The DOC Podcast

Overview

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Peter Catalano - an otolaryngologist, rhinology fellowship director, and pioneer of minimally invasive nasal surgery. Dr. Catalano has held appointments at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, the Lahey Clinic, and Tufts University, and has spent over three decades developing and publishing on targeted nasal airway surgery. I've had the privilege of working with Dr. Catalano on a major article addressing mouth breathing, and our conversation here is one of the most important I've had on this platform.

We go deep into the science of nasal airflow, the structural and institutional barriers preventing children from getting the care they need, and the very real consequences (neurological, behavioral, cardiovascular, and craniofacial) of untreated mouth breathing and sleep-disordered breathing. We also address the myths and dogmas that continue to persist in both the ENT and orthodontic worlds, and what it's going to take to break them down.

If you've ever wondered why the two worlds of dentistry and medicine remain so siloed on this issue, or what it means for patients when they fall through the crack, this episode is for you.

Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction and Dr. Catalano's background: ENT, skull base surgery, academic appointments at Mount Sinai, Lahey Clinic, and Tufts University
4:10 – How Dr. Catalano's career trajectory led him from engineering to medicine to rhinology — and the philosophy of fate and the "hidden angel" guiding his path
9:12 – The MicroShaver revolution: meeting Dr. Setliff in South Dakota and the aha moment that changed everything about minimally invasive sinus surgery
11:13 – The unexpected discovery: patients reporting they stopped snoring after sinus surgery, and how that led to a focus on nasal airway and sleep-disordered breathing
13:18 – [Ad] Early Orthodontic Treatment Comprehensive — a two-day hands-on immersive course with Dr. Daniel Camacho, Fort Lauderdale, FL, November 13–14. Click the link in the show notes to register.
14:27 – The 2009 Singapore breakthrough: Dr. Deyun Wang and computational flow dynamics — why no one actually knew how air moved through the nose until then
19:32 – Why previous nasal surgeries failed for OSA, and what "follow the airflow" means for surgical targets between the eyes
20:30 – Why making big holes in sinuses made things worse — and why the sinuses don't actually ventilate during breathing
23:58 – How the superior airway and structures like the uncinate process and concha bullosa became key surgical targets, producing a 15–20% improvement in airflow
26:08 – The insurance dilemma and medical-legal risks that prevent ENTs from performing airway surgery — even when the data is clear
30:03 – The ferret studies and the "never operate under 16" dogma: how flawed 1980s animal models became entrenched standard of care for pediatric ENT surgery
35:48 – Parallels to hormone replacement therapy and the rampant hypocrisy in academic medicine — how good studies get buried and bad ones persist
40:55 – How Dr. Catalano fought back against an insurance company, changed their pediatric sinus surgery policy, and survived multiple attempts to have his medical license revoked
47:12 – The Harvold monkey studies: why the obligate nasal breather argument is wrong, why the studies are foundational, and what it means that no one could repeat them today
58:07 – Children don't just "outgrow" airway obstruction: why the lymphoid involution argument is true but dangerously misleading when 90% of craniofacial growth is complete by age 8
1:13:57 – CBCT in ENT and orthodontic practice: why orthodontists need to learn to read the full image, how Dr. Catalano and Dr. John Walker found hidden tumors, and why rhinology-focused ENTs already use equivalent imaging
1:17:33 – Nocturnal enuresis and airway: the pituitary/ADH connection, why these children ask about bedwetting the moment they wake from surgery, and the anecdotal but compelling clinical evidence
1:27:15 – Swell body reduction: how a novel procedure Dr. Catalano pioneered in 2015 went from being met with rotten tomatoes at conferences to becoming standard of care

Closing

If this conversation resonated with you, I want to encourage you to share it with your colleagues, your dental and medical partners, and anyone who works with young patients who struggle to breathe. This is exactly the kind of interdisciplinary dialogue that can change outcomes for kids who are being told to wait it out.

LINKS

• Dr. Peter Catalano: Email: [email protected]
• AJODO Article on Mouth Breathing: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40057896/
• Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/)
• Register for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive: https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ 
• Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/
• Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/
• Website: theorthocoach.com
• YouTube: @theorthocoach
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @theorthocoach

In this episode, I sit down with a truly inspiring father-daughter team - Dr. Victor Avis, a recently retired general dentist and orthodontist of 38 years, and his daughter Sydney Avis, co-founders of the Airway Revolution Foundation. What begins as a deeply personal story about Sydney's lifelong, undiagnosed struggle with airway and sleep disorders quickly evolves into a powerful conversation about the systemic gaps in how medicine and dentistry recognize and treat airway-related health issues. From Sydney's childhood as a chronic mouth breather to her life-changing double jaw surgery in 2020, and from Dr. Avis' discovery of the Mews and orthotropics to the launch of a nonprofit digital learning platform, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and a whole lot of heart.

Timestamps
0:00 — Introduction & welcome
0:23 — About today's guests: Dr. Victor Avis & Sydney Avis, co-founders of the Airway Revolution Foundation
3:16 — Dr. Avis frames the conversation: what it's like to see patients transform through airway treatment, and why he didn't see it in his own daughter
7:19 — Sydney begins her story: growing up without knowing something was wrong
8:21 — Dr. Avis reflects: he didn't know mouth breathing wasn't normal, even watching home videos; the missed opportunity at age 6
10:43 — School struggles begin: from A student to C student despite extraordinary effort; asthma, inhalers, and cavities nobody connected to airway
15:25 — Sydney's growing anxiety: first panic attack at prom; daily panic attacks escalating through her gap year
15:57 — The breaking point: a 3 AM call from Thailand - Sydney in the hospital getting a brain scan
20:29 — Dr. Avis discovers John Mew on YouTube; two weeks later he's in England studying orthotropics
22:19 — Presenting Sydney's case to Bill Hang's study group: the recommendation for double jaw surgery, and Sydney's immediate answer: "Okay, let's do it"
24:13 — The pre-surgery journey: sleep studies, DICE with Dr. Soroush Zaghi, MADs, CPAP, nothing helps; surgery delayed by COVID
31:11 — Sydney shares life after surgery: REM rebound, finally feeling rested, and the lifting of the "fog"
52:37 — Why they founded the Airway Revolution Foundation and built a free digital learning platform for parents, educators, and adults
1:12:28 — Lessons from trying to change doctoral education and lobbying Capitol Hill and why they ultimately decided to go directly to the public
1:22:51 — The danger of anti-airway commentary; 50–60% of kids on ADHD medications may have an undiagnosed sleep disorder; how to connect with the Foundation

Closing
Dr. Victor and Sydney Avis are doing something rare - turning personal pain into a movement that has the potential to change millions of lives. If their story resonates with you, visit airwayrevolution.org and follow @theairwayrevolution on social media to stay connected as their digital learning platform launches this fall.

LINKS

• Airwayrevolution.org
• Connect w/the Avis' on Social Media: @theairwayrevolution   
• Register for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive: https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ 
• Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/
• Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/
• Website: theorthocoach.com
• YouTube: @theorthocoach
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @theorthocoach

In this episode, I'm joined for the second time by Dr. Shereen Lim, an internationally recognized dentist whose work is reshaping how we think about oral tethered tissues and their role in craniofacial growth, airway health, and orthodontic outcomes. Since her first appearance on the show (Episode 34 - link below), Dr. Lim has pushed even further beyond tongue ties, focusing her clinical lens on lip ties, buccal frenum ties, and their profound influence on facial development, maxillary arch constriction, dental crowding, and orthodontic relapse. 

This conversation is a masterclass in staying intellectually curious, remaining open to what the evidence in your own practice is telling you, and constantly reassessing your diagnosis and treatment approach as new information emerges.

Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction & episode overview
3:12 – Welcome back: Dr. Lim returns to The DOC Podcast
4:43 – Beyond tongue ties: Dr. Lim's evolving focus on lip and cheek (buccal) ties and their impact on latch, facial tension, and development
8:46 – The lower lip tie discovery: how chin strain and mentalis tension led to a clinical breakthrough
9:55 – Buccal ties, orthodontic relapse, and how cheek tension shapes the dental arch
14:45 – Interdisciplinary collaboration: working with osteopaths, chiropractors, and lactation consultants
15:59 – The emotional weight of realizing what we've missed — and why blinders happen
19:01 – Case study: the patient with severe malocclusion and the tightest cheek ties Dr. Lim has ever seen
22:03 – My talk on why orthodontists resist airway-focused care — and granting colleagues grace
25:44 – Tongue ties without transverse deficiency: how cheek ties may explain the variation
27:36 – V-shaped arches, orthodontic relapse, and the role of perioral restrictions
29:39 – Historical perspective: the Frenkel appliance, lip bumpers, and treating the etiology
33:03 – How to assess what's normal vs. abnormal: signs to look for across infancy, childhood, and adulthood
36:41 – The procedure: CO2 laser technique, team-based approach, and what to expect after releases
39:10 – When outcomes fall short — and why proper pre/post care changes everything
41:34 – A remarkable case: releasing ties in an infant with Down syndrome against specialist advice
44:19 – Challenging the 2020 AAO-HNS consensus statement and the misuse of evidence-based medicine
46:53 – The real value of clinical observation and patient-reported outcomes
50:19 – Pushback on social media vs. trust within the clinical community
52:10 – Functional trainer appliances (Myobrace, Vivos, 2Pill): where they help and where they fall short
56:18 – Post-release comfort: why oral releases may make functional appliances easier to tolerate
57:54 – The journey approach: doing one thing at a time and building confidence incrementally
1:00:46 – Vestibuloplasty technique: releasing multiple sites together for better outcomes
1:03:46 – A message to overwhelmed clinicians: you don't have to do it all at once
1:06:32 – Evidence-based practice in action: what Dr. Lim is actually doing in her clinic
1:07:09 – Where to find Dr. Lim & closing thoughts

This conversation reminded me of why I do this work. Dr. Lim's willingness to look critically at her own outcomes, stay open to what her patients are showing her, and continuously evolve her clinical approach is a model for all of us. Whether you're brand new to airway-focused dentistry or have been in this space for years, I hope this episode leaves you a little more curious, a little more humble, and motivated to ask whether there's a better way to serve the children and families we care for.

LINKS

• Episode 34 w/Dr. Lim: LINK
• Dr Lim’s Book: Breathe, Sleep, Thrive
• Dr. Lim’s Website: https://www.drshereenlim.com.au/
• Dr. Lim’s IG: @dr.shereenlim
• Dr. Lim on FB: LINK
• Register for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive: https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ 
• Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/
• Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/
• Website: theorthocoach.com
• YouTube: @theorthocoach
• Instagram: @theorthocoach
• Email: [email protected]

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Dave McCarty - board-certified in internal medicine and sleep medicine, Chief Medical Officer of Rebis, and the visionary behind the Empowered Sleep Apnea Project - for one of the richest conversations I've had on this show.

We go deep on why the AHI is far more limited than most providers and patients realize, trace the history of sleep apnea from Dickens' "Fat Joe" to the invention of CPAP, and unpack a landmark trial now questioning whether high-pressure CPAP may cause harm. Dave draws a compelling parallel between today's resistance to airway-focused thinking in dentistry and the tragic story of Ignaz Semmelweis, the physician who discovered handwashing saves lives and was institutionalized for it.

We also make the case for nasal breathing, tackle the real limits of evidence-based medicine, and Dave shares his vision for Rebis: an integrated sleep medicine ecosystem that puts the patient, not the algorithm, at the center.

Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction & Dr. Dave McCarty bio
2:40 – Dave's origin story: from primary care to sleep medicine ("I'm a recovering primary care doc")
12:32 – Cold-calling Tom Colquitt & the dental-airway connection
15:59 – Enthusiasm as a guiding force: Ralph Waldo Emerson, cold calls, and following fear
18:20 – Why insurance-driven medicine creates silos — and what the dental community can teach physicians about patient-centered care
21:37 – Unpacking the complexity of sleep apnea: obstructive vs. central, the "vanilla chocolate swirl," and why the AHI is a code that needs decoding
26:12 – The history of sleep apnea: from Osler and Dickens' "Fat Joe" to Pickwickian syndrome
29:21 – 1966: Henri Gastaut studies a Pickwickian patient and discovers sleep apnea as we know it
30:38 – Colin Sullivan and the invention of CPAP in 1981
40:40 – The five reasons to treat sleep apnea: risk, snoring, sleep experience, wake experience, and comorbidities
50:00 – Why nasal breathing matters: autonomic nervous system, nitric oxide, craniofacial development, and immune defense
56:07 – The Semmelweis parallel: dangerous truths, resistance to change, and the human cost of orthodontic practices we may need to revisit
1:12:43 – No randomized controlled trial proves CPAP prevents mortality — and new data suggests over-pressurization may cause harm
1:18:22 – Rebis: building an integrated, multidisciplinary sleep medicine ecosystem that democratizes complexity
1:27:40 – Closing thoughts & how to connect with Dr. McCarty

LINKS:

• Rebis: https://www.rebishealth.org/ 
• Contact Dr. McCarty:  https://www.empoweredsleepapnea.com/
• Beyond OSA: https://www.nxtbook.com/farran/orthotown/orthotown-march-2025/index.php?startpage=36#/p/34; 
• Articles Referenced by Dr. McCarty: email Dr. DeLuke ([email protected]) 
• Phase I CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/courses/phase-i-arch-development/?portfolioCats=99
• Register for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive: https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ 
• Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/
• Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/
• Website: theorthocoach.com
• YouTube: @theorthocoach
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @theorthocoach

If this episode opened your eyes to how much more there is to sleep-disordered breathing than a number on a sleep study report, I encourage you to share it with a colleague in medicine, dentistry, or orthodontics who needs to hear this conversation. The siloes between our disciplines are costing patients, and it's going to take all of us working together to tear them down.

Summary:
In this episode, I sat down with one of the most respected voices in dentistry, Dr. Witt Wilkerson - Director of Dental Medicine at the Dawson Academy and a true pioneer in the intersection of occlusion, TMD, airway, and integrative dental medicine. We had an incredibly rich conversation about the paradigm shift that I believe is transforming our profession: moving away from reactive, tooth-focused treatment and toward a whole-health, root-cause approach.

Dr. Wilkerson shares his 44-year journey from treating bruxism purely as a bite problem to recognizing airway and sleep-disordered breathing as primary drivers of dysfunction. We challenged the siloing of dental specialties, made the case for dentistry as oral medicine, and explored the enormous opportunity we all have, dentists and hygienists alike, to screen for and address systemic health issues, including inflammation, blood sugar dysregulation, and sleep disorders. This is a conversation you do not want to miss.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Welcome
0:23 — I introduce Dr. Witt Wilkerson and what we'll cover in today's episode
4:46 — Dr. Wilkerson shares his background: joining Dr. Pete Dawson's practice in 1982 and a career built on the question, "Is there a better way?"
6:07 — We discuss the segmentalized state of dentistry and medicine, and why the younger generation is finally starting to change that
8:33 — The 2009 Baylor article that changed everything for Dr. Wilkerson: the link between sleep apnea, bruxism, and airway
12:51 — I ask Dr. Wilkerson about the courage and humility it takes to admit you were wrong, and to update what you've been teaching for decades
28:23 — Dr. Wilkerson walks us through the three pillars of Integrative Dental Medicine: inflammation/infection, airway/sleep, and TMD/occlusion
29:26 — Why salivary testing should be part of every new patient exam, and what it can tell us about systemic health
30:06 — The diabetes-periodontal link we've known about since dental school, and why almost none of us are acting on it
30:52 — How continuous glucose monitoring is being used as both a periodontal and whole-health tool in Dr. Wilkerson's practice
45:41 — We get into orthodontics and TMD, including the defensive reaction from the ortho community that held the profession back, and what I think the specialty should do instead
50:05 — A critical clinical protocol: why you should always study sleep before placing any occlusal appliance on a bruxer
54:43 — The adult complex restorative patient: how I believe we should be approaching these cases from a truly interdisciplinary standpoint
1:14:16 — The future of treatment sequencing: why airway therapy may need to come first, before any restorative or orthodontic work
1:18:15 — How to connect with Dr. Wilkerson, the IDM Scholar Society, and the S3 Workshops

Call to Action:
If this conversation lit a fire in you the way it did for me, here's what I'd encourage you to do next:

• Connect with Dr. Witt Wilkerson and learn more about the IDM Scholar Society and his S3 (Sleep, Saliva & Sugar) Workshops at IDMScholarSociety.com, or reach out to him directly at [email protected]
• Join me and Dr. Daniel Camacho at the Early Orthodontic Treatment Comprehensive Course - a two-day hands-on event, November 13–14 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. We'll cover early airway-focused interceptive treatment, CBCT reading, live patient observation, and so much more. Includes 41 CE hours. Space is limited, so grab your spot at https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ 
• Share this episode - If this conversation shifted your perspective on dentistry's role in whole-body health, please pass it along to a colleague. The more dental professionals hear this message, the more patients we can help and the stronger our profession becomes.
• Join The DOC Community on Facebook for ongoing discussions, resources, and more content like this.  https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/
• Work with me directly - Head to  theorthocoach.com to access my CE courses or schedule a private one-on-one coaching session.

LINKS

• AAO White Paper Review: https://youtu.be/pKSD_PVO4G0
• YouTube: @theorthocoach
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @theorthocoach

OVERVIEW
Most high-income professionals work incredibly hard, yet wonder why wealth and financial freedom seem just out of reach. The answer, more often than not, isn't about earning more. It's about understanding the fundamentals that turn a good income into lasting wealth.

In this episode, Dr. Mike sits down with John Vento Sr., a CPA, financial advisor, and co-author of The Generational Wealth Code, for a conversation that could genuinely change the financial trajectory of your life. John has spent 40 years helping dentists and other professionals build real, lasting wealth, and in this episode, he lays out the exact framework he uses with every client: start with fiscal discipline and margin, know your numbers cold, minimize your tax burden legally, and then deploy your capital strategically through real estate.

Whether you're just starting out and trying to dig out from under student loan debt, or you're well into your career and ready to accelerate your wealth-building, this episode gives you a practical roadmap — one built not on hype or shortcuts, but on proven principles that compound over a lifetime and beyond.

TIMESTAMPS
3:42 — Episode begins; Introduction to the series and The Generational Wealth Code
4:25 — Why "Living Within Your Means" is the most important chapter in the book
6:45 — Taxes as your #1 lifetime expense; the importance of tax literacy
9:22 — Good debt vs. bad debt; how to approach student loan debt as a young professional
13:44 — The 20 questions in the book's introduction and using it as a lifelong financial guide
15:00 — Knowing your numbers: the statement of net worth and cash flow analysis
18:07 — The cost of waiting; why starting early is critical
22:47 — Balancing competing goals: student loans, retirement, college savings, and investing
25:56 — Retirement planning; the 12-variable financial calculator and setting realistic goals
30:21 — Estate planning: wills, trusts, LLCs, and when to start
39:20 — The "live for today" mindset; balancing enjoyment and financial responsibility
43:22 — Cash flow statements; where your money is really going
47:45 — Transitioning to real estate: creating margin to invest
50:01 — Why dentists should own their office space; the phantom deduction of depreciation
52:47 — LLCs, liability protection, and entity structure for real estate
56:55 — Tax benefits of owning real estate through an LLC; SALT workarounds
1:00:49 — The One Big Beautiful Bill Act and accelerated depreciation for capital improvements
1:03:45 — Cost segregation studies and maximizing depreciation deductions
1:09:46 — The value of a financial coach; the importance of an ongoing, intimate client relationship
1:14:14 — Leverage in real estate: using other people's money to multiply returns
1:17:10 — Equity recycling: pulling out equity to buy more properties and build wealth
1:19:28 — Depreciation, step-up in basis, and passing real estate wealth to the next generation
1:24:47 — Passive vs. active real estate investors; IRS classifications and what they mean for your taxes
1:28:27 — Passive Income Generators (PIGs) and Delaware Statutory Trusts
1:30:25 — Preview of the next episode with Christine Vento: 1031 exchanges, Qualified Opportunity Funds, and advanced real estate strategies
1:31:17 — Types of 1031 exchanges: simultaneous, delayed, reverse, and construction/improvement
1:37:26 — Closing thoughts: tax planning as a year-round chess match against the IRS

If this episode got you thinking differently about your financial future, please don't keep it to yourself.  Share it with a colleague, a friend, or anyone in your life who could benefit from hearing this information. The principles John shares here don't just help people save money; they help people build the kind of financial freedom that lasts for generations.

The information discussed in this podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Please consult your own professional for advice specific to your individual situation.

LINKS:

• Purchase John’s New Book: https://a.co/d/0cye2Lqu
• Vento Tax & Wealth Mgmt. Website: https://www.vtwmg.com/
• Joint Episode w/The Vento Family: https://youtu.be/9sEzEto2mAM
• Register for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive: https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ 
• Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/
• Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/
• Link to Balance Sheet on DOC Website: theorthocoach.com
• YouTube: @theorthocoach
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @theorthocoach

Overview:
In this landmark episode, Dr. Mike sits down with Dr. Duane Grummons - a board-certified orthodontist, educator, and internationally recognized lecturer with over 50 years of clinical experience. Dr. Grummons traces the origins of airway-focused orthodontics from his early training under Ricketts, Bench, and Gugino in the 1970s, through the political and clinical headwinds of the 1990s, to the evidence-based framework he champions today. The conversation covers early facial orthopedics, slow maxillary expansion, mandibular arch development, face mask therapy, cone beam imaging, and the critical importance of treating the whole patient, not just the teeth.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 — Welcome
• 0:23 — Introduction of Dr. Duane Grummons and his 50+ year career in orthodontics
• 3:16 — Dr. Grummons on his clinical history: Ricketts, Bench, Gugino, and learning to think in 3D from day one
• 7:03 — "It's a fad" — addressing the critics of airway orthodontics and why this work is decades old
• 21:03 — The 2026 AAO: only 1 out of 155 lectures addressed early treatment and airway
• 24:44 — Why orthodontists fear lower arch expansion — and why they shouldn't
• 30:57 — Advice for colleagues who want to shift toward earlier, airway-focused care
• 38:26 — Why residency programs are still teaching that mandibular expansion is malpractice
• 47:30 — The science behind slow maxillary expansion and why RPE may be the wrong tool for young kids
• 1:01:22 — "Flying the maxillae": face mask therapy, tip/yaw/roll, and 3D orthopedic planning
• 1:19:32 — CBCT and 3D imaging: why the debate is still happening and why Dr. Grummons can't practice without it
• 1:28:39 — The power of parent testimonials and capturing outcomes on video
• 1:33:59 — Facial descriptors, the hyoid complex, and why diagnosis must go beyond the teeth
• 1:38:36 — Closing thoughts: health span, brain longevity, and rising above the circumstances

Summary:
This episode is an essential listen for any clinician serious about comprehensive, patient-centered orthodontic care. Dr. Grummons reminds us that the science has always been there, and that the most powerful thing we can do is go deep on diagnostics, treat early when the face is developing, and never stop learning.

LINKS:

• Register for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive: https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ 
• Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/
• Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/
• Website: theorthocoach.com
• YouTube: @theorthocoach
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @theorthocoach

Episode Summary

Dr. Trevor Nichols returns to The Doc Podcast for his second appearance, and a lot has changed. Since opening Nichols Orthodontics and Aesthetics in Gilbert, Arizona, in August 2024, Trevor has grown from a two-person operation to a team of 20, with a waitlist. In this rich conversation, Dr. Mike and Dr. Nichols cover the full journey: the leap from corporate/DSO orthodontics to private practice ownership, the vision and systems that fuel their growth, the personal wellness habits that keep them grounded, and, most passionately, the case for early airway-focused, craniofacial orthodontic treatment. This episode is a must-listen for any orthodontist, dentist, or healthcare professional who wants to treat the whole patient, not just the teeth.

Timestamps

3:29 — Welcome back: Dr. Nichols returns to the show after ~2 years
4:33 — "Probably the best two years of my life" — Dr. Nichols reflects on opening his practice
5:27 — Starting with just two people, leasing space from a general dentist
6:29 — "Fight for your dreams" — the case for private practice ownership
6:53 — Why private practice better protects patients and the profession vs. corporate/DSO models
22:03 — Building the vision: how to define what orthodontics truly fulfills you
23:29 — "Do a true audit of what in orthodontics brings you happiness"
29:34 — The three pillars of Nichols Orthodontics: patient experience, culture, and results
40:24 — Why Dr. Nichols hired a CEO (formerly at Crumbl Cookies) to run the business side
50:44 — Balancing plates: weekly date nights, gratitude practices, and intentional reflection
57:32 — Shifting to the clinical: why diagnosis is what separates orthodontists from OTC aligners
1:00:57 — "We're not just orthodontists — we're craniofacial orthopedists"
1:02:58 — "I don't really care about the teeth right now" — diagnosing profile, growth, and airway first
1:11:06 — Treating 3- and 4-year-olds: when early intervention is warranted and how to screen for it
1:17:44 — 45% of Nichols Orthodontics' practice is now airway-focused treatment
1:27:43 — The key to phase one braces success: bond ALL the primary teeth + disarticulate
1:29:00 — The tongue as nature's expander: ~400g of force at swallow — why we don't need more
1:37:18 — "Early adopters take the most scrutiny — and then we find out they were right all along"

LINKS

• Register for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive ($1000 off if register by June 30): https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ 
• Episode 50 w/Dr. Nichols: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-living-your-purpose-w-dr-trevor-nichols-ep-50/id1689703392?i=1000655038062
• Connect w/Dr. Nichols: https://www.nicholsortho.com/?utm_source=GBP
• Instagram: @dr.trevornichols
• Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/
• Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/
• Enroll in one-on-one coaching w/Dr. Mike: https://theorthocoach.com/doc-coaching/ 

If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to share it with a colleague, friend, or fellow healthcare professional who would benefit from hearing it. Word of mouth is the single most powerful way to grow this community and spread this message. Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify; it makes a huge difference! And if you haven't already, subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Doc Podcast. Thank you for your support!  Together, we're changing lives, one conversation at a time.  

Episode Summary

In this powerful episode, Dr. Mike sits down with Dr. Staci Whitman, a board-certified pediatric dentist, functional and naturopathic dentistry expert, and one of the only dentists in the world certified by the Institute of Functional Medicine. Dr. Staci shares her remarkable journey from nearly leaving the profession entirely to becoming a trailblazer in functional pediatric dentistry. Together, they dive deep into the critical connections between oral health and whole-body health, exposing the gaps in traditional dental education and offering a roadmap for how dentists and patients can do better.

Show Notes

0:00 — Introduction & welcome
1:49 — Topics covered today: fluoride, oral-gut microbiome, airway health, burnout, and more
3:33 — Dr. Staci's journey: from a childhood dental trauma to nearly quitting the profession
5:47 — "I almost left dentistry" — how debt kept her in and what ultimately changed
6:57 — The pivot to pediatrics and a root-cause, upstream approach
15:36 — Her three diagnostic priorities: nutrition, gut health, and airway (not the teeth)
16:11 — "We don't have dental physicians" — connecting the mouth to the whole body
33:12 — The fluoride debate: how Dr. Staci went from advocate to skeptic
37:06 — Fluoride works topically, not systemically — what the science actually says
56:06 — The oral microbiome: nitric oxide, the oral-gut axis, and why it matters
57:02 — "You cannot have a healthy patient without a healthy gut"
58:00 — Oral microbiome testing: options, tools, and why it should be standard of care
1:05:46 — Top action step #1: nutrition and reducing snacking frequency
1:07:40 — Top action step #2: hydration, saliva, and minerals
1:08:02 — Top action step #3: airway and the dangers of mouth breathing

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Register for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive ($1000 off if register by June 30): https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ 
• Oral microbiome testing resources: https://www.viome.com/products/oral-health-intelligence; https://www.bristlehealth.com/
• Cochrane Review on Fluoride (2024): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39362658/
• The Institute for Functional Dentistry: https://functionaldentistry.com/
• Episode with Beth Lambert: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-causing-the-chronic-disease-epidemic-in-our/id1689703392?i=1000716655495

Connect with Dr. Staci:

• https://doctorstaci.com/
• Dr. Staci on Instagram: @doctor_staci

Connect with Dr. Mike:

• theorthocoach.com
• Dr. Mike on Instagram: @theorthocoach
• Email: [email protected]
• Join the DOC Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/

The health of our patients and our profession depends on dentists willing to think differently. Please share this episode with a colleague or fellow parent who needs to hear it!

Episode Summary

Dr. Mike welcomes a powerhouse family of financial professionals to The DOC Podcast: John Vento Sr., his daughters Christine Vento and Nicole Vento, and his son John Vento Jr. Together, they discuss their brand-new book, The Generational Wealth Code, and share decades of expertise in tax planning, real estate investing, and wealth management.

John Sr. traces his journey from doing his first tax return in his parents' Brooklyn basement in 1985 to building a comprehensive wealth management firm. Each of his three children - all CPAs and securities-licensed - shares how they found their own specialties: Christine in 1031 exchange real estate solutions and Delaware Statutory Trusts, Nicole in tax-smart investment management and financial planning, and John Jr. in dental CPA and proactive tax strategy. 

The conversation spans the importance of year-end tax planning (not April 15th), the power of passive real estate income, how to raise financially literate children, and why paying for expert financial advice is an investment, not a cost. This is the first of a five-part series with the Vento family, with each member returning for a dedicated solo episode.

Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction & welcome to the Vento family
2:01 – Overview of *The Generational Wealth Code* and the five-part series
3:09 – Guests introduce themselves
5:04 – John Sr.'s background: From Brooklyn basement to building his own firm (1985)
6:03 – John Sr. on leaving KPMG and why he added a securities license to his CPA practice
9:20 – Christine's background: From KPMG deal advisory to real estate and 1031 exchanges
10:48 – Christine explains 1031 exchanges and Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs)
14:47 – Nicole's background: Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and returning to the family practice
20:53 – John Jr.'s background: Working in the firm as a teenager, Pricewaterhouse, and becoming managing partner
27:09 – Why year-end tax planning matters: "Once December 31st passes, there's nothing you can do"
30:02 – The origin story of John Sr.'s first book, *Financial Independence: Getting to Point X*
32:04 – What's new in *The Generational Wealth Code* and the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
38:37 – John Sr.: "Financial literacy should be required in every high school"
1:07:32 – John Jr.: "Almost every decision in life has a tax consequence" — preview of his solo episode
1:12:39 – Book release date, where to buy, and how to contact the Vento family firm

Resources & Links

• The Generational Wealth Code – Available June 9th on Amazon and Barnes & Noble (pre-order now): https://a.co/d/0iHwEITG
• https://www.ventotaxandwealth.com/ 
• Register for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive: https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ 
• Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/
• Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/
• Website: theorthocoach.com
• YouTube: @theorthocoach
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @theorthocoach