Top Topics:

- From Childhood Dental Fear to Pediatric Dentist: How Trauma Became Purpose

- Nitrous Oxide, Crying Kids & Calm Parents: Inside the Real World of Pediatric Dentistry

- Mastering the Parent–Child Dynamic in the Dental Chair

- Mindset Over Miles: Turning a Long Commute into a Growth Opportunity

Quotes & Wisdom:

14:36 — Kimia: “Sometimes parents need more attention than the patient—and that’s okay.”

15:08 — Kimia: “These kids are hilarious; working with them is the highlight of my day.”

16:03 — Kimia: “The goal is that they have a blast at the dentist.”

23:12 — Kimia: “Mindset is the biggest one. If I treat the drive as productive time, it actually helps.”

23:24 — Kimia: “I changed small things—more sleep, breakfast, intentional listening—and the days feel better.”

28:23 — Kimia: “Behavior management is key. You have to love kids first—dentistry flows from that.”

29:33 — Kimia: “I’m entertaining the child and educating the parent at the same time—it has to stay light and fun.”

Questions:

03:49 — “Did you always know you wanted to go into pediatrics?”

06:42 — “What’s your algorithm for choosing nitrous vs local only vs deeper sedation for kids?”

12:46 — “Do you usually keep parents in the room during procedures?”

13:15 — “Teach me: what situations are better when the parent steps out, and how do you decide?” 20:38 — “What happens when an ortho wire/bracket loosens after an extraction and you get blamed—how do you handle it?”

22:24 — “Could a commute like yours lead to burnout, and how do you guard against it?”

28:15 — “How can a student recognize early that pediatric dentistry (or any specialty) is truly for them?”

Now available on:

- Dr. Gallagher’s Podcast & YouTube Channel

- Long Island Dentists Podcast #4

- Dose of Dental Podcast #191

- 10.2025

Top 5 Topics:

- Dentistry From California to Tennessee

- The Truth About Dental Insurance and Patient Confusion

- Root Canals, TikTok Myths & Biologic Dentistry — Fact vs Fiction

- Life After Dental School — GPR Residency, DSOs & Choosing Your Path

- Dentists on Social Media — Marketing, Cancel Culture & The New Frontier

Quotes & Wisdom:

10:38 — “When an insurance company says ‘100% covered,’ that ‘100%’ is often only 10–20% of what it actually costs to deliver care.”

12:32 — “Dentistry feels optional—until it isn’t. I’ve seen people land in the hospital with neck and face infections because an infection was ignored.”

13:30 — “Letting a chronic infection linger can cost you bone that you need for that future implant—and other options. Prevention preserves choices.”

14:58 — “Not every wisdom tooth needs to come out. If it’s clean, functional, and symptom-less, we leave it.”

19:31 — “I make content about what I’m actually thinking—humor when it fits, serious when it matters—so it teaches and connects.”

22:33 — “At the VA the sky’s the limit clinically—options aren’t shut down by finances, in certain situations, so care can be truly patient-centered.”

27:08 — “Specializing should be about fit, not momentum. If you’re already getting cold feet before Match, listen to that.”

33:07 — “If you want us to market, network, and grow the practice, give us skin in the game—an ownership track.”

48:44 — “Social media isn’t just ‘posting’; it’s a pre-consult. Patients meet your vibe before they ever sit in the chair.”

41:59 — “Different platforms, different cultures—Instagram is refined; TikTok can be a brawl. Post with clarity and expect misreads.”

Questions:

01:29 — “Why Tennessee—why’d you switch over there?”

03:40 — “Give me one ‘good’ and one ‘bad’ way the move has felt so far?”

07:07 — “What procedures are you doing that others in your office haven’t really done yet?”

09:11 — “How is it practicing dentistry in Tennessee—fee-for-service or heavy insurance?”

10:38 — “Patients hear ‘100% covered’ from insurance—what are your thoughts on that mismatch and the blame dentists get?”

17:37 — “When a patient says ‘no root canal’ because of what they saw online, how do you respond?”

19:25 — “What’s your favorite part of creating content—what are you on lately and how do you approach it?”

21:09 — “Is GPR vs jumping straight to practice the #1 thing students ask you about?”

23:33 — “When did you realize (or not) that a specialty was for you?”

34:05 — “In California, do you need a GPR to work—or can you go straight in?”

31:10 — “DSO or private practice—where do you land and why?”

Now available on:

- Dr. Gallagher’s Podcast & YouTube Channel

- Dose of Dental Podcast #194

My watch in this episode = Tag Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 16 Chrono

- 11.2025

Top 5 Topics:

- From Residency to Real-World: The Private Practice Reality Check

- Building a Million-Dollar Oral Surgery Practice from Scratch

- Untold Truth About Dental Insurance and Why Dentists Drop It

- Leadership, Mentorship, and the “White Belt” Mentality

Quotes & Wisdom:

09:21 — “Treat your first year like you’re an intern again—new setting, new relationships. It takes reps.”

22:42 — “Always a white belt. Even when you teach, you’re still learning.”

24:24 — “Learn from other people’s mistakes—and your own. Log them. Don’t repeat them.”

27:25 — “Use real patients as board prep—pimp yourself in your head on every case.”

36:04 — “Leadership is growing everyone around you—not just yourself.”

42:11 — “How you bounce back from the bad days matters more than how you ride the good ones.”

43:39 — “Smooth seas never made a great sailor—downturns are where you develop.”

50:07 — “Culture beats talent. Skills are teachable; values and teamwork aren’t.”

56:58 — “You have to earn balance. Grind now so your future self can breathe.”

58:33 — “Be the captain of your own ship. Ownership lets you steer—teaching and family included.”

1:06:44 — “Don’t skip steps. Principles prevent complications—surgery and business alike.”

1:09:47 — “Pick the right partner. The person beside you can save you from yourself.”

Questions:

04:42 — “Are you mostly in Arizona or Austin these days?”

05:52 — “Did you work with Dr. Sammy over there?”

07:46 — “How do you think about insurance—staying in-network vs moving fee-for-service?” 16:11 — “What days in the week do you work in your practice since you’re traveling on weekends?”

18:07 — “How often each month are you back in Austin for that Friday/Saturday duo?”

19:35 — “When hiring, do you rank ‘good surgeon’ by skill alone—or is culture just as important?” 27:43 — “What are your favorite cases and typical mix?”

41:46 — “Who helped you build this well-oiled machine—where did you learn the practice systems?”

Now available on:

- Dr. Gallagher’s Podcast & YouTube Channel

- Dose of Dental Podcast #192

My watch in this episode = Tag Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 16 Chrono

- 10.2025

Top 5 Topics:

- From Stained Glass to Smiles: The Unexpected Journey of a Dentist

- The Crazy Commute: Surviving the Dentist Grind, from Boston to Long Island

- Massachusetts vs. Long Island Teeth: Why Dental Health Is So Different Across America

- Freedom in Dentistry: Escaping the Multi-Office Ping-Pong Commuting and Finding The Perfect Autonomy

- Vitamin D, Sunlight & Smiles: Can Weather Change Your Dental Health?

Quotes & Wisdom:

(05:30) – “When I would go to class, all I had to worry about was just focusing on class. It made me realize later in life how valuable focus really is.”

(07:45) – “It’s fascinating how small differences — like water fluoridation or smoking habits — can completely change a community’s dental health.”

(11:12) – “You see some strange stuff on 495… semis flipped, pile-ups… crazy Long Island traffic!”

(15:39) – “I wanted a place where I could control my own cases — no one calling to question every crown or treatment plan.”

(16:15) – “You get fair compensation, health insurance, and the autonomy to treat patients the right way — that’s worth more than anything.”

(18:41) – “I’ve been testing vitamin D supplementation with implants, just to see if there’s a measurable difference in osseointegration.”

(19:13) – “The angle of the sunlight changes vitamin D production — maybe that’s why health outcomes differ between places.”

(20:14) – “We should all get to know each other — it’s amazing what opportunities come when dentists connect.”

Questions:

(01:11) – “Did you ever bring up your background in stained glass windows or your dad’s CNC work during dental school interviews?”

• “How did you like being a part of the Catholic High School System, at Chaminade? I went to St. Anthony’s!”

(02:25) – “How did you end up using that CNC machine for your master’s research at Tufts?” (04:30) – “How do you feel when a local school like Our Lady of Mercy closes? Do you think that affects the community?”

(06:53) – “How does practicing dentistry in New York compare to Massachusetts?”

(10:28) – “What was your commute like working for Aspen Dental in Massachusetts?”

(11:53) – “Do you think the ‘ping-pong’ schedule between offices is common for DSOs?”

(15:11) – “Why did you decide to move from Sachem Dental to Great Expressions?”

(17:10) – “You mentioned a pharmacology CE course — any new trends or prescriptions you’re interested in lately?”

Now available on:

- Dr. Gallagher’s Podcast & YouTube Channel

- Long Island Dentists Podcast #3

- Dose of Dental Podcast #188

- 10.2025

Top 5 Topics:

- Sedation Keys for Pediatric Patients & Parents: Nitrous, IV, and GA Explained

- The Hidden Language of Pediatric Dentistry

- The Trust Factor: Winning Parents Trust Of Their Kids

- Lessons from Bad Online Reviews & Threats in the Operatory

Quotes & Wisdom:

“The biggest strength of any human being is emotional regulation.”

“Make it about the child.”

“If I try the procedure today any further, I may traumatize your child. I might injure your child, and I might do inadequate work, and we don’t want that.”

“Lay out the roadmap at the consult so nothing is a surprise.”

“Words like ‘needle’ or ‘hurt’ don’t belong in a pediatric operatory.”

“Invite a second opinion when there’s disagreement.”

“A moving, uncooperative child with sharp instruments is also unsafe.”

Questions:

05:32 — What are the biggest differences between U.S. and Canadian dentistry (training, terminology, numbering systems)?

05:32 — How are pediatric teeth numbered in your system—letters vs. quadrants—and how does that map to adult numbering?

08:20 — For GPs, what are the first pediatric skills to master (SSCs, pulpotomies, behavior management, minimally invasive care)?

11:09 — Should parents stay in the room during treatment, and how do you set expectations around that?

17:18 — What exact boundaries/scripts do you give parents (language to avoid like “needle”/“hurt,” where to stand, when to help)?

18:30 — When a child is unsafe/uncooperative but a parent pushes to continue, what do you say and do in the moment?

20:46 — How do you handle pushback and nasty online reviews while keeping trust and professionalism?

23:02 — When office sedation won’t work, when/how do you refer to the hospital—and how do you explain the wait and risks?

24:05 — What “roadmap” do you present at consult (LA → nitrous → oral/IV → GA) so parents aren’t surprised later?

Now available on:

- Dr. Gallagher’s Podcast & YouTube Channel

- Dose of Dental Podcast #180

- 9.2025

Top 5 Topics:

- From New York to Nowhere: Life in Rural America, Soon To Be Back In Westchester!

- The Hidden Crisis in Dentistry: Insurance, Fees & Patient Deception

- Comparison is the Thief of Joy: Mental Health in Dentistry

- DSOs, Dental Schools & Debt: The Future of Dentistry at Risk

- Empowering the Next Generation: Why Mentorship Matters MOST

Quotes & Wisdom:

• 15:59 — Dr. Patel: “I was looking for validation and love externally—when really it all comes from within.”

• 16:55 — Dr. Patel: “Sit with your thoughts, figure out your goals, and reverse-engineer your path.”

• 18:27 — Dr. Patel: “Change is hard. Change is scary. But it’s necessary.”

• 20:11 — Dr. Patel: “Think for yourself. Don’t get carried away by ‘everyone is doing it, so I must.’”

• 20:42 — Dr. Patel: “Dentistry still manages to be the best small business in healthcare.”

• 26:05 — Dr. Patel: “I tell patients their dental insurance is a coupon from the 1970s.”

• 48:15 — Dr. Patel: “Being busy and being productive are two different things.”

• 50:22 — Dr. Patel: “Be teachable—constantly. There’s so much out there to learn.”

• 51:46 — Dr. Patel: “Sharing information and data is empowering—and never a bad thing.”

• 52:14 — Dr. Patel: “There is still so much good in this profession.”

• 12:45 — Brendan: “Comparison is the thief of joy… comparing yourself to another has nothing to do with your day-to-day.”

• 46:52 — Brendan: “The American dream is opportunity—hang a shingle, build a practice. We need to protect that.”

Questions: 14:05 — “Residents feel isolated and overwhelmed—what do you think about all that?”

19:52 — “Post-COVID, what focused changes or trends matter most to you—and why?”

21:57 — “What’s a DPO, and how is it different from a DSO?”

37:59 — “With consolidation and more dental schools opening, what have you seen, where is it going, and how does it fizzle out?”

41:18 — “Who actually enforces the ‘dentist-owned practice’ rule—who carries it?”

48:37 — “Where can people follow you, learn from you, and catch your lectures, writing, and soon-to-launch podcast?”

55:50 — “Pregnant patient needs pain control—if ibuprofen is out and Tylenol is in question, what do we give?”

Now available on:

- Dr. Gallagher’s Podcast & YouTube Channel

- Dose of Dental Podcast #179

My watch in this episode = Citizen Promaster Diver Day Date

- 9.2025

Top 5 Topics:

- 72 Hours in the OR: The Reality of Flap Surgery

- The Truth About Surgeons and Lawsuits

- From Residency Struggles to Surgeon Success

- Living Like a Resident After Graduation

- Imposter Syndrome on Day One

Quotes & Wisdom:

(a) Teamwork keeps the ‘machine’ running. — 08:27–08:58

(b) Patient-first means every small task matters. — 10:01–11:16

(c) The emotional cost of flap failure. — 12:33–13:10

(d) Learn wherever you land. — 15:29–16:38

(e) Surgeons aren’t villains—we took an oath. — 20:20–21:07

(f) No surgery is 100%—own complications, manage them. — 21:43–22:14

(g) Make the call schedule as a team. — 09:31–10:01

(h) Live like a resident (a little longer). — 39:57–44:50

(i) Track cash flow; delay gratification. — 44:50–45:26

(j) First-day jitters are normal—you belong. — 54:11–54:39

Questions:

“Tell me about your experience in residency more—your program did a lot of flaps… tell me more about that.” — 11:28

“Did you ever consider going into head & neck surgery?” — 16:41

“What day works best for a weekly oral boards prep for all of us?” — 32:02

“Hospital privileges—did you look into that?” — 34:16

“Which city did you like better—Boston or Philly?” — 03:26

“What did you look at buying right after graduating?” — 39:31

“What’s your evening wind-down before Day 1?” — 52:20

Now available on:

- Dr. Gallagher’s Podcast & YouTube Channel

- Long Island Dentists Podcast #2

- Dose of Dental Podcast #177

- 9.2025

Top 5 Topics:

- OMFS Sedation Complications – Deep sedation gone wrong, patient safety risks, and what every patient & provider should know before anesthesia

- Receptionist Gave Medical Advice – Role limitations of non-clinical staff in medical decisions

- Consent-to-Settle Process – The insurance clause that can decide legal process

- Surgeon vs. Anesthesiologist – Inside the legal battle when both providers are sued after a patient’s death

(Dental Cases = Even # Episodes; OMFS Cases = Odd # Episodes)

Quotes & Wisdom:

"Only the doctor should be giving advice about medical conditions, medications, and complications — never non-clinical staff."

"In court, authenticity wins over arrogance — jurors can sense the difference instantly."

"Every clinical decision should be made as if it might one day be explained to a jury."

"A consent-to-settle policy lets you control your destiny — you can choose to fight when you believe you did nothing wrong."

"The same drug dose can put one patient into light sedation and another into deep sleep — the body doesn’t always read the book."

"Litigation often starts by throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks — and that can mean targeting multiple providers."

"Managing both surgery and anesthesia is not just technically challenging — it’s physiologically more stressful for the surgeon."

"Your demeanor on the stand can make or break your defense — preparation with your lawyer is essential."

"Being prepared for the unexpected in anesthesia is as important as preventing it."

Questions:

(10:38) How often do cases arise where non-professional staff give medical advice, and how does that impact legal responsibility?

(27:49) Why would a plaintiff still pursue a surgeon who wasn’t performing anesthesia under the “captain of the ship” theory?

(29:57) Does separating anesthesia and surgery reduce litigation risk, or will lawsuits target both parties regardless?

(33:35) How should ASA classification subjectivity influence sedation depth and case planning?

(35:55) Does the specific dosage of propofol and Versed change the medico-legal evaluation of an adverse event?

(39:19) Is having a “consent to settle” provision in malpractice insurance better than leaving the decision to the carrier?

(43:45) How should a surgeon’s demeanor, humility, and confidence be balanced when testifying in court?

(47:53) What are the challenges and physiological impacts of performing both anesthesia and surgery as an oral surgeon?

Now available on:

- Dr. Gallagher’s Podcast & YouTube Channel

- Dose of Dental Podcast #166

My watch in this episode = Tag Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 16 Chrono

- 8.2025

This episode is a partnership with MedPro Group.

#podcast #dentalpodcast #doctorgallagherpodcast #doctorgallagherspodcast #doctor #dentist #dentistry #oralsurgery #dental #dentalschool #dentalstudent #doctorlife #dentistlife #oralsurgeon #doctorgallagher

Top 5 Topics:

- CareNotes AI App: Leading the AI Revolution in Dentistry – How artificial intelligence is transforming clinical notes, efficiency, and patient care.

- Burnout & Passion – Why dentists and doctors burn out, and how obsession with innovation reignites purpose.

- The Future of Healthcare – Building doctor-led networks, community buying power, and the dream of a fair insurance model.

- Insurance Secrets Exposed – How dental insurance hasn’t changed since the 1970s and why patients are losing out.

Quotes & Wisdom:

“I get energy from winning over phobic patients—appointment by appointment.” — Billy — 31:19

“Our mission with CareNotes AI App: give time and energy back to providers so patients get better care.” — Billy — 50:34

“We built CareNotes to run locally for privacy and to keep it free—no data bouncing to the cloud.” — Billy — 08:24

“Leadership in a practice is a skill—you’re the leader the moment you enter the room.” — Billy — 1:11:07

“Wake up before the world. Two quiet hours changed my career.” — Billy — 38:23

“AI should solve the boring, repetitive stuff so we can focus on the people.” — Billy — 1:06:02

“Great care is a team sport—culture beats everything.” — Billy — 24:17

“It’s not about charging more tools—it’s about giving dentists tools that actually give back time.” — Billy — 1:20:00

“Big vision: a dentist-led network that lowers costs and raises care.” — Billy — 1:25:11

Questions:

“Are you putting the phone in your breast pocket so the mic picks everything up?” — 01:00

“How did you handle notes back at Bellevue/NYU—between patients or at the end of the day?” — 04:18

“Quick intro: where did we first meet, and what’s your journey in dentistry?” — 10:49

“Which practice are you in day-to-day, and what are your working days?” — 31:03

“How did you juggle commuting across Manhattan from Brooklyn when you worked multiple offices?” — 38:23

Now available on:

- Dr. Gallagher’s Podcast & YouTube Channel

- Dose of Dental Podcast #174

My watch in this episode = Citizen Promaster Diver Day Date

- 9.2025

Top 5 Topics:

- Doctors vs. Dentists: The Surprising Lifestyle Trade-Offs

- Oral Surgeons vs. Periodontists: Inside the Hidden Rivalry

- The Insurance Scam: Why Your Dentist Isn’t Paid Fairly

- Who Really Runs Dentistry? Private Equity, DSOs, and the Decline of Autonomy

- From Wine Tasting to Surgery: How Passions Outside Medicine Make Better Doctors

Quotes & Wisdom:

“You know you’re doing well when the nurses trust you with their care. That’s the ultimate compliment.” (00:00)

“Dental school does a terrible job of exposing students to what perio really is—we’re not just doing cleanings, we’re doing real surgery.” (02:33)

“Having a strong relationship between oral surgeons and periodontists is so crucial. That’s how you best serve patients.” (03:53)

“Hospitals don’t pay surgeons to take call anymore. Why should young doctors work for free? This is where the system is failing.” (05:25)

“Insurance companies are still paying based on 1970s rates. Everything else has inflated, but our work is being devalued.” (12:54)

“Most DSOs are owned by investors, not dentists. They know money—but they never took an oath for patient ethics.” (14:42)

“Interviews aren’t multiple-choice exams, they’re conversations. Find common ground and show who you really are.” (33:37)

“Anything you can do with your hands—fashion, textiles, sewing—will make you a better surgeon.” (32:07)

“Just because a wine is expensive doesn’t mean it tastes good. Everyone has a different palette.” (34:59)

“Four years in, life looks so different—you finally feel more stable, and that’s when the real world begins.” (41:37)

Questions:

00:05 – Did you notice doctors steering their kids from medicine toward dentistry?

01:11 – What did you mean when you mentioned “beef” between oral surgery and perio? 02:10 – Do you feel dental schools do a poor job of showing what periodontics really is?

04:39 – Why don’t more oral surgeons want to take trauma call in hospitals?

08:32 – What are your thoughts on dental schools “boxing” specialties into insurance-driven niches?

27:32 – How did you first get into running your wine Instagram pages?

Now available on:

- Dr. Gallagher’s Podcast & YouTube Channel

- Dose of Dental Podcast #169

- 8.2025

#podcast #dentalpodcast #doctorgallagherpodcast #doctorgallagherspodcast #doctor #dentist #dentistry #oralsurgery #dental #dentalschool #dentalstudent #doctorlife #dentistlife #oralsurgeon #doctorgallagher