ADA News
- To change or not to change (my last name) June 17, 2025When I announced to family and friends that my partner, Mitch, and I had gotten engaged last October, the first question I got was: “When is the wedding?” followed by: “Are you going to change your last name?” — a question to which I still don’t feel I have a good response. I need to […]New Dentist blog
- Sharpening skills, finding confidence: The power of CE in dentistry May 7, 2025Graduating from dental school feels like a big finish, but as new dentists, we soon realize it’s really just the starting line for everything we still have to learn. Transitioning from student dentist to doctor is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Suddenly, every decision is yours, every case matters and the learning curve […]New Dentist blog
- Breathe in, stress out: The power of diaphragmatic breathing in dentistry April 2, 2025Stress in dentistry is inevitable. New procedures, anxious patients and the mental load of making split-second clinical decisions can take a toll. Stress accumulates throughout the day, and without an outlet, it leads to exhaustion. Fitness watches remind users to stand and move every hour. We need a similar system for mental health resilience. Try […]New Dentist blog
- Mastering difficult conversations: A guide to leadership with resilience and heart March 28, 2025Think of a time you hesitated to speak up — a patient questioning your treatment plan, a teammate missing a deadline, a colleague pushing back. We’ve all been there. How we respond shapes our teams, our leadership and the mark we leave in dentistry. These moments — explaining a procedure, guiding a team or easing […]New Dentist blog
- Bridging policy and practice: Advancing access to oral health care February 28, 2025As a board-eligible public health dentist with experience in federally qualified health centers and safety net dental programs, I’ve seen firsthand how oral health policies shape access to care. Now, as a policy consultant for my state’s Medicaid dental program, I work at the intersection of policy and practice — translating systemic challenges into meaningful […]New Dentist blog
