Dental Assistant Nation

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

Episode 448: The Truth About Being a Dental Assistant That Nobody Talks About

August 9, 2026 • 17 mins
What if the biggest factor holding a dental practice back is not technology or production goals, but the way dental assistants are valued? In this conversation, leadership coach Brandi Marzolino shares why it is time to recognize dental assistants as essential leaders, invest in their growth, and create workplaces where they can thrive instead of simply getting through the day. Brandi Marzolino joins Kevin Henry to discuss the ev...
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Episode 447: What Dental Assistants Say About Working at Aspen Dental

August 2, 2026 • 24 mins
What does it take to build a lasting career in dental assisting? In this episode, you'll hear firsthand how earning a CDA, embracing continuous learning, and working in a supportive environment can open doors to leadership, hygiene school, and long term career growth. Kevin Henry sits down with Molly Ward, Mikelle, and Lynn Turner to explore their career journeys at Aspen Dental and the impact of becoming Certified Dental Assistan...
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Episode 446: How Certification Changes a Dental Assistant Career (Part 2)

July 26, 2026 • 13 mins
Is dental assisting just a job or can it become a long term career with more opportunities, higher confidence, and greater earning potential? In this episode, we explore why national certification is helping dental assistants take their careers to the next level and why leading organizations are investing in professional growth. In part two of this three part series, Kevin Henry is joined by Amber Musser from Aspen Dental and Ati...
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Episode 445: Can Certification Make You a Better Dental Assistant? (Part 1)

July 19, 2026 • 19 mins
What does it really mean for a dental assistant to practice at the top of their scope? In this episode, industry leaders explain why certification is more than just another credential and how it can transform careers, improve patient care, and strengthen dental practices. Kevin Henry is joined by Amber Musser of Aspen Dental and Atia Black of the Dental Assisting National Board to discuss the real impact of investing in dental ass...
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Episode 444: Every Dental Assistant Needs Infection Control Training (Here's Why)

July 13, 2026 • 14 mins
Infection control is the most important responsibility in every dental practice, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Are dental teams truly protecting their patients, or are outdated habits putting safety at risk without anyone realizing it? In this conversation, Tija Hunter, CDA, EFDA, CDIA, CDSO, MADAA joins Kevin Henry to discuss why infection control should always come before productivity, scheduling, or practice gro...
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Episode 443: ADAA President on the Future of Dental Assisting

July 5, 2026 • 15 mins
Dental assisting is more than just a job. In this conversation, ADAA President Erin Hendricks shares why she believes it is a lifelong career that deserves greater recognition, stronger standards, and better opportunities for every dental assistant. Drawing from nearly four decades of experience, Erin discusses her journey from the United States Air Force to becoming President of the American Dental Assistants Association. She exp...
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Episode 442: Dental Assistants in Oregon Can Now Give Local Anesthesia!

June 28, 2026 • 16 mins
Could dental assistants soon administer local anesthesia in more states? Oregon is leading the way with one of the most progressive changes in dental assisting, and it could shape the future of the profession across the country. In this episode of the Dental Assistant Nation Podcast, Kevin Henry is joined by Tina Clarke, Atia Black, and Tony Garcia to discuss Oregon's new Local Anesthesia Function certification for dental assistan...
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Episode 441: The Best Way to Keep Dental Waterlines Safe

June 21, 2026 • 15 mins
What if the biggest risk in your dental practice is something patients never think about? Dental unit waterline safety is often overlooked, but having the right system in place can simplify compliance, protect patients, and reduce the workload for your team. In this episode, Kevin Henry sits down with Angela Simmons to discuss why dental unit waterline maintenance deserves more attention in every practice. Angela explains how com...
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Episode 440: The Orthodontic Tool Assistants Wish They Had Sooner

June 14, 2026 • 15 mins
What separates great orthodontic assistants from the rest? In this conversation, Anthony Herrera shares how patient trust, communication, and comfort can directly impact treatment success. Drawing from 14 years of chairside orthodontic experience, he explains why treating every patient as if they are the only one that matters leads to better compliance, stronger relationships, and a more positive orthodontic experience. Anthony di...
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Episode 439: The Biggest Infection Control Risk in Every Dental Office (Dental Unit Waterlines)

June 7, 2026 • 14 mins
Most dental teams were never taught about waterline safety in school, yet it has become one of the most important infection control topics in modern dentistry. In this episode, Angela Simmons shares why dental unit waterlines remain a misunderstood area of compliance and what practices need to do to better protect patients. Angela and Kevin Henry discuss the challenges of getting waterline protocols, infection control procedures, ...
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Episode 438: Can Probiotics Replace Brushing and Flossing?

May 31, 2026 • 14 mins
Do you think probiotics can replace brushing and flossing? A viral TikTok trend is making that claim, but dental professionals are sounding the alarm. In this episode, Kevin Henry and pharmacology expert Tom Viola break down the truth behind probiotics and oral health so dental assistants can confidently answer questions patients are already bringing into the office. Tom explains how probiotics may support gum health, freshen brea...
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Episode 437: The Dental Office System That Keeps Everyone Aligned

May 24, 2026 • 9 mins
Running a successful dental practice is not just about clinical skill. It is about consistency, training, communication, and making sure every team member understands exactly how things should be done. In this conversation, Kevin Henry and Sherrie Busby break down why clear systems and written protocols are more important than ever for modern dental practices. From staff turnover and training challenges to patient safety and compl...
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Episode 436: Tips To Grow From Dental Assistant to Manager!

May 17, 2026 • 25 mins
What separates dental assistants who stay stuck from the ones who grow into leadership and management roles? In this episode, Sherrie Busby shares the mindset shifts, career decisions, and uncomfortable moments that helped her build a 42 year career in dentistry and become a respected educator, mentor, and industry leader. Kevin Henry and Sherrie dive into the reality of growth in the dental field and why leadership is not just ab...
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Episode 435: The BEST Way to Keep Dental Waterlines Safe!

May 10, 2026 • 11 mins
What if the water flowing through your dental unit is quietly building a hidden community of bacteria that standard routines are not fully controlling? In this episode, Kevin Henry talks with Chanda Chatham about what really happens inside dental waterlines and why consistency matters more than most practices realize. They break down how biofilm forms, how bacteria attach to particles in water, and why fluctuations in treatment ca...
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Episode 434: NEW Dental Assistant Scholarship Just Launched

May 3, 2026 • 13 mins
Dental assistants are finally getting the recognition and support they deserve and this new opportunity could open doors that were never available before. In this episode, industry leaders Gary Steinberg and Andrew Whitehead join Kevin Henry to announce a new scholarship program focused on infection control education for dental assistants. After decades in the dental industry, both Gary and Andy share why they felt it was time to ...
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Episode 433: Is Your Dental Practice Waterline Safe?

April 27, 2026 • 9 mins
What if the water in your dental unit lines is putting patients at risk without you knowing it? This episode breaks down why testing, shocking, and proper protocols matter more than many practices realize. Michelle Strange, RDH, joins Kevin Henry for a practical conversation on dental waterline safety, including why testing should be routine, how shocking fits into a safe protocol, and what practices need to do when waterline tes...
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Episode 432: What Feeling Valued at Work Really Looks Like as a Dental Assistant

April 19, 2026 • 18 mins
What if the reason you feel drained at work is not the workload, but the lack of feeling valued? In this episode, Kevin Henry explores a question that sparked powerful conversations among dental assistants across multiple states. When was the last time you truly felt valued in your practice? The answers reveal how appreciation often shows up in small but meaningful ways, from a simple thank you to being recognized for clinical skil...
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Episode 431: The Life Saving Skills Every Dental Assistant Should Learn

April 12, 2026 • 15 mins
Most dental assistants don’t realize they could be the reason a patient’s cancer gets caught early enough to save their life. In this episode, Kathryn Gilliam and Kevin Henry dive into the often overlooked role dental assistants play in patient care, especially when it comes to oral and head and neck cancer detection. Kathryn shares why assistants should be trained to perform both intraoral and extraoral screenings and...
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Episode 430: Novel Opioids Warning! What They Don't Teach in Dental School

April 5, 2026 • 15 mins
Dental assistants must know these hidden drug risks in patients Dental assistants are often the first line of defense in patient safety, especially when patients use opioids, kratom, or other substances that may not appear on standard drug tests. Many patients do not disclose what they take, which increases the risk of dangerous drug interactions, oversedation, and medical emergencies during treatment. Building trust, asking clear...
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Episode 429: Do This To Be A TOP Tier Dental Assistant

March 29, 2026 • 20 mins
Most dental assistants don’t realize how valuable they truly are until they learn this. Success in dentistry is no longer just about clinical skills but about mindset, leadership awareness, and continuous growth. Dental assistants play a critical role in keeping practices productive, organized, and patient focused, yet many struggle with unclear expectations and limited career direction. Understanding job responsibilities, a...
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