Category: Opinion & Editorial

After nearly four decades in dentistry, I’ve learned something counterintuitive: we spend far too much time perfecting yesterday’s decisions and not nearly enough time imagining tomorrow’s possibilities. As we close out 2025, many of us are doing what comes naturally — analyzing the year behind us! Scrutinizing our numbers, evaluating ... [continue reading]

A few months ago, during the ODA Annual Session meeting, several of us, who were going to be ADA delegates, were asked to assemble in a small meeting room at the Hilton for an announcement. Dr. Tom Paumier addressed the anticipating group. It was here he officially announced that, after the urging by several of his colleagues and the encouragement ... [continue reading]

As we approach Thanksgiving this November, I find myself reflecting on nearly four decades in dental practice — not on the procedures performed or the technologies adopted, but on the people who have made this journey meaningful. In our profession, we often focus on clinical excellence, continuing education, and practice management. But perhaps ... [continue reading]

Welcome to the second installment of our humble chronicle, detailing some of the facts and mysteries surrounding three of the ODA’s most celebrated member dentists – Dennis McTigue, Henry Fields and Paul Casamassimo. Or as I likened to describe them in my past article (I’m sure you read it!), The Hero, The Cowboy and The Friend. In Part I, ... [continue reading]

For decades, the dental profession has relied on a simple formula: clinical expertise plus professional credentials equals patient trust. Walk into any dental office today, and you’ll still see the familiar elements of this approach — diplomas on the wall, white coats and the assumption that professional authority naturally commands respect. ... [continue reading]

See below for references relevant to the central points of what follows. Those interested in understanding the known and possible effects on dentistry, directly and indirectly, can review these for a deeper dive into our future. Earlier this year, Congress and the president enacted legislation, commonly called One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), ... [continue reading]

My car was in the shop recently. I took it in because the car texted me that it needed service! When I first got my license, cars had an oil light, and that was about it. When that red warning appeared on your dashboard, you knew trouble was brewing under the hood. But by then, damage might already be done. Today’s vehicles are engineering ... [continue reading]

If there is one part of owning a practice that continues to give me massive anxiety, it is the Personnel Policy Manual. HR 101 would suggest that every business that has employees must have a manual and it should not only be reviewed frequently for compliance with state and federal regulations, but also be nimble to roll with the changing needs of ... [continue reading]

I’m a dental student at Ohio State University and am passionate about organized dentistry and public health dentistry. I was raised in Morgan County, Ohio, and plan to return to Southeast Ohio as soon as I graduate. Working with underserved populations is the key driving force in my passion for dentistry. In rural counties where public health ... [continue reading]

Every morning, we put on our scrubs, adjust our loupes, and step into our operatories. What we’re really doing is donning our superhero costume and entering our Fortress of Solitude – or perhaps our Batcave. After nearly four decades of practice and countless conversations with colleagues across Ohio, I’ve come to realize that we dentists ... [continue reading]