Dr. Jade Miller joins host Dr. Joel Berg for a very special episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles discussing a major opportunity within organized dentistry. After nearly 25 years, Dr. John Rutkauskas will be retiring as AAPD CEO in July 2026. Dr. Miller, as chair of the search committee to find AAPD’s new leader, shares details of the role as well as what it means to join an AAPD staff committed to the optimal oral health for all children. 

Guest Bio: 

Dr. Jade Miller is a board-certified pediatric dentist who since 1983 has maintained a private practice in Reno, Nevada. Dr. Miller is a faculty member in dental and medical education, as well as a member in some of the country’s most prestigious dental organizations. A past American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry president, he is the current AAPD Board of Trustees Congressional Liaison. While Dr. Miller has been practicing pediatric dentistry for four decades, his education has never really ended. He devotes time to continuing education so that he can offer “his kids” the best and most modern treatments available. Dr. Miller has dedicated his career to keeping at the forefront of pediatric developments and providing his patients with the best service available. Dr. Miller is married and has three children.

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Legendary pediatric dentist Dr. Heber Simmons joins little teeth, BIG Smiles host Dr. Joel Berg, for a conversation featuring the highlights of his nearly six-decade long career. A previous AAPD Distinguished Service Award recipient, Dr. Simmons shares in detail the highlights of his career, beginning with how he got started in pediatric dentistry during his time in the Army and as the first pediatric dentist in Mississippi all the way through President of the AAPD and beyond. Dr. Simmons also delves into his “60 Minutes” appearance on behalf of the Academy and how his message still resonates with dental professionals and parents. 

Guest Bio: 

Dr. Heber Simmons, Jr. attended the University of Mississippi and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He received his DDS degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in 1957. Dr. Simmons served in the U.S. Army Dental Corps for three years at Fort Knox, Kentucky, attaining the rank of captain. He received his Master of Science in pedodontics degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in 1962 and subsequently was in private practice in Jackson, Mississippi for 57 years. Dr. Simmons has been a member of a host of organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association and its affiliates, as well various related professional organizations. He's a Fellow in the American and International College of Dentists, OKU, and the Pierre Fauchard Society. He has served as a delegate to the ADA House of Delegates, on the Council of Dental Practice of the ADA, and was the ADA's fifth district trustee representing Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida from 1989 to 1993. Dr. Simmons is a past president of the AAPD and various other organizations. He received the AAPD Distinguished Service Award in 1997. As of 2024, that award is now known as the Dr. Heber Simmons, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. In 2017, the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry established the Heber Simmons, Jr. Endowed Professorship in Pediatric Dentistry in honor of his exceptional service to the profession. Dr. Simmons’ complete CV highlighting six decades of extraordinary work is available here.

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In the latest episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles, host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Don Schmitt for a discussion on the importance of fluoride. A hot topic in recent news, fluoride – and specifically water fluoridation – has decades of science supporting its positive impact on the prevention of tooth decay. This is a great listen for a clinician looking for support with in-office conversations with patient families or a parent looking to better understand better how fluoride supports not only the oral health – but the overall health – of children. 

Guest Bio: 

Dr. Don Schmitt has been in private practice in Danville and Concord, Calif. for over 20 years that was originally started by his father almost 70 years ago. Dr. Schmitt received his Bachelors degree from the University of California at Berkeley and D.D.S. degree from the University of the Pacific Arthur Dugoni School of Dentistry. He completed a residency in pediatric dentistry at the University of Southern California. Dr. Schmitt currently is on the faculty of the University of the Pacific teaching in the predoctoral clinic. Involved in organized dentistry starting in dental school, Schmitt has served on the Board of the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry in a variety of positions since 2011 and is now President. He is also the current Western District Trustee for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Previously he was President of the CSPD Foundation. Dr. Schmitt is a member of Cohort VII of the AAPD Leadership Institute at the Kellogg School of Management and the Annual Session Scientific Program Committee. Outside dentistry, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two adult sons, traveling, and playing golf.

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Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. John Blake, the current Affiliate Membership Trustee of the AAPD Board, to for a conversation focused on how the advocacy and research of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry influences and supports not only pediatric dentists, but general dentists as well. Dr. Blake shares his unique professional journey as a general dentist focused on pediatric needs and how it led to various leadership roles in organized dentistry. 

Guest Bio: 

Dr. John Blake is the Executive Director and Dental Director of the Children’s Dental Health Clinic (CDHC) in Long Beach, Calif. This non-profit program and teaching facility helps the comprehensive dental needs of underserved, special needs and medically complex patients in their Long Beach and Catalina Island programs. Prior to joining CDHC, Blake spent his first 12 years in private practice. He is the current Affiliate Member of the AAPD Board of Trustees and President of the California Dental Association (CDA). He has also served on the CDA Council on Government Affairs for the past 6 years while remaining active with oral health related policy and legislative issues. Blake is also the president of the Living Hope Clinical Foundation, a fellow of the American College of Dentists and the Pierre Fuchard Academy, a part-time faculty member of the USC. School of Dentistry, and a member of the ADA council on government affairs. In addition, he helped start the CARE Dental program at St. Mary’s Hospital. This grant-funded non-profit program is specific to patients with HIV.

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Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by seasoned talent acquisition expert Ron Harrison for a conversation focused on the struggles of finding – and keeping – talent in dentistry. Harrison specifically dives into the similarities between the hiring practices of the early 2000s tech boom companies and DSOs, and how they can impact smaller, privately-owned practices. Learn how important a fast-paced, efficient decision-making process is when hiring to best meet your staffing needs in a competitive market. 

Guest Bio: 

Ron Harrison is a seasoned talent acquisition expert with over two decades of recruiting experience. He is the founder of two successful technology recruiting firms and has trained hundreds of recruiters and recruiting leaders throughout his career. Drawing on his deep understanding of competitive hiring markets, including his time working in Silicon Valley during the tech boom and bust cycles, Ron has brought his expertise to the dental industry through Sage Dental Recruiting Outsourcing (Sage DRO).

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On this episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles, Dr. Susan Fisher-Owens, a nationally known pediatrician who is joining pediatric dentists on the front lines protecting children’s oral health, to discuss the importance of the care of adolescents to support them as they grow into their adult selves. Dr. Fisher-Owens shares important aspects of the adolescent psyche that all health care providers should keep in mind when counseling them on good health and habits and where pediatricians and pediatric dentists can bridge the two specialties. 

Guest Bio: 

Susan Fisher-Owens is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics in the UCSF School of Medicine, and Clinical Professor of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences in the UCSF School of Dentistry. She serves on the California State Oral Health Plan and the California Perinatal and Infant Oral Health Quality Advisory Board, as well as the Integrated Coordinating Committee and Integration Committee for CavityFreeSF. Dr. Fisher-Owens also serves as the Informatics Director for Pediatrics, Primary Care, and Public Health Integration. 

Dr. Fisher-Owens practices at Zuckerberg San Francisco General, the county public hospital, and created an award-winning and sustainable oral health clinic embedded in their pediatric outpatient clinic. Dr. Fisher-Owens works with physicians on how to prevent oral disease in children or control it in adults (particularly pregnant women), and with dentists on how to work with children and incorporate context of care. Her research on a conceptual model of children's oral health is cited internationally and her current research focuses on oral health disparities.

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In this episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles, host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Patty Medland, a pediatric dentist and orthodontist, to discuss the intersection and collaborative opportunities between the two specialties. Dr. Medland delves into the potential positive impacts to growth outcomes of early monitoring or treatment for children by a collaborative care team. 

Guest Bio: 

Dr. Patricia Medland holds a DDS degree from West Virginia University and MS degrees in both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics from the University of North Carolina, where she is currently an adjunct associate professor. She has combined her Surfers Paradise, Australia private practice in orthodontics with teaching. 

Dr. Medland has held teaching positions at West Virginia University, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, Griffith University, and University of North Carolina. Her practice and teaching focus on age-appropriate orthodontic treatment in children with a particular interest in the early diagnosis and treatment of anterior tooth impactions and missing teeth along with the application of new technologies to improve outcomes for these challenging cases. 

Dr. Medland also stepped in to teach growth and development at Medical University of South Carolina for residents after the passing of Dr. Ron Bell, the orthodontic graduate director. She was a lecturer at the Ron Bell Memorial Lecture in New Orleans and still gives growth and development lectures by Zoom to UNC orthodontic and pediatric dentistry residents.

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In this episode of Little Teeth, BIG Smiles, host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Brett Kessler, a general dentist and the President-Elect of the American Dental Association (ADA) to discuss his extensive career and leadership roles within organized dentistry. Dr. Kessler reflects on his journey from an engineering student at the University of Iowa to his decision to pursue dentistry. He shares personal challenges, including overcoming substance abuse, and credits organized dentistry with saving his life and shaping his career. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Kessler highlights his commitment to wellness, which he passionately advocates for within the profession. Looking forward to his upcoming presidency, he discusses his priorities, including reforming dental benefit systems and expanding access to care, aiming to integrate oral health more closely with overall health care. 

Guest Bio: 

Dr. Brett Kessler, a general dentist in Denver, Colo., is the American Dental Association (ADA) President-Elect. Dr. Kessler has held several leadership positions within the ADA. He served as a delegate in the ADA’s House of Delegates from 2008 to 2019 and was a consultant to the Council on Dental Wellbeing Advisory Committee from 2007 to 2018. He also served as the vice chair of the Council on Dental Benefit Plans. In 2010, he received the ADA’s Golden Apple Award, the highest award bestowed by the Association, for outstanding leadership in mentoring. 

Dr. Kessler served as president of the Colorado Dental Association from 2014 to 2015 and was instrumental in the formulation and implementation of an adult Medicaid dental benefit in Colorado. 

Dr. Kessler speaks nationally on well-being and leadership topics to help dentists live their best lives. Dr. Kessler has received fellowships from the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He has testified before both the U.S. Congress and Colorado state legislature in an effort to help enact laws that serve the profession and the public. 

Dr. Kessler graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry in 1995. He completed his general practice residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in 1997. Dr. Kessler is an accomplished endurance athlete and competes in events across the country. Dr. Kessler has been married to his wife, Gina Kessler, D.D.S, M.S., since 1995 and together they have four children.

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Recording live at AAPD 2024, this episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles features Dr. Leon Klempner joining host Dr. Joel Berg to discuss the importance of marketing to grow a practice in this digital environment. In this candid conversation, Dr. Klempner elaborates on his path to choosing to specialize in orthodontics after dental school and how the specialties of pediatrics and orthodontics can come together to maximize business potential. 

Guest Bio: 

Dr. Leon Klempner is the director of orthodontics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, assistant clinical professor in both the Department of Dentistry and the Department of Global Health as well as part-time faculty at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. He completed his orthodontic specialty training at Tufts University and received his Doctorate degree from the University of Maryland. After graduation, he became a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and practiced clinical orthodontics in private practice for 38 years. He has published articles in the American Journal of Orthodontics, Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, and numerous trade journals on the topics of early Class lll treatment and orthodontic marketing. In addition to teaching the Harvard orthodontic residents, he serves as the director of orthodontics and the cleft palate/craniofacial orthodontist for the Mount Sinai Hospitals in New York state. Dr. Klempner founded the Smile Rescue Fund for Kids, a nonprofit charity focused on helping children in Africa and is the CEO of People + Practice, a digital marketing agency for pediatric dentists and orthodontists.

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Recorded live at AAPD 2024, little teeth, BIG Smiles host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Matt Geneser to discuss the latest in vital pulp therapy for permanent teeth with deep caries lesions. A native Iowan now teaching at both the pre-doctoral and post-doctoral level in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Iowa, Dr. Geneser shares his thoughts on how to foster better outcomes for vital pulp therapy, which has been shown to be a more successful option for permanent teeth in recent years. As part of the conversation, he delves into the why pulp therapy can be successful specifically in rural communities. In the conversation, Dr. Geneser also touches on the LSTR (lesions sterilization and tissue repair) procedure, as well as the need for dental educators in academia.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Matt Geneser is a clinical professor of pediatric dentistry and full-time faculty member in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Iowa. A native Iowan, he attended the University of Iowa (BS 2002, DDS 2006) before obtaining his certificate in pediatric dentistry from St. Joseph Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island (2008). After a short stint in private practice, Dr. Geneser took on a full-time academic role at the University of Iowa in 2011.

Dr. Geneser served as graduate program director at the University of Iowa Department of Pediatric Dentistry from 2012-2019 and currently directs the undergraduate clerkship experience for dental students. Since 2012 he has also directed a Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM) Clinic for infants with cleft lip and palate. He is heavily involved in teaching at both the pre-doctoral and post-doctoral levels while maintaining a busy faculty practice.

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