Dr. Harlyn Susarla joins Newly Erupted and host Dr. Joel Berg to discuss the importance of embracing leadership opportunities, along with strategics risks, for early career pediatric dentists to effect positive change. She shares her firsthand experiences with exiting her comfort zone and how those situations built up her confidence in her own expertise and ability to ask the right questions – including one that saved a child’s life.  Guest Bio:  A board-certified pediatric dentist, Dr....

On this episode of Newly Erupted, host Dr Joel Berg is joined by Ellie Wetzel to discuss the integration of therapy animals into dental practices, highlighting the legal considerations and benefits of establishing in-office therapy animal programs. Wetzel emphasizes the importance of choosing the right animal, understanding the differences between service and emotional support animals, and the role of the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals in supporting professionals...

Newly Erupted host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Hani Eid for an insightful conversation on growing a private practice to fulfill community needs. Dr. Eid shares his journey from opening a four-chair private practice in Longview, Ore. to owning five practices in neighboring communicates in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Eid discusses the impact of expansion on access to care for children in an area with high demand and need for pediatric dentists, as well as tools he has utilized to successfully...

Dr. Brianna Muñoz joins host Dr. Joel Berg for a discussion on her path into pediatric dentistry – her lifelong career goal – and the pivotal role an interest in public health played in developing her ethos. In this episode, Dr. Muñoz shares how merging many of her unique interests, including biology, chemistry, and dance, along with a commitment to interprofessional care shaped her as a communicator and advocate for children. She also discusses her experiences as an AAPD Harris Fellow and...

Newly Erupted host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Martha Wells, Chief of Dentistry at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital – and the first dentist on their faculty track. In this episode, Dr. Wells shares her day-to-day experience in a hospital faculty setting and the importance of connections she’s made, specifically with peers on a similar professional path and the nursing team at St. Jude’s. Drs. Well and Berg also examine the trend of convergence between medical and dental care in...

Newly Erupted host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Karen Masters, a speech pathologist with almost 40 years of clinical experience related to orofacial myology to discuss orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs), treatment plans, and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. Masters specifically delves into the importance of pediatric dentists and dental hygienists being familiar with OMDs and understanding ways to promote individualized care plans.  Guest Bio:  Karen...

Dr. Cliff Hartmann, Chair of the AAPD Political Action Committee (PAC), joins host Dr. Joel Berg to discuss the mission of the AAPD PAC and the Academy’s legislative priorities. Dr. Hartmann also delves into PAC FAQs, offering a great primer for those who may not be familiar with how political action committees identify and support candidates, who can contribute, and why PACs are so important.  Guest Bio:  Dr. Cliff Hartmann is a graduate of Marquette University School of Dentistry where he...

Building a business doesn’t need to be scary. Dr. Mira Albert chats with host Dr. Joel Berg about entrepreneurship and being strong enough to face your fears. Hear Dr. Albert discuss what drives her as a businessowner, as well as how her choice to pursue an MBA positively impacted her confidence and lessened her fears. She delves into the importance of entrepreneurs identifying their sense of purpose and finding trusted advisors and peers.     Guest Bio:   Dr. Mira Albert founded Brush...

Pediatric dentist Anna Simonis joins Newly Erupted to discuss how she has successfully woven together her personal interests with her professional work, fostering a sense of balance. She chats with host Dr. Joel Berg about the rewards and challenges of bringing together all facets of who she is as a person – a pediatric dentist, a business owner, a team leader, a spouse, a mom, a singer – and shares how you can utilize your own passions to be the best professional possible.  Guest...

Newly Erupted host Dr. Joel Berg chats with Dr. Elise Sarvas, the first pediatric dentist on staff at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. As she walks through a day in her life as a hospital-based clinician, Dr. Sarvas discusses the importance of integrated care and the value she finds in working with colleagues in multiple specialties. She also shares her personal experience as a Mayo Clinic, which fostered her desire to join the team and give back to a community that protected her...

Dr. Gisela Bona chats with Dr. Joel Berg about the Hispanic Dental Association (HDA) and the importance of representation within the profession. Founded in 1990, the HDA is the leading voice for Hispanic oral health, providing service, education, research, advocacy, and leadership for all healthcare professionals, to promote the overall health of the Hispanic/Latinx and underrepresented communities. Dr. Bona discusses the advantages for professionals of varying cultures, individual...

Although 1 in every 37 children experiences pediatric feeding disorder (PFD), it’s a little-talked about diagnosis. PFD relates to any impaired oral intake that is not age appropriate. Pediatric dentists may find themselves as the first medical provider contact for children and families managing PFD. Very special guest Dena Berg walks us through the four domains that factor into the broad PFD diagnosis and how providers can collaborate with the larger care team. She also discusses the role...

How do advances in teledentistry and technology intersect to help you achieve your goals? New technology, materials, and treatment approaches continually change the practice of pediatric dentistry. Dr. David Danesh, a pediatric dentist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, talks to Newly Erupted about telehealth, technology, and moving towards a medical model in management of caries.  Guest Bio:  David Danesh, DMD, MPH, MS, is a full-time clinical pediatric dentist attending at Nationwide...

Dr. Chelsea Fosse, Director of the AAPD Research & Policy Center joins Newly Erupted to chat about her experience shifting from clinical care to a focus on oral health policy. She and host Dr. Joel Berg discuss the big picture of where we are as a nation in terms of children’s oral health and how the work of the AAPD Research & Policy Center makes an impact on policy and the profession. Plus, hear the latest info on policy issues affecting pediatric dentists that may not be on your...

Listen to the journey of Kevin Thomas. Managing Member of Elevate Oral Care and hear about his exciting career as an entrepreneur/business leader in the Pediatric Dentistry space. We know his company’s products – we use them every day. Hear from the person behind this journey and see the exciting world of Pediatric Dentistry from a business leader’s viewpoint.   Bio:   Kevin has spent his entire career in the dental industry, beginning with Johnson & Johnson Dental Products in 1982...

Listen to Dr. Anna Fuks, a leader in our profession, talks about her new book on pulp therapy for children. In this great podcast, Dr. Fuks discusses her amazing journey and career in pediatric dentistry, the history of pulp therapy for children, past to present, and why there was a need for the new textbook. Dr. Fuks describes the differing perspectives in Europe. She also talks about MTA use and how we need to grow it. She discusses the teaching FMC and FS treatments as well as describing...

Dr. Jeffrey Rhodes is a 1984 graduate of Austin College in Sherman, TX. He graduated from Baylor College of Dentistry in 1988. Then, he completed specialty training in pediatric dentistry in 1990. He has completed specialty fellowships at Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. He considers it an honor to have been trained under Suzi Seale. While at Baylor College of Dentistry, he published research in growth and development of young children’s faces with...

Wow… we all hear about AI – yet in this “Byte-Sized AI” podcast, expert Mike Morley explores the exciting potential of large language models in dentistry. Mike examines how these emerging technologies are shaping the future of pediatric dentistry. Together, we explore the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and consider its potential to augment dental professionals' skills, improve patient outcomes, and create more engaging and personalized dental experiences  Bio: With an...

Listen to this great update on ECC with expert Dr. Francisco Ramos-Gomez. Hear important information on ECC as it relates to:Background of ECC -Clinical Trials ExperienceJourney of ECC Prevention InterventionsPrevention-focused Caries ManagementIndividualized Caries ManagementAccurate Early Detection of LesionsEfforts to Remineralize Non-cavitated LesionsRole of Oral Health Literacy and Motivational InterviewingTune in and be up to date today. Bio: Dr. Francisco J. Ramos-Gomez, (DDS, MS,...

Ms. Lilly Heath discusses the philosophy of health coaching and the personal or professional reasons dentists may wish to hire or partner with a health coach. Health coaches use the science of habit change to help their clients alter their lifestyle, especially for better managing chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, caries, and periodontal disease. Lilly is also a Gallup-Certified Clifton Strengths Coach and helps her clients leverage their strengths to...

Learn about the meaning of mindfulness and how it can positively affect you, your practice and especially the care you provide for your patients.  There is a connection between mindfulness and minimally invasive dentistry and Dr. Taneja discusses how she connects these dots. Also Dr. Tanja has a practice model wherein she makes house calls for children with autism and those afraid of going to the dentist. In this inspiring podcast Nidhi discusses the intersection between mindfulness,...

Listen in to our expert colleague, Dr. Jeffrey Kahl, as he tells the story of his work combined with that of many in implementing massively improved OR access in the State of Colorado. For years we have struggled to get our most vulnerable patients into the OR and given the recent legislation success after years of work by the AAPD, the ADA and others, we have great results. Jeff tells the personal story and provides a guide for others to have similar success in their...

During the pandemic, we all learned how little the typical consumer/patient/parent knows regarding oral health, and particularly regarding oral health improvement.  Yet, there is a large body of literature on the topic of “health literacy” and its impact on general health improvement. Listen in to Dr. Jessica Lee, former AAPD President, and expert in the work in Oral Health Literacy. It might change the way you think about communication with your patients and their families. Bio: Dr. Lee is...

Youth with a history of foster care report more oral health problems and less access to oral health care than their peers with no history of foster care. Dentists should recognize the oral health concerns of these youth in the context of their special health care needs and be prepared to render appropriate care. Future studies should explore barriers to oral health care among this vulnerable population. Youth in foster care have self-identified oral health care needs that should be assessed...