Newly Erupted

Dr. Brianne Butler joins the podcast for a conversation detailing her unique experience as a practitioner in rural Washington and the choices led her to her work. A long-time children’s health advocate, Dr. Butler shares her journey from interning in Senator Patty Murray’s office during healthcare bill negotiations to making a home...

Dr. Sara Werb joins host Dr. Joel Berg for a deep dive into behavior management. The duo discusses the importance of maintaining an individualized approach to behavior management. A former teacher, Dr. Werb shares tools she’s applied to create a “curriculum” for her patients, not only educating them on oral health but also to be more comfortable in the chair. Dr. Werb also shares what she’s learned from her ...

Dr. Joel Berg is joined once again by Dr. Scott Schwartz, this time to tackle how candidates can best prepare for the Residency application process. Dr. Schwartz emphasizes the importance of considering the “obvious questions,” like which type of program is the best fit for your future professional aspirations and learning style. He shares ways that candidates can p...

Dr. Kathleen Schultz returns to Newly Erupted for a conversation on identifying oral lesions. Dr. Schultz shares her systematic approach with host Dr. Joel Berg, delving into how the consistency lessens the potential for missing something during an oral examination. She details the various presentations of lesions and ways practitioners can discuss the exam and any potential diagnoses with patient...

Pediatric Dentist and Entrepreneur Dr. Tyler Hanks joins host Dr. Joel Berg for a discussion on designing your own brand rooted in authenticity. Dr. Hanks talks about how he has found success leaning into his passions and personality in ways that put patients and parents at ease as soon as they enter his practice. He also delves into the socia...

Host Dr. Joel Berg chats with Dr. Elise McCollum about how she turned a family hobby into a way to support community care. Dr. McCollum shares her journey as a dentist with an interest in wine to a full-fledged vineyard owner, and how her two passions have converged to support access to care and the AAPD Foundation.  

Guest Bio:  

Dr. Elise McCollum earned her...

Dr. John Liu joins Newly Erupted to share what he’s learned from making the transition from private practitioner to academician, including how his residents help him learn daily. Dr. Liu and good friend and host Dr. Joel Berg discuss what factors impacted Dr. Liu’s shift to teaching, including desire for a new work/life structure and a readiness to give back to the profession, and how impressed he is with the future of ...

Dr. Anne O’Connell joins Newly Erupted for a conversation focused on dental trauma education within the global community. She shares her unique perspective as a European clinician who received American training, underscoring the importance of being adaptable as the global ideology and resources evolve. As a leading voice in this area and an editor of the recently released 6th Edition Handbook of Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. O&rsq...

Dr. Scott Schwartz joins Newly Erupted to speak directly to the prospective pediatric dentists going through the residency application process. Dr. Schwartz shares his experience and perspective as a program director, along with best practices for putting your best foot forward as a candidate. He emphasizes the importance of preparedness and an understanding that the interview is mutual – consider if this is the best program ...

Dr. Anthea Mazzawi joins host Dr. Joel Berg to share her story as a pediatric dentist, a practice-owner and a mother. She delves into how the multifaceted roles have shaped her as a professional and leader, especially the opportunities to foster a network of peer experts. Dr. Mazzawi emphasizes the importance of a willingness to learn and making your own path.

Guest Bio:  

Dr. Anthea Mazzawi is a board-certified pediatric d...

Recorded on-site at AAPD 2025 in Denver, host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by dental entrepreneur Dr. Chris Lugo for a chat on the business side of dental office management. Dr. Lugo discusses his experiences as a multi-practice owner who also mentors residents and associates in the financial background important in business. This is a must-listen if you’re considering owning your own practice. 

Guest Bio:  

Dr. Chris...

Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Kathleen Schultz to talk about her specialty, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and how she translates her experience having fun with learning while a student in her own work with residents. Dr. Schultz, a lecturer for the AAPD Oral Comprehensive Exam review courses, speaks to the importance of having a strong peer network so you never feel like you’re “going it alone” when tough...

On this episode of Newly Erupted, host Dr. Joel Berg talks about the keys to avoiding burnout with Dr. Trudy-Ann Frazer. Dr. Frazer shares her three-step approach to mitigating burnout, particularly for female practitioners and what steps to take once you realize burnout has taken hold – either in yourself or your team. 

Guest Bio: 

Dr. Trudy-Ann Frazer has experience working exclusively with children. It is her goal ...

Dr. Joel Berg is joined by cariology expert Dr. Brian Novy for a discussion on all there’s still to learn about dental caries. Dr. Novy delves into the importance for practitioners to understand the science of cariology, particularly when working with patients and families that may be opposed to traditional treatments, like fluoride. He also shares his personal path in evidence-based dentistry research and how this work has i...

On this episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles, host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Brittaney Hill, the 2024 recipient of the AAPD Jerome B. Miller “For the Kids” Award. As an up-and-coming practitioner, Dr. Hill shares her experience as a mentee and the impact her mentors had on her career trajectory into pediatric dentistry and the public health sphere. She also delves into how those experiences have impacted her relatio...

Dr. Suzie Bergman joins host Dr. Joel Berg for a discussion on her Ted Talk, “Why is healthcare disjointed” and why evidence-based treatment is imperative for unique issues like temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Dr. Bergman shares her perspective as a dentist who also suffers with TMD and what she learned from various treatments prescribed under a “one size fits all” approach. 

Guest Bio: 

Dr. Suzi...

Dr. Lauren Yap joins host Dr. Joel Berg to chat about the upcoming AAPD Pediatric Oral Health Advocacy Conference (POHAC) in Washington, DC. Each year, hundreds of early career pediatric dentists visit the nation’s capital to advocate for the issues impacting the profession and optimal oral health of all children with congressional staff. Dr. Yap shares her experiences as a previous POHAC attendee, as well as how she encourag...

Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by fellow Iowan and pediatric dentist Dr. Casey Goetz to discuss the importance of access to care for children in rural areas and the benefits to early career practitioners for setting up practices in these areas. Dr. Goetz shares his experience as a private practice pediatric dentist in rural Missouri serving a majority of patients with Medicaid and how he uses his own experiences to encourage peers an...

Host Dr. Joel Berg is once again joined by Dr. Clarice Law, this time to discuss her recent move after two decades at one institution and her advice for others determining what their next steps may be. Dr. Law shares the multiple ways her career has evolved over the past three decades. Emphasizing all the opportunities the shift to academia has provided, she discusses the appeal of formally studying new tools and information impact...