The Patient First Podcast with Dr. Bryan Laskin

Is This More Important Than Being a Good Clinician? Interview with Renowned Periodontist and Author Michael Sonick, DMD

More important than being a skilled clinician is being a caring one. Dr. Michael Sonick is an internationally renowned periodontist who has learned this through personal experience, as both a patient himself and as a very successful practitioner. And what’s really interesting is how technology like Toothapps® can actually support dentists in experiencing the benefits of being caring, people-centric providers. Instead of de-personalizing care, technology saves time for busy dentists and specialis...

Talking Teledentistry at Yankee Dental Congress with Melissa K. Turner, BASDH, RDHEP, EFD

Although the concept of “teledentistry” has taken off in recent years, many dentists are still in the dark about its potential and the surprisingly simple ways they can begin implementing it. At this year’s Yankee Dental Congress, I sat down with the dynamic dental personality Melissa K. Turner to talk about the benefits of teledentistry and what she is doing to help more practices and patients benefit from it. In this episode of The Patient First Podcast, you’ll get some insider tips from Melis...

DSO Leader Explains How Toothapps® Is Helping Them Deliver Successful Patient Outcomes

Toothapps® is solving problems and bridging gaps in communication and in the continuum of care in dentistry. In fact, it’s developing new ways to do this so rapidly, even current users of the Toothapps software are surprised to learn about what it can do. In this interview with Corey Hastings, DDS, MS, MBA and Owner and Operator of Blue Sage Management Group, you’ll learn how Toothapps is helping his team execute his vision for dental care and deliver successful outcomes to patients. I’m Dr. Bry...

Copper Penny Consulting CEO Amy Wood Exposes the Level of Data Security Risk That Dental Practices Are Facing

HIPAA training and talk about data security might not be the most exciting topics in dentistry, but they could lead to more excitement than you want, if you neglect them. In this episode of The Patient First Podcast , Copper Penny Consulting CEO Amy Wood shares her own horrifying true story of what can happen when a dental patient’s personal information makes it out onto the Internet. She explains how this experience drove her to fight for the protection of dental patients and practices everywhe...

Predictions for Dentistry in 2025—An Interview with Dave Pryor of Planet DDS

It’s that time of year again where I share my predictions for 2025 regarding Connected DentistryⓇ, and this time, I’m going bolder than ever before. I had Dave Pryor of Planet DDS join me in the studio for this episode of The Patient First Podcast where we had a great time exchanging and debating ideas about trends in 2024 and trends we can expect in 2025. We discuss medical-dental integration, AI, interoperability, software pricing and much more. We also hint at how the company ToothappsⓇ is go...

Payments—How Dentistry 3.0 Supports Faster Payment for Dental Practices

We expect advances in clinical dentistry to make our jobs easier on us and to make outcomes more satisfactory to patients. Why shouldn’t we expect similar advances in other areas, like payment processing? Faster and more convenient payment methods are not only easier on patients—they’re easier on your team and on your practice’s bank balance. In this episode of The Patient First Podcast , I give a high-level overview of what Dentistry 3.0 means for dentistry and, more specifically, what it means...

The Surprising Advantages of Expanded Practice Hygiene and Teledentistry—Interview with Lisa Balint, MPH, EPDH

Seven Dental Software Myths Exposed (and One Revolutionary Software Explained)

It’s time to rethink what you know about dental practice management software. There’s no denying we practice owners are all increasingly dependent on digital solutions both to render dental services and to manage the business side of our practices. However, we are well into an age I like to call “Dentistry 3.0,” or the age of Connected DentistryⓇ. This means that we’re now living in a time when we need the digital solutions we use to have the ability to work together so that we can freely exchan...

How the Founder, President and CEO of VIF is Leveraging Technology to Improve Healthcare for Patients, Providers and Caregivers

Holly Doherty is the Founder, President and CEO of VIF, a team that has developed a groundbreaking tool to support families in getting the personalized care that their loved ones with special needs deserve. Far from leading the charge in name only, Holly brings decades of personal experience with caregiving to the table and champions the use of technology and interoperability between medical disciplines to foster communication between caregivers and medical professionals. In this episode of The ...

Black Talon Security CEO Explains What Dental Practice Owners Need to Know About Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a topic that pops up with increasing frequency in the oral healthcare space. Practices and networks of all sizes are prime targets for cyberattacks, as CEO of Black Talon Security Gary Salman explains. But the unfortunate reality is that, despite the immense target on the backs of dental practice computers, too many practice owners overestimate the security of their systems and remain in blissful ignorance to the signs of possible compromise. In this episode of The Patient First...

The future of DSOs vs. DPOs—An Interview with Ian McNickle of ICON Dental Partners

Are you interested in taking your dental practice to the next level but are not sure where to start? DSOs have been around for quite a number of years now, but they are no longer the only option for practice owners who want to experience greater business success. In this episode of The Patient First Podcast , I sat down with Ian McNickle, CEO and one of multiple founders of ICON Dental Partners, to talk about the advantages of both the DSO (dental service organization) and DPO (dental partnershi...

Dentures Made with AI? Steve Floe of Voyager Dental Explains How and Why

Hate doing dentures? This is the episode for you. Voyager Dental is pushing the limits of restorative dentistry with a surprising application of artificial intelligence to the design of dentures. As a result, patients and dentists alike are experiencing phenomenal benefits. In this short but very special episode of The Patient First Podcast , I talk with Steve Floe, the CEO of Voyager Dental, about how his company helps dentists provide their patients with a consistently high quality of care whi...

CEO of Lura Health Explains the Potential of Dentistry’s First Health Wearable

Many people wear smartrings, smartwatches and other wearable health technology like continuous glucose monitors to gain insights about their health and to support physicians in rendering more timely and individualized care. Can you imagine the ways oral healthcare would be transformed by a dental health wearable? Lura Health is working on an intriguing solution: a continuous saliva monitor. In this episode of “The Patient First Podcast,” I sit down with Daniel Weinstein, the CEO and Co-Founder o...

Leaders Real Estate Managing Partner Austin Hair Explains Real Estate for Dentists

Dentists face an enormous amount of pressure when it comes to making real estate decisions. Should you lease or purchase a site for your practice? What factors should you consider when selecting the ideal location? Is buying real estate for your business really the best investment strategy for you? Austin Hair, Managing Partner at Leaders Real Estate helps unpack some insider information that dentists need to know to make these weighty decisions. I’m Dr. Bryan Laskin—author, entrepreneur, dentis...

Interview with Matt Ornstein of Dental Pitch Brokerage on EBITDA vs. Cash Flow

If EBITDA is still a mystery to you, don’t worry—you’re far from alone. Plus, Matt Ornstein from Dental Pitch Brokerage is here to help with a phenomenal book and insights that he shares with us in this episode of “The Patient First Podcast.” Matt has extensive experience with the business side of dental practice ownership and he explains, not only the basics of EBITDA, but the importance of balancing it with a positive cash flow to ensure a healthy business. I’m Dr. Bryan Laskin—author and busi...

Planet DDS CRO Mike Huffaker on Innovation and Interoperability in Dentistry

It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the vast array of dental software solutions there are to choose from. But going all in on the latest “all-in-one” program isn’t necessarily the answer. In fact, solutions that claim to be one-size-fits-all could potentially hinder your practice’s ability to adopt new innovations later on down the road. In this episode of The Patient First Podcast , I interview Mike Huffaker, the CRO of Planet DDS and we discuss why interoperability is integral to innovation in d...

How SPS Dental Academy is Building Better Dental Teams

Dental clinicians are trained and licensed individuals who must keep up with their CE requirements, but what about those in non-clinical roles? Managers, treatment coordinators and other front desk team members may not directly generate revenue, but they are still essential to the smooth day-to-day functioning of dental practices. This is where SPS Dental Academy steps in to bridge the gap and provide the resources practices need to build knowledgeable and capable teams. In this episode of The P...

An Effective Social Media Strategy for Busy Dental Practice Owners—How?

For any dentist out there who feels that maintaining a social media presence for the practice is an utterly hopeless endeavor, I want you to know that I hear you and that this episode is for you. Rita Zamora of Connect90 helps dental practices maximize the results of a social media presence with minimal effort. In this interview, we discuss some of the solutions her company offers, as well as the latest techniques that have proven effective for dental practices today. I’m Dr. Bryan Laskin—author...

How to Successfully Implement New Dental Technology: An Interview with David Pryor of Planet DDS

David Pryor of Planet DDS is back on “The Patient First Podcast,” and in this episode, we discuss a hot topic: how to successfully implement a new technology in a dental practice or DSO network to unlock its full potential. Overwhelmed with the vast array of innovative technologies currently available to choose from, it's all too easy for the well-intentioned decision-makers of dental care organizations to invest in solutions and systems which then don't get properly executed, and the benefits a...

Ryan Mingus of TUSK Practice Sales Explains What Practice Owners Need to Know Before Selling to a DSO

This is the episode I wish someone had made for me to watch back when I sold my practice to a DSO. My biggest regret from the sale? Trying to go it alone. Many dental practice owners today feel as overwhelmed by their options as I did back then, and it can be challenging to navigate negotiations to secure a deal that protects your interests. That’s why I was so excited to have Ryan Mingus, Managing Director for TUSK Practice Sales, join me on this episode of “The Patient First Podcast.” Ryan sha...

Salivary Diagnostics—The Next Step in Raising the Standard for Clinical Dentistry?

All dental clinicians who care about providing their patients with the best treatment are interested in scientific advances that elevate the standard of care. Can you imagine the possibilities that you could unlock through non-invasive and easy saliva testing? In this interview with Diane Larson, RDH, BSDH, the Director of Clinical Education for OralDNA Labs, you’ll learn about the unique benefits of salivary diagnostics. Diane’s more than two decades of experience in dentistry and her journey t...

What AI REALLY Means for Dentists and Patients—An Interview with VideaHealth Founder and CEO

Is AI in dentistry here to stay? If so, is that a good or bad thing for patients and practice owners? Whatever your stance on artificial intelligence (AI) in dentistry may be, one thing is perfectly clear: we need more conversations to happen in order to understand what the future holds. I had just such an insightful conversation with Florian Hillen, the Founder and CEO of VideaHealth. In this interview, we discuss what AI really means for dentistry right now and its potential applications in th...

Success, Values & Leadership for Dentists—Actionable Advice and Life Wisdom from Dr. Kevin Kremer

Given the massive leadership gap in dentistry and the unique challenges facing dentists today, Dr. Kevin Kremer’s insights and guidance are a breath of fresh air. Dr. Kremer has spent more than 25 years building a successful practice, Kremer Dental Care, and shares the secrets to his success by coaching dentists through the Kremer Leadership Institute. As Founder and CEO of the institute, Dr. Kremer helps dentists rediscover a passion for learning and a willingness to lead others. In this episod...

Aimee Vail, RDH Explains Why and How More Dentists Need to Use Silver Diamine Fluoride

RDH Aimee Vail has been campaigning for a long time to bring back a nearly forgotten secret weapon against caries that should be in every dental professional’s arsenal: silver diamine fluoride (SDF). Why has SDF fallen out of popularity, relegated to pediatric restorative dentistry and public health dentistry? Are the undesirable cosmetic effects of SDF really as bad as many dentists believe? What are the potential applications for this extremely effective substance and how can it help dentists ...

PeriActive CSO Dr. William Levine Explains How to Combat Periodontal Inflammation

Did you know that periodontal disease is more of an inflammatory one and less of an infection? Most of us dentists struggle to keep up with the latest advances in understanding of this complex disease and the treatment modalities proven to control it. That’s why I interviewed Dr. William Levine, the Chief Scientific Officer of PeriActive and a specialist in periodontal disease and implantology. Dr. Levine explains why some dentists may need to take a new approach to the management of periodontal...

Standards, Interoperability, Innovation—What You Need to Know About the Future of Connected Dentistry™

We’re moving into an unprecedented era of dentistry, and without the right Standards and regulations in place to maintain order, our industry will essentially become the Wild West. In this episode of The Patient First Podcast , I summarize the biggest problem that the dental industry is facing today and explain what steps leaders in the space can take to start bridging the gap for a more connected future that benefits patients and providers alike. I’m Dr. Bryan Laskin—dentist, author, entreprene...

Should Hygienists Be Doing All This? Irene Iancu Explains the Benefits of RRDHs

How much should you let your hygienists do in your dental practice? There’s a hot debate going on in dentistry over whether hygienists should have the option to expand their skill set to include some restorative functions. Some practice owners feel strongly that we shouldn’t be blurring the lines between areas of expertise. But RRDH Irene Iancu makes a compelling case for expanding the functions of dental hygienists. In this engaging interview, she explains how expanded functions not only result...

DSO Data Analytics Expert Jordan Trentacosta Explains Which Metrics Matter Most

You don’t have to be a data geek like Jordan and I to leverage the power of data analytics in your dental practice. In this episode of The Patient First Podcast , I interview the Director of Product Management for beBright Jordan Trentacosta and we talk about how data accessibility can help practice owners identify and focus on the metrics that really matter. Since data is undeniably the key to enhancing the patient experience, building trust that leads to greater treatment plan acceptance rates...

Interviewing Co-Founder of Dental Innovation Alliance Doug Brown on Investing in Dental Innovation

Do you have an innovative idea that you believe will transform the way we do dentistry? Are you interested in investing in a dental tech startup but need more risk mitigation? Are you simply curious about what’s going on in the field of dental innovation? Whatever your area of focus, you’ll enjoy this insightful interview with an industry veteran. In this episode of The Patient First Podcast , I ask Dental Innovation Alliance Co-Founder and Managing Partner Doug Brown how his team helps match in...

Clarification on Your Legal Obligations Per HIPAA and the 21st Century Cures Act

It turns out I was wrong about the 21st Century Cures Act. But only in technical terms, really. The reality of the situation that dental practice owners are in is still a dire one, perhaps even more serious than we previously realized. In this episode of The Patient First Podcast , I explain why we need a correction in our understanding of the federal legislation pertaining to the handling of dental patient information. In short, dentists and DSOs of all sizes are obligated by HIPAA to make pati...