PODCAST · business
Dental Assistant Nation
by Dental Assistant Nation
Kevin Henry is a champion for dental assistants and host of the Dental Assistant Nation podcast. He is also the editor in chief for DrBicuspid.com. Speaker, consultant and author focused on empowering, enlightening and educating dental assistants.
Episodes
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Episode 457: The Future of Dental Assisting Is Bigger Than You Think
What if your dental practice felt less like a team under pressure and more like a community that truly cares? Kevin Henry talks with retired dentist Dr. Alan Stern about building a community of caring through open communication, honesty and mutual support. Dr. Stern shares why vulnerability…
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Episode 456: How to Build Confidence and Skills as a Dental Assistant
Most dental assistants learned infection control on the job, and much of what gets passed around chairside is wrong. What you don't know can put you, your team, and your patients at risk. Kevin Henry sits down with Atia Black of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), veteran assistant and...
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Episode 455: Why Your Patients Are Anxious (And How To Fix It FAST!)
Anxious patients cancel more, delay treatment, and drain team energy fast. Kevin Henry talks with Catherine Fettig about why dental fear is so common and how past negative experiences shape patient behavior. Fear slows down appointments, leads to no shows, and creates added pressure for dental...
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70% of Handpiece Repairs Come From This One Mistake
Seventy percent of dental equipment repairs trace back to one habit almost every practice repeats between patients. Kevin Henry sits down with Matt Baker of Right Wipe for a special edition of Dental Assistant Nation to look at what the wipes used between patients are actually doing to chairs,...
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Episode 454: What Makes a Dental Practice Worth Staying At
A dental practice can lose its best assistant and never figure out why. Dr. Sreenivas Koka says the answer is almost never the person. Dr. Sreenivas Koka is a prosthodontist, a former practice owner in San Diego, a former dental school dean, the former chair of dentistry at the Mayo Clinic, and…
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Episode 453: How to Have Difficult Conversations in the Dental Office
Courage is not the absence of fear. It is choosing to act while you still feel it. Dr. Elizabeth Carr joins host Kevin Henry to explain how dental professionals can balance bravery with humility to navigate difficult conversations with confidence and care. True courage starts with a foundation of...
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Episode 452: A Better Way to Train Confident Clinic-Ready Dental Assistants
Becoming a confident clinic ready dental assistant should not require an expensive program or months of stressful catch up on the job. When new team members start without strong fundamentals, the entire practice feels the pressure. DentalReady.ai was built to offer a more practical and affordable...
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Episode 451: Build a Dental Practice Where No One Wants to Quit
Most dental teams do not quit because of pay. They quit because they do not feel valued. In this conversation Dr. Paul White shows you how to change that starting today. In this episode Kevin Henry talks with Dr. Paul White, psychologist and co author of The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the...
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Episode 450: Why Latinas Are the Backbone of Dentistry and No One Is Talking About It
Latina dental assistants are already doing the work that keeps many practices moving, but too often their contributions go unrecognized. What happens when they stop working silently and start using their voice, culture, and bilingual skills as strengths? In this episode of Dental Assistant…
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Episode 449: How the Best Dentists Keep Their Assistants Happy and Loyal
What if the secret to keeping great dental assistants has nothing to do with fancy perks and everything to do with respect? In this episode, Dr. Marc Goldman shares how investing in his team, trusting their expertise, and creating a culture of mutual appreciation helped build a loyal and high...
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Episode 448: The Truth About Being a Dental Assistant That Nobody Talks About
What if the biggest factor holding a dental practice back is not technology or production goals, but the way dental assistants are valued? In this conversation, leadership coach Brandi Marzolino shares why it is time to recognize dental assistants as essential leaders, invest in their growth, and...
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Episode 447: What Dental Assistants Say About Working at Aspen Dental
What does it take to build a lasting career in dental assisting? In this episode, you'll hear firsthand how earning a CDA, embracing continuous learning, and working in a supportive environment can open doors to leadership, hygiene school, and long term career growth. Kevin Henry sits down with...
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Episode 446: How Certification Changes a Dental Assistant Career (Part 2)
Is dental assisting just a job or can it become a long term career with more opportunities, higher confidence, and greater earning potential? In this episode, we explore why national certification is helping dental assistants take their careers to the next level and why leading organizations are...
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Episode 445: Can Certification Make You a Better Dental Assistant? (Part 1)
What does it really mean for a dental assistant to practice at the top of their scope? In this episode, industry leaders explain why certification is more than just another credential and how it can transform careers, improve patient care, and strengthen dental practices. Kevin Henry is joined by...
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Episode 444: Every Dental Assistant Needs Infection Control Training (Here's Why)
Infection control is the most important responsibility in every dental practice, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Are dental teams truly protecting their patients, or are outdated habits putting safety at risk without anyone realizing it? In this conversation, Tija Hunter, CDA, EFDA,...
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Episode 443: ADAA President on the Future of Dental Assisting
Dental assisting is more than just a job. In this conversation, ADAA President Erin Hendricks shares why she believes it is a lifelong career that deserves greater recognition, stronger standards, and better opportunities for every dental assistant. Drawing from nearly four decades of experience,...
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Episode 442: Dental Assistants in Oregon Can Now Give Local Anesthesia!
Could dental assistants soon administer local anesthesia in more states? Oregon is leading the way with one of the most progressive changes in dental assisting, and it could shape the future of the profession across the country. In this episode of the Dental Assistant Nation Podcast, Kevin Henry…
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Episode 441: The Best Way to Keep Dental Waterlines Safe
What if the biggest risk in your dental practice is something patients never think about? Dental unit waterline safety is often overlooked, but having the right system in place can simplify compliance, protect patients, and reduce the workload for your team. In this episode, Kevin Henry sits down...
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Episode 440: The Orthodontic Tool Assistants Wish They Had Sooner
What separates great orthodontic assistants from the rest? In this conversation, Anthony Herrera shares how patient trust, communication, and comfort can directly impact treatment success. Drawing from 14 years of chairside orthodontic experience, he explains why treating every patient as if they...
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Episode 439: The Biggest Infection Control Risk in Every Dental Office (Dental Unit Waterlines)
Most dental teams were never taught about waterline safety in school, yet it has become one of the most important infection control topics in modern dentistry. In this episode, Angela Simmons shares why dental unit waterlines remain a misunderstood area of compliance and what practices need to do...
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Episode 438: Can Probiotics Replace Brushing and Flossing?
Do you think probiotics can replace brushing and flossing? A viral TikTok trend is making that claim, but dental professionals are sounding the alarm. In this episode, Kevin Henry and pharmacology expert Tom Viola break down the truth behind probiotics and oral health so dental assistants can...
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Episode 437: The Dental Office System That Keeps Everyone Aligned
Running a successful dental practice is not just about clinical skill. It is about consistency, training, communication, and making sure every team member understands exactly how things should be done. In this conversation, Kevin Henry and Sherrie Busby break down why clear systems and written...
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Episode 436: Tips To Grow From Dental Assistant to Manager!
What separates dental assistants who stay stuck from the ones who grow into leadership and management roles? In this episode, Sherrie Busby shares the mindset shifts, career decisions, and uncomfortable moments that helped her build a 42 year career in dentistry and become a respected educator,...
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Episode 435: The BEST Way to Keep Dental Waterlines Safe!
What if the water flowing through your dental unit is quietly building a hidden community of bacteria that standard routines are not fully controlling? In this episode, Kevin Henry talks with Chanda Chatham about what really happens inside dental waterlines and why consistency matters more than...
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Episode 434: NEW Dental Assistant Scholarship Just Launched
Dental assistants are finally getting the recognition and support they deserve and this new opportunity could open doors that were never available before. In this episode, industry leaders Gary Steinberg and Andrew Whitehead join Kevin Henry to announce a new scholarship program focused on...
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Episode 433: Is Your Dental Practice Waterline Safe?
What if the water in your dental unit lines is putting patients at risk without you knowing it? This episode breaks down why testing, shocking, and proper protocols matter more than many practices realize. Michelle Strange, RDH, joins Kevin Henry for a practical conversation on dental waterline...
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Episode 432: What Feeling Valued at Work Really Looks Like as a Dental Assistant
What if the reason you feel drained at work is not the workload, but the lack of feeling valued? In this episode, Kevin Henry explores a question that sparked powerful conversations among dental assistants across multiple states. When was the last time you truly felt valued in your practice? The...
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Episode 431: The Life Saving Skills Every Dental Assistant Should Learn
Most dental assistants don’t realize they could be the reason a patient’s cancer gets caught early enough to save their life. In this episode, Kathryn Gilliam and Kevin Henry dive into the often overlooked role dental assistants play in patient care, especially when it comes to oral and head and...
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Episode 430: Novel Opioids Warning! What They Don't Teach in Dental School
Dental assistants must know these hidden drug risks in patients Dental assistants are often the first line of defense in patient safety, especially when patients use opioids, kratom, or other substances that may not appear on standard drug tests. Many patients do not disclose what they take…
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Episode 429: Do This To Be A TOP Tier Dental Assistant
Most dental assistants don’t realize how valuable they truly are until they learn this. Success in dentistry is no longer just about clinical skills but about mindset, leadership awareness, and continuous growth. Dental assistants play a critical role in keeping practices productive, organized…
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Episode 428: Why Smoking Marijuana Makes Dental Work Dangerous
In this episode, Tom Viola, RPh, breaks down why dental teams need to start asking the right questions about cannabis use and why it matters more than ever. From increased blood pressure and pulse to complications with anesthesia and healing, cannabis can change how a patient responds in the…
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Episode 427: How Dental Assistants Protect Themselves in an Unethical Dental Practice
Working in a dental practice should be built on trust, but what happens when something in the office does not feel right? In this episode of the Dental Assistant Nation Podcast, Kevin Henry sits down with dental consultant and author Susan Gunn to have an honest conversation about ethics inside...
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Episode 426: Overwhelmed Dental Assistant? Try This
What if the stress you carry home from work is not about the job at all but about the energy you are giving away without even realizing it? In this powerful conversation on the Dental Assistant Nation podcast, Kevin Henry sits down with author and entrepreneur Anne Karber to unpack the truth…
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Episode 425: What is an Expanded Function Dental Assistant and What They Can Do
Expanded Function Dental Assistants are helping dental practices work smarter, improve efficiency, and deliver better patient care. Taking on expanded functions allows assistants to perform more advanced clinical duties, which increases production and strengthens the partnership between doctor…
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Episode 424: Dental Assistant Shortage and What PDS Health Is Doing About It
Education access, financial barriers, and limited career awareness continue to slow the pipeline of new dental assistants entering the workforce. At the same time, patient demand keeps growing, putting more pressure on clinical teams. Organizations like PDS Health are actively working to close…
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Episode 423: What Helps Dental Assistants Grow And Earn More
What dental assistants really want from their careers might surprise most practices. Imagine walking into a room with hundreds of dental assistants and asking them what matters most at work. The answers reveal a powerful pattern about growth, recognition, and having a real voice in the practice....
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Episode 422: What Every Dental Assistant Should Know About 3D Printing
What if the future of dentistry is already sitting inside your practice and your assistant is the one who unlocks it? Digital dentistry brings speed, confidence, and opportunity into the practice by allowing assistants to create appliances in house, reduce wait times, and deliver same day…
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Episode 421: How Dental Assistants Elevate Occlusal Analysis with T-Scan
Most dental bite problems are not caused by difficult patients or complex cases. They happen because the bite is rarely measured. In this episode of the Dental Assistant Nation podcast, we explore how accurate bite measurement can completely change patient outcomes and day to day efficiency in…
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Episode 420: Dental Assistants Avoid Burnout With These Steps!
Dental assistants work under constant pressure, expected to stay focused, calm, and precise while caring for patients and supporting the dental team. Over time, this demanding pace often leads to stress, physical pain, mental exhaustion, and burnout, especially when dental assistants put everyone...
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Episode 419: How A Dental Assistant Can Achieve Financial Freedom Without High Salary or Burning Out?
Can a dental assistant really achieve financial freedom without a high salary or burning out? In this episode of the Dental Assistant Nation podcast, Kevin Henry sits down with Angela Tipton, founder of Fire Your Career, to talk about what financial freedom actually looks like for dental...
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Episode 418: What a Dental Assistant Needs to Do to Get Paid More
Most dental assistants know they deserve more pay, but very few know how to get it without risking their job. If you feel underpaid, overlooked, or unsure how to talk about money at work, this episode shows you a smarter way forward. In this episode, Kevin Henry breaks down what every dental...
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Episode 417: How Dental Assistants Can Build a Better Career and Life
What if building a better career and life as a dental assistant is less about doing more and more about becoming more? In this episode, Kevin Henry sits down with Toni Will to explore reinvention, resilience, and the mindset shifts that can change everything at any stage of life. Kevin Henry...
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Episode 416: Top 5 Dental Assistant Nation Podcasts of 2025 | New Year Special
As we close out 2025 and look ahead to an even bigger 2026, this New Year special episode of Dental Assistant Nation is all about you. In this episode, Kevin Henry counts down the Top 5 most-listened Dental Assistant Nation podcasts of 2025. These episodes were not chosen by a panel or a ranking...
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Episode 415: How Dental Assistants Can Take Better Dental X-Rays Every Time
Taking dental X-rays can be one of the most challenging parts of a dental assistant’s day, especially when patients are anxious, uncomfortable, or difficult to image. Small technique mistakes, rushed positioning, or missed opportunities to build trust can turn a routine task into a frustrating...
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Episode 414: How Dental Assistants Build Confidence and Reduce Mistakes Every Day
Confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s built through everyday choices, skills, and brave moments. In this episode, we explore how dental assistants grow into confident professionals who protect patients, their practices, and themselves while helping reduce errors along the way. Kevin...
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Episode 413: The Tough Side of Being a Dental Assistant
Thinking about becoming a dental assistant but not sure what really happens behind the scenes? This episode breaks open the truth in a way most people never talk about. In this podcast, we dive into the real challenges dental assistants face every day and why some assistants say they would warn...
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Episode 412: What Dental Assistants Should Know About Dental Therapists?
Dental therapists are opening new doors in dentistry and the earning potential might surprise you. In this episode, we break down what a dental therapist is, how the role fits into the oral health care team, and why more states are considering dental therapy to expand access to care. You’ll learn...
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Episode 411: Inside the AI in Dentistry Summit: How Dental Assistants Are Shaping the Future with AI
Join host Kevin Henry as he welcomes Hanna Aronovich and Atia Black from DANB, along with dental assistant Nicole Mora from Dr. Bari Posner’s office, for a powerful recap of the AI in Dentistry Summit. In this episode, they break down how artificial intelligence is reshaping the world of dental...
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Episode 410: The Real Reason Stress Messes With Your Gut
Stress doesn’t just live in your mind it shows up in your gut. If you’ve ever felt bloated, gassy, or uncomfortable during busy seasons of life, there’s a real physiological reason your digestive system reacts the way it does. When stress hormones surge for long periods, they disrupt digestion,...
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Episode 409: Blood-Stained Surgical Tools Found at Colorado Hospital By State Inspectors
The shocking discovery of blood-stained surgical tools at a Colorado hospital is a wake-up call for every dental practice. When sterilization falls behind, even briefly, safety can break down fast and dentistry faces the same risks, especially with short staffing, rushed schedules, and…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Kevin Henry is a champion for dental assistants and host of the Dental Assistant Nation podcast. He is also the editor in chief for DrBicuspid.com. Speaker, consultant and author focused on empowering, enlightening and educating dental assistants.
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Dental Assistant Nation
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Dental Assistant Nation have?
Dental Assistant Nation currently has 457 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Dental Assistant Nation about?
Kevin Henry is a champion for dental assistants and host of the Dental Assistant Nation podcast. He is also the editor in chief for DrBicuspid.com. Speaker, consultant and author focused on empowering, enlightening and educating dental assistants.
How often does Dental Assistant Nation release new episodes?
Dental Assistant Nation publishes regularly with 457 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Dental Assistant Nation?
You can listen to Dental Assistant Nation on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Dental Assistant Nation?
Dental Assistant Nation is created and hosted by Dental Assistant Nation.
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