Dental Assistant Nation
Kevin Henry is a champion for dental assistants and host of the Dental Assistant Nation podcast. He is also the editor in chief for DrBicuspid.com. Speaker, consultant and author focused on empowering, enlightening and educating dental assistants.
Episodes
September 7, 2025 • 18 mins
Stepping into a new chapter with a different doctor can feel uncertain for many dental assistants. The routines you’ve relied on may suddenly change, the expectations may shift, and the comfortable rhythm of the practice can feel disrupted. Questions like why did this happen or where do I fit in now often surface, creating stress and doubt.
But in every challenge lies opportunity. While some dental assistants struggle by holding o...
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August 31, 2025 • 13 mins
Proven Dental Marketing Tips That Bring New Patients
Bringing in new patients today requires more than polished ads. It’s about authenticity, visibility, and connection. A Dental Assistant plays a crucial role in dental marketing, not only inside the practice but also in shaping how the team is seen online. From genuine patient testimonials to engaging posts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, reels, and YouTube Shorts, the way a prac...
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August 23, 2025 • 19 mins
Did you know hand-foot-and-mouth disease can knock an adult out for a week?
Kevin Henry welcomes infectious disease and compliance expert Joyce Weeks of Dental Ed for a timely conversation on keeping dental teams safe as school is back in session and community bugs resurface. Joyce shares her journey from HIV vaccine research to teaching dental professionals about OSHA and infection control, and why understanding the “why” behind ...
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August 17, 2025 • 15 mins
Did you know being prepared can make or break a dental assistant’s chance of getting hired by a dentist?
Landing a dental assisting position isn’t just about having the right skills. It’s about making the hiring decision effortless for the dentist. That means showing up prepared, polished, and ready to fit into their dental office culture. From a spotless, typo-free resume to researching the practice’s specialty, small details can...
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Why are dental assistants still being held back in 2025?
The dental industry continues to face frustrating inconsistencies that limit the growth and mobility of dental assistants. This episode reveals a bold new professional model created to fix the fractured system of dental assisting across the U.S. With each state enforcing its own confusing rules, dental careers often stall or reset entirely when professionals move. But now, a...
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August 2, 2025 • 18 mins
Discover the science-backed strategies behind setting goals that truly lead to success.
Many people set goals with good intentions, but few apply proven methods that actually move them forward. In this episode, we explore motivation not as a feeling, but as a system that can be built and sustained with the right approach. Backed by psychology and real research, these goal-setting techniques aren’t about hustle; they're about struct...
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She went from dental assisting to redefining what it means to be a hygienist.
Some stories don’t age, they just get more relevant. Episode 298 is one of those, which is why we’re pulling it from the archives and back into the spotlight. Sherri Warshaw’s path through dentistry isn’t the one you’ve heard before. She didn’t just climb the career ladder, she took a hard left, pushed through the tough stuff, and built something entirel...
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July 20, 2025 • 14 mins
Did you know being a great coworker can actually make your job easier and more enjoyable?
When the team works well together, everything gets easier. In this episode of Dental Assistant Nation, Kevin Henry talks with Monica Satake about how being a great coworker can improve your day-to-day experience as a dental assistant. Monica shares real, simple ways to build better relationships at work. It starts with showing up with a good ...
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July 13, 2025 • 13 mins
Did you know the California Dental Assistants Association is no longer part of the ADAA? The split is real, and it could be a sign of bigger shifts ahead. What does this mean for the profession, for state associations, and for dental assistants?
We’re diving into the “why” behind the separation and what happens next. Shari Becker shares what led to the decision, how members have responded, and what changes are already underway in ...
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July 6, 2025 • 50 mins
The ADA introduced a new role. Is the Oral Preventive Assistant a problem for Dental Assistants?
Everyone in dentistry is talking about something big. For dental assistants, this change feels like a direct challenge to their daily work. The American Dental Association's proposed Oral Preventive Assistant role could redefine work, value, and entire career paths. Are assistants about to take on more without fair compensation, pushin...
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June 29, 2025 • 16 mins
When dentists and dental assistants support each other, everything gets better
In this episode, Dr. Alan Stern opens up about the hidden tension that lives inside many dental practices—not between patients and staff, but between dentists and dental assistants themselves. He shares why miscommunication, lack of feedback, and unspoken expectations are doing more damage than any full schedule ever could.
Dr. Stern challenges the old ...
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June 21, 2025 • 14 mins
Is dental waterline safety a headache in your practice? Discover how simple and easy it can truly be.
Ensuring your dental unit water lines are safe for patients is incredibly important. But let's be honest, it often feels like a complicated and time-consuming task, especially with everything else dental assistants juggle. If a process isn't straightforward, it's easy for it to get pushed aside.
Good news: it doesn't have to be di...
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June 16, 2025 • 14 mins
Ever feel like dental ordering is a confusing task that only one dental assistant knows how to handle? If you’re a dental assistant who’s ever felt overwhelmed by online ordering or unsure if you’re getting the best deal on dental supplies, this episode is for you. Kevin Henry sits down with Elise Hill to explore how dental assistants can take charge of dental ordering, simplify the process, and truly shine in the eyes of their den...
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June 8, 2025 • 12 mins
Dental practices are being shut down — not for what they did, but for what they didn’t know.
And no one’s talking about it… until now.
Sherrie Busby joins Kevin Henry to have the kind of conversation most practices don’t realize they need until it’s too late. This episode dives into the real reason some offices are blindsided during inspections—not because they don’t care, but because they assume someone else is handling it, or th...
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June 1, 2025 • 15 mins
Seriously, dental assistants, are your handpieces living their BEST life? 🤔 You NEED to hear this!
This episode, featuring Mike Etheridge, Senior Manager for Marketing and Channel with KaVo North America, delves into the critical role dental assistants play in ensuring the optimal performance and longevity of dental handpieces. The discussion stresses that proper care goes beyond basic cleaning; it's fundamental to extending the ...
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Still failing waterline tests? This protocol shows why—and how to fix it for good.
Only around 30% of dental practices are testing their waterlines regularly—and that’s a problem.
Regulations are changing fast. Some states now require quarterly testing, immediate remediation after failure, and documentation.
This game-changing protocol breaks it down into three critical steps:
👉 Test
👉 Shock
👉 Maintain
Waterline safety is...
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May 17, 2025 • 20 mins
Micromanaged as a dental assistant? Try these 5 genius ways to handle it.
Is your dentist boss constantly hovering, double-checking your every move, or refusing to let go of control? You’re not alone—and you’re not powerless either. In this episode, we’re diving into 5 brilliant strategies dental assistants can use when dealing with a micromanaging employer.
From setting boundaries and shifting your mindset to leveraging team dyna...
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May 9, 2025 • 12 mins
Do you think your dental waterlines are clean? Discover the hidden risks and how to ensure patient safety.
In this episode, Kevin Henry and Michelle Strange, RDH, delve into the critical topic of dental waterline safety. They explore the formation of biofilm in dental unit waterlines and its potential health risks. The discussion covers essential practices for maintaining clean waterlines, including regular testing, shocking, and ...
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May 4, 2025 • 20 mins
Most people have no idea what dental assistants actually do — and it’s costing the profession trust, talent, and respect.
In this episode, Dr. Mark Thoreson pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to become a successful dental assistant — from the truth about patient trust to the soft skills no one’s teaching. You'll hear how his weekend training program in rural Wyoming is filling clinics with confident, skilled assistants...
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April 27, 2025 • 15 mins
Onboarding in a dental office isn't just about policies and protocols—it's about how clearly you communicate when the pressure is on. Miss the mark, and even the most experienced hires can falter.
Training new team members starts with avoiding assumptions. Just because someone has experience doesn’t mean they understand how things are done in a new environment. Without clear instructions, even skilled workers can struggle. A stron...
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