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
July 13, 2025 ā¢ 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?
Weāre diving into the āwhyā 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 ...
Mark as Played
July 6, 2025 ā¢ 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...
Mark as Played
June 29, 2025 ā¢ 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 practicesānot 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 ...
Mark as Played
June 21, 2025 ā¢ 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...
Mark as Played
June 16, 2025 ā¢ 14 mins
Ever feel like dental ordering is a confusing task that only one dental assistant knows how to handle? If youāre a dental assistant whoās ever felt overwhelmed by online ordering or unsure if youāre 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...
Mark as Played
June 8, 2025 ā¢ 12 mins
Dental practices are being shut down ā not for what they did, but for what they didnāt know.
And no oneās talking about itā¦ until now.
Sherrie Busby joins Kevin Henry to have the kind of conversation most practices donāt realize they need until itās too late. This episode dives into the real reason some offices are blindsided during inspectionsānot because they donāt care, but because they assume someone else is handling it, or th...
Mark as Played
June 1, 2025 ā¢ 15 mins
Seriously, dental assistants, are your handpieces living their BEST life? š¤ 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 ...
Mark as Played
May 24, 2025 ā¢ 16 mins
Still failing waterline tests? This protocol shows whyāand how to fix it for good.
Only around 30% of dental practices are testing their waterlines regularlyāand thatās 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:
š Test
š Shock
š Maintain
Waterline safety is...
Mark as Played
May 17, 2025 ā¢ 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? Youāre not aloneāand youāre not powerless either. In this episode, weāre 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...
Mark as Played
May 9, 2025 ā¢ 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 ...
Mark as Played
May 4, 2025 ā¢ 20 mins
Most people have no idea what dental assistants actually do ā and itās 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 ā from the truth about patient trust to the soft skills no oneās teaching. You'll hear how his weekend training program in rural Wyoming is filling clinics with confident, skilled assistants...
Mark as Played
April 27, 2025 ā¢ 15 mins
Onboarding in a dental office isn't just about policies and protocolsāit'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 doesnāt mean they understand how things are done in a new environment. Without clear instructions, even skilled workers can struggle. A stron...
Mark as Played
April 20, 2025 ā¢ 14 mins
Wait! your dental implant failed... because of an antidepressant?
This is what nobody tells you about SSRIs, and honestly, itās terrifying.
Antidepressants like Lexapro, Prozac, and Zoloft are more common than everābut they come with side effects your patients and your team might not be ready for. In this episode, we dig into the surprising ways these meds impact the mouth, including:
Why clenching and facial pain could be linked ...
Mark as Played
April 13, 2025 ā¢ 17 mins
Is AI going to replace dental assistants? Or is it here to help?
AI is one of the biggest trends in dentistry today ā but itās also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we talk about how AI is changing the dental workflow, what that means for dental assistants, and why this technology isnāt something to fear. From improving patient communication to making the day-to-day tasks easier, AI is helping dental teams work smar...
Mark as Played
April 6, 2025 ā¢ 17 mins
Many patients struggle with gagging during dental procedures ā and itās stressful for both the dentist and the patient. In this episode, we meet someone who decided to fix that problem with a simple but powerful solution.
Recorded live from IDS in Cologne, Germany, this episode features Rodney Schutt, founder of No Gag, a company tackling one of dentistryās most annoying problems: the gag reflex.
Rodney explains how the gag refle...
Mark as Played
March 29, 2025 ā¢ 17 mins
Dental assistant pay is one of the most talked-about issues in the industry right now, and for good reason. A surprising 47% of dental assistants feel they arenāt being compensated fairly, yet many donāt know what fair pay actually looks like in their area. Thatās where todayās guest, Garrett Wilson, CEO of Pay Insights, comes in. His company is working to bring real data on dental assistant salary to the industry so that professio...
Mark as Played
March 23, 2025 ā¢ 18 mins
Burnout is hitting hard. If you're a dental assistant feeling exhausted, underappreciated, or just ready to walk awayāthis episode is for you. Burnout in dentistry is more common than we think, and the worst part? Too many assistants are keeping it all inside.
In this episode, Kevin Henry talks with Lynne Leggett from Victory Dental Management about the real struggles facing dental assistants. From feeling invisible to handling un...
Mark as Played
March 16, 2025 ā¢ 13 mins
We always hear how social media ruins our mental healthābut what if itās also the tool weāve been overlooking to actually heal?
Social media isnāt just noiseāit can be a lifeline. When used with purpose, social media helps create spaces that are uplifting, safe, and community-driven. It plays a critical role in supporting mental health, especially when users intentionally seek content that nurtures well-being. To fully experience ...
Mark as Played
March 9, 2025 ā¢ 18 mins
Want to excel as a dental assistant? Discover how top assistants level up and advance their careers!
Are you a dental assistant looking to take your career to the next level? In this episode, we dive deep into the strategies that successful dental assistants use to stand out, grow, and thrive in their field.
š” Learn how to level up by mastering new skills, taking on leadership roles, and making a bigger impact in your practice.
...
Mark as Played
March 1, 2025 ā¢ 19 mins
Dental assistants, gear up! This recognition week, we're unleashing 5 powerful tips to elevate your dental game and capture the recognition you deserve.
In this episode, we break down 5 straightforward tips for dental assistants. These dental tips provide a surface-level insight into improving your workflow. Embrace this recognition week with actionable strategies and a fresh perspective, ensuring dental assistants shine. With our...
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you wonāt hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, youāve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com