Dental Realist Podcast

On Episode 60, we welcome Melissa Drab, fourth-year dental student at Marquette University, to The Dental Realist Podcast. We discuss a variety of dental school topics including:  -High and lows of dental school -A day in the life of a dental student -How Covid-19 has changed dental school -Student loan debt -What is most exciting about life after dental school We also try to get Dr. Neff into a MUSoD musical. We would be honored if you would join us! Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist

Throughout our careers all dentists will see failing dentistry and even have our own work fail eventually. But what if it was treatment that was performed recently by us or another dentist? How should those situations be communicated to patients and even to a patient's  previous dentist, if necessary? And what if you suspect there has been a case of over-diagnosis or over-treatment? We discuss all of this and much more on Episode 59.  Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist

As an associate, how do you know when you are in a good situation or when it is time to make a change? On Episode 58, we respond to a listener email regarding their associateship and if a buy-in opportunity is a good idea.  -How important is work schedule?  -Will stresses be increased or reduced with ownership?  -What if associate and owner practice philosophies conflict?  We also discuss a dental office taboo topic at the end of the episode.  Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist

Life in a dental office can be stressful and learning how to deal with that stress on a daily basis can make the difference in a dental career. On Episode 57, we discuss the ways we have learned to deal with stress. We also talk about how we decide to add new treatment options to our practices.  Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist

Before joining or purchasing a practice there are some important questions that need to be asked and answered. On Episode 56, we discuss some of the questions we wish we'd had asked before we started working in or purchasing our practices. We also talk about how to handle situations when a patient talks badly about a previous dentist and much more.  Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist

On Episode 55, we are joined by Dr. Jeff Cole, former president of the American Dental Association. We get Dr. Cole's unique perspective on many important topics, including:  -The rising cost of dental school education.  -Advice for new and future dentists. -The Current state and future outlook of dentistry.  -The importance of organized dentistry.  We cover these topics and much, much more with Dr. Cole. We would be honored if you would join us.  Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist  

On Episode 54, we discuss how we handle certain situations that arise in dentistry. How would we handle...: -...a patient asking to trade services?  -...a patient asking for a discount? -...being pressured to perform a specialty procedure?  -...a patient bankruptcy?  We discuss these scenarios and much, much more! Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist

On Episode 53 we welcome retired dentist Dr. Howard Trotter to the Dental Realist Podcast to discuss all aspects of his 42-year career.  -Why did he choose a career in dentistry and would he do it again?  -What was the biggest change in dentistry during his career?  -How did he make dentistry enjoyable daily?  -What advice does he have for dealing with stress?  -What did he do with each patient that made his career so successful?  -Also, a convict escapes custody during a dental appointment.  Join us as we gain important career perspective with Dr. Howard Trotter! Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist

On this In-between-isode, Ryder talks about The Mandalorian, the live-action Star Wars series on Disney+. Star Wars is one of Ryder's passions outside of dentistry and would love you to join him for this bite-sized episode of the Dental Realist Podcast. Disclaimer: No Jawas were harmed in the recording of this podcast.  Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist

It has been six months since the ADA and local governments told dental offices to shut down temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Episode 52 we discuss if that was the right decision, how it affected dental offices in the short term, how it is still affecting practices, and much more. We start the show talking about our favorite seasons of the year and end it with an exciting announcement. We would be honored if you would join us! Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist

On Episode 51 we welcome Randon Jensen, practice transition consultant with CTC Associates, to the Dental Realist Podcast to discuss all aspects of practice transitions.  -Is practice ownership still an attractive option for dentists?  -What is the profile of a first-time buyer?  -When is the right time to sell?  -What is important when applying for a practice loan?  -Mr. Jensen also walks us through the selling and buying processes. Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist

**Note: There is a bit of an audio technical difficulty for the first 5 minutes but clears up after that.** On Episode 50 we welcome back Brian Trecek, Director of Admissions at Marquette University School of Dentistry, to discuss all aspects of dental school and the dental school application process in the midst of the pandemic.  -How will dental school be different this year?  -Has the application process changed during the pandemic?  -What makes a strong dental school applicant?  -Has the pandemic affected the number of dental school applications?  We discuss these topics and much, much more with Mr. Trecek. Don't miss out on this valuable information!   Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist    

Imposter Syndrome is the persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved. It can affect people in any profession, including dentistry. On Episode 49 we discuss what Imposter Syndrome is, how it can affect dentists, and what can be done to manage it.  We start the show by discussing our favorite bands and musicians and we would love for you to join us! Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist

Most dentists are back to work, but how has Covid-19 affected the everyday operations of dental offices? On Episode 48 we discuss: -How we felt going back to full-time dentistry. -The extra precautions we're taking. -Our least favorite pandemic phrases.  -A variety of news topics. We start the episode by discussing our favorite movies of all time. We'd love you to join us on this unprecedented episode as we try to return to the new normal.  Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist

Even though most dentists are only allowed to treat emergency patients right now, there are still some ways to stay positive and also tackle some necessary projects at the office. We discuss some ways to find positivity during this stressful time as well as continuing to be productive even when patient treatment is not an option.  Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of life and is now having a profound effect on dentistry. On Episode 46 we discuss: -The ADA's recommendations for dental practices -How dentists are coping during this crisis -How the virus has changed every day practice -The effect the virus is having on dental students We also talk about Dr. Neff's television debut and much, much more. This is a stressful time for dentists and students. We'll get through it together.  Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist  

On Episode 45 we talk with Benjamin Tuinei to discuss how dentists can fight against low insurance reimbursements. Mr. Tuinei is the founder and CEO of Veritas Dental Resources and host of The Navigating Dental Insurance Podcast. We cover a variety of topics, including:  -How to negotiate higher reimbursements. -How to know when to drop an insurance plan.  -How to communicate with patients when dropping an insurance plan.  We also discuss how dentistry got to this point with insurance and what is being done on a national level to improve the situation.  Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist  

Clinical board exam time is one of the most stressful periods during dental school. On Episode 44 we discuss how to best prepare for boards in the weeks and days prior. We also relive some of our memories from our boards and discuss some ideas to improve board exams for dental students. We start Episode 43 by answering a listener question and discussing our favorite soda pop.  Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist

Choosing which job to pursue after dental school can be one of the dental student's most important decisions. On Episode 43 we discuss our individual stories for getting started after dental school, when dental students should start researching job opportunities, who to contact first, and what we would look for in an associate or practice purchaser. We start Episode 43 by discussing our favorite candy. We would be honored if you would join us! Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist

The dental team is one of the most important assets of an enjoyable dental career. During the holidays the dental team is usually given a bonus of some kind, but how do you know how much to give each team member? And how do you scale back if your practice has had a slow year? What do you do if you staff begins to expect a bigger bonus each year? And what kind of gift is appropriate for dentists who work in corporate offices. We discuss this and much, much more on Episode 42 of the Dental Realist Podcast! Contact Dental Realist: Twitter: @dentalrealist Email: dentalrealist@gmail.com Website: www.dentalrealist.com LinkedIn: Dental Realist