Dentistry Unmasked: A Roundtable Podcast

What does it really mean to become "known" in dentistry? Most of us see the highlight reel: the standing ovations, keynote presentations, podcasts, brand partnerships, social media, and travel. But what happens behind the scenes once your name becomes your brand? This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Pam sits down with Irene Iancu for an unfiltered conversation about building a public career in dentistry. From landing those first speaking opportunities to navigating conference politics, industry relationships, and the ever-evolving roles of educator, influencer, creator, and key opinion leader, Irene shares the realities that few people talk about. They also explore the pressure to always say "yes," how opportunities are really created, what companies are looking for, and the responsibility that comes with having a public voice. Whether you're dreaming of speaking, creating content, partnering with industry, or simply curious about what happens behind the curtain, this episode offers an honest look at the rewards, the challenges, and everything in between. If you've ever wondered what it actually takes to build a career beyond the operatory, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.

Thirty-five years into dentistry, Dr. Abdi Sameni isn’t thinking much about slowing down. He’s still asking what he can learn next.

Sameni joins Drs. Pam Maragliano and Brian Nový for a wide-ranging conversation about what happens when dentists remain students of their profession. They explore why some of the most interesting dental education is happening outside the usual circles, how communities such as bioemulation connect clinicians around the world, and why mentorship can change the trajectory of a career.

But the conversation also gets clinical: Is biomimetic dentistry always the right answer? Are dentists intervening too late—or sometimes doing too much? Sameni makes the case for respecting the tooth at every stage of life, detecting disease before conventional treatment becomes necessary, and choosing treatment for the patient in front of you rather than following a clinical ideology.

Plus: why a Class II composite can still be worth traveling to learn, the surprisingly important problem of orthodontic retention, and what keeps dentistry interesting after decades in practice.

Dentists may be attractive borrowers to banks—but that doesn't necessarily mean they're borrowing money wisely.

In this episode of Dentistry Unmasked, Drs. Pam Maragliano and Brian Nový talk with Daniel Gurfinkel of Gurfinkel & Partners about practice debt, credit, cash flow, and how dentists can approach financing more strategically.

Brian shares his own experience seeking operating capital and discovering that the way he had structured his borrowing and credit wasn't necessarily taking full advantage of the options available to him. Gurfinkel, who describes his firm as a medical funding consultancy rather than a lender or broker, explains why practice owners often default to the easiest source of capital—which can also be among the most expensive.

The conversation gets into refinancing high-interest debt, separating personal and business credit, and why understanding how banks evaluate dental practices can change the financing options available to practice owners. Gurfinkel also discusses promotional 0% financing strategies, their limitations, and why dentists need a repayment plan before relying on short-term capital.

Pam and Brian also explore some less obvious factors that may affect a dentist's borrowing position, including the health of a credit profile and whether everyday business spending is actually helping establish business credit.

In this episode:

Why the easiest source of capital may not be the cheapest

How high-interest debt can erode dental practice cash flow

Why lenders may view dentists differently from other business owners

The relationship between personal credit and practice financing

What dentists should understand about 0% promotional financing

Why short-term financing requires a clear repayment strategy

How business credit can differ from personal credit

Questions dentists should ask before taking on additional debt

Financial strategies discussed in this episode may not be appropriate for every practice or individual. Consider consulting qualified financial, tax, and lending professionals before making borrowing or refinancing decisions.

Patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face significant barriers to dental care—from finding providers with appropriate training to transportation, cost, communication challenges, and previous negative experiences in health-care settings.

In this episode of Dentistry Unmasked, Drs. Pam Maragliano and Brian Nový talk with Dr. Dimitri Christakis, Chief Health Officer for Special Olympics International, about what dentistry can do differently.

Christakis shares what Special Olympics has learned through its Special Smiles program, which provides oral health screenings and referrals for athletes with IDD. Among Special Olympics athletes, 13% report significant mouth pain, 46% show signs of gum disease, and 44% have untreated tooth decay.

The conversation explores why access remains difficult, including limited provider training and reimbursement models that don't account for the additional time some patients may need. They also discuss relatively simple ways practices can become more welcoming—from asking patients about their anxieties and individual needs to reducing unnecessary sensory stimulation and creating quieter, less intimidating environments.

Plus, Brian reflects on his own experience volunteering with Special Smiles and challenges dentists, dental teams, and pre-dental students to consider getting involved. Special Olympics provides training for volunteers, so clinicians don't need to arrive already experienced in caring for patients with IDD.

In this episode:

Are insurance plans still bringing value to your practice, or are they quietly costing you money? This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Brian and Pam sit down with Dennis Marvel to discuss why more dentists are reevaluating their participation in PPO insurance plans. As reimbursements fail to keep pace with rising overhead and the cost of delivering quality care, what may have once been an effective patient acquisition strategy can eventually become a financial burden. But dropping insurance isn’t automatically the right answer. Dennis explains how to determine when leaving a plan makes financial sense, when it could be a costly mistake, and what practices should evaluate before making the decision. He also shares strategies for transitioning out of insurance plans thoughtfully, without creating panic among patients or watching your schedule disappear. If you’ve ever wondered whether your insurance contracts are helping or hurting your practice, this episode will give you plenty to think about before you make your next move.

This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Brian and Pam sit down with Dr. Rick Huot to talk about something every dentist needs, but too many put off: financial planning with a purpose. Whether you’re a new graduate navigating debt, a mid-career dentist building wealth, a practice owner planning your next move, or thinking seriously about retirement, your financial goals should evolve along with your career. Dr. Huot breaks down how to set realistic goals, make smarter financial decisions, and create a plan that keeps you moving toward the life you actually want. No matter where you are in your career, it’s never too early or too late to get intentional about your financial future.

What does it really take to lead a dental school and how much influence does a dean have on the future of the profession? This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Brian and Pam sit down with Dr. Gerry Kugel, dean of the University of Nebraska’s dental school, for a candid conversation about leadership, faculty, educational standards, and what it takes to truly prepare students for clinical practice. Dr. Kugel shares his philosophy on building a strong academic team, setting expectations for both faculty and students, and ensuring graduates are ready for the realities of dentistry beyond the classroom. Whether you’re considering dental school, exploring a career in academics, or simply curious about how the next generation of dentists is being trained, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

LivFresh toothpaste isn't just another toothpaste…it's challenging decades of conventional thinking about biofilm management.This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Brian and Pam take a deep dive into the science behind LivFresh and explore why so many clinicians are talking about it. From its unique chemistry and mechanism of action to the growing evidence surrounding biofilm disruption, oral health, and the patient experience, this conversation examines how it differs from traditional toothpastes—and why that difference may matter. Is fluoride alone enough? Are we missing an important piece of the biofilm puzzle? And could a different approach to home care improve both oral and systemic health? Whether you've never heard of LivFresh or you're wondering if it lives up to the excitement, this episode will leave you with a deeper understanding of the science behind this emerging technology—and why it may change the way you think about toothpaste. Tune in for a conversation that just might challenge your definition of the "gold standard."

Few people have had a greater impact on the adoption of silver diamine fluoride in the United States than this week’s guest. On Dentistry Unmasked, Pam and Brian sit down with Dr. Shirtcliff, the man who helped bring SDF to U.S. dentistry, to hear the remarkable story behind its introduction, the testing and approvals required to make it available to American patients, and how its role in dentistry has evolved. He also shares his candid perspective on where dentistry is headed, why our profession still leans too heavily on treatment after disease occurs, and why a stronger commitment to prevention and disease management may be one of the most important shifts dentists can make. If you use SDF (or think you should)this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Bonus systems are often touted as the secret to motivating a dental team; but do they actually work? This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Brian and Pam sit down with Sharyn Weiss, who challenges the conventional wisdom that bonuses drive better performance. In fact, she believes they can be counterproductive, create unintended problems, and fail to inspire the behaviors practice owners really want. Tune in as Sharyn explains why bonus systems often fall short and what leaders can do instead to build a motivated, engaged team that performs well for the long haul.