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.

  1. 6h ago

    Episode 453: How to Have Difficult Conversations in the Dental Office

    Courage is not the absence of fear. It is choosing to act while you still feel it. Dr. Elizabeth Carr joins host Kevin Henry to explain how dental professionals can balance bravery with humility to navigate difficult conversations with confidence and care. True courage starts with a foundation of knowledge and a patient focused intent, stays grounded in humility and respect for every team member, and requires intentional repair after speaking up to keep relationships strong. Preparation, perspective, and follow through turn hard talks into trust, better teamwork, and better care. Connect with Dr. Elizabeth Elizabeth@dentalready.ai ------------------- Starting a career in dental assisting can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to figure out what you actually need to know before stepping into your first practice. The right preparation can help you walk in with more confidence and a stronger foundation. Dental Ready is built for aspiring dental assistants who want to prepare for the profession before taking that first step. It focuses on building the knowledge and confidence needed to enter a dental practice, while also preparing you for the people and teamwork that are part of the job. If you're getting ready to start your dental assisting career, visit https://dentalready.ai/ and use code DANation-DR1 to get 10% off. Dental Ready can help you build the knowledge and confidence you need to take your first step into the profession. —---- 🦷 Dental professionals, work when and where it works for you. Kwikly makes it easy to find and book flexible dental shifts right from your phone. See shift details and pay upfront, choose the opportunities that fit your schedule, and enjoy the security of W-2 employment, with payroll, taxes, and insurance handled for you. More flexibility. Less hassle. Work on your terms. 👉 Find dental shifts with Kwikly: https://www.joinkwikly.com/ ------------------- Dental assistants play a powerful role in whether patients move forward with treatment. You are a key part of the patient journey, and having the right financial options can make all the difference. CareCredit is a health and wellness credit card that offers flexible financing options, so patients can pay over time for the care they want or need, subject to credit approval. When money isn’t the obstacle, patients say yes. Want to make CareCredit part of your practice’s offerings and strengthen case acceptance? Email me at kevin@kevinspeaksdental.com and let’s make it happen for your team. ------------------- If you work chairside, you know that good isolation and retraction can make a big difference in how smoothly a procedure goes. Keeping the field dry, maintaining visibility, and giving the clinician the access they need can help everyone work more efficiently. ISORETRACT is designed to support that process by providing isolation and retraction during dental and orthodontic procedures. It can be especially useful in practices handling orthodontics, clear aligner cases, Invisalign treatment, and cosmetic procedures where maintaining a clear, controlled working field is important. The goal is to make isolation easier for the clinical team while also helping create a better experience for the patient. Want to see what ISORETRACT could look like in your practice? Visit https://isoretract.com/ to learn more and see how ISORETRACT can help make isolation and retraction easier for your dental team.

    Episode 453: How to Have Difficult Conversations in the Dental Office
  2. Sep 7

    Episode 452: A Better Way to Train Confident Clinic-Ready Dental Assistants

    Becoming a confident clinic ready dental assistant should not require an expensive program or months of stressful catch up on the job. When new team members start without strong fundamentals, the entire practice feels the pressure. DentalReady.ai was built to offer a more practical and affordable path forward. Host Kevin Henry talks with Dr. Sreenivas Koka and Dr. Elizabeth Carr about a gamified and modular platform designed to deliver standardized high quality training that aligns with DANB and CODA standards. The focus is on making new and on the job trained assistants truly prepared before day one while giving practices a clear system to support growth without placing the full training burden on veteran staff. The result is better preparation, more confidence and a stronger team from the start. Visit DrBicuspid.com for dental news, clinical insights, practice management updates, and industry developments created for dental professionals. Stay informed, discover useful perspectives, and keep up with what is happening across dentistry. ------------------- Starting a career in dental assisting can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to figure out what you actually need to know before stepping into your first practice. The right preparation can help you walk in with more confidence and a stronger foundation. Dental Ready is built for aspiring dental assistants who want to prepare for the profession before taking that first step. It focuses on building the knowledge and confidence needed to enter a dental practice, while also preparing you for the people and teamwork that are part of the job. If you're getting ready to start your dental assisting career, visit https://dentalready.ai/ and use code DANation-DR1 to get 10% off. Dental Ready can help you build the knowledge and confidence you need to take your first step into the profession. ------------------- 🦷 Dental professionals, work when and where it works for you. Kwikly makes it easy to find and book flexible dental shifts right from your phone. See shift details and pay upfront, choose the opportunities that fit your schedule, and enjoy the security of W-2 employment, with payroll, taxes, and insurance handled for you. More flexibility. Less hassle. Work on your terms. 👉 Find dental shifts with Kwikly: https://www.joinkwikly.com/ ------------------- Dental assistants play a powerful role in whether patients move forward with treatment. You are a key part of the patient journey, and having the right financial options can make all the difference. CareCredit is a health and wellness credit card that offers flexible financing options, so patients can pay over time for the care they want or need, subject to credit approval. When money isn’t the obstacle, patients say yes. Want to make CareCredit part of your practice’s offerings and strengthen case acceptance? Email me at kevin@kevinspeaksdental.com and let’s make it happen for your team. ------------------- If you work chairside, you know that good isolation and retraction can make a big difference in how smoothly a procedure goes. Keeping the field dry, maintaining visibility, and giving the clinician the access they need can help everyone work more efficiently. ISORETRACT is designed to support that process by providing isolation and retraction during dental and orthodontic procedures. It can be especially useful in practices handling orthodontics, clear aligner cases, Invisalign treatment, and cosmetic procedures where maintaining a clear, controlled working field is important. The goal is to make isolation easier for the clinical team while also helping create a better experience for the patient. Want to see what ISORETRACT could look like in your practice? Visit https://isoretract.com/ to learn more and see how ISORETRACT can help make isolation and retraction easier for your dental team.

    Episode 452: A Better Way to Train Confident Clinic-Ready Dental Assistants
  3. Aug 31

    Episode 451: Build a Dental Practice Where No One Wants to Quit

    Most dental teams do not quit because of pay. They quit because they do not feel valued. In this conversation Dr. Paul White shows you how to change that starting today. In this episode Kevin Henry talks with Dr. Paul White, psychologist and co author of The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, about what it really takes to make your team feel seen and supported. Dr. White explains the difference between recognition and personal appreciation and why nearly eighty percent of people leave jobs when they do not feel valued. He walks through the five languages of appreciation at work which are words of affirmation, acts of service, quality time, tangible gifts and physical touch, and why the key is to show appreciation in the way the other person actually feels it, whether that is private encouragement or public praise. You will learn how anyone in the practice can build a more positive culture from any position, how authentic appreciation improves morale, productivity and patient care, and how to recognize and respond to toxicity before it hurts retention. Dr. White also shares simple next steps and resources to help you put these ideas into practice right away. Connect with Dr. Paul Website: https://appreciationatwork.com/ Assessment https://mbainventory.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AppreciationAtWork ------------------- Dental assistants play a powerful role in whether patients move forward with treatment. You are a key part of the patient journey, and having the right financial options can make all the difference. CareCredit is a health and wellness credit card that offers flexible financing options, so patients can pay over time for the care they want or need, subject to credit approval. When money isn’t the obstacle, patients say yes. Want to make CareCredit part of your practice’s offerings and strengthen case acceptance? Email me at kevin@kevinspeaksdental.com and let’s make it happen for your team. ------------------- If you work chairside, you know that good isolation and retraction can make a big difference in how smoothly a procedure goes. Keeping the field dry, maintaining visibility, and giving the clinician the access they need can help everyone work more efficiently. ISORETRACT is designed to support that process by providing isolation and retraction during dental and orthodontic procedures. It can be especially useful in practices handling orthodontics, clear aligner cases, Invisalign treatment, and cosmetic procedures where maintaining a clear, controlled working field is important. The goal is to make isolation easier for the clinical team while also helping create a better experience for the patient. Want to see what ISORETRACT could look like in your practice? Visit https://isoretract.com/ to learn more and see how ISORETRACT can help make isolation and retraction easier for your dental team. ------------------- Starting a career in dental assisting can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to figure out what you actually need to know before stepping into your first practice. The right preparation can help you walk in with more confidence and a stronger foundation. Dental Ready is built for aspiring dental assistants who want to prepare for the profession before taking that first step. It focuses on building the knowledge and confidence needed to enter a dental practice, while also preparing you for the people and teamwork that are part of the job. If you're getting ready to start your dental assisting career, visit https://dentalready.ai/ and use code DANation-DR1 to get 10% off. Dental Ready can help you build the knowledge and confidence you need to take your first step into the profession.

    Episode 451: Build a Dental Practice Where No One Wants to Quit
  4. Aug 24

    Episode 450: Why Latinas Are the Backbone of Dentistry and No One Is Talking About It

    Latina dental assistants are already doing the work that keeps many practices moving, but too often their contributions go unrecognized. What happens when they stop working silently and start using their voice, culture, and bilingual skills as strengths? In this episode of Dental Assistant Nation, Kevin Henry talks with Edna Abreu about the growing influence of Latinas in dentistry and the challenges they face in advancing their careers. They discuss why Latina dental assistants are often seen as the backbone of the practice, the importance of recognizing their hard work, and how speaking Spanish can build trust and comfort with Latino and Hispanic patients. Edna also shares why dental assistants should not limit themselves to their current role and encourages them to pursue leadership, education, speaking, social media, and other opportunities. The conversation also highlights how dental practices can better recognize and support Latina team members while using their language and cultural connection to better serve their patients. Connect with Edna Abreu Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1825372378124805 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/latinas-in-dentistry/ Instagram: @latinasindental https://www.instagram.com/latinasindental/ @thedentalculturist https://www.instagram.com/thedentalculturist/ ------------------- Dental assistants play a powerful role in whether patients move forward with treatment. You are a key part of the patient journey, and having the right financial options can make all the difference. CareCredit is a health and wellness credit card that offers flexible financing options, so patients can pay over time for the care they want or need, subject to credit approval. When money isn’t the obstacle, patients say yes. Want to make CareCredit part of your practice’s offerings and strengthen case acceptance? Email me at kevin@kevinspeaksdental.com and let’s make it happen for your team. ------------------- If you work chairside, you know that good isolation and retraction can make a big difference in how smoothly a procedure goes. Keeping the field dry, maintaining visibility, and giving the clinician the access they need can help everyone work more efficiently. ISORETRACT is designed to support that process by providing isolation and retraction during dental and orthodontic procedures. It can be especially useful in practices handling orthodontics, clear aligner cases, Invisalign treatment, and cosmetic procedures where maintaining a clear, controlled working field is important. The goal is to make isolation easier for the clinical team while also helping create a better experience for the patient. Want to see what ISORETRACT could look like in your practice? Visit https://isoretract.com/ to learn more and see how ISORETRACT can help make isolation and retraction easier for your dental team. ------------------- Starting a career in dental assisting can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to figure out what you actually need to know before stepping into your first practice. The right preparation can help you walk in with more confidence and a stronger foundation. Dental Ready is built for aspiring dental assistants who want to prepare for the profession before taking that first step. It focuses on building the knowledge and confidence needed to enter a dental practice, while also preparing you for the people and teamwork that are part of the job. If you're getting ready to start your dental assisting career, visit https://dentalready.ai/ and use code DANation-DR1 to get 10% off. Dental Ready can help you build the knowledge and confidence you need to take your first step into the profession.

    Episode 450: Why Latinas Are the Backbone of Dentistry and No One Is Talking About It
  5. Aug 17

    Episode 449: How the Best Dentists Keep Their Assistants Happy and Loyal

    What if the secret to keeping great dental assistants has nothing to do with fancy perks and everything to do with respect? In this episode, Dr. Marc Goldman shares how investing in his team, trusting their expertise, and creating a culture of mutual appreciation helped build a loyal and high performing practice. Dr. Marc Goldman reflects on more than four decades in periodontics and explains why experienced dental assistants are one of the most valuable investments a practice can make. He discusses how paying fairly, offering flexibility, and treating team members with respect created a workplace where everyone was willing to go the extra mile when patients needed them most. Dr. Goldman also shares how empowering assistants to take ownership of responsibilities like inventory management and surgical preparation helped the practice run smoothly every day. For dental assistants looking for the right employer, he offers practical advice on what questions to ask during interviews, including benefits, flexibility, and workplace culture. The conversation wraps up with the importance of continuing education, staying current with advances in dentistry, and ensuring the entire dental team is equipped to provide the best possible patient care. Special Offer Looking to expand your dental knowledge? Dr. Goldman teaches continuing education courses through the Dental Studies Institute of New Jersey, with many classes available live on Zoom for dental professionals across the United States. Mention Dental Assistant Nation when you register to receive 10% off your course. Website: https://www.dsi-nj.com/ ------------------- Dental assistants play a powerful role in whether patients move forward with treatment. You are a key part of the patient journey, and having the right financial options can make all the difference. CareCredit is a health and wellness credit card that offers flexible financing options, so patients can pay over time for the care they want or need, subject to credit approval. When money isn’t the obstacle, patients say yes. Want to make CareCredit part of your practice’s offerings and strengthen case acceptance? Email me at kevin@kevinspeaksdental.com and let’s make it happen for your team.

    Episode 449: How the Best Dentists Keep Their Assistants Happy and Loyal
  6. Aug 10

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

    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 evolving role of dental assistants and why they deserve greater recognition, development, and opportunity within dental practices. Drawing on two decades of experience in leadership and performance coaching, she explains how many assistants are expected to carry significant responsibilities without receiving the training, compensation, or professional support they deserve. The conversation explores why leaders need to invest in assistants just as they do other team members, encourage career growth, and create pathways for advancement. Brandi also highlights the importance of self awareness, healthy boundaries, and balancing professional demands with personal wellbeing. She shares insights into the unique challenges many women face in leadership, how people pleasing can limit growth, and why finding your voice is essential for long-term success. This episode is an empowering reminder that when dental assistants are supported, valued, and given opportunities to lead, the entire practice benefits. Connect with Brandi Instagram: Brandi Marzolino : https://www.instagram.com/brandi.marzolino/ Linkedin: Brandi Marzolino : https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandimarzolino/ Empowered Leadership Experience www.leadhershipexperience.com Podcast: The Real Talk of Dental: https://therealtalkofdental.com/ ------------------- Dental assistants play a powerful role in whether patients move forward with treatment. You are a key part of the patient journey, and having the right financial options can make all the difference. CareCredit is a health and wellness credit card that offers flexible financing options, so patients can pay over time for the care they want or need, subject to credit approval. When money isn’t the obstacle, patients say yes. Want to make CareCredit part of your practice’s offerings and strengthen case acceptance? Email me at kevin@kevinspeaksdental.com and let’s make it happen for your team.

    Episode 448: The Truth About Being a Dental Assistant That Nobody Talks About
  7. Aug 3

    Episode 447: What Dental Assistants Say About Working at Aspen Dental

    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 Assistants. Molly shares how she transitioned from being a certified nurse's assistant into dentistry, found confidence through earning her CDA, and is now pursuing her dream of becoming a dental hygienist. Mikelle reflects on a 20 year career that began as a dental assistant and evolved into managing dental assistant support, highlighting the value of mentorship, certification, and investing in professional development. Lynn discusses her experience as a lead dental assistant, her passion for coaching new assistants, and how expanding her knowledge through certifications has strengthened both her skills and patient care. Together, they emphasize the importance of supportive doctor assistant relationships, career advancement opportunities, and lifelong learning in creating fulfilling careers in dentistry. Aspen Dental Website: www.aspendental.com ------------------- Dental assistants play a powerful role in whether patients move forward with treatment. You are a key part of the patient journey, and having the right financial options can make all the difference. CareCredit is a health and wellness credit card that offers flexible financing options, so patients can pay over time for the care they want or need, subject to credit approval. When money isn’t the obstacle, patients say yes. Want to make CareCredit part of your practice’s offerings and strengthen case acceptance? Email me at kevin@kevinspeaksdental.com and let’s make it happen for your team. Watch the 2 previous episodes! Part 1: Episode 445: Can Certification Make You a Better Dental Assistant? https://youtu.be/rI7cGHQf0Ko Part 2: Episode 446: How Certification Changes a Dental Assistant Career https://youtu.be/Qw1S6Y2kFYA

    Episode 447: What Dental Assistants Say About Working at Aspen Dental
  8. Jul 27

    Episode 446: How Certification Changes a Dental Assistant Career (Part 2)

    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 Atia Black from the Dental Assisting National Board to discuss why national certification matters for dental assistants. They explain how certification strengthens clinical knowledge in areas like infection control, radiation health and safety, and regulatory compliance while also creating more career opportunities across multiple states. The conversation highlights how certification builds confidence, validates experience, increases job satisfaction, and can lead to higher earning potential. Amber also shares how Aspen Dental's investment in certification has improved retention, strengthened provider and assistant partnerships, and removed barriers that once kept many dental assistants from advancing their careers. Together, they make the case that supporting professional development is not only good for individual dental assistants but also improves patient care and strengthens the future of the dental workforce. Connect with DANB and Aspen Dental DANB Website: www.danb.org DANB State Requirements www.danb.org/state-requirements Aspen Dental Website: www.aspendental.com ------------------- Dental assistants play a powerful role in whether patients move forward with treatment. You are a key part of the patient journey, and having the right financial options can make all the difference. CareCredit is a health and wellness credit card that offers flexible financing options, so patients can pay over time for the care they want or need, subject to credit approval. When money isn’t the obstacle, patients say yes. Want to make CareCredit part of your practice’s offerings and strengthen case acceptance? Email me at kevin@kevinspeaksdental.com and let’s make it happen for your team.

    Episode 446: How Certification Changes a Dental Assistant Career (Part 2)
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About

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.

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