In this episode of The DOC Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Maria Sokolina, a dentist with a fascinating journey from Russia to the U.S.  Hear her struggles and successes in integrating airway, health, wellness, and myofunctional therapy into her dental practice.  Discover how early challenges in restorative dentistry and orthodontics led her to dive deep into sleep medicine and its impacts on dental health. 

Dr. Sokolina shares inspiring patient stories, her collaboration with medical professionals, and practical advice for young dentists navigating the corporate and private practice landscape. Learn about her passion for comprehensive care and how taking the time to learn more about your patient’s airway and breathing can lead to big changes in treatment outcomes!

00:05 Maria's Journey: From Russia to NYU

01:04 Challenges in Private Practice

01:53 Discovering Sleep Medicine

03:49 Integrating Orthodontics and Sleep Medicine

06:24 Advice for Dentists and Orthodontists

10:12 The Importance of Early Intervention

14:57 Public Awareness and Professional Responsibility

19:33 Challenges in Rural Areas and Telemedicine

21:59 Orthodontic Stability and Muscle Function

28:52 Initial Diagnostic Process

29:29 Patient Education and Evidence Gathering

30:24 Collaborating with Medical Specialists

31:22 Physical Therapy and Body Balance

33:57 Financial Aspects of Treatment

38:44 Success Stories and Treatment Outcomes

46:17 Encouragement for Young Dentists

55:46 Final Thoughts and Resources

LINKS To Dr. Sokolina’s Content:

-Myofunctional Therapy Self-Assessment: https://drmariasokolina.com/myofunctional-therapy-and-sleep-quality-self-assessment/

-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1MaSouc9kwQStYebZLLH1g

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmariasokolina/

-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-sokolina-dds-7711aa15/