change. She grew up in Austin, Texas, a city that now welcomes over 150 new residents every day, and the growth of her dental career mirrors the city's development. Dr. Olson started in dentistry earlier than most of us, working for her orthodontist at 15. This gave her the chance to experience a dental office from front to back. So, when it came time to graduate dental school, she knew she wanted to run her own practice. She was lucky enough to start an office-sharing agreement, and she shares a bit of what she learned from working together with a friend and mentor.  Working together with her community is key to Dr. Olson's success as a dentist. She discusses how the relationships she's built over the years with different people in this field have shaped her own practice. The enrichment emphasizes this type of almost-familial collaboration she gives her team in helping them grow and develop, whether they're working for her or with her.  Dr. Olson's community is becoming a

Dr. Joe McEnhill sort of fell into dentistry. As a student in Belfast, he was torn between medicine and dentistry. But, he was meant to be a dentist. After all, his sister and both of his brothers are also dentists.  He'll jokingly tell you he's the best of them because he has the most letters after his name. We think he's one of the best because of his hunger for knowledge and skills as a surgical dentist. Yes, dental surgery can be intimidating. Do you remember how many teeth you extracted in dental school? You aren't alone — we can count how many we practiced extractions on one hand. That's why Dr. McEnhill recommends starting small and simple to build your confidence. The first steps he took into dental surgery were removing wisdom teeth and fixing fractured jaws.  Starting with the basics will give you the foundation you need to build a robust set of skills. Then, build a portfolio gradually and play to your strengths and the needs of your patients. Dr. McEnhill discusses how owning a dental practice in

Dr. Nate Jeal is proof that the path to dentistry doesn’t have to be conventional. This “unconventional” path put him on many different journeys, and he quickly learned how taking control of one’s life can open up many different doors.  Today, Dr. Jeal owns three dental practices, one of which he started from the ground up. This is a seemingly wild path from his previous experiences as a butcher and bike mechanic. Overall, Dr. Jeal and his wife have owned six dental practices, and he offers his insight into what it’s like to have to hit the ground running. Learning a bunch of things in a hurry is never easy, but he shares what he’s learned, and we discuss all of the highs and lows of growing and marketing for a multi-practice business. When we talk about growth, we’re discussing more than the financial. Growth means team development and learning how to train your team and hire the type of people who are internally motivated for success. We discuss the biggest challenge of hiring and keeping good people and ho

You aren’t alone. Many dentists need help with business marketing. That’s where Cally Gedge, owner of Connect My Marketing, can help. Don’t worry — if you aren’t marketing savvy, this episode of Dental Slang is for you. Cally Gedge breaks down some key dental marketing terms, including retargeting and google pay-per-click, and discusses what different leads mean for your business. Connect My Marketing works closely with dentists in the UK and the US to help them build a marketing strategy that works for them, their team, and their patients. It may surprise you to learn that there aren’t many differences in international marketing strategies, but Mrs. Gedge does offer ways dentists can change the way they approach social media. Cally Gedge stays away from the generic marketing approach we see in the States and focuses more on the unique marketing goals each of her clients has. Marketing is more than scheduling posts and counting likes — dentists can find their market and deliver the right solution for their pa

There was never a master plan behind Dr. Robert Martino’s successful transition from dentist to entrepreneur. He walked into some very fortuitous opportunities — including launching an aeronautical maintenance business with his tennis partner — and had the confidence to make some life-changing decisions. Having confidence in your decision-making is integral to the business advice Dr. Martino shares in this episode of Dental Slang. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, he says, or even to accidentally make the wrong decision. The trick to that is never making the same mistake twice. Learn from what you’ve done in the past, and let those past experiences lead your next decisions. Too many people hover around that next decision in their dental career. Dr. Martino says - just take the leap. And he’s taken the leap. Today, Dr. Martino manages seven dental practices in West Virginia, an aeronautical repair business, launched Freedom Day USA, a charity event for military families, and invented one of the best dental rin

Dr. Mike Grossman is here to give us a first-hand look at the ins and outs of being a multi-practice owner. Currently, he has 10 practices and is looking for more dentists who want to work and adapt to the multi-practice business model. By multi-practice we also mean multi-skilled, and utilizing orthodontics is one way to expand your practice. For Dr. Grossman, having ortho in-office keeps him busy.  It’s hard to compete with the celebrity endorsements mail-order ortho companies use, but we can offer our patients something just as convenient. In addition, offering multiple services gives you a practice within your practice, one where your patients already know the dental team. And if you want to ultimately run a multi-practice business, it’s an excellent place to start. Dr. Grossman discusses what the dynamic looks like in a multi-service, multi-practice dental office and the kind of technology dentists need if they want to start implementing ortho. If adding orthodontics to your practice is the goal, start w

Sales can be a dirty word in dentistry, but it doesn’t have to be. Dr. Bao-Tran Nguyen, co-founder of Fast Growth Practice, tells us about her approach to marketing that will actually get you excited about…shh… sales.  Remember, we’re not selling something people don’t need. Therefore, your sales strategy shouldn’t be selling certain types of treatments. Instead, the strategy you should focus on is how you communicate with patients. Dr. Nguyen offers advice on the right power questions to ask that lead patients to the point where they take ownership and say exactly what they need  so you can help them with a solution. After all, when you truly believe in your solutions then selling is serving! Too often, too many dentists are on autopilot. We’re all very good at diagnosing, but we aren’t always so good at communicating these diagnoses and treatment plans to our patients. Unfortunately, communication isn’t something they teach in dental school. That’s where Dr. Nguyen comes in. Of course, dentists must be will

At the heart of Dental Slang, we are all about communication. How we talk to patients is one of the most important elements of our practice. And now that patients can find us on social media and research everything they need to know before they even come in for treatment, it’s vital that we know how to talk to them and approach their treatment planning with care.  Dr. Elaine Halley discusses how to do just that. As a practicing dentist and the Clinical Director of a group practice with 8 different locations in Scotland, Dr. Halley has experience on both sides of dentistry — as a teacher and as a student. And she is a rare one. She loves the teaching side of things just as much as the practice, and she shares how her teachers inspired her to take an educator’s path of her own. What’s the biggest lesson Dr. Halley has learned as a teacher and a dentist? How crucial it is to invest in interpersonal skills.  Our body language and the words we use with patients when we explain treatment procedures are just as impo

Dental Slang is going all the way to New Zealand to talk to Dr. Andrea Shepperson — digitally, of course. Dr. Shepperson is a dentist and educator who has spent much of her career building an international family of dentists. When she took a year off from school to travel the world, who would have guessed she’d create a network of dentists and mentors from all over the globe! We never stop learning as dentists, she says, and this motto has carried her through her career. When she started her own practice, she was lucky enough to have mentors to guide her and develop her knowledge as both a business owner and a dentist. She shares some of the most important mentors to her, including Dr. John Kois, Dr. Laurence Walsh, and Christian Coachmen of Digital Smile Design. Digital dentistry is a big part of Dr. Shepperson’s practice. First, she describes her dream digital dental office for us, then walks us through the digital tools and new technology she is using in her office right now to help patients battle tooth e

Dr. Taite Anderson is here to talk about the art of what we do. We dare you not to be inspired to look at dentistry and oral surgery a little bit differently after this conversation. We can’t wait for Dr. Anderson’s new book — The Art of Oral Surgery — which is where this idea of dentist-as-artist really comes to life. Dr. Anderson discusses case studies and analogies he plans on using in the book and dives deep into the creative process involved in writing, organizing, and publishing a dental textbook.  For Dr. Anderson, one of the most well-balanced dentists we know, writing is an opportunity to bring his creative side into dentistry. It encourages him to practice what he preaches, he says, by forcing him to look at things differently and ask himself why: Why am I using this particular instrument? Why am I doing surgery in this order? Changing your perspective keeps the mind sharp and looking for new ways to learn, and there’s never a shortage of learning opportunities in a dental office.  Dr. Anderson admi

Slangers — get ready to welcome back Dr. Amanda Seay, the cosmetic dentist who moonlights as an extraordinary dental photographer. She’s releasing her new book on dental photography, See, just in time for the new year, but what if we told you that dental school was never part of her plan? Would you believe it?  Dr. Seay was a completely different person before dental school. She never really had a solid plan for her future, and perfecting smiles never even crossed her mind. She was a dancer, trained in ballet, and later a cheerleading instructor in college. Dental school wasn’t even on her radar until her best friend Erin mentioned she was going.  Random moments like these are speckled throughout Dr. Seay’s incredible journey, and these random moments lead her to some really big things. You never know who you’re going to meet in your life, or where these people might lead you. When you find inspiration in a best friend or a mentor (sometimes they can be both!), it can open up so many different doors of opport

Endodontics is intimidating, but it can be a lot easier than you think. Dr. William Nudera is in his tenth year as an endodontics professor and is here to teach us a little bit about the instruments and the tricks of the trade he uses daily.  Finding the best instruments is a good place to start, but it’s not about the brand name for Bill. He recommends getting a few samples from multiple companies and playing around with them. Endo files are all the same size these days, and to find the best one for your root canal, you need to know how it feels in your hand.  How heavy-handed you are can influence which tools you choose, and working with tools that feel good in your hand is the easiest way to build your confidence. Bill gives us an abridged discussion of his protocol for treating a tooth with a root canal. For him, everything in endodontics starts with a cone-beam image, and he breaks down every step he takes to make the right decisions for his patient.  He shares everything, from the risks of using a one-f

The last time we had Dr. Wael Garine on Dental Slang, we discussed non-verbal slang and prosthodontics. Dr. Garine is without a doubt a wizard when it comes to prosthetics and implant dentistry, but it’s his new role as Director of Operations at the Seattle Study Club that earned him a spot on Incisal Edge Magazine’s 2021 list of most influential people in dentistry.  Dr. Garine currently owns a multi-practice in Florida and operates out of two locations. Running a multi-practice sort of fell into his lap when a friend and fellow dentist offered him his office and his patients after decided to quit the practice, but it was exactly what he wanted. Owning a multi-practice not only provides more room to service more patients but also gives Dr. Garine more free time to spend his energy on what he truly loves to do: teach. Dr. Garine always wanted to teach and help fellow dentists stay up-to-date with the latest dental tech, tools, and procedures. Seattle Study Club offers up the perfect opportunity to do so. Dr.

The slang Dr. Ali Afshar uses to describe his dental repertoire is “tacklebox”, and his tacklebox includes implant surgery, restoration, and treatment planning. He uses both free-hand and guided surgeries, which is a skill he thinks many lose in dental schools that promote only guided surgeries. If you only learn guided surgery, you may be missing out on the technical knowledge needed to help your patients plan out their treatment and healing processes. Dental students are graduating school and immediately want to become implant dentists without fully understanding the precision that goes into this practice and the healing that is necessary after implant surgery, and Dr. Afshar sees a lot of rehabs and complicated cases of implants that need to be repaired or completely taken out and redone. For him, the biggest weakness in our industry is diagnostics and treatment planning.  This is where his tacklebox comes in handy. Knowing how to perform surgery is one thing but understanding the human body and its abilit

Dr. Lou Shuman was lucky enough to have grown up with many different mentors, including Henry Goldman. His father partnered with Goldman and ultimately ended up inspiring him to pursue his own dental career. But Dr. Shuman wanted to do things a bit differently.  He wanted to create a group practice that would give everything his patients would need in one place, and it eventually grew into a practice with 10 dentists and 25 hygienists specializing in different things. But life can take a turn you can’t anticipate, and that’s exactly what happened when Walt Disney called. You might think a person in their right mind wouldn’t turn down an offer from Disney, but that’s exactly what Dr. Shuman did. He didn’t agree with Disney’s 25th-anniversary celebration that overlooked the kids and families who could never afford to visit Walt Disney World, and he told them so. Little did he know that two days later Disney would call him back.   What does Disney have to do with dentistry? Nothing, at first. But once Dr. Shuman

Dr. Céline Higton is all about taking the initiative. That’s how she’s ended up with 26,000 followers on Instagram. When she graduated from dental school in London, Dr. Higton knew she wanted to focus on a more personal type of dentistry. She was advised by a mentor to forget the job advertisements for the larger practices and pick out which private practices she wanted to work with. Then it was only a matter of tailoring a CV and cover letter and hand-delivering it to each one. This advice proved invaluable. Not only did she find a perfect first dental job, but it also inspired her to take that same approach with the rest of her career. Being active on Instagram was just a bonus. Because tailoring social media posts is easier than writing a cover letter, mostly because Dr. Higton only posts images that inspire her.  Dr. Higton didn’t really like social media at first, but she focused on finding a genuine way to connect with people online that was less about likes and more about education. The secret to being

Dr. Travis Campbell may have known he wanted to be a dentist since he was three, but he had no idea the path his dental career had planned for him. He is now recognized as the Dental Insurance Guy. No one breaks down dental insurance like Dr. Campbell.   In this Dental Slang episode, we discuss coding, when to file a claim (and when not to), as well as the right time to take an x-ray.  Dr. Campbell also tells us about his new book, Understanding Dental Insurance: A Guide for Dentists and Their Teams. This is the first comprehensive text on dental insurance to date. Dr. Campbell isn’t afraid to talk about his failures. The stories of trial and error make this guide more than just a textbook. If you’re ready to learn how to communicate more fluently with insurance companies, tune into this episode. In This Episode You Will Learn Why Dr. Campbell is weirder than most dentists  The hardest hurdles to jump when running more than one office  How the pandemic boosted Dr. Campbell’s business  What inspired Dr. Campb