Little Teeth, BIG Smiles The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)

Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Jayakumar Jayaraman to discuss ongoing research delving into utilizing dental dentition as a tool to assess age and other health factors. Dr. Jayaraman shares details of finding thus far and how the information can be more broadly used to support the one in four children in developing countries who are unsure of their birth date, a major roadblock for refugees and immigration processes. 

Guest Bio: 

Dr. Jayakumar Jayaraman is a board certified Pediatric Dentist with extensive clinical and research training from various prestigious institutions around the world. He holds master’s degrees in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Hong Kong and the University of Texas Health San Antonio. Additionally, he obtained his Diploma in Pediatric Dentistry and Fellowship at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Scotland, where he also serves as an Examiner. Over the past 15 years, Dr. Jayaraman has been actively involved in teaching pediatric dentistry and supervising research projects for students at different academic levels in multiple countries. His research interests encompass a wide range of topics including Evidence-Based Dentistry, Forensic Dentistry, Human Biology, and Anthropology. With over 75 peer-reviewed scientific articles published, he is also actively involved as an editorial board member for leading forensic and pediatric dental journals. Furthermore, Dr. Jayaraman plays a significant role in various dental organizations, serving as a member of the Scientific Committee of the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry and as an expert consultant for the Council of Scientific Affairs of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. He was recently elected as a Fellow of American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Dr. Jayaraman holds the position of Associate Professor & Director of Research in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, while also practicing at a pediatric dental clinic in Williamsburg, VA. He is the Founder & Director of Date of Birth Foundation (www.dobfoundation.org), the world’s first charity to promote accurate birth records.

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Dr. Reza Ardalan joins host Dr. Joel Berg to chat about his role as Master of Ceremonies for AAPD’s Annual Session and share some behind-the-scenes info about the exciting CE program and social events planned for May 2024 in Toronto. Listen today for a sneak peek at the all-new format for the Opening Ceremony and Keynote. 

Delve into some highlights of the Scientific Program agenda, including the pre-conference course and “Team Talk” for dentists and their teams. This episode is a must-listen for every AAPD member making the trip to Toronto. 

Guest Bio: 

Dr. Reza Ardalan, better known as “Dr. Reza” in the office, earned his BS in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1997. After moving to Florida, Dr. Ardalan received his DMD degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine in 2002. After graduation, he continued to receive his pediatric training at Nova Southeastern University and Miami Children’s Hospital, where he served as Chief Resident. 

Currently, Dr. Ardalan has a successful private practice in Port St. Lucie, Florida, where he prides himself in combining exceptional clinical skills with excellent customer service in a fun, creative atmosphere for children. Since opening his office, Dr. Ardalan has been recognized as the NSU-CDM Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, the Department of Health Champion Dentist of the Year and has received distinguished service awards from the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Dr Ardalan has also served two terms as president of the Florida Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and is a past president of the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. 

In his spare time, you can find him cheering on his beloved Tar Heels, spreading positive messages on social media, hosting a podcast, or attending another continuing education course.

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What’s one topic that routinely comes up between pediatric dentists and their patients? Pacifiers. Dr. Christina Carter chats with host Dr. Joel Berg the physiological impact and pros and cons of utilizing pacifiers as a tool. She walks listeners through her thought process when counseling parents on introducing and weaning a pacifier habit. 

Guest Bio: 

Dr. Christina R. Carter is a graduate of Haverford College in Haverford, Penn. She earned her dental degree at UMDNJ-NJDS, now Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. She earned her Certificate in both Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics at New York University College of Dentistry. She completed a fellowship in Cleft, Craniofacial and Surgical Orthodontics at the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery- New York University Langone Medical Center. She earned her Certificate as a Holistic Health Coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and American Board of Orthodontics. 

Dr. Carter is in private practice in Madison, NJ. She has been named multiple times as a “Top Doctor” by New Jersey Magazine and “Favorite Kid’s Doc” by New Jersey Family Magazine. She has served on the AAO Council of Orthodontic Health Care and multiple AAO committees and is a past-president of the Northeastern Society of Orthodontists (NESO) and served as their Delegate Chair to the ADA House of Delegates. She often appears on Sirius Radio “Doctor Radio”, AAPD Podcasts, and has been published in Scholastic and Kiwi magazines. In addition, she has appeared on “Inside Edition”, WPIX NYC News, and Today.com. She lectures nationally and internationally on pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, and treating patients with special needs. She is an Assistant Professor at New York University College of Dentistry in the Departments of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. Dr. Carter enjoys volunteering with Special Olympics and alongside her certified therapy dog, Callie, through Creature Comfort Pet Therapy in New Jersey.

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The recently “retired” Dr. David Tesini joins little teeth, BIG Smiles host Dr. Joel Berg to chat about the importance of identifying passions beyond your areas of professional expertise to stay engaged and energized in your work. Dr. Tesini shares his own personal path to passion endeavors, specifically a prosecco vineyard in Italy, along with suggested ways to diversify your interests. He also discusses the importance of considering one-, three-, and five-year plans to help combat burnout and determine what it will take for you to feel fulfilled. 

Guest Bio: 

Dr. David Tesini recently retired after 45 years from the private practice of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic in Natick and Sudbury, Mass. He received his D.M.D. and MS at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and completed his Fellowship in Pediatric Dentistry at the Boston Floating Hospital for Children. He holds a Fellowship in Dental Surgery from the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, Scotland. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and served as its Parliamentarian. Dr. Tesini was the 2016 AAPD recipient of the Merle C Hunter Leadership Award and currently serves on the Lowe Syndrome Association (LSA) Medical Advisory Board. 

His entrepreneurial endeavors extend to developing ergonomically designed baby products in the soothing and feeding categories i.e. such as pacifiers, teethers and baby bottles; he holds over a dozen US patents. His most recent research endeavors involve development of smartphone applications which allow parents to biometrically size pacifiers and for pediatric dentists to non-invasively diagnose non-syndromic mandibular retrusion in infants and toddlers. 

When he is not repairing cuckoo clocks, Dr. Tesini can be found with his wife Bernadette at his Prosecco Vineyard in Northern Italy.

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Dr. Kevin Donly joins little teeth, BIG Smiles host Dr. Joel Berg to share his journey through pediatric dentistry academia, including how he got his start and what he would have chosen to do differently. Dr. Donly breaks down what every professional contemplating entering academia needs to consider before making the leap. He also speaks to the importance of focusing on research early on during an academic career, as well as professional development geared towards teaching and leadership. 

Guest Bio: 

Kevin J. Donly, D.D.S., M.S. is currently a Professor and Chair Emeritus for the Department of Developmental Dentistry at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He received his D.D.S. in 1984, Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry in 1986, and M.S. in 1986 from the University of Iowa. 

Dr. Donly is a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, was on the Board of Trustees for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, was on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation, is the previous Chair of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Council on Post-doctoral Education, is Past-President of the American Society of Dentistry for Children, is Past-President of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and was the Pediatric Dentistry Commissioner to the Commission on Dental Accreditation. He has published over 400 chapters, manuscripts, and abstracts associated with pediatric dentistry, prevention, dental restorative materials research, and clinical utilization.

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Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Whitney Casares, a pediatrician and CEO/Founder of Modern Mommy Doc, who, through her podcast and coaching, helps working moms break the cycle of burnout in parenting and shift their focus to their own health and well-being so they can create work-life integration in a way that fosters greater joy and purpose in every area of life. She discusses ways to empower yourself to stop over-functioning and instead re-prioritize your own needs so you can be the parent, professional, and person you’re meant to be.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP is a board-certified pediatrician, CEO and Founder of Modern Mommy Doc, an American Academy of Pediatrics spokesperson, author of Doing it All: Stop Over- Functioning and Become the Mom and Person You're Meant to Be, set for release in Jan. 2024 (Fairwinds Press), and a maternal child health expert seen in The New York Times, Forbes, Parents, Fortune, NBC News, ABC News, TODAY, and more.

Dr. Whitney advocates for the success of career-driven women in all facets of their lives, guiding them toward increased focus, happiness and effectiveness despite the systemic challenges and inherent biases that threaten to undermine them. She speaks nationally about her Centered Life Blueprint Framework, which teaches working caregivers how to pay attention to what matters most amid pressure at multibillion-dollar corporations like Adidas and Nike and at executive-level conferences.

Dr. Whitney practices medicine in Portland, Oregon, where she and her husband raise their two young daughters.

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