Category: Opinion & Editorial

There’s a morning I remember vividly from dental school. After weeks of practice, I successfully completed my first perfect Class II restoration on a typodont. What had seemed impossibly complex just months before was now achievable through my own hands. I felt a rush of accomplishment that reminded me why I chose this profession. And why I ... [continue reading]

Ten years ago, I contributed a piece to “ODA Today” entitled “Dear Granola Mom.” I’m sure you read it. Ha! In that article, I treaded lightly those (fluoridated?) waters where we attempt to encourage patients to pursue preventative and screening interventions for the evidence-based benefit of oral health. Things like, say, fluoride and ... [continue reading]

Few things carry the power to transcend cultural barriers quite like a smile. As dental professionals, we don’t just work on smiles – we create them, restore them, and witness daily how they connect humans across the vast divides of language and culture. My journey to understanding the universal nature of smiles began unexpectedly. ... [continue reading]

The world around us seldom leaves a void of topics, Whether through professional or plebian optics, Today, there’s a buffet too tempting to ignore, So, put on your cat’s hat and let’s explore …* *March 2025 is the 121st birthday of Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss! A weary ODA advocacy lobby team hopes for a break. The ... [continue reading]

As dental professionals, we often focus on clinical precision – the perfect margin, the ideal occlusion, the flawless crown. Yet precision extends beyond our handpieces and into our professional communications and practice management. Understanding the nuanced differences between “ensure,” “insure” and “assure” offers an interesting ... [continue reading]

As an endodontist, I️ really enjoy taking my time during my consultations. I️ take this time to really connect with the patient since many patients are new to the office and the idea of having a potentially painful procedure performed by someone they do not know can create tremendous anxiety. Believe it or not, it is easier to treat a patient ... [continue reading]

In an era where “casual Friday” has morphed into “casual every day,” and virtual meetings are conducted from kitchen tables and car seats, it’s worth examining what we might be losing in our rush toward informality. As dental professionals, we understand better than most that precision and intention matter – a fraction of a millimeter ... [continue reading]

There, I wrote it. I rolled my eyes as I put it into print and into a bold-font title, no less. You’ve never heard that quote before, have you? Ha ha. It is a sports adage as tired and thin as that one square of carpet in your waiting room where everyone steps as they leave the welcome mat. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work.  Maybe it should be ... [continue reading]

I’ve been thinking about language these days, which is nothing new for me.  As your editor, I’m supposed to be the “word guy” and I firmly believe that “words mean things!”  I’ve been reflecting on two nautical terms that perfectly capture the challenges of running a dental practice: floundering and foundering. While they sound ... [continue reading]

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to take my grandkids to Leeds Farm, a child-friendly experiential place with animals, games, hay maze, corn pits and all sorts of great activities near Marysville. I learned that this day had been set aside for families with children on the autism spectrum and I got to watch their joy as they, for this moment ... [continue reading]