The Future of Dental Insurance

Think you know what's ahead regarding compensation, quality, etc. in the dental world? Maybe not. Listen to this enlightening podcast with Mary Lee Conicella, Chief Dental Officer of CVS health. Hear her speak about innovative work that will improve oral health and shape the way we all practice.

As Aetna’s chief dental officer, Dr. Conicella drives clinical innovation that engages members, delivers superior health, and improves cost through integration. As an Aetna leader, she focuses on creating a work environment that inspires collaboration, high performance, and continuous quality improvement. Partnering with Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, she has authored numerous abstracts and articles related to the impact dental care has on overall health. The first of these resulted in the development of Aetna's groundbreaking Dental-Medical Integration program. As a member of Aetna’s Medical Affairs Team, she ensures alignment of clinical programs across Aetna to enhance member experience in all areas of healthcare delivery.

JADA Editor in Chief Tells Us What He Sees in the Science World Ahead

Tune in to Dr. Tim Wright as he shares his vision of where the science of the dental profession is headed. A pediatric dentist clinician, teacher, author, and scientist, hear Dr. Wright describe the exciting future of published literature reflecting the growing body of science affecting the way our profession will function in the years ahead.

Bio

Tim Wright received his DDS degree from West Virginia University and completed his Pediatric Dentistry training and Master of Science Degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He currently is the Bawden Distinguished Professor in the Divison of Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health at the Adams School of Dentistry at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where he also served as Pediatric Dentistry Department Chair and Department of Endodontics Interim Chair. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, a Fellow of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science, and a Past President of the American Association of Dental Research. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts, edited two textbooks, and authored 24 text chapters. Dr. Wright is the Editor in Chief of the Journal of the American Dental Association.

Read his full bio here. 

Optimizing Outcomes for Patients with Chronic Illnesses and Disabilities with Dr. Weed

For most healthcare training, our clinical learning experiences take place in clinic and/or hospital settings. Yet, at the same time, evidence shows that most of health improvement is a result of behaviors that occur at home, by the patient. Without a greater understanding of the challenges faced in achieving health improvement through patients' at-home behavioral changes, we cannot achieve the desired goal our expert counseling in maximizing outcomes. For patients with special needs and/or disabilities, this challenge becomes even greater. You will be inspired in learning from Matthew Weed; a scholar, a person with special needs and with disabilities, an engaging keynote speaker, and a patient who wants to help us help him.

Bio
Dr. Weed is totally blind and very brittle type I diabetic three-time Yale graduate, including his Ph.D in Genetics, earned in 2004. He also has master's degrees earned at Princeton and Harvard. During his dissertation work, he was an informal adviser on international policy in embryonic stem cell and human cloning research to the Acting Director of the National Institutes of Health. 

After six years of post-doctoral work in bioethics and medical education at Yale, Dr. Weed became the Interim Associate Director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's $150 million Wisconsin Institue for Discovery which he helped launch in 2010-2012.

Matthew co-created one of the first methods for making electronic text available to the blind in 1990. He has worked with, and mentored, hundreds of student volunteer caregivers, many of whom are now in careers in healthcare and health policy. He is working with people at a variety of institutions to find cost-effective ways to lower the barriers to millions of elderly and disabled American's ability to live independently and productively.

Matthew skis, kayaks, has completed a rollerblading marathon, and has traveled around the world- twice.

Among his other projects, Dr. Weed is an accessibility consultant for colleges and corporations. He completed a contract on web accessibility with the National Institutes of Health in 2021. He is also co-developing tools and techniques to help people who aren't comfortable with technology learn how to use smart devices so they can become full participants in our information-driven society. 

Read his full bio here. 

Learn for the expert on this hot topic to address the dental assistant shortage, which is a top-of-mind national problem. Dr. Rhea Haugseth has created an online program to train and sustain the learning of dental assistants who work in pediatric dental offices. Listen to the great body of work created by Rhea to improve the function and quality of your office!

Bio

Rhea M. Haugseth, DMD maintained a private practice in Marietta, GA from 1982- 2017. She attended the University of Louisville Dental School and completed her pediatric residency at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital / Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, the Pierre Fauchard Academy and the Academy of Dentistry International.

Dr. Haugseth is a Past President of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Georgia Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Haugseth has been a National Spokesperson for the AAPD since 1989. Dr. Haugseth is a Fellow and member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and an active member of the National DMORT Mass Disaster Team serving Region IV as a forensic dentist (odontologist).

Dr. Haugseth is the Founder and Director of the Atlanta Pediatric Dental Assistant School in Atlanta Georgia. She is also the Founder and Director of the Pediatric Dental Team Association. She is committed to pediatric dental team members and continues to develop ways to enhance their knowledge and skills both in and out of the dental office.

Pears is (and are) good are your team and your patients' safety. Get to know what PEARS is all about.

In this important podcast relative to the AAPD’s mission toward “safety” in all way, Dr. Jacob Lee, talks about the PEARS training course offered by the American Heart Association.  Here, he spells out what PEARS is all about, why it is a realistic and appropriate training for the entire dental team to manage through emergencies, and how it is drawing a lot of positive attention in the realm of team training.   Learn about this court in the conversation with Dr. Le who has engaged in training his entire team.  Hear about his passion and wisdom as to why you may want to soon follow suit. 

Bio

Dr. Jacob Lee earned his DDS from the University of Toronto. He completed his dental internship at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, earned his diploma in pediatric dentistry at the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry, and was conferred fellowship by the Royal College of Dentists of Canada. 

Dr. Lee was an associate professor at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and was later the director of the graduate program in pediatric dentistry at the University of Minnesota. He also served as chairperson of pediatric dentistry at the University of the Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, the director of the USC pediatric dental residency program, and as the dental director of the Children's Dental Health Clinic at Miller Children’s Hospital, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.  

Dr. Lee is a graduate of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Leadership Institute and has served the AAPD on numerous committees, including as the chair of the Graduate Students Research Awards and as coordinator of the academicians meeting at the AAPD Annual Sessions. In addition, he has organized and moderated the AAPD Practice Management Program. Dr. Lee has also served as the president of the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry, as a trustee of the Western Society of Pediatric Dentistry, and as the AAPD Western District trustee. He is a fellow of the AAPD and of the American College of Dentists. 

Dr. Lee is presently clinical associate professor at USC School of Dentistry, directing the dental materials seminars for first-year pediatric dental residents. Incorporating his dental research and clinical experience, Dr. Lee has presented at numerous state, national, and international meetings. As a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry he recently completed a five-year commitment serving as a member of the ABPD Qualifying Examination Committee and as an examiner for the Oral Clinical Examination. He is a speaker in the AAPD Speakers Bureau, an AAPD Media spokesperson, and a member of the editorial board of Pediatric Dentistry. Currently he is serving as the co-chair of the Local Arrangements Committee of the AAPD Annual Sessions 2022, to be held in San Diego.  

 Dr. Lee is engaged in private practice with his son, a pediatric dentist, and with his daughter, a dental hygienist, in San Clemente and Rancho Mission Viejo, California. He is an accomplished classical violinist and enjoys performing with his children.

Learn about how "digital workflow" will enter pediatric dental practice, as it has exploded in general dentistry practice. In this episode, Dr. Brian Goodacer, prosthodonist and expert in digital technologies in dentistry, tells us about 3-D printing and the positive impact it will certainly have in our practicies. 

Dr. Goodacre received his DDS degree frorm Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in 2013. He completed a four-and-a-half year combined program in Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in 2017, earning an MSD degree. He is a board-certified prosthodontist and the director of clinical technologies for Nobel Biocare North America. He is an adjunct professor at Loma Linda University School Of Dentistry and maintains a private practice located in Upland California where he practices with his father and classmate. 

Listen to this informative podcast on beverage choices for young children. Dr. Brickhouse shares with us her informed plan on interacting with caregivers about beverage choices for their children. 

Dr. Tegwyn Brickhouse is Professor and Chair of the Department of Dental Public Health and Policy at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. She has served VCU as a faculty member since 2003.  

Dr. Brickhouse is actively involved in oral health disparities research and transdisciplinary work related to population oral health research and policy.   

Dr. Brickhouse has a solid history of NIH, HRSA, Virginia Department of Health (VDH), industry and internal funding. Her NIH research funding has consisted of an R03 and K-award, in addition to multiple internal funding programs and VDH contracts. This provided the foundation of her work in children’s oral health disparities and successful achievement of promotion and tenure in 2008. In 2009, she became the Chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at VCU.  

After a competitive submission process, the VCU Provost’s Office, she was named Director of VCU’s iCubed Transdisciplinary Oral Health Core. This core seeks to identify and remove the educational, political, psychological, social, and nutritional barriers to good oral health.  

 Her leadership roles have spanned multiple organizations such as President of the Virginia Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, then chairing the AAPD Council on Scientific Affairs, and serving on the AAPD Board of Trustees from 2017-2020. She currently serves on the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry’s Qualifying Exam Committee and as an OCE examiner. She also serves on the dental advisory committee to Virginia state dental Medicaid program. 

In 2010, she helped to initiate and build a statewide non-profit called the Virginia Oral Health Coalition. She served as the founding chair of its board until 2016. It has grown into a national recognized organization known as Virginia Health Catalyst where she currently serves as a board member and part of the Water Equity Task Force. 

Listen to the great podcast from Mary Govoni. Mary brings nearly 50 years of experience in dentistry to the team. She is a Certified Dental Assistant, and a Registered Dental Hygienist, with experience in general and specialty practices both clinically and as an administrator. Mary is a former dental assisting educator and was a partner in a successful dental staffing service. 

For the past 30 years, Mary has focused on speaking and consulting with dental teams on infection prevention, OSHA compliance, HIPAA compliance, ergonomics, chairside efficiency, and team communication and development. Mary has published numerous articles in professional journals. She is a Past President of the American Dental Assistants Association and serves on the Corporate Council for Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, is a member of the Academy of Dental Management Consultants, the Speaking and Consulting Network and the Organization for Safety Asepsis and Prevention. 

Oral conscious sedation is something we need to stay up to date on! 
Sedation in our offices is an ever-important service offered by pediatric dentists in the office. Performing safe and effective sedation requires staying up to date with the latest clinical and scientific information and protocols. In this podcast, you will hear all of that and more from a go to expert amongst us, Dr. Steve Wilson.

Listen in and hear about all the latest on oral conscious sedation. 

COVID-19 and 3 New York City dentists’ perspective
Listen to this inspiring podcast with 3 NYC dentists, 2 pediatric dentists and one oral and maxillofacial surgeon, talk about their personal experiences with managing through COVID-19 in the hardest hit area of our country.   You will hear about some common threads experienced across the country, as well as some New York City-specific experiences.  Coming through loud and clear is the New York City spirit as discussed by Dr. Lois Jackson and her colleagues of the New York County Dental Society.

Bios

Private Practice
Lois A. Jackson, DDS is a pediatric dentist with offices in Soho and Brooklyn. She is the President-elect/Acting President of the New York County Dental Society. Dr. Jackson received her DDS and certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. She did a GPR at Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center. Dr. Jackson is an assistant clinical professor of Pediatric Dentistry and  a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.  She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She was President of the New York State Association of Pediatric Dentists and the Northeast Society of Pediatric Dentists. She received the Columbia University Alumni Medalist in 2009 and received the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine Distinguished Alumni Award in 2015. She is a member of numerous dental societies including the Pierre Fauchard Society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the International College of Dentists, the American College of Dentists, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.  Dr. Jackson served as a trustee on the Board of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Jackson was chair of the New York State Board for Dentistry from 2014-2015. Dr. Jackson is very involved with the Greater New York Dental meeting. She is a co-founder of the Woman-to-Women Dentist Network. Dr. Jackson was an alternate delegate to the 2019 ADA House of Delegates and a delegate to the NYSDA House of Delegates. She is also involved in community and philanthropic organizations. She is currently on the Board of Trustees of the Flatbush Development Corporation  and Camp Brooklyn.  

Volunteerism
Ioanna Mentzelopoulou, DDS, is a board certified pediatric dentist in private practice since 2002. Dr. Mentzelopoulou received her DDS degree from New York University College of Dentistry in 1999 and her certificate in pediatric dentistry from Interfaith Medical Center in 2002. She has participated in numerous visits to NYC schools educating students about good oral health habits and she has served on the NYC Give Kids A Smile Steering Committee (2015-2020). Dr. Mentzelopoulou began Serving the Board of Directors of New York County Dental Society in 2014.  She was an alternate delegate to the Q from 2016 to 2019. Dr. Mentzelopoulou is a member of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the NYS section of Pediatric  Dentistry. she is currently the Vice-President of New York County Dental Society.  

Frontlines/Emergency Care
Suchie Chawla, DDS, MD, is a board certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon  practicing in mid-town Manhattan. She attended The University of Virginia and graduated with honors followed by earning her Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) at The New York University. She subsequently earned her Doctorate of Medicine (MD) at the prestigious Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She went on to complete a General Surgery internship and her residency in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, serving as a chief resident. Dr. Chawla has taught dental ethics at both New York University College of Dentistry and Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. Since 2007 she’s been a clinical instructor for the Mount Sinai School of Medicine OMS Residency program and she voluntarily teaches at New York-Presbyterian/Cornell Medical Center. Dr. Chawla is a member of the New York Academy of Dentistry where she is on multiple committees, including program chair for 2020. She is also a member of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and numerous other professional organizations.

Dr. Chawla was chair and Board liaison for the NYCDS Public and Professional Relations Committee from 2014-2017; chaired the Mentorship Committee in 2015, and served on the Membership and Legislative Committees for several years. Dr. Chawla has been actively involved with the Society’s two charitable events since their beginnings. She served on the Steering Committee of Give Kids A Smile from 2014 through 2017, and served as a site leader every year of the event to date. She has been a part of the Charity Golf Outing since its start in 2015. Dr. Chawla was a delegate to the NYSDA House of Delegates 2017 – 2019, and an alternate in 2016. She participated in the Washington Leadership Conference in 2017, 2018 and 2019. In addition, Dr. Chawla volunteers for surgical missions to third-world countries. 

Ethics, Bioethics and Morality: What They Mean for Us as Practitioners 
Listen to this conversation with Dr. Jessica Webb, pediatric dentist and expert in bioethics, and learn important information about the practice of ethics in all we do as providers for children.  Dr. Webb shares her experience with applying the practice of ethics into comprehensive care to all.  This podcast is great for the pediatric dental team to listen to as well in order to align all on some of the most important foundational principles of the care we provide.

Biography
Jessica Webb is a pediatric dentist practicing at Children’s Village, an interdisciplinary clinic for children with developmental disabilities in Yakima, Washington.  She serves as the Associate Program Director for the NYU Langone Advanced Education in Pediatric Dentistry residency in Yakima.  Dr. Webb co-authored the textbook Dental Care for Children with Special Needs.  She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

Dr. Webb was born and raised in Los Angeles, California.  She completed her undergraduate education at San Diego State University and then attended dental school at UCLA.  She trained in pediatric dentistry at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital, at which time she also earned an MS in Dentistry and an MA in Bioethics and Humanities.  Additionally, Dr. Webb completed an MS in Recreational Therapy at Indiana University, and is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.

Taking Care of Yourself, Your Mental Health and Wellbeing

In these most challenging times, it is ever more important to stop and look at ourselves and how we are feeling.  Physically, emotionally, and otherwise.  Our anxiety levels may vary, yet most have various levels of anxiety, sadness, and depressed feelings.  In this exceptionally important podcast, Dr. Sheela Raja, Clinical Psychologist, and expert on post traumatic stress, talks with us about doing a survey of ourselves and our well-being, helping us deal with difficult feelings and times, and how to get help for ourselves and others.  We ARE all in this together and Dr. Raja is here to help us get through some of the most challenging times in generations.

Bio
Sheela Raja, PhD is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and author of Overcoming Trauma and PTSD, The Sexual Trauma Workbook for Teen Girls, and The PTSD Survival Guide for Teens. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Director of Clinical Behavioral Sciences at the UIC College of Dentistry where she teaches Healthcare Communication and Behavioral Medicine. She received her PhD from the University of Illinois at Chicago and completed internship and post-doctoral training at the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Boston, MA. She is a highly sought after speaker and consultant and has given invited talks at the international and federal level on the topic of post-traumatic stress and trauma informed healthcare.

Dr. Raja has a passion for making evidence-based psychology accessible. She is a regular guest contributor to local and national news outlets including CNN, ABC, and CBS. She is a blogger for Psychology Today, and has been quoted as an expert source in numerous print and online publications. Dr. Raja received the prestigious Society for Behavioral Medicine's 2020 Leading the Narrative Award, which recognizes one recipient for outstanding media work that communicates behavioral medicine science to a public audience.

Helpful Resources

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America
• The National Center for PTSD
• Centers for Disease Control: Coping with Stress
• Web MD: Coping with Stress