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EPISODE LENGTH: 43:45

SUMMARY: In this episode of The Fulcrum, the focus is on the recent ADA House of Delegates meeting, featuring updates from Virginia's ADA delegates, Drs. Ralph Howell, Frank Iuorno, Justin Norbo, Elizabeth Reynolds, Jonathan Wong, and Brenda Young. Discussion topics include the unprecedented election of a president-elect from the floor, strategic concerns such as the dissolution of the Strategic Forecasting Committee, the impact and future direction of sedation guidelines, and the ADA's financial challenges, particularly the implications of the Salesforce AMS. The episode explores the importance of member involvement and advocacy and contemplates potential changes in governance and membership dynamics to drive the ADA forward.

HOST: Ryan Dunn is the CEO of the Virginia Dental Association. Ryan has played major roles with four national and statewide Associations while also spending time working on Capitol Hill. When he’s not talking all things dental, he’s talking about his family and baseball–and sometimes both at the same time.

EPISODE CREDITS

Host: Ryan Dunn

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

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The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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SUMMARY: In this episode, host Karen Wood interviews Dr. Austin Westover, a VDA member, multi-location practice owner, and President-elect of the Shenandoah Valley Dental Association. Dr. Westover shares his inspiring journey from being intrigued by dentistry through his father’s early exposure to becoming a multi-location practice owner. He details his experiences with digital dentistry, AI in practice, and the challenges and rewards of managing multiple roles as a clinician and business owner. The episode provides practical insights for young dentists and dental students, covering topics such as acquiring loans, mentorship, and implementing technology.

HOST: Karen Wood manages the VDA Member Perks program. She has been in the dental field for over 20 years, having experience as a dental assistant, managing a periodontal practice, and working with dental teams as a sales consultant and trainer.  

GUEST(S): Dr. Austin Westover graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2011. He has dedicated his career to pushing the limits of dentistry and enjoys living on the cutting edge. He has extensive knowledge in digital dentistry, 3D printing, in-office milling, and digital dental designs.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

https://westoverfamilydentistry.com/

American Dental Association Design Innovation Awards

VDA Member Perks: https://www.vdamemberperks.com/ The Virginia Dental Services Corporation (VDSC) was created as a subsidiary of the VDA to recommend products and services to the members of the VDA. By utilizing the VDA Member Perks-endorsed vendors, VDA members can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with using recommended companies, take advantage of special benefits, and receive discounted pricing, all while supporting the VDA. Since 1997, the VDSC has been pleased to provide over $3.7 million in funding to the VDA, VDA Foundation, VCU School of Dentistry, and others.

EPISODE CREDITS:

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Karen Wood

Guest(s): Dr. Austin Westover

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

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The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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SUMMARY: This episode discusses key topics, including legislative efforts to address workforce shortages in the Commonwealth, initiatives to enhance practice success through VDA Member Perks, and professional development opportunities such as the rollout of Affiliate Memberships. Additionally, upcoming events, such as Dental Days at the Capitol and Town Hall meetings, are highlighted, emphasizing the importance of member participation.

HOST: Ryan Dunn is the CEO of the Virginia Dental Association. Ryan has played major roles with four national and statewide Associations while also spending time working on Capitol Hill. When he’s not talking all things dental, he’s talking about his family and baseball–and sometimes both at the same time.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Dental Days at the Capitol 

VDA Text Alerts

VDA Town Hall Meetings

VDA Member Perks

The Fulcrum Podcast:

• Episode 14 – 20 YEARS OF GROWTH AND INNOVATION: THE EVOLUTION OF VIRGINIA’S MEDICAID DENTAL PROGRAM
• Episode 15 – SMART SUPPLY MANAGEMENT: UNLEASH THE POWER OF METHOD

Virginia Dental Showcase – September 18-19, 2026

Affiliate Membership

EPISODE CREDITS 

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Ryan Dunn

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

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The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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Karen Wood welcomes Alison Farber, Vice President of Sales and Partnerships at Method Procurement. They discuss the evolution of dental supply ordering from clipboards to sophisticated software platforms. Alison explains the concept of procurement and its importance in managing costs and efficiency in dental practices. The conversation covers how Method's software simplifies the procurement process by automating price checks, tracking orders, and managing budgets, significantly reducing overhead costs. Alison also describes the flexible implementation of Method's solutions, including inventory scanning, budget tracking, and comprehensive reporting features. The episode emphasizes the immediate and long-term financial benefits of adopting modern procurement practices for dental offices.

HOST: Karen Wood manages the VDA Member Perks program. She has been in the dental field for over 20 years, having experience as a dental assistant, managing a periodontal practice, and working with dental teams as a sales consultant and trainer.  

GUEST(S): Alison Farber is the Vice President of Sales and Partnerships at Method Procurement Technologies, where she leads sales and partnerships to help dental practices modernize procurement and accelerate growth. Beyond the dental space, she’s actively involved in supporting local start-ups. She serves as a mentor to emerging leaders, sharing her experience to help the next generation of entrepreneurs thrive. Outside of work, Alison is a busy mom of two, an avid paddle sports enthusiast, and a terrible gardener.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

VDA members use promo code “VDAMEMBER25” to receive a free scanner and 50 tags valued at $200.

Method – methodusa.com

VDA Member Perks: https://www.vdamemberperks.com/ The Virginia Dental Services Corporation (VDSC) was created as a subsidiary of the VDA to recommend products and services to the members of the VDA. By utilizing the VDA Member Perks-endorsed vendors, VDA members can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with using recommended companies, take advantage of special benefits, and receive discounted pricing, all while supporting the VDA. Since 1997, the VDSC has been pleased to provide over $3.7 million in funding to the VDA, VDA Foundation, VCU School of Dentistry, and others. 

EPISODE CREDITS:

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Karen Wood

Guest(s): Alison Farber

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to [email protected].

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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In this episode, we are joined by VDA Member, Dr. Zachary Hairston, who serves as the Dental Consultant for Virginia's Cardinal Care Smiles Dental Program, and Justin Gist, Dental Program Manager at the Virginia Department of Medicaid Assistance Services. They discuss the 20-year evolution of Virginia's Medicaid dental services, from its initial focus on pediatric care to the recent inclusion of pregnant members and adult comprehensive dental benefits. The conversation covers the impact of these changes, the challenges faced by providers, and the initiatives undertaken to ease those challenges, including fee adjustments, administrative streamlining, and the importance of patient education. They also emphasize the vital role of the Dental Advisory Committee in shaping the program and the need for ongoing advocacy and participation from dental professionals to ensure the program's continued success.

HOST: Paul Logan: Paul is the Director of Strategic Initiatives/Innovations at the Virginia Dental Association. He focuses on member advocacy, developing resources for dental students and early-career dentists, and working with a broad array of stakeholders to address and elevate Virginia’s dental workforce needs. 

GUEST(S): Dr. Zachary Hairston: Dr. Zachary Hairston has over 40 years of experience as a dentist, beginning his clinical practice in Danville, Virginia. He graduated from the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Dentistry in 1983 and received further study from the United States Dental Institute and Gerety Orthodontics. Since 2015, Dr. Hairston has served as the Dental Consultant with the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) Medicaid Smiles for Children (SFC) program. In this capacity, Dr. Hairston oversees all clinical aspects of the SFC program, which now includes comprehensive dental care for adults. Dr. Hairston also serves as the VDA Dental Medicaid Benefits Liaison. 

Justin Gist: Justin serves as the Dental Program Manager for Virginia’s Medicaid dental program, Cardinal Care Smiles, where he leads contract management, policy development, and oversight of the state’s dental benefits administrator. In this role, he works closely with providers, community partners, and state leaders to strengthen network adequacy, expand access to care, and ensure compliance with federal and state standards. Justin is deeply committed to workforce development, innovative strategies to reach underserved populations, and building sustainable provider participation across Virginia. He played a central role in advancing comprehensive Medicaid dental benefits, extending coverage from children to pregnant individuals and adults. Justin holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master’s degree from Barry University, bringing a strong foundation in leadership and health program administration to his work.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: VDA Dental Medicaid Benefits Liaison: https://www.vadental.org/vda-dental-medicaid-benefits-liaison

EPISODE CREDITS:

Producer/Host: Paul Logan

Guest(s): Dr. Zachary Hairston and Justin Gist

Post-Prod

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The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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SUMMARY: In this episode, host Ryan Dunn provides updates on workgroup discussions regarding licensure by endorsement and the activities of foreign-trained dentists. He also highlights upcoming events like the VDA/VCU Career Fair and the Virginia Dental Showcase.

HOST: Ryan Dunn is the CEO of the Virginia Dental Association. Ryan has played major roles with four national and statewide Associations while also spending time working on Capitol Hill. When he’s not talking all things dental, he’s talking about his family and baseball–and sometimes both at the same time.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

VDA/VCU Career Fair

Episode 12 – SMART MARKETING FOR MODERN DENTAL PRACTICES

Virginia Dental Showcase

EPISODE CREDITS

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Ryan Dunn

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to [email protected].

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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In this episode, Karen Wood discusses ways for dental practices to boost their marketing without straining their teams. Featuring experts Keith Washington and Shannon Perry from ProSites, the episode covers the evolution of dental marketing, the importance of branding, and effective tracking of marketing strategies. Key points include the significance of online tools, automating administrative tasks, leveraging digital marketing, and budgeting for marketing efforts. The conversation also highlights the benefits of partnering with industry experts like ProSites for optimized marketing strategies.

HOST: Karen Wood manages the VDA Member Perks program. She has been in the dental field for over 20 years, having experience as a dental assistant, managing a periodontal practice, and working with dental teams as a sales consultant and trainer.  

GUEST(S): Keith Washington: Keith Washington is the Chief Technology Officer at ProSites and has over 30 years of software product management and development experience. He has an accounting degree from the University of Maryland and has led product transformations at many successful companies. Keith has been with ProSites for over 10 years and has led the development of solutions to help transform dental practice efficiency and productivity. He has a passion for building solutions that help dentists acquire, retain, and engage their patients.

Shannon Perry: Shannon is the Director of Partnerships at ProSites and has spent the past 14 years helping practices thrive with solutions to achieve their unique goals. Specializing in digital marketing, Shannon uses that experience to help practices improve their online presence so more patients can find them. By focusing on each client's unique business and marketing needs, Shannon has been able to help thousands of practices optimize client communications, maximize efficiency, and improve profitability.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

VDA Member Perks: https://www.vdamemberperks.com/ The Virginia Dental Services Corporation (VDSC) was created as a subsidiary of the VDA to recommend products and services to the members of the VDA. By utilizing the VDA Member Perks-endorsed vendors, VDA members can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with using recommended companies, take advantage of special benefits, and receive discounted pricing, all while supporting the VDA. Since 1997, the VDSC has been pleased to provide over $3.7 million in funding to the VDA, VDA Foundation, VCU School of Dentistry, and others. 

ProSites: From website design to social media and search engine optimization, ProSites is the ideal solution for busy dentists who want to get results from their online marketing. https://prosites.com/VDA/ VDA members received up to a 70% discount on ProSites solutions. 

EPISODE CREDITS:

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Karen Wood

Guest(s): Keith Washington and Shannon Perry

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to [email protected].

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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SUMMARY: In this episode of The Drill, VDA CEO Ryan Dunn provides updates on the Virginia Dental Association's activities and initiatives. Key focus areas include addressing the dental professional shortage in Virginia, highlighting media coverage of the issue, and discussing advocacy efforts with political leaders. The episode also delves into the ADA's suggestions to NCOIL and MetLife regarding dental insurance policies and practices. Additionally, Dunn introduces the latest issue of the Virginia Dental Journal featuring peer-reviewed research and a new column on dental AI. Updates on the VDA's podcast, The Fulcrum, and the upcoming Virginia Dental Showcase 2025 are also provided, emphasizing the organization's commitment to professional development and practice success.

HOST: Ryan Dunn is the CEO of the Virginia Dental Association. Ryan has played major roles with four national and statewide Associations while also spending time working on Capitol Hill. When he’s not talking all things dental, he’s talking about his family and baseball–and sometimes both at the same time.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

VDA in the News: Virginia facing dental hygienist shortage, according to state report

ADA Letter to the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL)

MetLife agrees to change recoupment policy following ADA letter

Virginia Dental Journal Vol. 102 Number 3

The Fulcrum – Episode 10: Risk Management Made Simple: Tips Every Dentist Should Know

Virginia Dental Showcase

EPISODE CREDITS

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Ryan Dunn

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to [email protected].

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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In this episode, Karen Wood discusses dental malpractice and risk management with Dr. Al Rizkalla. The podcast covers various aspects of dental malpractice, focusing on informed consent, documentation, patient interactions, and the critical role of detailed, ethical patient care. Dr. Rizkalla highlights common claims against dentists, the importance of effective communication with patients, and the necessity of thorough and accurate documentation. The episode also explores the significance of hiring well-trained staff and proactively using malpractice insurance resources, including risk management consultations and educational opportunities available through Dentist’s Choice.

HOST: Karen Wood manages the VDA Member Perks program. She has been in the dental field for over 20 years, having experience as a dental assistant, managing a periodontal practice, and working with dental teams as a sales consultant and trainer.   

GUEST(S): Dr. Al Rizkalla, Head of Professional Liability-Practice Risk Management – Dentist’s Choice graduated from Georgetown University School of Dentistry with honors in 1988. He also completed a General Practice residency at the Veterans Administration Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. Dr. Rizkalla was the President of the Northern Virginia Dental Society (NVDS) and also represented NOVA for several years as a member of the Executive Board of the Virginia Dental Association (VDA). In 2013, Dr. Rizkalla was appointed to the Virginia Board of Dentistry, and in 2016, he was elected President of the Board. 

He has held several positions in the VDA and the NVDS, including Continuing Education Chair, Peer Review Committee Chair, Executive Committee Chair, Ethics Committee Chair, and Dental Health and Public Information Committee. He is an examiner for the CWC testing agency and previously served on the examination committee of ADEX. 

Dr. Rizkalla is a fellow of the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, Pierre Fauchard Academy, and the VDA. Dr Rizkalla teaches Restorative Dentistry, Interdisciplinary Healthcare Ethics, and Practice Management. 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

VDA Member Perks: https://www.vdamemberperks.com/ The Virginia Dental Services Corporation (VDSC) was created as a subsidiary of the VDA to recommend products and services to the members of the VDA. By utilizing the VDA Member Perks-endorsed vendors, VDA members can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with using recommended companies, take advantage of special benefits, and receive discounted pricing, all while supporting the VDA. Since 1997, the VDSC has been pleased to provide over $3.7 million in funding to the VDA, VDA Foundation, VCU School of Dentistry, and others.

Dr. Al Rizkalla [email protected]

R.K. Tongue Co., Inc. https://rktongue.com/ 800-638-6353

Michael Urbanik [email protected] 410-369-3957 

EPISODE CREDITS:

Producer: Paul Logan

Host: Karen Wood

Guest(s): Dr. Al Rizkalla

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to [email protected].

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

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In the inaugural episode of The Drill, Ryan Dunn, CEO of the Virginia Dental Association (VDA), provides a concise update on the latest activities and initiatives. The episode covers three key areas from the VDA's strategic plan: powerful advocacy, professional development, and practice success. Dunn discusses the workforce challenges, including a shortage of dental hygienists, and highlights efforts such as the new Richmond hygiene school opening in 2026. Other topics include the introduction of an affiliate membership program for dental office staff and the D.I.G. Tracker for monitoring dental insurance grievances. Listeners are encouraged to stay informed and share the updates with their peers.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Workforce Article: New State Report Finds Significant Dental Hygienist Workforce Shortages Throughout Virginia

D.I.G. Tracker: https://www.vadental.org/dental-insurance-grievance-tracker

VDA Member Perks: https://www.vdamemberperks.com/ 

EPISODE CREDITS

Host: Ryan Dunn

Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs

Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to [email protected].

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.

Music in this episode from Epidemic Sound