December 18, 2025 • 61 mins
Dr. Nicole Saldua is a general dentist known for her shockingly candid Instagram takes on the human side of dentistry—the loneliness that can creep in, the challenge of calming anxious patients, and dentistry’s failures to explain care in a way real people actually understand.
For her, clarity comes from simple language, strong analogies, and frameworks that make consent feel collaborative, not scary.
She also explains the emotional rhythm of the day: the “room whiplash” of going from heavy conversations to joyful ones in minutes. Dr. Saldua, Dr. Seda, and Dr. Souyias share their practical reset strategies, from a brief pause between rooms to follow-up touchpoints that remind patients they’re seen beyond the chair.
Listen for real-world tools you can use tomorrow: how to set expectations, when to refer, what patient red flags to watch for, and how to build connection in a profession that’s about people first, teeth second.
GUEST
Nicole Saldua, DDS
General Dentist
Dr. Nicole Saldua is a general dentist who graduated from the University of Washington School of Dentistry in 2018 and started her career serving in community health before working in a mix of private practices. She recently relocated to sunny Arizona so her kids can live outside year-round and so she’s not freezing her butt off at every future soccer or T-ball game. Nicole launched her Instagram to make dentistry feel less intimidating for both dentists and patients, using real talk, practical tips, and absolutely zero fluff.
Follow Dr. Saldua on Instagram @dr.saldua and TikTok @dr.saldua
Learn more about S&C Dental
The Special Lists, presented by Referral Lab, is the podcast for dentists and dental specialists.
Running a dental practice isn’t easy, and if you’re in private practice, it can sometimes feel like you’re on an island. That’s why finding your people—those who’ve been in your shoes and can share real, lived experience—changes the game.
Referral Lab was built specifically for dental specialists, helping you track, manage, and convert every referral. It’s about improving case acceptance, boosting team performance, and strengthening relationships with referring providers so your whole practice runs smarter.
This spirit of connection fuels The Special Lists podcast. Hosted by the team behind Referral Lab, we bring you wisdom from practice owners and dental professionals, sharing the wins, mistakes, and lessons that shape how they run their businesses today.
Got a question for us? Send us a message at speciallists.com
Transform your referral workflow with Referral Lab, the purpose-built platform for dental specialists to track, manage and convert every referral. Request a demo at referrallab.io
Cameron Full
Co-Founder of Referral Lab
Cameron Full, co-founder of Referral Lab, is a strategic problem-solver with expertise in business management and digital solutions. He combines leadership, creativity, and technology to drive success across various industries.
Connect with Cameron on LinkedIn
Jason Souyias, DDS
Periodontist and Co-Founder of Referral Lab
Dr. Jason Souyias is a periodontist, educator, and co-founder of Referral Lab software. He teaches dentists and hygienists, including as a Pikos Institute faculty member. In his Port Huron private practice, he's known for excellent patient communication and experience. He's passionate about his work and dedicated to helping other dentists.
More about Port Huron, Michigan periodontist Dr. Jason Souyias
Michael Seda, DMD, MS
Periodontist and Co-Developer of Referral Lab
A clinician and entrepreneur, Dr. Seda brings 19 years of private practice experience to his periodontal and implant surgery practice in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Dr. Seda’s interests are rooted in evaluating and influencing private practice management systems in dentistry. He wants to increase practice efficiency, establish a greater sense of collaboration and trust among practice team members, and enhance quality of care and service delivered—all while maximizing and growing profitability.
Through associateship opportunities early in his career, Dr. Seda was exposed to various private practice leadership and
For her, clarity comes from simple language, strong analogies, and frameworks that make consent feel collaborative, not scary.
She also explains the emotional rhythm of the day: the “room whiplash” of going from heavy conversations to joyful ones in minutes. Dr. Saldua, Dr. Seda, and Dr. Souyias share their practical reset strategies, from a brief pause between rooms to follow-up touchpoints that remind patients they’re seen beyond the chair.
Listen for real-world tools you can use tomorrow: how to set expectations, when to refer, what patient red flags to watch for, and how to build connection in a profession that’s about people first, teeth second.
GUEST
Nicole Saldua, DDS
General Dentist
Dr. Nicole Saldua is a general dentist who graduated from the University of Washington School of Dentistry in 2018 and started her career serving in community health before working in a mix of private practices. She recently relocated to sunny Arizona so her kids can live outside year-round and so she’s not freezing her butt off at every future soccer or T-ball game. Nicole launched her Instagram to make dentistry feel less intimidating for both dentists and patients, using real talk, practical tips, and absolutely zero fluff.
Follow Dr. Saldua on Instagram @dr.saldua and TikTok @dr.saldua
Learn more about S&C Dental
The Special Lists, presented by Referral Lab, is the podcast for dentists and dental specialists.
Running a dental practice isn’t easy, and if you’re in private practice, it can sometimes feel like you’re on an island. That’s why finding your people—those who’ve been in your shoes and can share real, lived experience—changes the game.
Referral Lab was built specifically for dental specialists, helping you track, manage, and convert every referral. It’s about improving case acceptance, boosting team performance, and strengthening relationships with referring providers so your whole practice runs smarter.
This spirit of connection fuels The Special Lists podcast. Hosted by the team behind Referral Lab, we bring you wisdom from practice owners and dental professionals, sharing the wins, mistakes, and lessons that shape how they run their businesses today.
Got a question for us? Send us a message at speciallists.com
Transform your referral workflow with Referral Lab, the purpose-built platform for dental specialists to track, manage and convert every referral. Request a demo at referrallab.io
Cameron Full
Co-Founder of Referral Lab
Cameron Full, co-founder of Referral Lab, is a strategic problem-solver with expertise in business management and digital solutions. He combines leadership, creativity, and technology to drive success across various industries.
Connect with Cameron on LinkedIn
Jason Souyias, DDS
Periodontist and Co-Founder of Referral Lab
Dr. Jason Souyias is a periodontist, educator, and co-founder of Referral Lab software. He teaches dentists and hygienists, including as a Pikos Institute faculty member. In his Port Huron private practice, he's known for excellent patient communication and experience. He's passionate about his work and dedicated to helping other dentists.
More about Port Huron, Michigan periodontist Dr. Jason Souyias
Michael Seda, DMD, MS
Periodontist and Co-Developer of Referral Lab
A clinician and entrepreneur, Dr. Seda brings 19 years of private practice experience to his periodontal and implant surgery practice in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Dr. Seda’s interests are rooted in evaluating and influencing private practice management systems in dentistry. He wants to increase practice efficiency, establish a greater sense of collaboration and trust among practice team members, and enhance quality of care and service delivered—all while maximizing and growing profitability.
Through associateship opportunities early in his career, Dr. Seda was exposed to various private practice leadership and
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