Episode Highlights:

• Networking & Power Networking:
  Dr. Chris Salierno returns for an in-depth conversation on building meaningful professional relationships in dentistry. He offers his insights into "power networking," stressing the importance of showing up, saying yes to opportunities, and making deposits before making withdrawals. Learn how he identifies red flags in networking and why intentional relationship-building leads to lasting success.

• Clinical Excellence: Andrew and Dr. Salierno discuss the idea that the path to clinical excellence is not always linear. The conversation encourages grabbing knowledge from various sources—networking, colleagues, and even dental influencers—to continually improve patient care. Dr. Salierno talks about taking inspiration from both clinical work and soft skills, emphasizing the ongoing journey toward greatness in dentistry and hygiene.

• Hiring and Team Values: Dr. Salierno shares his perspective as Chief Dental Officer at Tend and his passion for hiring people who bring personality and technical skill. He discusses why hospitality and a clear mission matter, focusing on how creating a strong employee value proposition attracts the right kind of team members and boosts retention, especially in a competitive dental employment market.

• Social Media & Professional Comparison: The dangers of social media—especially comparing yourself to peers who only showcase their highlight reels—is a key theme in this episode. Dr. Salierno provides thoughtful advice on maintaining a healthy outlook and keeping professional standards high, both online and offline.

• Transitions & Career Flexibility: The episode touches on career pivots in dentistry and highlights Dr. Salierno's observations on professionals who successfully transition into various roles—be it technology, teaching, or administration. He shares that the dental field offers incredible flexibility for those willing to say yes, learn, and embrace new challenges.

• Where to Find More from Dr. Salierno: Dr. Salierno's Substack, "Leaving Healthcare," is packed with posts for anyone interested in non-clinical career options or broadening their horizons in dentistry. You can find him on Instagram as @thecuriousdentist for more content, updates on speaking engagements, and thoughtful discussions.

Connect:

• Dr. Chris Salierno Substack: Leaving Healthcare

• Instagram: @thecuriousdentist

Final Notes: Thanks to Dr. Salierno for sharing his time and wisdom! Make sure to subscribe, check the show notes for resources, and sign up for Andrew's newsletter for more content.

In this special, nostalgia-fueled episode, Andrew takes a look back at meaningful conversations from prior episodes, bringing in crucial advice for dental professionals and hygienists that's just as relevant today as when it first aired. Whether you're a long-time listener or just finding the show, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiring stories from Tom Viola and Renata Nehme on topics crucial to the dental hygiene field.

1. Dental Hygiene Training and Qualifications (with Tom Viola)

• Rigorous Training: Tom shares insights from his experience teaching pharmacology to hygienists, highlighting the level of stress, acumen, and stringent requirements of dental hygiene programs.

• Anesthesia Rights for Hygienists: Discussion on why dental hygienists should be qualified to administer local anesthesia in every state and the process Georgia undertook to make this a reality.

• Inter-Professional Trust: Tom argues that dentists often lack understanding of hygienists' training. If they witnessed the training firsthand, their confidence in hygienists' skills would grow.

• Education & Reciprocity: Andrew and Tom debate how state-to-state differences in training impact reciprocity of credentials and the importance of maintaining high standards.

2. Palatal Expansion in Adults (with Renata Nehme)

• Early Intervention Matters: Renata explains how early observation of jaw growth and dental spacing in children can predict future needs for orthodontic intervention.

• Adult Expansion Experience: She shares her personal journey with palatal expansion as an adult—including the use of MARPE (mini-implant-assisted rapid palatal expander), the procedure, and recovery.

• Relapse & Muscle Function: The conversation dives into the importance of myofunctional therapy for lasting results and the role of tongue and muscle habits in dental relapse.

• Facial Changes: Renata explores how palatal expansion affects not only occlusion but also facial structure, including cheekbones, lips, and nasal width.

• Tom recalling the intense nature of hygiene school and advocating for robust education standards.

• Insights into how anesthesia training and workflow advances have elevated the hygiene profession.

• Renata's deeply personal account of her orthodontic journey, the challenges, and the transformative facial changes she experienced.

• Practical advice on early dental intervention and the significance of myofunctional therapy from a seasoned clinician.

• Tom Viola:
  Website: tomviola.com
  Social: @PharmacologyDeclassified

• Renata Nemi:
  Instagram: @myomoves
  Airway Circle: airwaycircle.com
  Courses for hygienists at Myo University

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Produced by Endeavor Business Media.

Have questions, comments, or want to be a guest? Drop Andrew a line through the website or on social media!

Tom Viola is BACK and he is talking about bath salts... and we are not talking about Dr Teal's epsom salts. Tom shares a little bit of the background of what they are, where they originated, and the difficulties of testing for them. Don't miss this 6 minute episode!