In this episode, Dr. Schmidt talks with Dr. Amrita Patel, an award-winning author and national educator, who shared her journey in dentistry and discussed her contributions to the profession through writing and leadership roles. Dr. Patel explained the importance of effective communication, team buy-in, and credible sources in dental education, while also addressing challenges in the dental field such as student debt, workforce shortages, and evolving career paths. The conversation stresses how critical work-life balance and mentorship is for young leaders in dentistry.

In the latest podcast, Dr. Schmidt welcomed Dr. Jason Mann and Phil Cassis, both from Providence Dental Partners, to discuss managing dental practices in challenging times. They are both industry leaders with extensive experience in dental business ventures and consulting, emphasizing the importance of a strong business model and practice management strategy in mitigating risk and navigating rising costs and decreasing reimbursements. The discussion focused on supporting dentists through both the administrative and clinical areas of a practice, while emphasizing clinical autonomy and local decision-making.

Dr. Mann is the co-founder and chief dental officer, and Cassis, co-founder and chief executive officer, lead Providence Dental Partners. Dr. Mann is a nationally recognized dental leader, entrepreneur, and key opinion leader, with experience spanning clinical practice, dental services, product development, and strategic advisory roles. Cassis brings decades of executive leadership with one of the world’s largest dental companies, where he advised thousands of practices nationwide on business strategy, growth, and operational excellence.

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In our latest podcast, Dr. Schmidt talks with Mitch Gardiner, DMD, FAGD, focused on dental malpractice and the role of expert witnesses in civil court cases, with discussions about the qualifications and objectivity required of dental experts. The conversation covered key elements needed to prove negligence in dental cases, including standards of care and proper documentation of patient interactions and treatment plans. Dr. Gardiner provided advice for young dentists on maintaining high standards of care through continuous education and proper record-keeping.

Dr. Gardiner is a full-time general dentist practicing in a multi-specialty office. A 1977 graduate of The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Dr. Gardiner served for three years as a dental officer in the Navy. He is a clinical instructor on the teaching faculty of the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine in the Department of Restorative Dentistry-Fixed Prosthodontics. He has over 25 years of experience in reviewing dental malpractice cases as an expert witness. Dr. Gardiner lectures and presents programs on issues of dental malpractice throughout the United States. He holds fellowships in the Academy of General Dentistry, American College of Dentists and International College of Dentists.

In the latest episode, Dr. Schmidt talks with Angela Davis Sullivan discussed the importance of practice management in dental offices, focusing on effective production and collection systems, goal setting, team involvement, communication, leadership, and having tough conversations. They also emphasized the need for a balanced approach to treatment planning, the importance of retaining patients, and the significance of effective communication and listening. on the importance of practice management in dental offices. During the podcast, they highlighted the importance of self-evaluation and the use of coaches in various industries, including dentistry and it concludes with a discussion on the significance of systems in a thriving dental practice.

Davis Sullivan, CEO and founder of Adaptive Dental Solutions, is also a speaker and educator for dental practices. Her background as an administrator, expanded function dental assistant, new patient coordinator, office manager, and advanced training with dental management systems is invaluable with the day-to-day operations in a dental office, with the doctor, and with the team.

In the latest podcast, Dr. Schmidt talks with Ralph Cooley, DDS, FAGD, and Arlene O'Brien, DMD, FAGD, who are members of ADA Legislative and Government Affairs Council and AGD representatives to the ADA Code Maintenance Committee. The Code Maintenance Committee is responsible for reviewing and updating dental coding systems. In their roles, they advocate for changes that benefit general dentists. New codes for 2026 include updates to anesthesia codes, a new cracked tooth testing code, and modifications to denture duplication and occlusal guard cleaning codes. They emphasize the importance of public input and collaboration between organizations.

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AGD2025: Matthew Kremke, MBA, CAE, on AGD Benefits and More by Academy of General Dentistry

AGD2025: Mohammed Attia, DDS, MAGD by Academy of General Dentistry

In this episode, Dr. Schmidt speaks with John Chao, DDS, MAGD, inventor of the Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST), a minimally invasive, scalpel-free, suture-free method for treating gingival recession. A respected general dentist and educator, Dr. Chao shares insights into the clinical necessity of addressing gum recession as a vital intervention for protecting long-term oral and systemic health. (Dr. Chao is a speaker at AGD2025.)

Tune in to hear Dr. Chao’s perspective on innovation in dentistry, patient-centered care, and the future of periodontal treatment.They discuss opportunities to utilize PST and how this technique fits into evidence-based periodontal care and how general dentists can integrate it into their practices to improve patient outcomes and preserve periodontal health.

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In this episode, Dr. Schmidt talks with , an experts in restorative care. In the podcast, they take an engaging and highly educational look at the complexities of occlusion, the evolution of restorative philosophy, and the practical clinical tools available today. The conversation is especially valuable for clinicians who want to deepen their understanding of aesthetics and long-term restorative success.

Dr. Melkers is a 1994 graduate of the Marquette University School of Dentistry and currently on faculty at Rīga Stradiņš University in Riga, Latvia and The Pankey Institute; and a lead educator for RIPEGlobal. He maintains a private clinical practice in Hanover, New Hampshire, with a focus on comprehensive adult restorative care.

In the latest episode, Dr. Schmidt talks with Joshua Austin, DDS, MAGD, dental educator and general dentists with a full-time restorative dentistry practice in San Antonio, Texas. During the discussion Dr. Austin addresses the opportunity in restorative dentistry including use of glass ionomer materials. Glass ionomers have undergone significant advancements that now make them essential tools for today’s clinicians. He shares how these improvements have changed his perspective—and his outcomes—and offers insights into when and how to best use these versatile materials. They also discuss ways to improve efficiency to ensure success with complex cases and treatment plans.

Dr. Austin is an editorial director and monthly columnist for Dental Economics magazine, focusing on dental products and technology. He is a graduate of the University of Texas Health School of Dentistry and spent five years post-graduation in the department of restorative dentistry.