Dr. Edgard El Chaar Podcast

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What if the future of implant dentistry requires going back to its biological fundamentals?

In this episode, Dr. El Chaar is joined by Mélissa M. Seif for a role-reversal conversation exploring the evolution of implant dentistry from bone-level and tissue-level concepts to modern approaches focused on soft-tissue health and long-term stability.

They discuss implant positioning, emergence profiles, immediate placement, tissue-level and intramucosal designs, microgrooved surfaces, All-on-X treatment and the importance of designing treatment around the patient's biology.

At the center of the conversation is a simple principle: biology always wins. Dr. El Chaar and Mélissa explore what decades of clinical experience and innovation can teach us about creating better, more predictable outcomes for patients.

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What does it take to build a meaningful career in dentistry and deliver truly exceptional patient care? Dentistry has transformed, but the fundamentals of great care haven’t. In this episode, Dr. Edgard El Chaar sits down with Dr. Michael Chesner to reflect on a career spanning more than five decades—and the lessons that only experience can teach. From the arrival of dental implants and digital technology to the rise of corporate dentistry, they explore what has changed, what hasn’t, and what the next generation of dentists should know. 

This conversation covers: 
● Why the best dentistry is collaborative, not isolated 
● The importance of mentorship, curiosity, and lifelong learning 
● How implants and technology transformed modern dentistry 
● Why knowing how to communicate with patients is as important as clinical skill 
● The parallels between dentistry, art, science, and craftsmanship 
● The growing influence of corporate dentistry—and what it could mean for patient care 
● Why the future may belong to multidisciplinary, team-based practices 

For young dentists, seasoned practitioners, or anyone thinking about the future of the profession, this episode is a reminder that great dentistry is about more than mastering procedures. It’s about continuing to learn, surrounding yourself with exceptional people, and never losing sight of the patient.

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In this episode of The Dr. El Chaar Podcast, Dr. Edgar El Chaar shares an unfiltered perspective on one of the most important decisions a young dentist can make: choosing the right postgraduate residency program.

Drawing on decades of experience as a periodontist, educator, and former director of postgraduate programs at NYU and NYU Langone, Dr. El Chaar explains why the most important factor isn't the name of the institution—it's the quality of the leadership behind it.

Topics discussed include:
• Why the residency director is the "coach" of your professional future
• How to evaluate a program beyond its reputation
• The importance of mentorship, faculty continuity, and clinical exposure
• Questions every applicant should ask during interviews
• The role of technology, digital dentistry, and implant planning in modern education
• Understanding the business side of dentistry and practice ownership
• Why leadership development is critical to the future of the profession

Whether you're considering a specialty program in periodontics, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, or another discipline, this episode provides valuable insights into what truly matters when investing in your education and career.
Subscribe for more conversations on dentistry, leadership, education, and the future of the profession.

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Dentistry today is being shaped by more than just clinical skill — it’s being defined by philosophy, leadership, and the ability to build real trust with patients. In this episode, Dr. Edgard El Chaar sits down with Dr. Laura Koo Min Chee to explore what it means to practice dentistry with intention in a rapidly evolving field.

From her global upbringing to her path through dental school and prosthodontic training, Dr. Laura shares how her experiences shaped her perspective on patient care, mentorship, and long-term outcomes.

Together, they unpack the realities behind modern dentistry — from the unseen lab work that builds true expertise to the growing influence of digital workflows and AI.

This episode explores:
• How foundational lab training shapes better clinical decision-making
• The balance between digital dentistry, AI, and human judgment
• Why mentorship is about alignment, not just guidance
• Leadership, culture, and creating a team that reflects your values
• The evolving challenges young dentists face today
• The role of authenticity in building lasting patient relationships

At its core, this conversation is about preserving what matters most in dentistry: connection, trust, and a commitment to doing what’s right for the patient over time.

Whether you’re in the field or simply curious about how dentistry is changing, this episode offers a thoughtful perspective on where the profession is headed and what it takes to do it well.

Subscribe for more conversations on the future of dentistry.

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What does winemaking have to do with dentistry? More than you think.
This episode breaks down why great work—whether wine or dentistry—can’t be rushed.

In this episode, Dr. El Chaar sits down with Jennifer Kingston and Andrés Campana of Kingston Family Vineyards in Chile to explore the mindset behind true craftsmanship.

This isn’t just about wine—it’s about mastery, patience, and building something that lasts.

We cover:

- Why great wine (and great dentistry) takes time
- The difference between Old World vs New World wine
- How to build a brand rooted in authenticity and legacy
- The danger of chasing trends vs. creating something timeless
- Lessons on failure, resilience, and long-term thinking
- What it really means to create “exceptional” work

From a family vineyard in Chile to the dental chair, the parallels are clear:
👉 Precision matters
👉 Patience matters
👉 And shortcuts always show

If you care about doing things the right way—this conversation is for you.

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In this episode, Dr. El Chaar sits down with two standout members of the NYC Dental Smiles team — Dr. Ben Elchami and Dr. Maria Tamay — for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about what drew them to dentistry, the mentors who shaped them, and what it truly means to put patients first.

Together, they explore the evolution of digital dentistry, the generational divide between old-school fundamentals and today's social media-driven learning, and the growing pressures of student debt and corporate dentistry on young practitioners.

At the heart of it all is a shared belief: great dentistry is built on trust, communication, and genuine care.

Topics covered:

• How Dr. Elchami and Dr. Tamay found their way to dentistry
  
  
• The moment it became more than a career
  
  
• Mentorship, fundamentals, and what the new generation may be missing
  
  
• Corporate dentistry — the appeal and the drawbacks
  
  
• Building patient trust through education and transparency
  
  
• Aesthetics, function, and treating patients like family

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In this episode, Dr. Edgard El Chaar sits down with two rising specialists in periodontics, Dr. Cinzia Dinoi and Dr. Anamaria Castillo, to discuss their journeys into dentistry and what inspired them to pursue periodontal surgery.

From international training experiences to mission work that revealed the life-changing impact of dental care, both doctors share the pivotal moments that led them to choose dentistry—and ultimately specialize in periodontics.

The conversation explores:

• Why they chose dentistry instead of traditional medicine

• How personal experiences shaped their career paths

• The unique intersection of medicine, surgery, and dentistry in periodontics

• The importance of mentorship in shaping young clinicians

• What defines the next generation of dental specialists

Dr. Dinoi reflects on her international journey from Canada to Italy and ultimately to the United States, while Dr. Castillo shares how her family background in medicine and mission experiences influenced her path into healthcare.

Together, they offer insight into how the next generation of specialists is redefining patient care, mentorship, and the future of dentistry.

For students, dentists, and anyone interested in the evolving world of dental medicine, this conversation offers a thoughtful look into the values, discipline, and purpose behind modern periodontics.

🎙 Hosted by Dr. Edgard El Chaar

Featuring Dr. Cinzia Dinoi and Dr. Anamaria Castillo

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Dentistry is changing — clinically, culturally, and technologically. In this episode, Dr. Edgard El Chaar sits down with Dr. Sherman Farahani to explore what defines the next generation of modern dentistry.

From multidisciplinary specialty collaboration to advanced digital workflows, they discuss how today’s dentists are redefining excellence beyond social media trends and cosmetic hype.

This conversation covers:

• Why team-based specialty dentistry leads to better long-term outcomes
• The difference between true esthetic mastery and “Instagram dentistry”
• How technology improves precision, predictability, and patient experience
• Mentorship, partnership, and building a culture of excellence
• The challenges young dentists face in today’s rapidly evolving landscape

At NYC Dental Smiles, dentistry is not transactional — it’s relational. Patients enter into a long-term partnership rooted in trust, craftsmanship, and clinical integrity.

Whether you’re a dentist, dental student, or patient curious about where the profession is headed, this episode offers insight into what the future of dentistry truly looks like.

Subscribe for more conversations shaping the future of modern dentistry.

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Dental school teaches you how to graduate. It doesn’t teach you how to build a career.

In this episode, Dr. Edgard El Chaar speaks directly to dental students and early-career dentists about the realities of modern dentistry—what’s missing from formal education, the dangers of shortcuts, and why mastery still matters in an era of speed, scale, and corporate pressure.

This conversation covers:

- What dental school does and does not prepare you for

- The role of mentorship, fundamentals, and lifelong learning

- General practice vs specialization, and the risks of the “super GP” mindset

- Corporate dentistry vs ownership, and how to think long-term

- Why craftsmanship, hospitality, and social awareness still define great dentists

If you’re considering dentistry—or already in it—this episode is about playing the long game and building a career with purpose, skill, and durability.

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Is dental school worth it anymore?

In this episode, Dr. Edgar El Chaar breaks down the real cost of becoming a dentist, financially, professionally, and personally. From six-figure student debt to the rise of AI in healthcare, this is an unfiltered look at what future dentists need to understand before choosing this path.

This conversation is inspired by the advice he gives his own son and the mistakes he has seen too many young dentists make.

If you’re thinking about dentistry, don’t make the decision blind. Watch this.