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Better Cosmetic Restorative Results, Same Appointment Time, with Dr. Susan McMahon
Ask a room of general dentists which procedure they least enjoy, and a lot of hands go up for the anterior class four. It looks flat when you finish. You catch the fracture line the second the patient stands up. Dr. Susan McMahon, an AACD-accredited cosmetic dentist in Pittsburgh, thinks that dread is a training problem, not a talent problem.
Dr. Reza Ardalan
5 min read
Inflammation, Lipids, and GLP-1s with Dr. Hugh Coyne
What I learned from Dr. Coyne about the core blood panel worth running chairside, the cardiac markers most physicians never check, and why the patient in my chair is often the first clinician-seen sign of silent systemic disease.
Dr. Reza Ardalan
5 min read
Pain-Free Dentistry, On Purpose: Dr. Mark Skimming on the 80% of a Visit That Isn't Clinical
Most dentists go into ownership thinking the work is dentistry. Dr. Mark Skimming would tell them they've got the math backwards. Clinical quality accounts for only 20% of what makes a great patient visit; the other 80% is everything else surrounding it.
Dr. Reza Ardalan
7 min read
When Dentistry Becomes Diagnosis with Dr. Ratna Indah on Systems, Science, and the Bigger Health Picture
Dr. Ratna Indah approaches dentistry with a perspective that reaches far beyond the operatory. In this episode of the Dental Slang Podcast, she shares how a background in journalism, a deep curiosity about systems, and a deeply personal family health journey reshaped the way she practices dentistry—and how she defines wellness in patient care.
Dr. Reza Ardalan
3 min read
Know Your Numbers with Wyatt Ferber: Bottom Line Business Planning for a Healthier Practice
Wyatt Ferber wants dentists to see their practice the same way they see a patient: through clear diagnostics, measurable trends, and an honest evaluation of what’s working—and what isn’t. In this episode of the Dental Slang Podcast, he breaks down the financial fundamentals behind a stable, profitable dental business and explains why understanding key metrics isn’t just about revenue—it’s about creating a practice that supports better care, healthier teams, and long‑term sust
Dr. Reza Ardalan
3 min read
Performance Dentistry: Airway, Sleep and the NFL with Dr. Chad Kasperowski
Dr. Chad Kasperowski is reframing dentistry as a driver of whole‑body wellness and human performance. What started as a traditional path took a sharp turn during his residency at the VA in San Antonio, where exposure to complex cases, IV sedation, surgery, and implants revealed a deeper truth: oral health and systemic health are inseparable.
Dr. Reza Ardalan
3 min read
A Biological Approach to Endodontics with Dr. Vi Ho
Dr. Vi Ho is bringing a fresh perspective to modern endodontics, one that blends science, curiosity, and whole‑body awareness. As a certified biological endodontist, she looks beyond traditional techniques to create a more thoughtful, patient‑centered experience. In this episode of the Dental Slang Podcast, she shares how her clinical philosophy has evolved, the tools and technologies that support her approach, and the personal journey that shaped the way she practices today.
Dr. Reza Ardalan
2 min read
Growing with Heart: How Dr. JP Bastien Builds a Thriving Dental Practice
In this episode, Dr. JP Bastien shares how he grew his practice from early-stage ownership into a thriving multi-doctor model by leading with empathy, recruiting intentionally and embracing technology without losing sight of core values. He reflects on the realities of hiring, leadership development, operational efficiency and the role of AI in modern dentistry, offering practical insights for dentists navigating growth while protecting culture and quality of care.
Dr. Reza Ardalan
2 min read
Inside the Mind of Dr. Pete McClellan: Leadership, Discipline and the Future of Relationship-Based Dentistry
Get an inside look at how Dr. Pete McClellan built a thriving multi-location practice without losing sight of relationships, communication and clinical clarity. In this episode, he shares the systems, lessons and leadership principles that helped him scale sustainably, support mid-career dentists, and create practices where doctors can thrive without burning out.
Dr. Reza Ardalan
2 min read
Blood Testing and Collaboration in Dentistry: A Conversation with Dr. John Bruce
Dr. John Bruce joins host Dr. Reza Ardalan to discuss innovative approaches to dental care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the importance of mentorship in professional growth. From expanding clinical tools to personal stories that reveal his unique journey, this episode offers both practical insights and engaging anecdotes for dental professionals.
Dr. Reza Ardalan
2 min read
From Coma to Comeback: Dr. Marq Sams’ Journey of Resilience and Grit
From a life-changing accident to building one of the top peri-implant practices, Dr. Marq Sams shares the lessons in resilience and leadership every dentist can apply.
Dr. Reza Ardalan
2 min read
Redefining Dentistry Through Partnership: Insights from Dr. Morven McCauley
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Morven McCauley to talk about one of the biggest challenges associates face today: finding balance and autonomy in corporate or group practice settings. Morven shares some incredibly grounded advice about knowing your values, standing by your clinical standards, and having open, honest conversations with the people you work for (or with).
Dr. Reza Ardalan
2 min read
Navigating Dental Insurance: Insights from Dr. Travis Campbell
Dental insurance can feel like a tangled web of rules, contracts and affiliations. In this episode of the Dental Slang Podcast, I had the chance to sit down with Dr. Travis Campbell, better known in dentistry as The Dental Insurance Guy. Travis has built a reputation for simplifying one of the most frustrating aspects of practice ownership: managing insurance in a way that benefits both patients and providers.
Dr. Reza Ardalan
2 min read
Redefining Wellness Dentistry with Dr. Katie To
Dr. Katie To is a trailblazer in cosmetic and wellness dentistry, known for her commitment to continuing education and her dedication...
Dr. Reza Ardalan
2 min read
The Aurum Advantage with CEO Mark Maier
Explore Aurum's transformation as a dental lab from the groundwork of education to pioneering advancements in digital technology and...
Dr. Reza Ardalan
2 min read
From Cadaver Courses to Digital Dentistry
Dr. Tommaso Ghedini shares insights into his diverse clinical practice, his teaching experiences focusing on oral surgery, and the...
Dr. Reza Ardalan
1 min read
From Haiti to Hope: A Dentist's Journey of Resilience
The first time I met Dr. Emma Zennie, I was immediately impressed with her diverse set of clinical skills. Later, I had the opportunity...
Dr. Reza Ardalan
14 min read
Capturing Perfection with Dr. Amanda Seay
Dr. Amanda Seay discusses a wide range of topics from comprehensive restorative dentistry to her roles at the Kois Center and the Seattle...
Dr. Reza Ardalan
1 min read
The 20/80 Rule: What Most Dentists Get Wrong About Patient Experience
Most dentists pour their entire training budget into getting better at the dentistry. I did the same thing for the first three years of my career. And then I opened my first practice in 2009, sat down to figure out why patients weren’t coming back, and realized I had the math backwards.
Dr. Mark Skimming
Aug 315 min read
The Insert Appointment That Goes Wrong
Every general dentist has had the same insert appointment. The lab work arrives looking beautiful on the model. The patient sits down. You try in the restoration. Something is off. The contact is too tight, or the centrals look longer or shaped differently than the patient remembered, or the bite registers a fraction off, or the shade doesn’t quite match in the operatory light. The patient’s expression shifts. You feel the appointment slipping.
Dr. Susan McMahon
Aug 216 min read
Are You Leaving Money on the Table Every Time You Upgrade a Patient's Care?
Dentistry has never had more to offer patients. Lasers in periodontal therapy, premium restorative materials, aligner therapy, cosmetic enhancements: these upgraded services improve outcomes and set modern practices apart. But they also come with a problem most teams never fully solve, which is what, exactly, you can charge for them when insurance is involved.
The New Dentist
Aug 173 min read
What a Bachelor Party Can Teach You About Your Patient’s Heart
You’ve likely had this case. The patient whose perio doesn’t respond the way you might expect. The implant that fails to integrate cleanly. The healing that takes twice as long as it ought to. You’ve reviewed the technique, the hygiene, the systemic history, and something still doesn’t add up.
Dr. Hugh Coyne
Aug 135 min read
The Implant Failure That Redefined One Dentist's Philosophy
Early in his career, Dr. Chad Kasperowski experienced a case that changed the way he approaches dentistry. He placed an implant in a lower molar site that seemed ideal—ample bone, straightforward anatomy, and thorough preoperative diagnostics—but the implant failed.
The New Dentist
Aug 65 min read
Five Blood Markers Every Dentist Should Read Before Treatment Planning
Most of your patients had blood work done in the past year. Their doctor ordered it, a phlebotomist drew it, and a printout came back with a few green ticks and a polite note that everything looked “within range.”
Dr. Hugh Coyne
Jul 216 min read
Better Cosmetic Restorative Results, Same Appointment Time, with Dr. Susan McMahon
Ask a room of general dentists which procedure they least enjoy, and a lot of hands go up for the anterior class four. It looks flat when you finish. You catch the fracture line the second the patient stands up. Dr. Susan McMahon, an AACD-accredited cosmetic dentist in Pittsburgh, thinks that dread is a training problem, not a talent problem.
Dr. Reza Ardalan
Jul 155 min read
Mouth Ulcers in General Practice: Assessment, Triggers, and Red Flags
Mouth ulcers are one of the most common oral complaints you’ll see, and also one of the most underestimated. For most patients they are short-lived, painful, and benign. For general dentists they sit at a crossroads between reassurance, prevention, and early detection of systemic disease.
Dr. Lucy Hooper
Jul 85 min read
Why Your Composite Looks Like Plastic
The reason most polished restorations read as artificial isn’t the material. It’s that we polish the surface anatomy away. A five-minute finishing protocol puts it back, and changes outcomes overnight.
Dr. Susan McMahon
Jul 15 min read
How to Build a Multi-Practice Group Without a Bank Loan or Private Equity
Most dentists who want to scale assume they have two options: take on a bank loan, or sell a stake to a dental service organization. Those are the two roads dental media tells you exist. Build a group fast on borrowed money, or build it slower with someone else’s money and a three-to-seven-year clock ticking in the background.
Dr. Mark Skimming
Jun 246 min read
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