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. Episode 431: The Life Saving Skills Every Dental Assistant Should Learn

    APR 13

    Episode 431: The Life Saving Skills Every Dental Assistant Should Learn

    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 how these quick checks can be done in just a few minutes during routine appointments. The conversation highlights how assistants are uniquely positioned to notice abnormalities, educate patients, and support early diagnosis even in individuals with no obvious risk factors. They also discuss how assistants can confidently communicate their desire to grow within the practice, take on more responsibility, and elevate their impact on patient outcomes. This episode is a powerful reminder that with the right training and mindset, dental assistants are not just support staff but essential contributors to saving lives through early detection and patient care. Connect with Inspired Hygiene Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspiredhygiene/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InspiredHygiene Connect with Kathryn Email: Kathryn@inspiredhygiene.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathryngilliam Facebook: https://facebook.com/kathrynkamishgilliam LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/kathrynkamishgilliam --------------------------- 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.

    16 min
  2. Episode 430: Novel Opioids Warning! What They Don't Teach in Dental School

    APR 6

    Episode 430: Novel Opioids Warning! What They Don't Teach in Dental School

    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 health history questions, and documenting patient responses carefully helps protect the dentist’s license, the dental team, and the patient’s wellbeing. Awareness of emerging drug trends allows dental professionals to make safer clinical decisions and prevent complications before treatment even begins. Connect with Tom Viola LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasviolarph/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PharmacologyDeclassified Website: https://www.tomviola.com/ Watch our previous podcast! Dental Assistant Nation Episode 428: Why Smoking Marijuana Makes Dental Work Dangerous https://youtu.be/LI1Iv-28oVk --------------------------- 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.

    16 min
  3. Episode 429: Do This To Be A TOP Tier Dental Assistant

    MAR 30

    Episode 429: Do This To Be A TOP Tier Dental Assistant

    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, advocating for professional development, and embracing digital dentistry and emerging technology can transform an assistant from support staff into a driving force within the practice. Strong culture, mature leadership, and ongoing education create opportunities for assistants to expand their influence, strengthen job security, and build a career that grows alongside modern dentistry. Connect with Victoria Peterson Email: Info@productivedentist.com Check our podcast on Dr.Bicuspid.com … “Building an investment-grade dental practice” https://www.drbicuspid.com/podcasts/podcast/15819045/how-to-build-an-investmentgrade-dental-practice --------------------------- 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.

    20 min
  4. Episode 428: Why Smoking Marijuana Makes Dental Work Dangerous

    MAR 23

    Episode 428: Why Smoking Marijuana Makes Dental Work Dangerous

    In this episode, Tom Viola, RPh, breaks down why dental teams need to start asking the right questions about cannabis use and why it matters more than ever. From increased blood pressure and pulse to complications with anesthesia and healing, cannabis can change how a patient responds in the chair. The conversation also explores how modern cannabis use is more discreet and varied than most people assume, making honest communication and proper documentation essential in every practice. If you are part of a dental team or a patient who uses cannabis, this episode highlights the real clinical risks and why understanding them can lead to safer and more effective care. Connect with Tom Viola LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasviolarph/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PharmacologyDeclassified Website: https://www.tomviola.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.

    16 min
  5. Episode 427: How Dental Assistants Protect Themselves in an Unethical Dental Practice

    MAR 16

    Episode 427: How Dental Assistants Protect Themselves in an Unethical Dental Practice

    Working in a dental practice should be built on trust, but what happens when something in the office does not feel right? In this episode of the Dental Assistant Nation Podcast, Kevin Henry sits down with dental consultant and author Susan Gunn to have an honest conversation about ethics inside dental practices. Many dental assistants have quietly struggled with situations where decisions in the office do not align with their values, whether it involves questionable communication with patients, dishonest reporting, or workplace behaviors that cross ethical boundaries. Susan shares insights from years of working with dental teams and discusses survey results that reveal how common ethical concerns can be in the workplace. The conversation explores how small compromises in honesty can slowly affect the culture of a dental office and why both leadership and team members must take responsibility for maintaining integrity. Susan and Kevin also talk about the difficult position dental assistants may find themselves in when they notice something unethical happening around them. They explain why documenting situations, asking the right questions, and having honest conversations with leadership can help protect both your career and your peace of mind. Most importantly, they emphasize that every professional has a line they should not cross and that protecting your integrity will always matter more than protecting a paycheck. Connect with Susan Gun Email: Susan@SusanGunnSolutions.com Survey link: https://forms.gle/tUYQB9cEm7v4vqB18 --------------------------- 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.

    17 min
  6. Episode 426: Overwhelmed Dental Assistant? Try This

    MAR 9

    Episode 426: Overwhelmed Dental Assistant? Try This

    What if the stress you carry home from work is not about the job at all but about the energy you are giving away without even realizing it? In this powerful conversation on the Dental Assistant Nation podcast, Kevin Henry sits down with author and entrepreneur Anne Karber to unpack the truth about boundaries, self awareness, and what it really means to take control of your life. Anne shares how many dental assistants and professionals struggle because they blur the lines between work and home, replaying workplace drama long after the day is done. She explains that energy is our most valuable resource and when we spend it on situations we cannot change, we drain ourselves mentally, emotionally, and physically. Through her concept of savage self awareness and her Skittles analogy for energy, Anne challenges listeners to look closely at where their focus is going and whether it is fueling growth or unnecessary suffering. She reminds us that no one is coming to save us, and that realization is not discouraging but empowering. When we understand that we are holding the paintbrush to our own lives, we can shift our mindset, build healthy boundaries, embrace main character energy even as employees, and start small practices like gratitude journaling that create massive change. Her message is clear. You are the architect of your life, and today is the day to act like it. Connect with Anne Karber! Website: https://annekarber.com/ Podcast: https://letsgetnakedpodcast.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.

    16 min
  7. Episode 425: What is an Expanded Function Dental Assistant and What They Can Do

    MAR 1

    Episode 425: What is an Expanded Function Dental Assistant and What They Can Do

    Expanded Function Dental Assistants are helping dental practices work smarter, improve efficiency, and deliver better patient care. Taking on expanded functions allows assistants to perform more advanced clinical duties, which increases production and strengthens the partnership between doctor and assistant. Success depends on understanding the legal scope of practice, proper scheduling, and having the right tools to support the role. When dentists trust their assistants and delegate effectively, the entire team becomes more productive and patients receive more efficient care. This path not only builds confidence and career growth for assistants but also helps practices serve more patients and improve overall workflow. Check Stacey’s article at DrBicuspid! What is the EFDA? The keys to implementing and using an expanded functions dental auxiliary https://www.drbicuspid.com/dental-hygiene/scope-of-practice/article/15815967/the-keys-to-using-an-expanded-functions-dental-auxiliary Connect with Stacey Website: https://www.talkteeth2me.com/ What the EFDA workbook: https://www.talkteeth2me.com/efda-workbook.html --------------------------- 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.

    16 min
  8. Episode 424: Dental Assistant Shortage and What PDS Health Is Doing About It

    FEB 21

    Episode 424: Dental Assistant Shortage and What PDS Health Is Doing About It

    Education access, financial barriers, and limited career awareness continue to slow the pipeline of new dental assistants entering the workforce. At the same time, patient demand keeps growing, putting more pressure on clinical teams. Organizations like PDS Health are actively working to close this gap through scholarships, mentorship, externship opportunities, and structured career development programs designed specifically for dental assistants. The conversation also explores how Dental Support Organizations create pathways for advancement beyond chairside roles, opening doors in leadership, recruiting, marketing, and clinical specialization. Real experiences and professional insight highlight the skills that matter most today including resilience, communication, and long term career vision, offering a grounded look at both the challenges and the solutions shaping the future of dental assisting. Connect with Rose and Casey PDS Foundation website: https://www.pdsfoundation.org/ https://jobs.pdshealth.com/ Facebook: Pacific Dental Services Foundation PDS Health LinkedIn: PDS Health Foundation PDS Health Instagram: pds_health —--------------------------- 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.

    14 min
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4.7
out of 5
29 Ratings

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Dental Assistant Nation
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    431
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Dental Assistant Nation

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