Dental Entreprenuer Woman - Winter 2023

Progress – Let’s Discuss It

Dr. Hazel Glasper

All Stuffed Up and Nowhere to Blow: The Role of the Stuffy Nose in Airway Dysfunction

Dr. Susan Maples

Clearly Worthy

Allison Lacoursiere

The Power of Togetherness

Lynn Wong

“Grin and Bear it” is Not a Way of Life

Katrina Klein

Winter 2023

Editor and Publisher

Anne M. Duffy, RDH

Assistant Editor

Clare Yeo

Project Manager

Tari Sixpence

Creative Consultant

Beth Linesch

Design and Layout

Brian Rummel

Production [CURAtive]

James B. Kennedy

Web Management

Bhakti Kulmala

Cover Photo

Forte Fitography

Winter Contributors

Dr. Maggie Augustyn

Dr. Zina Berry

Dr. Peggy Bown

Dee Fischer

Dr. Trudy-Ann Frazer

Dr. Hazel Glasper

Dr. Yvonne Howze

Katrina Klein

Allison Lacoursiere

Dr. Susan Maples

Jamie Marboe

Lynn Wong

Charter Sponsors

A-dec

Crest

Mary Fisher-Day

Inspired Hygiene

Patterson D5

Patterson Fuse

Shofu

Advisory Board

Emeritus

Linda Miles

Advisors to the Board

Victoria Peterson

Katherine Eitel-Belt

Board

Dr. Brittany Bergeron

Deborah Carrier

Dr. Meghna Dassani

Cris Duval

Vanessa Emerson

Dee Fisher

Dr. Hazel Glasper

Suzanne Kump

Tonya Lanthier

Dr. Laura Mach

JoAn Majors

Joanna Scott

Samantha J Strain

Junior Board

Christie Bailey

Minal Sampat

Dr. Amisha Singh

Progress (noun): a forward or onward movement (as to an objective or to a goal): ADVANCE

That is how the word is defined in the MerriamWebster dictionary. But when boiled down, “progress” can take on different meanings.

To the dental community, it could mean the advancement of care.To entrepreneurs, the word could mean growth and wealth.But for women, progress is empowerment.

Far too often, I’ve watched brilliant women who dim their light in the face of perfection. “It’s not good enough,” or “I’m not ready yet.” Those are common tunes that distract us from enjoying the symphony of rewards that pursuing our passions fulfills.

But 2023 is the year that we, as DeWs, collectively step out of the hindrance of “perfection,” and into the expansion of “progress.”

Hazel and I remember when we first met, although we can’t seem to agree on the exact meeting or spot. We do agree that a deep connection was made, and because of DeW, we have grown our friendship in many ways: personally, professionally, and spiritually.

When we talked about her cover she insisted on bringing her colleagues along to be by her side. It was such a “DeW Move” because within DeW, colleagues become friends, and friends become sisters. Principle #4. Good DeWs find good DeWs, and when one of us wins, we all win.

Our Winter cover says it all, and the story that Hazel wrote reflects the importance of women coming together with vulnerability, generosity, and grace.

Dr. Yvonne Howze and Dr. Zina Berry share their take on progress through the lens of uniqueness. Whereas Dr. Susan Maples take progress head-on in the field of dentistry – discussing how we play an important role in the aid of Pediatric Sleep Apnea, and the role stuffy noses play in airway dysfunction.

Then we see progress in the form of resilience through inspirational stories. Such as Lynn Wong’s recount of our power when we stand together. Katrina Klein shares the resilience of women in the importance of setting our boundaries. And Dr. Maggie Augustyn reveals the transition from darkness to light and how our choices play a role in the progression.

Editorial Office

12233 Pine Valley Club Dr

Charlotte, NC 28277

704-953-0261

Fax 704-847-3315

anneduffy@dew.life

Send materials to:

DeW Life Magazine

8334 Pineville Matthews Rd

Ste. 103-201

Charlotte, NC 28226

Guidelines go to dew.life

Whether we pay attention to it or not, progress is happening all around us. It’s a constant wave that pulls and pushes us, like a gentle hand that guides you down the path you need to go, even if you aren’t aware of it. From Dr. Peggy Bown’s story of a powerful pivot, to the eye-opening DeW Dishes featuring Dee Fischer, Jamie Marboe, and Trudy-Ann Frazer, this issue is one that opens us up to the magic of progress.

I can’t wait to proceed through 2023 together. Together, we can DeW it.

PROGRESS – LET’S DISCUSS IT

By Hazel Glasper

My upbringing was blessed by the presence of several formidable Black women. The women in my family, particularly my mother, grandmothers, aunts, and female cousins, significantly impacted who I am today. They cared for me, kept me safe, and supported me in finding my own path in life. My mother has always served as a model of decisiveness, clarity, and faith in her decisions. She remains steadfast at 90.

Her unwavering commitment, consistency, and love were indeed a gift for which I will be eternally grateful, as I am to all the women in my family whose influence cultivated my strong identity. Looking back, it’s clear that they laid the foundation for me to create healthy relationships with other women throughout my life. My life would not be as fulfilling, satisfying, or successful if those relationships did not exist.

I have been a public speaker for eight years, nationally and internationally. Because of my emphasis on the oral-systemic connection and my HFA: Health, Function, and Aesthetics practice model, I am a top producer and collector. Dental practices can improve their diagnostic and clinical protocols, as well as their ability to generate

a predictable revenue stream, with the help of the tools and training offered by my coaching agency, The Comprehensive Continuum.

Having said that, I have spent much of my career in spaces where I was one of few, if not the only Black person or Black woman in the room. Whether negotiating business deals, attending conferences, or working as an associate, I have honed my skills as a clinician, business owner, and thought leader in circumstances where Black leadership was not the norm.

That changed three years ago when I joined and became friends with a group of Black doctors on social media. Not until then did I realize I had been missing the support of other women who looked like me and shared my passion for dentistry. At that time, connecting with a group of Black doctors was a new and welcomed experience.

Out of those relationships emerged “Sistah-to-Sistah,”; a groundbreaking conference designed entirely for Black women in Dentistry. From Thursday to Sunday, dynamic female doctors from various parts of the country gathered at the Eaton Workshop, a boutique hotel in Washington, DC, kicking off with a live DJ welcome reception from one of the best rooftop views of the city. Over 3 days, we celebrated with signature cocktails and bonded over fragrant swag bags, body butter, morning yoga, and peach cobbler. Hillary Saunders, our event planner, designed a

“I didn’t fall in love, I rose in it.”

~ Toni Morrison

marketplace with hand-picked women artisans to amplify the theme of women’s empowerment and self-care.

In-depth discussions with our presenters about business, clinical, and practice management concepts inspired doctors to share personal experiences. I highlighted the benefits of a growth mindset, how to manage a successful dental practice, and the steps required to create an effective treatment plan.

On Sunday, the conference’s final day, many of us would have been at church. A local gospel singer led us in a medley of praise and worship songs, ending with “Total Praise,” a classic in the black church. It was the first time we had ever been at a dental conference in the exclusive company of Black women dentists. Most of us were moved to tears by the experience; it was one I will never forget. Three years later, one of my missions has become to support the development of Black female leadership in the dental industry.

Before the conference, I made a point of calling each doctor who registered to learn more about them, ask them about their challenges, and assure them that every aspect of the conference was designed with them in mind. After that weekend, some joined my Nxt-Lvl Mastermind course, a 9-month mentoring program. For me, that was a defining moment. It’s an honor to support

other Black women in dentistry to achieve more success and fulfillment in their careers.

My ability to excel in this field is primarily due to my upbringing. Like every industry in the U.S., dentistry reflects the ethos of the larger society where women of color regularly face gender and racial bias. Fortunately, I am a naturally confident person. I have always known that who I am and what I bring to the table are both valuable and needed. Unfortunately, that is not necessarily the norm. My commitment as a leader in this field is to nurture future leaders. Especially those who understand the challenges of succeeding in an industry traditionally dominated by white men. That is why I am so committed to helping other women dentists of color build practices that achieve success and stand out in their services and the level of care they provide.

Some of my mentees joined me on a “Clinical Conversations: Dentists Speaking About Dentistry”

“Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re strongest when we cheer each other on.”

– Serena Williams

project. They appear with me on the cover of this issue of DEW Magazine. Dr. Bethany Sharpe is a young associate working in a progressive practice in Texas.

Her eagerness to grow as a clinician, learn advanced clinical skills, and be more productive made her stand out from her peers as a leader. She credits the Nxt-Lvl Mastermind with helping her become a better diagnostician, allowing her to practice a higher level of dentistry and generate more significant revenues.

Dr. Dana Truesdale, a charismatic practice owner, searching for a successful strategy to grow a boutique practice in downtown Baltimore has now leveled up, having purchased a second location in a sought-after area of the city. Her willingness to implement the business principles she learned allowed her to increase diagnosis and collections tenfold.

Dr. Elise Newsome is mastering the digital dentistry space and is teaching others. Elise knows how to speak her mind and stand her ground. She owns a successful practice in North Carolina, where she purchased her building and is poised to become a leader in the industry. Our work has focused on developing a stronger mindset and applying sound business practices.

I am proud of what these women have accomplished, and I am grateful to have had an opportunity to help them get to the Nxt-Lvl. Having said that, I admit that this has also been a learning experience for me. I have learned a lot about humility and patience.

Only some people come to the table with the same skillset or the same way of processing information. Each of us is shaped by our experience, affecting what we think about ourselves as women, practice owners, and dental professionals.

Each of the women in the Nxt-Lvl Mastermind came to the program with gifts they had not fully tapped into, either because they did not know they could or did not know how. Thanks to the Breakthrough Mindset Coaching aspects of the program, they have full access to their gifts and are well on their way to practicing the type of dentistry they genuinely desire.

Helping Black women dentists find their voice and ply their talents has been a highlight of my career, and it continues to be an essential part of my mission. I got to where I am with the support of generations of women who inspired me. Telling my story has become an integral part of my business. I will continue to lift my ancestors and all Black women whose voices and talents must be recognized. We bring a different perspective and flavor to the conversation, without which the story is incomplete.

Thank you to all the sisters and friends with whom I have shared this journey. You exemplify the value of sisterhood, the power of positivity, and the necessity of support. I am lucky to have you in my community.

Thank you Karen Galley, President of Patient News, for coming on board to championing this beautiful cover. You walk the walk and made the process easy for all of us.

Thank you to the fabulous Anne Duffy, whom I admire and adore. Thank you for your devotion to women in dentistry and for acknowledging the significance of Black women in our industry. I am grateful for your partnership and your invitation to share this platform. Thank you for being an ally, a mentor, and a friend.

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”- Maya Angelou

Progress is a process…

Over the last two years, I committed to breaking the locks of my mind that restricted me from entering into the life that I desired to have. It has been my lifelong dream to be a dentist. However, I was not fulfilled.

I had to do something because I had been stagnant for too long, and I was growing weary of my situation. I met Dr. Hazel Glasper and allowed her to mentor me. Our focus was on mindset. I modified one thing about the way I presented my treatment plans, and it was a gamechanger. I didn’t realize that I was sabotaging myself by minimizing their diagnosis.

In my mind, I was trying to spare feelings and give them hope, but in actuality, I wasn’t being “real” about the severity. One session opened my eyes and changed the trajectory of my practice and how we operate.

I am no longer allowing myself to be restricted by insurances or what I think is affordable. I think comprehensively and educate each patient about their overall health. This year has been a year of exponential growth. All inhibitions have been turned off.

What is progress?

Progress is the evidence of the work that has been done to achieve a goal. Progress is also the result of faith in your efforts toward accomplishing that goal. Increased strength and resilience are some of the first signs that your faith and efforts are not in vain. Work is hard, even if you love what you are doing.

You know you are putting in work when you feel resistance- that is how muscle is built! Whether we are talking about biceps, abs, or your heart (both literally and figuratively). The bonus of “hard” work is it becomes easier and easier. The first time I picked up a handpiece was probably disastrous- thank God for dentoforms- ha-ha! Now I can cut crown preps or place implants by muscle memory.

This is progress! Looking ahead, you can rely on your past achievements with faith, knowing you can do the work and it will pay off, even when and if you can’t see it yet.

Prior to COVID, I felt stagnant in my career and began wondering about what is my purpose in life. I’ve been on this journey of self-improvement and discovery ever since. Progress, in my opinion, is all about balance and peace. It takes the form in a variety of ways. Improving my clinical skills and business knowledge, connecting and establishing solid relationships with colleagues and people in the industry, and being a positive example for young adults and kids, all while trying to make sure I stay centered and true to my identity as an (individual, wife, mother, sister, etc.), growing mentally and spiritually and prioritizing my growing family! I believe I am continuously working on achieving all of these things, which makes me very happy and excited for what the future holds.

• Maintaining a solid work ethic knowing that my thoughts and words determine my destiny

• Acknowledging my fear of failure and taking the risk anyway

• Knowing challenges will present because they always do, yet being willing to see if there is a lesson for me to learnstay prepared to understand it and move on

• Seeing my challenges as opportunities

• Living on purpose

• Being open to something different

• Realizing that sometimes only I can see my vision and for me to be ok with that

• Knowing with God, all things are possible

• Being willing to surrender

• Understanding that change is not always bad and sometimes it NEEDED

• Knowing when to let go

• Accepting that Love trumps being RIGHT

• It can mean small steps forward

Dana TruesDale, DDs

elise newsome, DDs

Be Thany sharpe, DDs

h azel Glasper, DDs

DeW Dish DeW Dish

DEE FISCHER, CEO

Fischer Professional Group

www.fischerspro.com

whaT is The BesT parT of your joB?

Teaching others to lead and scale to new heights in their personal and professional growth.

who has Been The mosT influenTial person in your life?

My mom and dad. They both have an entrepreneurial spirit.

how

Do you measure your success?

By others’ success, those that I teach and mentor, both professionally and personally.

whaT oBsTacles have you overcome in your career?

Growing a DSO in the very early days of DSO’s. Opening offices in different geographic areas of the United States. Taking a private DSO to a publicly traded DSO. Merging two large DSO’s into one entity.

whaT Do you Do To Turn arounD a BaD Day?

Never think a bad day is a bad day. There is always something good about that day.

whaT aDvice Do you have for The new person in your office?

Stay humble. Be a good listener. Be coachable.

whaT “De w ” leaDers Do?

Share knowledge. Mentor. Give back.

whaT is your favoriTe inDoor/ouTDoor acTiviT y?

Puzzles and pickle ball.

whaT famous person livinG or DeaD, woulD you like To have lunch wiTh, anD whaT woulD you ask Them?

Katherin Hepburn. How did you have the insight that the family unit would change? I.e., Two cars per family instead of one; Two working parent homes instead of one parent working and one at home raising a family.

whaT is your Dream vacaTion?

Running the half marathon in Antarctica, with a dog sled to pick me up and take me back to the start.

whaT is firsT on your DenTal Bucke T lisT ?

Ensuring the all-women Executive Team of the newly formed DSO grows and stays extremely healthy, showcasing their talents.

whaT is The BesT Gif T you have ever receiveD?

Time with my Dad at the end of his life.

whaT is your moTTo?

Stay humble, stay kind.

JAMIE MARBOE, RDH Consultant and Speaker www.jamiemarboe.com

whaT is The BesT parT of your joB?

Watching the personal, professional, and emotional growth of my clients and myself. I learn so much with each "touch" I am honored to have with these great individuals. The relationships that are created beyond the scope of being just a "coach or person on the stage" is so impactful and lasting. That is the GEM and the BLESSINGS I receive.

who has Been The mosT influenTial woman in your life?

By far, my sister Judith Scoville. She has taught me grace, benevolence, selflessness, and the true meaning of unconditional love. We all strive to be whatever our definition is of "Christlike", I am privileged to witness this and have been blessed to be the recipient of her unconditional and selflessness multiple times in my life. I am weeping as I write this.

how Do you measure your success?

I don't measure success the same way that maybe most do. While wealth, popularity, and numbers are all great ways to tell a story, I prefer to FEEL my success, I feel success deep within my gut, heart, and soul. As sappy as it may sound, I want to walk away from a client or person that I have interacted with and feel that we both left just a little better.

whaT oBsTacles have you overcome in your career?

I would say, the biggest obstacle WAS self-doubt and worth. Sometimes it came from that little voice in my own head combined with being surrounded by negativity and feeling that you don't do much right in your workspace… well, you tend to tumble down hill very quickly. I also HAD a tendency to be self-sabotaging.

whaT Do you Do To Turn arounD a BaD Day?

Wine, Wine, and more WINE!! In all seriousness, I pray, I try to change the negative noises in my thoughts, and then call a trusted friend or family (Judith) member. They usually can turn my day around! If that doesn't work... MORE WINE, PLEASE AND THANK YOU!!!

whaT aDvice Do you have for The new person in your office?

Listen and learn. Be open-minded to change, even if you have a bazillion years of experience under your belt, there is ALWAYS something to be learned. Ask questions and be a team player! You don't need to be GREAT to get started, but you have to get started in order to become GREAT!!

whaT “De w ” leaDers Do?

They are inspired, they lead by example, and they know how to lift up those around them. They hold people and mainly themselves accountable. They give their team the proper tools in order to succeed. "Good leaders eat last!"

whaT is your favoriTe inDoor/ouTDoor acTiviT y?

Indoor-playing games and watching movies or TV with my love, Dave. Outdoors- Golf and walking on the beach.

whaT famous person, livinG or DeaD, woulD you like To have lunch wiTh, anD whaT woulD you ask Them?

Probably Oprah Winfrey. She is a true DeW sister (and she doesn't even know it) when it comes to leadership and lifting people up. She has overcome so many challenges and is a true survivor. I would ask her some of these exact questions that I am being asked for the DeW Dish segment!!

TRUDY-ANN FRAZER, DDS

Pediatric Dentistry, Wellness Speaker, and Retreat Host TinyToothDoc

whaT Do you Do To Turn arounD a BaD Day?

One of my favorite principles is the power of perspective. There is a song I teach my pediatric patients at work. “Focus on the good, focus on the good, focus on the good like I know I should”. I sing that over and over until my mindset and perspective grow. If you had $100 and lost $5, would you focus on the $5 lost, or would you be thankful for the $95 you have left? In the same way, I try not to focus on the negatives in my day but rather on the positives. Remember that whatever I focus on will grow.

whaT “De w ” leaDers Do?

DeW leaders encourage, support, and serve. Not only do we pour into ourselves, but we also lend a helping hand to women that desire to become entrepreneurs and serve their communities.

whaT is your favoriTe inDoor/ouTDoor acTiviT y?

who has Been The mosT influenTial woman in your life?

My mother Heroline Frazer, has been the most influential woman in my life. As a child, I didn’t have an appreciation for her strict parenting style. But as an adult, I hear her voice guiding me, and I find myself even quoting her. While observing her resilience and tenacity as she recovers from a recent stroke, I’m reminded that I can overcome all unexpected obstacles that life throws. As mom would say, “What is fi you caah bi un fi you” which is Jamaican Patois for what is meant for you will find you, and you will grow and overcome from it.

whaT oBsTacles have you overcome in your career?

After two years of practicing pediatric dentistry, I suffered from chronic pain, anxiety, and what I call “dental operatory impatience”. I could not turn my head to the right or raise my right hand above my shoulder. I was able to overcome my physical and mental ailments by working on my “PMS”. My Physical, mental, and Spiritual wellness. I learned stretches and exercises to counteract the static positions of work, I sought therapy to aid in stress reduction, and I engaged in spiritual practices to better gain clarity, perspective, and alignment. As I enter my 10th year of practice, my journey has afforded me the opportunity to coach others who also suffer from musculoskeletal disorders, and I have discovered purpose through my pain.

I’m a lover of the great outdoors, and I enjoy Scuba Diving. I love underwater exploration, and I view each dive as an adventure to find unseen treasure.

whaT famous person, livinG or DeaD, woulD you like To have lunch wiTh, anD whaT woulD you ask Them?

If I had the opportunity to have lunch with Maya Angelou, I would ask her where she found the ability to perceive things contrary to common belief and what gave her the courage to act on those beliefs. One my favorite Maya Angelou quotes is “If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.”

Maya Angelou gracefully challenged the status quo of her time, and I strive to emulate her.

They are playinG your Theme sonG as you walk on sTaGe. name ThaT Tune!

“Run The World (Girls)” In the song, Beyoncé intentionally sings, “My persuasion can build this nation, endless power, with our love we can devour”. It’s a message I receive, believe, and aim to execute daily.

IF UNIQUE IS WHAT YOU SEEK: USE TEAMING

By Dr. Yvonne Simmons Howze, PhD Dr.

Several techniques can be employed within a dental practice to help identify and set new goals and directions, and to mobilize resources for improved operations. One technique that works exceptionally well to help practices build capacity is the use of teaming. Teaming is not team building! Teaming is a unique way to engage people in discussions and activities to work on a new initiative or to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of an existing process.

Teaming is a process that requires a high level of commitment from a group of people who have a shared vision and a vested interest in a particular project. Improvement teams are typically created when a new endeavor is being developed or when a process is in place that is not working effectively. There are usually two types of teams: a project team (addressing new initiatives) and a process team (for improving existing processes). For example, a project team might work on developing strategies for creating an employee recognition and appreciation project, and a process team might be established to update an existing procedural manual. Teams can be cross-functional with representatives from various departments (e.g., dental hygienist, front desk, etc.) within the Practice, or they can be departmental, whereby members are co-workers working within the same department, such as all dental assistants.

At a minimum, each team would have a Quality Advisor,

a team leader, a scribe, and a timekeeper. Teams would be comprised of at least three (3) staff. Staff will typically volunteer to serve on a team if the team’s purpose is clear, and if there are guarantees that the team’s meeting schedule will be adhered to.

The Quality Advisor is the person (usually the Dentist or Practice Manager) who determines the need for the team based on the Practice’s goals and objectives, patient feedback, and/or a problematic situation. The Quality Advisor identifies what the issues are that the team is to address and helps to select those who will serve on the team. The Quality Advisor meets with the team to 'kick off' the Charter.

The Team Leader is the facilitator of the group, not a committee chair. The Team Leader’s role is to set and send out an agenda prior to the team’s meeting, to ensure that the meeting starts and finishes on time, and to encourage the team to stay focused on the team’s primary outcome(s). The Scribe is responsible for taking and distributing notes to team members, and the Timekeeper keeps the team on task according to the designated time allotted for the meeting.

It is highly recommended that each team complete a Team Charter. The Team Charter details what type of team is being created, what data led to the establishment of the team, the timeline under which the team is to operate, and the team’s level of authority. At the first

Zina A. Berry, DDS

meeting, each member is required to sign the Charter to indicate a commitment to the teaming process. The Team Leader is the conduit between the team and the Quality Advisor. The Team Leader keeps the Quality Advisor updated about the team’s progress. Unless the team runs into difficulty (e.g., consistently absent team members, issues cannot be resolved, the team needs to clarify and verify its purpose, etc.), the Quality Advisor does not meet with the team beyond the first meeting.

At least two (2) days prior to the meeting, the Team Leader would send out a notification reminder about the meeting and a tentative agenda. The agenda would specify the time of the meeting, location, and purpose. Other items that could be stated on the agenda are:

1 Review of the Team Charter;

2 Status Reports on Active Items/Assignments from the last meeting;

3 Topics to be discussed or issues to be decided upon with an estimated amount of time to be designated for each topic/issue;

4 Meeting evaluation

An Action Register specifying who will do what, and by when, can be created and shared with each team member at the end of each meeting so that tasks are clear. Teams would meet at least 4 times to address the issue, but no more than 6 times. Once the team has met its established outcome(s), it can and should dismantle itself. If other ideas have surfaced that merit team formation, the team can re-charter itself with the same, new, or a combination of both old and new team members. The last meeting of the team would be a celebration that recognizes the work of the team and its completion of the assignment.

Each team would evaluate its effectiveness. There are several ways to do this, but one that works well is known as a Plus/Delta. The Plus/Delta evaluation is an openended evaluation whereby team members complete the following sentences: I liked (+), and I wish (Δ). This type of evaluation is intended to help the Team Leader understand how well the team is working together, and to determine what corrective action, if any, needs to be taken for the

next meeting. Another evaluation that works well is a 1–5point Likert rating scale whereby participants determine how well the group functioned to start and finish on time, to keep the interaction flowing, and to ensure individual assignments were completed. Figure 1.0 is a format that can be used to evaluate the group’s overall performance in staying on task. The Team Leader can complete the form with input from the members, or each individual member can complete the form and submit it to the Team Leader for analysis.

Teams are one of the best ways to move a project from the idea stage to completion, by involving others in the decision-making process. However, to be highly productive, it is necessary that team members are given ample time to work on team assignments, and release time to attend meetings. The Team Leader’s final duty is to report the team’s conclusions and recommendations to the Quality Advisor/Sponsor, who then becomes responsible for integrating the team’s recommendations into the organization’s overall planning process. Thus, in their own unique way, teams ensure movement and continuous improvement resulting in performance excellence.

About the authors:

Dr. Yvonne Howze is co-owner of Dental Leadership, LLC, which sponsors the Dental Leadership Academy (DLA) to train dentists and others in the dental profession nationwide. She has gleaned critical insights into dentistry to help Dentists (and their staffs) run their operations with systematic efficiency by teaching them tried-and-true techniques and by training them on continuous improvement principles and tools to reduce waste, work closely with vendors, and improve staff-patient interactions.

Dr. Berry is co-owner of Dental Leadership, LLC, which sponsors the Dental Leadership Academy (DLA) to train dentists and others in the dental profession nationwide. Dr. Berry is a seasoned and savvy dentist with nearly three decades of expertise. She has received many certifications and awards demonstrating her highly successful career as a dentist and business owner. Because of her wealth of knowledge and expertise about business operations and day-to-day management in healthcare environments, she is frequently invited to be a guest speaker.

- Team Meeting Evaluation Example

ALL STUFFED UP AND NOWHERE TO BLOW: THE ROLE OF THE STUFFY NOSE IN AIRWAY DYSFUNCTION

By Dr. Susan Maples

The word is out! 24/7 nasal breathing is everyone’s aim, and for a litany of health reasons. For only the nose holds such magic abilities to warm, humidify and purify the air. But in babies and growing children, 24/7 nasal breathing (with lips sealed and the tongue resting on the palate) plays perhaps a weightier role in dodging lifelong breathing and sleep disorders. The muscles responsible for habitual resting, sucking, and swallowing functions literally form their growing bones into the ultimate shape of their tongue-box and nose-space.

Fortunately, we are born with the ability to breathe through our noses—otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to eat. (Recall that a newborn must suck and swallow with their mouth, while simultaneously breathing through their nose). Sometimes we can intervene to ease lip closure, good tongue posture, and suckling. We have witnessed good results from surgical tongue- and lip-release, and/or supportive craniosacral and myofunctional therapies.

mouTh BreaThinG To The rescue

But what if, one day, your baby wakes up with a nose that’s completely plugged? Thank God the mouth is available as a backup plan. Granted, it doesn’t oxygenate your child’s body with the same efficiency or offer the same air filtration, but it’s lifesaving in times of need. And hopefully, as in the case of a common cold, their stuffy nose clears up in a week or so, and your child experiences a homecoming … to 24/7 nasal breathing. But what if that rescue mouth breathing turns into a lasting habit?

Here’s where it gets confusing. Turns out, chronic mouth breathing becomes responsible for the stuffy nose itself!

This concept we call “nasal disuse” is one we don’t fully understand, but that it’s real, and we concur. In fact, after reading James Nester’s book Breathe, we felt like we lived it vicariously during his self-inflicted nasal disuse experiment.

To clear goopy nasal passages, especially before sleep, we could put more emphasis on nasal clearing practices such as habitual saline sinus flushes before bed. Sterile saline washes away mucous, allergens, and other debris. It’s also thought to help moisten the mucous membranes, although there is some opposing consideration that overuse of saline rinses can dry the nose.

We need more research to discover if the addition of a natural lubricant such as coconut oil, almond oil might be safe and effective for long-term use. Xylitol nasal sprays are evidenced to help with mucous and reduce inflammation.

The ploT Thickens …

In analyzing this shift in my kids (patients) from healthy nose breathing to chronic mouth breathing, I kept asking myself, “What else might I be missing?” Then, while writing the book, Brave Parent, Raising Healthy Happy Kids (against all odds) in Today’s World, the research led me to some interesting answers.

Turns out, there are other pediatric airway diseases/ disorders whose incidences have skyrocketed with alarm in the past forty years… Allergies and Asthma. Both epidemics began their steady climbs in the 1980’s, right along with Sleep Disordered Breathing and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Bang! I immediately started looking at food and

environmental allergies as a significant stimulant for the chronic stuffy nose—that stuffy nose that necessitates rescue mouth breathing … that spurs further nasal disuse … and ultimately drives the cascade of craniofacial respiratory deformity.

According to the CDC, we’ve experienced a 50% increase in food allergies between 1997 and 2011. Now one in every twenty kids has a food allergy. Beyond a stuffy nose, a child with an allergic reaction visits the emergency department every three minutes in the US. The most common food allergens for children are wheat, eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, strawberries, sesame, and soy.

We must remind parents that genetics is not believed to play a significant role here because our genetic makeup certainly hasn’t changed much in the fifty years we’ve witnessed this skyrocketing trend.

Incidentally, I mentioned the asthma epidemic in kids because Allergic (or Extrinsic) Asthma is also triggered by allergens and thus also deserves our attention. Remember, Asthma is irreversible.

how is This h appeninG?

Today it’s a better-known concept that the increase in food and environmental allergies also has to do with a lack of exposure to early-life microbes. While we are born in a relatively sterile environment, we swiftly become a massive bug factory. It’s mind-blowing to think that for every human cell, we carry more than TEN microscopic bugs along for the ride. (The ratio is 1:1 for bacteria and 10:1 favoring viruses.) It seems the more assorted our bug populations become, the healthier we are presumed to be. And vise versa!

Sounds counterintuitive, doesn’t it? But it should come as no surprise because it is just as we observe in nature. Forests, lakes, oceans, and other wildlife habitats flourish with a wide diversity of life forms. Whenever you see that lack of diversity, you witness firsthand a suffering habitat.

As such, there’s a heap of good research pinning the big rise in allergies, asthma, autoimmune deficiencies, inflammatory bowel diseases, autism, diabetes, certain types of cancer, and even obesity on our deficient microbiome. To learn more, tap into the Human Genome Project and stay tuned as this field of study continues to explode.

The root causes (and solutions) of our modern microbial inadequacy are many: overuse of antibiotics, processed foods, a glut of C-sections, decreased connection to the outdoors, and over-sanitization of our environment (i.e., commercial dishwashers, hot clothing driers, oversanitization of surfaces).

But that’s not all. We’re also staring at a huge decrease in agricultural diversity in our diets. Sadly, 75% of our food comes from only twelve plant species and five animal species.

whaT can we Do?

It’s hard for physicians to keep up with the changing recommendations for allergy prevention and treatment. In 2000, the American Academy of Pediatrics agreed that we should delay the introduction of cow’s milk until age one, eggs until age two, and shellfish, fish, peanuts, and tree nuts until age three.

But in 2008, the pendulum began to swing the other way. It was determined that the current guidelines were ineffective, and maybe even contributing to the worsening crisis. A recent landmark study showed children who received a delayed introduction to peanuts had a higher chance of developing an allergy compared to children who received an intro to peanuts between four and seven months.

Hence, the new recommendations by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology are that allergenic foods should be introduced like other whole foods. Present them one at a time, gradually, in small quantities, starting at four to six months (soon after vegetables and meats), and ideally before they are seven months old.

Back To a irway…

Do you see how all of this is connected? Through expanded learning, it’s exciting to see our role in the ability to help kids identify food allergies/sensitivities and uncover new strategies that might aid their Sleep Disordered Breathing.

Thank you for your dedication to continual learning about children’s sleep and breathing disorders. We, airway-astute dentists, can make a really big difference, helping kids grow up healthy and happy (against all odds) in today’s world!

About

Dr. Susan Maples

Dr. Susan Maples is a passionate health educator and leads a successful, insurance-independent practice in Holt, Michigan named Total Health Dentistry. She brings preventive and restorative dental expertise, a passion for mouth-body total health, a master’s degree in business/marketing, and 35+ years of experience in private practice. Susan currently serves as President of the American Academy of Oral and Systemic Health. She is the creator and founder of Total Health Academy, a complete online solution for dental teams to integrate all aspects of Total Health Dentistry, and developer of the Hands-On Learning Lab™ and SelfScreen.net. She is the author of BlabberMouth!

77 Secrets Only Your Mouth Can Tell You To Live a Healthier, Happier, Sexier Life. And Susan just released a new book titled, Brave Parent! Raising Healthy, Happy Kids (against all odds) in Today’s World.

CLEARLY WORTHY

By Allison Lacoursiere

Iam going to ask you one question that will change your life.

First, I want you to imagine yourself at the end of your life. You are about to take your last breath, surrounded by the ones you love. You are looking back on everything you have accomplished, the moments, the memories, the stresses, and the accomplishments.

Now - what mattered to you?

No - what really mattered to you?

What would you look back on and say, “that was it - that was the purpose of my life”? What accomplishments would you look back on and say, “ I am so proud of the work that I did and the life I created for myself”? Would it be your family, your memories, your legacy, or your work? Would your family know how much you loved them? Would you feel a sense of peace at how you spent your life?

Mortality gives us context. Memento mori - remember death. It allows us to clear away the clutter and allows us to “remember to remember.”

Remember the important things.

Remember what actually matters and what doesn't.

Remember that our life is precious.

Remember that despite our mistakes and imperfections, we are perfect, beautiful, and talented.

Remember to use our time with a true sense of urgency because we don't know how much we have.

Remember to chase our passion and purpose.

Remember to take risks towards the things we believe in and want to change.

Remember to tell the people that matter to us that we love them.

Remember to let things go and forgive.

Remember to do the scary things.

Remember to be brave.

Looking back to look forward cuts away the noise and allows us to discern what we focus on each day; it allows us to get to that point where we can truly be proud of the life that we lived.

We don't have much time. This life is more precious than we know. We don't have time to waste on things that don't matter. Unfortunately, most people don't have this sense of urgency until something goes wrong or something terrible happens that changes the way they see life. Maybe someone they love dies unexpectedly, maybe they

How to take up space, speak your truth, and unleash the aligned, most powerful version of you yet

get diagnosed with a terminal illness, or maybe they get into an accident that takes away a part of their freedom.

I want you to know, none of these things need to happen to you for you to find the courage to step into your full potential. You do not need to experience deep trauma to fully engage, dig in and create the life that will allow you to look back and know that you were the most powerful, most aligned, and truest version of yourself.

You don't have to regret anything in your life. You don't have to wish that you did anything different. You don't have to feel like you missed out.

You can start today to create a life worth living that is uniquely YOU, a life that honors the perfect, talented and unique part of you.

What is the fastest way to get there?

You must believe that you are worthy of that life.

After coaching hundreds of women in the past few years, analyzing the patterns and behaviors of women passed down in my own family, and going through my own transformation, it has become clear to me that the through line that prevents women from stepping into the most aligned, most authentic, and most powerful version of themselves is a feeling of not being worthy.

Not being worthy of having the life they want.

Not being worthy of earning the income they deserve.

Not being worthy of being treated well in their job, relationships, or friendships.

Not being worthy of taking time for themselves.

Not being worthy of rest.

Not being worthy of speaking up and asking for what they want.

Not being worthy of spending time or money on themselves.

Not being worthy of saying no.

My lack of worthiness plagued me for years, getting worse as I grew older and finally resulting in me being in an abusive relationship. I didn't think I was worthy of leaving sooner, I didn't know it was my lack of worthiness that kept me there too long. Leaving that relationship catapulted me on a journey back to myself to understand how a strong, independent, confident woman would end up with someone that would mistreat her. The journey back to myself has been one of the hardest and most rewarding adventures I have ever been on. It led me to understand worthiness and how the foundation for love,

success, peace, and joy all stem from the feeling of being worthy of it all.

What I learned is that every single decision you make that does not honor you stems from a lack of worthiness. Everything you want in your life that you are not allowing, being, or having, stems from not feeling worthy of it.

What if you could change that?

What if you could feel worthy of everything you wanted in your life?

What if you could become unavailable for anything that does not align with you in your life through the journey to worthiness?

I will teach you the steps to get there, and I want you to know that it could be the most important work you have ever done.

I also want you to know that this is not about creating the “best version of you”, or becoming someone you are not; being worthy of the life you want comes from uncovering, allowing, and becoming the most aligned version of you. Everything you are and need is already inside of you.

k now yourself

The first step on your journey to worthiness is knowing yourself. Truly knowing who you are, what you want, and what makes you light up the most. This takes getting honest, and it takes getting real with yourself first and others second. We can spend so much time bending, adapting, and acquiescing to the needs and wants of others that we actually forget who we are. We can spend so much time fitting into societal norms, expectations, and pressures that we don't even know what life we want

to be living. We can even forget what we want. It takes time to come back to yourself. We can get on a hamster wheel and just run, continuously hiding from ourselves, staying busy, numb, or so distracted that we never have time to just be with ourselves. Stop hiding. Stop running. Stop numbing. Start asking yourself - who are you really, what do you need, what do you want? Get to know YOU. Remember to be gentle with yourself, be kind, and get curious. It can feel scary, and sometimes you might not want to face who you are, but it is worth it; you are worth it.

accepT yourself

On the journey of knowing yourself, you will uncover some things that you may not like about yourself. You may find things that you judge yourself on, things you wish you would have done differently, and even things you are not proud of. You may feel scared or ashamed to face all of these things; however, the more we avoid these things, the bigger they become. The more we hide these things and the longer we don't confront them, the more space they take up in our subconscious mind and they prevent us from feeling at peace or love for ourselves. We must accept who we are. To do this, we must forgive ourselves and allow ourselves to not be perfect. What we find on the other side of our own self-judgment or self-criticism is an incredible, beautiful, and imperfectly perfect soul. Go and find her!

honor yourself

Once you know yourself and accept who you are - even the imperfections, the mistakes, and the parts of you that you wished were different - now it's time to honor yourself. We honor ourselves by listening to our own needs, by being rather than doing, and by slowing down enough to listen to our bodies, souls, and minds to start to feel good more often. You must start to believe that life gets to be easy, fun, and peaceful all at the same time as it is productive and successful. Honoring yourself is allowing yourself to be who you are and to be unavailable for the things that don't align with you. Honoring yourself means prioritizing your needs over the needs of others. It means doing what feels right for you, even if it's different than what's expected of you. It means saying no when you are tired and holding your boundaries when they are pushed. Honoring yourself can be as simple as saying, “no thank you,” when you want something different than the group. It could be getting honest with your friend about the way they have hurt your feelings. It is taking care of you because you know you are worth taking care of.

love yourself

Loving yourself comes from really knowing, accepting,

and honoring yourself. When it becomes the norm to stay aligned, honor yourself always. It is loving yourself to know that you are worthy of being exactly who you are, imperfections and all, to take up the space you deserve, speak up, say no, and say the truth, even if it's not what people want to hear. From this love, you get to take off your mask and be who you are. The real you - the one that might have been hiding for the last few years. This stage comes with total peace and absolute joy in being who you are. Your life will become easier, and more purposeful, and you know without question you are worthy of living the life that you love. Things that don't matter will fall away, and you will step into your highest and best power.

This is not about becoming someone else. This is not about becoming “the best” version of yourself. This is about being brave enough to really see yourself, accept yourself, honor yourself and fall in love with yourself. This is the path to having everything you want in your life. This is the key to looking back on your life and feeling like it was a life worth living. Everything you want and everything you want to be is inside of you already. Our job is to allow ourselves to be seen, be vulnerable, accept ourselves and allow ourselves to show up bravely to the world.

Your life, the one that will really matter, the one that you will look back on and be proud of depends on feeling worthy of being you.

You are worthy of being you.

You are worthy of showing up in the world just as you are.

So let's start on one of the best adventures of your life.

Get to know yourself. Accept yourself for who you are. Honor that amazing person. Love yourself.

The most aligned version is waiting for you on the other side of worthiness.

About Allison Lacoursiere

Allison Lacoursiere is a professional coach with a focus on leadership and worthiness. As the founder of Clear Coaching, she is an expert in helping Doctors and teams step into their greatest potential through powerful communication, confidence, and mindset strategies. She has years of experience helping Dentists streamline their efficiency and increase their production using the Humans First methodology. She has coached hundreds of women on worthiness through her coaching program Clearly Worthy. She has a decade of dental experience, has a lifetime membership to AADOM, and is certified as a Registered Dental Assistant, Orthodontic Assistant as well as Dental Office Management through the University of Toronto. Allison is a faculty member of Align Technology, Upgrade Dental, and the Dental Speakers institute.

Retreat 2022

Photos: Peepsake Photography

THE POWER OF TOGETHERNESS

By Lynn Wong

The DeW retreat in November 2022 was a real eyeopener. It was the first time that I had experienced the power of a group of women in its rawest sense. It was 2.5 days that oozed with a camaraderie that I had never seen before - a room filled with 130 women, all of whom had their own stories – some happy, but many more which were deeply sad, disturbing and traumatic.

Brave women poured out their hearts to a captive audience and shared some of the most intimate details about their lives, whilst the rest of us sat, often in stunned silence and with tear-filled eyes. For those who have suffered, they were the lucky ones, as they were there to recount their story. They had found the strength to pick themselves up, they had conquered, and they were survivors. Their stories made me think of my late mother, and I would like to share her story with you.

Throughout my childhood, I would often hear from the Chinese society around me that women were both unworthy and inferior to men. Although those comments may now be made more quietly, it is nevertheless a mindset that has been slow to change.

My mother was born in a poor farming village in Hong Kong in 1935. At the time of her birth, malaria, dysentery, and typhoid rampaged throughout the territory, where disease was so rife that it all became an entangled web, such that it was impossible to distinguish one disease

from another. Poverty and squalid living conditions led to many sicknesses, and many died. There was no money for doctors, and urgent care simply didn’t exist. People didn’t know what disease they were inflicted with, and, with no access to modern medicine, when people got sick, family members would go into the mountains to dig up roots and forage for leaves and berries from known medicinal plants. That was all they had, and they simply hoped for the best.

The struggle to survive meant that it was not uncommon for families to sell their daughters into wealthier families. The practice of selling girls had been going on for many generations and was a form of slavery that was technically outlawed by the time my mother was born, but it was a tradition that continued, nevertheless.

These girls were known as “bondservants”. If they were lucky, they were kept and used by their owners as domestic help; if not, they would end up being sold into prostitution. More rarely, when a family with more than one son could not afford to keep a male child, the “surplus” sons were sold into a family which had no male heir to continue the family name, which was regarded as of utmost importance - an attitude that continues to prevail in the minds of many of the older generation to this day. Boys were luckier, as they were deemed adopted by their new family as prized sons. Girls, on the other hand, were regarded as worthless chattels, and, upon marriage, they

became part of their husband’s families. Even today, once married, a girl addresses her mother-in-law as “the mother of the family,” and where her own mother becomes known as “the outside mother”. As a child, I would spend a lot of time at my mother’s side. We talked a lot, and she would tell me stories of her childhood.

My mother was sold at the tender age of three because her own family could not afford to keep her – and also because she was a girl. Despite the squalor in her own family home, things did not improve when she was sold into my father’s family. My father’s father died when my father was two years old, and he was raised by his mother, his two older siblings had died of mysterious childhood illnesses some years previously. My grandmother bought my mother to carry out domestic duties and to work in the fields.

Although my mother did not resent the sweat and toil, she resented the treatment she received from her new “sibling” (my father, who later became her husband) and my grandmother. They starved her and fed her only enough to survive; they tormented her and were physically cruel. As a child, she would be kicked around by my father and struck with hard objects by my grandmother. She was made to feel worthless and told that no one wanted her. She remained ashamed, even in later life, when she recounted that she wore rags for clothes into her teenage years and had no shoes on her feet; she was so malnourished that her periods had still not started when she and my father married when she turned 17.

As a child, she would sometimes come across her own mother, but my mother never acknowledged her and would not turn to face the woman who had sold her. She never forgave her mother, and for the rest of her life, would often ask, “Why me, why not my sisters?” and “What did I ever do in a past life to deserve the life I’ve had?”.

As a child, I spent many hours rubbing the parts of her body that my mother was unable to reach with smelly Chinese embrocation oils, as she suffered from a myriad of physical pains which stemmed from the beatings she’d endured as a child.

My mother also lived through the terrifying period when Hong Kong was occupied by the Japanese during World War II. Not only was there widespread starvation but there were beatings from soldiers, who also raped, mutilated, and executed the locals; and who also shot and wounded my grandmother because she refused to bow her head to those who now occupied her homeland.

There were many times in her life when my mother wanted to commit suicide. On one occasion, she’d had everything prepared to do the deed when she was discovered by a neighbor who talked her out of it. In spite of everything life threw at her, my mother found the strength to carry on;

much of that strength came from the knowledge that she had her own children, who needed her.

Not only did she grow up being deprived of love and comfort, but my mother was deprived of the one thing she wanted most – an education. She used to beg my grandmother to be allowed to go to school, but my grandmother would admonish her and tell her that school was no place for a girl.

My mother had three daughters, as well as raising a boy who was “gifted” to my parents by an extended family member on my father’s side. They had too many children, and my mother had not borne my father a male heir, a matter for which she was made to hold her head in shame. That boy became my parents’ “prized son” and my younger brother. It’s shocking how such archaic practices continued into the 1970s.

In my teens and twenties, many Chinese girls of the same age were still facing the prospect of arranged marriages, but I knew that it was something that was never going to happen to me. My mother had suffered such atrocities in my father’s household, that she instilled in me that it was okay to be unmarried; that if I did wish to marry, I had to be certain it was what I wanted; and where I was better off being on my own than being with someone who treated me badly.

My mother wanted her daughters to be educated and to be able to stand on their own two feet; she did not want us to be second-class citizens in the world or to be a slave to any man – she wanted us to be equals. She often talked of the things she would have loved to have done had she had a formal education. She understood that education gave women the ability to be free, to be able to take control of their own destiny, and to have the confidence to make their own decisions. If she’d had an education, she would have walked away from my father and his family many years before; but the lack of an education meant that she was helpless and had nowhere to go.

Despite never having had a formal education, my mother was an incredibly practical and intelligent woman, and when she was in her 70s, her oldest grandson, who at the time was training as an aeronautical engineer, used to joke that if grandma had her time again, she’d probably cut it as a rocket scientist! It was only when my father died in 1999 that my mother felt that she had been emancipated from lifelong servitude, and she became a much more contented person as she grew into old age.

For the first time in her life, she had freedom to do, think and say as she wished; and to live and enjoy her life. By this stage, she had raised four children who loved her, worried about her, and who looked after her, and she had grandchildren who gave her immense joy. She was content because, as a mother, she had achieved

what she’d set out to achieve, having given all of her children an education, enabling them to be self-sufficient, independent and capable of not only making decisions but being able to act on them.

The word “education” has its roots in Latin and literally means “to lead out”. As a child, my mother could never have imagined how life could be so different for her own daughters – education is the one single thing that has enabled the changes to take place in the time span of a single generation.

My mother’s love, strength, resilience, and guidance have made me the person I am today. She was selfless, and throughout her life, whatever little she had, she would give away to the person who needed it more. She knew what it meant to have absolutely nothing.

Why did the DeW retreat make me think of my mother? It was because of the power in the room. For many DeWs, the friendships they’d uncovered in this body of special women had helped them in their darkest hours. It had helped them to persevere and to carry on living - in

some cases, literally. We listened; we understood; we comforted; we shared; and we learned what it meant to be part of a tribe. The many struggles of women may not be quite the same as they were in my mother’s day, but the need to be there for each other remains.

We are strong, and our power is in our togetherness.

About the author:

Lynn is a corporate lawyer and fund manager by background, who subsequently found her way into working with early stage technology companies, as an advisor, and as a board member. In 2020, she co-founded vTail Healthcare Telecommunications. For healthcare companies, vTail provides a new and efficient way to support and engage with clinicians across the USA. For clinicians, vTail saves them time by providing free, simple and secure access to product information and support, as well as providing a forum for learning and peer-to-peer engagement, leading to overall better patient care. More information about vTail may be found at www.vtail.co and Lynn can be reached at lynn@vtail.co

D eW DATES

Mark your calendars:

DeW Meet-Up: Sip and Support for Kindness Conquers

February 17, 2023

Anticus Art Galery

3922 N Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Chicago Midwinter

February 23-25, 2023

Chicago, IL

DeW Meet-Up with Connect the Dents

Three Dots and A Dash 5:30 - 8:00, February 23, 2023

Magazine Signing at CMW Meet at Booth

Friday, February 24, 10:30 -12:30

WinDSO

March 8-10th, 2023

Aria Resort & Casino, Las Vegas

HINMAN Dental Conference

March 16 - 18, 2023

DeW Booth #1930

Georgia World Congress Center

Atlanta, GA

National Mobile & Teledentistry Conference

March 2-4, 2023

Dallas, Texas

DeW meet ups TBD: look out on the DeW Life Crew Facebook page for meeting dates

If you want to arrange a meetup, please email anneduffy@dew.life

“GRIN AND BEAR IT” IS NOT A WAY OF LIFE

By Katrina Klein RDH, CEAS, CPT

It’s that day. The one when the last straw has been pulled. When the constant nit-picking picks our last nerve, and we can’t bear the thought of continuing to work this way any longer. It can be the moment when the persistent dull ache at the base of the neck and spine turns into a sharp shooting pain down the side of the arm and then goes numb, a micromanaging order that sparks the search for ‘Help Wanted’. Or for many aspiring entrepreneurs, it’s the day when being someone’s employee is no longer viable. No matter the situation, it’s the same, and everything breaks or bends with enough pressure.

From there, it’s like a switch is flipped, and we go into solution mode. But first, to really solve the problem, we need to know how did it get this bad? If we’re being honest, the signs that this was coming were there all along.

As dental professionals, we are always “on”. We are the comforters, the counselors, the entertainers, the distractors, the chicken glove balloon makers, the treatment providers, the educators, and the leaders for the patients who need to feel safe under our care. They want to feel confident in our enthusiasm and knowledge of our craft. We don’t get the luxury of losing our grins in front of patients, in front of coworkers, and rarely to our

bosses – no matter how real the angst may be. We feel compelled to smile and nod while the nagging ache eats away at the love we have for our profession.

25 years into dentistry, and I’m still a total dental nerd. I can’t help it, I love this stuff. When I graduated, my goal was to practice hygiene 3-4 days a week until my body forced me to change careers. So I had better enjoy it for the 7-10 years it was supposed to last! In a way, that threat of losing the career I worked so hard to get into, was a catalyst for making me take every precaution possible. I’m 15 years into full-time clinical hygiene and am certain I can practice without physical pain for as long as I want. I also recognize that this is less and less common.

42% of clinical hygienists leave the industry due to office culture and lack of advancement, according to a recent study put out by the ADA. As many as 96% of hygienists complain of physical pain. Studies show that up to 27% of dentists have suicidal thoughts in their careers. “Burnout” is such a common conversation in dentistry today that there are social media groups with 22K people trying to find a way out of the op because they feel trapped! The struggle of physical pain and emotional exhaustion is cumulative and very real - and this hygienist, ergonomics

assessment specialist, and certified personal trainer feels it’s because we practice a little too much ‘grin and bear’ it rather than acting and practicing self-care. Putting the laundry away on the same day it’s washed doesn’t count as self-care, ladies.

I’ve been fortunate not to have pain from clinical dentistry, but I have had to grin and bear my way through more days than I can count. Many people don’t know that I started my dental career in the front office. I nearly left the industry altogether after 5 years of feeling the entire weight of the practices I worked for on my shoulders. If the schedule wasn’t full, was too full, if patients didn’t pay, if insurance didn’t pay – it was my fault. The constant pressure came from everyone, and rarely was everyone happy at the same time. I fled to Delta Dental (where I started my ergonomic training) and hid in a cubicle for 5 years, licking my wounds and wondering if I would ever get to live the glorious life of a hygienist. Stop laughing, you don’t know what you don’t know.

We experience this phenomenon as female dental entrepreneurs as well. I’ve felt the exclusion of the tightly knitted cliques, the sting of stolen materials, and the pressure to do things ‘the way we’ve always done it’. We smile and nod and hope and pray for the sponsor partnerships that come easier for our male counterparts. We trade in hours of leaning over patients for hours leaning over laptops, shoulder pain from chicken winging to hand strain from mousing for hours, and lunch breaks for zoom meetings. We spend nights creating content instead of sleeping and have self-development books in the queue for the occasional bouts of self-doubt. We are on a mission that we LOVE, but there is a cost.

It’s only when we start making costly travel mistakes or double book an event that we recognize that our grin has become a grimace and that it’s time to phone a nondental friend for a much-needed coffee date to talk about the world outside of dentistry. We refill our cups and begin the draining process again.

A day or week of neck/back pain or running on empty isn’t the problem. It’s seasons like that, when we take our hurt feelings or our body aches and empty them into glasses of wine for months at a time, that are the problem. When that cycle becomes the norm, like a 3-month PMT patient who practices inconsistent oral care. The chronic disease that erodes the supporting bone in their mouth is no different than the chronic cycles of lack of self-care that erode the supportive foundation that we use to pursue our dreams. The aches and pains we experience in our mind, body, and soul weigh on us when we shove them down and tell ourselves to ‘suck it up, buttercup’.

Why do we do that???

What if we stopped wearing exhaustion and pain like a badge of honor?

What if there was a way to honor our dreams AND practice self-care?

There is a way. I won’t pretend I’m at the top of my game 100% of the time, or that I’m so busy in my business that I know the Sacramento-based American Airlines flight crews by name, but 90% of the time, I maintain a decent balance. Since 90% is an A, I figure I’m doing alright and should share the basics of career longevity as I see them, which is, of course, the first step.

First thing is first, notice and then admit there is a problem. According to the Mayo Clinic, adults need 7- 8 hours of sleep. Just because you have learned to be “productive” in 5 hours doesn’t mean you should.

Correcting a hijacked circadian rhythm takes time but is doable. Turn off the phone an hour or so before bed, dim the lighting in the house, read a fictional book, and take a shower. Turn the phone face down and on silent while sleeping. Get a digital clock for the bedroom to eliminate the need to look at the phone for the time.

Nutrients are not optional, as many of us have come to believe. Waiting until our blood sugar level plummets to a point of shaking is counterproductive. Taking 15 minutes or an hour to prepare snacks and meals for the week is a game changer. Rather than taking on the entire diet beast, start with 1 meal for a couple of weeks. Once that meal is consistent, work on the rest.

We are 70% water. It’s not optional. Start with a glass of water first thing in the morning to boost your metabolism (especially if daytime water consumption is a struggle). Then a glass with meals and always bring water in the car. The goal is at least half your weight in ounces per day.

Wake and stretch. As soon as your feet hit the floor, take 30 seconds to reach for the sky and touch the floor. A little up/down dog and trunk twists won’t hurt either. Releasing the muscles before contracting them for 8-10 hours is basic injury prevention.

Resistance train. Lifting weights has a multitude of physical and psychological benefits. Everything from mood enhancement, increased quality of sleep, bone density improvement, increased energy, and more. It doesn’t take a gym membership or 10 hours a week, but you get out what you put in, nothing more or less. 15 minutes is always better than 0 minutes.

Step away from the laptop, ma’am. Allow the mind to relax every couple of hours. Allowing the eyeballs to relax every 20-30 minutes can reduce headaches, eye strain,

and mental fatigue. Simply look out a window or close the eyelids and apply cool gentle pressure.

Check yourself before you wreck yourself. Look at your workspace and work ergonomically in that space. I’m talking to you leaners, hunchers, and laptop-in-the-bed users. Asking for help with posture or work makes you smart, so seek help when needed.

Be mindful. If your cup is less than half full, take time to refill it BEFORE it’s empty. The time required for refilling 30% of a cup is much less than refilling an entire cup. And it’s less messy. Planning time to refill your cup isn’t a luxury – it’s a requirement.

Remember that variety is the spice of life. Keep learning, exploring, and adventuring during and after business hours. As clinicians or business entrepreneurs, we are givers. When we grin and bear it for too many seasons, we can slip into depression, resent our work, or worse, tradein dentistry for real estate, so take care of yourselves, friends!

About the author:

Katrina Klein is a full time practicing registered dental hygienist of 15 years, knows firsthand the struggle of working in a stationary, inflexible environment. As a Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer, national speaker, author and competitive bodybuilder, Katrina has attained a unique understanding of the biomechanics behind clinical ergonomics, which has given her the expertise and training to help provide safer means of delivering dentistry, through proper ergonomics and fitness.

Contact her at: ErgoFitLife@gmail.com , @ErgoFitLife_Katrina, Facebook Page/Group; ErgoFitLife, www.ErgoFitLife.com

Ever y child should know how to prevent tooth decay!

With help from Align Technology, last year America’s ToothFairy and our partners taught more than 800,000 kids and caregivers how to have healthy smiles.

Together, we can create a future where every child has a healthy smile!

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month! It’s the perfect time to be an oral health action HERO. Find free resources and other ways to get involved at AmericasToothFairy.org.

YOUR PARTNER TO PROSPER

Propel your practice with Patterson.

Supporting your success is central to our purpose. We provide the products, technologies and services you need to modernize, grow and keep your practice running smoothly.

Whether you’re exploring a purchase, implementing a new technology or optimizing it for improvement, our experts will offer you unmatched support.

VISIT OUR VIRTUAL BOOTH TO TALK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE

TRUSTED EXPERTISE. UNRIVALED SUPPORT.™

EXPIRATION DATES

In April 2021, I wrote an article titled “broken,” for a DeW blog. 1 It was a raw description of a time in my life, when my dental school classmate and best friend, 6 weeks prior to graduation, walked away from me bearing, what seemed to be, no reason or explanation. She simply said, “I don't want to be your friend anymore.” As ‘Lynn’ ghosted me, so did our entire circle of friends.

Studies show that social exclusion lights up the same part of the brain as does physical pain2. This means that when we feel alone, rejected, or abandoned, though we can’t quite show the physical wounds, our body perceives the notion in an identical way as would flogging marks across our backs. The agony of that encounter was something I carried for almost 2 decades, shying away from relationships that could potentially hurt me.

And I assumed they all could and would hurt me. The beautiful surprise of life had allowed me to partake in the camaraderie of compassionate and loving contemporaries. They opened my heart to what friendship and companionship should feel like. The pain of my dental school encounter faded, and I, once again, felt comfortable sharing my vulnerabilities, not needing to wear the daily mask I put on so often in life. I had found my tribe, my companions, and my best friends.

This allowed me to understand what relationships should be like and to have the courage to let many, many more

By Dr. Maggie W. Augustyn

new and kind people into my world. My soul was open and not just open to receiving but honored to give. In the years following, I began to feel confident in what I was worth, confident that I was deserving of being loved.

Later, with the help of my life coach (Lani Grass3) and my therapist (Jennifer Hassler4), a time came to create and enforce boundaries for not just self-preservation but also for self-respect. And as life would have it, with cycling and growth, with personal growth of different rates, and with varying interests in giving and receiving love, it became clear that friendships and relationships have an expiration rate. It was earlier this year when I came to the conclusion that we aren’t meant to stay in each other’s lives endlessly; a conclusion that nothing in life is meant to last forever, except for diamonds, that is.

from Darkness comes liGhT comes clariT y

I am coming out of a season of darkness. A season of selfinquiry, a season of self-doubt, a season of self-perceived weakness and failure. A natural sort of thing to happen to a human being, a human factor. A valley of sorts in a landscape of life. And even though the season has been terribly difficult and lonesome, it bore a gift of clarity.

Awakening from the gloom, I had made the realization that part of what made the last few months so difficult was

Choose those who choose you

surrounding myself with people who were not my tribe. People who loved me less than I was worth loving, people who loved me less than I loved them, people who would never love me as much as I needed them to love me. I had done this in multiple places and on multiple levels …and for far too long.

As Jennifer said, I had been trying to fit a square peg into a round hole; a very large square peg into a very small round hole. I was that square peg that didn’t fit, and as much as I knew it, it didn’t seem to keep me from trying to pound it into place. The pounding and its effort, the never to be realized hope that the peg would fit, was not just exhausting, it was unfair, and it was futile. With the exhaustion came the darkness, and after the darkness, I became conscious of the fact that though we revere lifelong friends and companions, that can’t always be the case.

My life coach Lani5 , whom I can’t give enough credit in these transformations, taught me that there is a reason and a season for certain people in our lives. With that knowledge and with its acceptance can sometimes come grief, one which I am feeling very deeply. Grief for the loss of what the future we had imagined with our perceived life-long relationships; a disappointment of its lack in coming, and a sadness, real sadness. These feelings have to be present and be felt, so that joy and laughter can come again, with another set of companions, or with no companions at all.

This above can apply to friends, family, spouses, business partners, and even team members. Walking away from relationships that hurt rather than heal, repress rather than encourage, or drain rather than invigorate can be the most difficult thing you ever do.

The exiT

One thing that may have made it difficult for me to walk away from the burdensome relationships, the thing that made me rethink the decision too many times to mention, has been its repercussions. Not necessarily the repercussions of feeling the emotional turmoil on my end, but the repercussions of the aftereffect on the one I was walking away from.

The last thing I wanted to do was end a relationship in the way ‘Lynn’ had. Another consideration, which is a strong one, was how the departure from the relationship would affect others who were also connected to that same relationship. For example, if a marriage breaks, its effect land on the kids; in the case of a sibling, or parent - the rest of the family may suffer; if a business partnership is concluded, it might be the rest of the team; and on and on.

I wondered how I could minimize the fallout?

I happen to be a runner, not the kind who uses the treadmill or exercises vigorously. The kind of runner who wants to leave the situation; I want to go dark, I want to be invisible, and I want to pretend things are otherwise. I want no conversation, no controversy, no clash, and no confrontation. But with my broken heart from the relationship that ended twenty-some years ago, and in honoring the hardship that ‘going dark and running’ that Lynn caused me, leaving without more than a sentence was not an option, at least not for me. I had 3 relationships on the chopping block, and here is what I chose to do in not running.

Relationship #1: After 7+ years in the making, this kinship was not just not serving me, it stood against all the things I deemed important and moral. In my exit, I sent a letter with an explanation; a kind, non-emotionally driven, description of my resignation from the said affiliation. The beauty of that was that the letter was written and rewritten and sent only when finalized. It gave tremendous closure and a powerful form to moving forward. I prepared myself for either a lack of response or an unassuming confirmation of its receipt, which was exactly what happened.

Relationship #2: The exit of this relationship, decadeslong, involved a phone conversation. A phone call, that later became apparent, was recalled and retold differently by me than the other party. This conversation was difficult, my voice shaky with stomach cramping preceding and maybe a glass of wine that should have followed. The only beauty of that encounter, if I could find one, was that it was over; no closure, no thorough explanation, no rehashing, no unnecessary hurting, just a mutually agreed upon end to the relationship.

Relationship #3: This one was easiest to leave in terms of communication. It was easiest because it went unnoticed by the other person. Our bond expired because I had become unnoticeable, invisible, and there for the other person’s taking. I was a platform for their feeling of superiority and of their undeserved and ill-perceived leadership. It ended because of manipulation and bullying. But with a slew of new people for them to exploit and domineer, my departure was inconspicuous. The release from that relationship, however difficult, meant no more fear of the gentle tyranny. No letter and no phone call were needed; a quiet fading into the background. I was as disposed of as I was disposable.

a Day filleD wiTh DouBT

Though the sentences above don’t bear much emotional description, please do not confuse the words for a

situation that was sterile, flat, simple, or short. It was anything but. Ending one or three of these relationships in a season is a shock to the system. It’s an unforeseen departure from the happily ever after. Yes, it brings on darkness, guilt, shame, and hurt. It carries the fear of never-ending loneliness.

I have spent countless hours putting this in perspective, examining my own attachments and attitudes. I have spent hours in fear of going back to being alone. I have screamed in my closet cursing, having found camaraderie, because losing it hurt like hell. I have accused myself of being childish, of making decisions solely based on my own wounds and injury. In examining these very same relationships, I wondered if I should have stayed, remembering the past, trying to determine if the relationships really did break me and hurt me. But after all of that examination, in a sort of reliving and selfpunishment, I did make it out to the other side.

sTrenGTh in movinG forwarD

In sticking with my decision, following the exit, I became aware that putting one foot in front of the other, on some days, was the only strength I had. Amidst rethinking the beginning, its middle, and its end. Amidst the broken hope, the longing for the future that was never going to come - my dear, know this, and hear this: the pain of that damaging relationship is now gone and just putting one foot in front of the other is worth celebrating. You have made it through a brutal day and if I know you, like I know myself, you have also managed to keep your kids out of trouble, keep them clean, safe, sheltered, and fed.

Your patients were taken care of and your team still has a place to earn a paycheck. You succeeded, even if it was in the darkness. I want to empower you to understand that though we tremble for being alone, the presence of people who hurt you, the presence of people who are selfserving and selfish is far worse than being alone.

Being alone, in this, feeling the discomfort in the pit of your belly, in the fire of your heart, is the beginning of being free. Being free to be loved, to be respected, to be celebrated, and to be worthy. There are times when we have to put ourselves ahead. It’s for survival’s sake. Let me empower you to trust and accept yourself in the days that come, to regularly check in with your intuition, and not waiver from the exit.

Let me empower you to choose those who choose you.

1 https://dew.life/2021/04/27/broken/

2 https://www.wisebrain.org/papers/RejectionHurt.pdf

3 https://waveofwomen.com/

4 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ jennifer-eileen-hassler-oak-brook-il/369079

5 https://dew.life/2021/09/24/ the-new-wave-claiming-your-throne-in-dentistry-as-women/

About Dr. Maggie Augustyn

Dr. Maggie W. Augustyn is a practicing general dentist, owner of Happy Tooth, author and inspiration speaker. She completed her formal dental education, earning a doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Prior to that, she was awarded two Bachelor's degrees (UIC and Benedictine University). She is also an alumnus of Dawson Academy. Dr. Augustyn has published over 50 articles in the last 2 years. She is a columnist for Dentistry Today publishing monthly in “Mindful Moments." She has also written in Dental Economics and is a frequent contributor for Dental Entrepreneur Woman. Dr. Augustyn also has a strong social media presence and has been a guest on multiple podcasts. She can be contacted at maggie.augustyn@gmail.com.

https://www.instagram.com/dr_augustyn/ https://www.facebook.com/maggie.augustyn

DeW Learning Crew

Think Differently and Thrive: Maximizing Your Value In and Out of the Op

with Allison Norris and Sheena Hinson

Tuesday, March 7

7:00-8:30pm

EST

Covid resulted in a mass exodus of clinicians. Interest in careers outside of the clinical setting became more prevalent for dental professionals everywhere. This motivated many in the dental industry to begin to forge a new path for themselves. The previously tolerable frustrations of feeling stuck and unappreciated peaked for many, sparking desire for change and discovery. With discovery comes trial and error. With those lessons comes clarity. Clarity of purpose, clarity of passion, clarity of strengths, clarity of value. Join Allison Norris and Sheena Hinson as they share their expertise to help you DeW something bigger.

Allison is the nonclinical career matchmaker, Founder and CEO of the Dentele Group and host of the series ‘Tooth be Told. She used her experience and connections in the dental industry combined with her strong entrepreneurial instincts to launch the fast growing startup. Her vision is to be the source of hope and truth for candidates by becoming the "go-to" source of talent in the dental industry.

Sheena the owner of Uplevel Practice Solutions, has used her clinical expertise and love of analytics to build a proprietary framework that equips others with the tools and support they need to add value not only to their practices, but also to themselves. Her experience in leading teams to success is why she passionately believes that you can have an ethically profitable practice that is in alignment with your mission, core values(Not just the ones on the website, the real ones) and patient care philosophy all while bringing more joy into your workdays. Her goal is to empower others to achieve the same level of success and professional development that she has.

Sponsored by

PERMISSION TO PIVOT: HOW A MAKEOVER CHANGED MY CAREER

By Dr. Peggy Bown

To say that I have always loved dentistry is a bit of an understatement. When I was 14, my mom took us to a new dentist who had recently immigrated to a nearby community in rural Newfoundland. It was immediately obvious to me that he cared deeply about his patients and his team, and this both impressed and shocked me, as it was so different than what I had experienced in the past. Within only 2 visits, it was clear to me that dentistry was the coolest, most impactful career I could have imagined. Inspired by his caring and educational approach, I left his office that day, announcing to my mother that I would become a dentist.

Now, 35 years later, after graduating from dentistry at Dalhousie University, becoming an LVI Fellow, a DSD Master, Platinum Invisalign Provider, and taking literally hundreds of CE courses, I still feel there is much work to be done. That 14-year-old girl made a promise that she would make it her mission to help positively change public perceptions of dentists and dentistry.

So yes, it would be an understatement to say I LOVE dentistry. It would also be an understatement to say that it is an honour to be able to share my passion for the profession of dentistry with you, the DeW Life community.

My career began in 2001, but 2014 would mark a very sudden new chapter in my life. In May of that year, I experienced an abrupt and uncomfortable ending to my partnership. While the fallout of this was stressful, leaving me with only months to open my own solo practice, the excitement I felt around shaping my own patient experience and team culture outweighed the fear.

Luckily, I stumbled upon an abandoned Harveys restaurant that was for sale and in a good location. With the help of an incredible architect (shout out to my sister Heather Bown), a professional interior designer, and an excellent construction crew, we transformed this old space into the biggest makeover of my career. While the details were hazy, my vision was clear: build the most modern, technology-equipped, and patient-focused clinic ever experienced on the East Coast.

Now that I was free to dream, I began to focus on what I wanted to be known for. I knew that in order to inspire patients the way I was inspired, I would need to create patient engagement with an ‘education first’ approach. And as luck would have it, the digital dentistry of the 21st century had arrived. How could I be so fortunate?

The vision was to offer a wide range of smile and reconstructive services in a modern, caring, and sensoryfriendly clinic. The reconstructive cases were the most rewarding as a general dentist, and so, of course, I wanted to do as much as possible!

My new clinic was named Peggy Bown Dentistry, and would be the opportunity of a lifetime. Here I was, practically unknown as a dentist in my city, building a clinic from scratch, while still practicing full time, AND running on fumes as a mom of two small kids. I definitely had my work cut out for me, but as Simon Sinek would appreciate, my why was clear.

The truth is, it was stressful for many days and months that followed. I remember several difficult decisions and 16-hour days, but I never once considered the possibility of giving up. I believed in a better way.

In addition to the planning and construction obstacles I faced, I also realized that no one knew who I was. Most people in the area had never heard my name, much less knew about the advanced training I had done in cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry. I had been in the group practice for a long time without marketing, branding, or social media. Marketing myself and the unique experience and services I offered, came to me innately. All I wanted to do was share how awesome dentistry could be. However, in 2015, dentists were only beginning to show up on social media.

I knew enough that I had to create an online social presence, and so began my early days of Instagram, FB, LinkedIn, plus website building and content creation. Looking back, I knew that dentistry could be so much

more for both patients and the dental teams. However, moving the profession forward in this way was impossible without social media.

For me, it presented a unique opportunity to share that dentistry could be both exciting and life changing.

Fast forward to January 2022, when I chose to rebrand and change the name of my clinic from Peggy Bown Dentistry to Luxe Dental Group. So many have asked me: “Why would you do such a thing?”, or “Why bother?”

Well, as we all know too well, the pandemic forever changed our industry. Not being one to step away from a challenge, I refused to sink and used time away from the clinic as an opportunity to learn about, and invest in communication and AI technologies.

Although my clinic continues to offer multiple services in general and cosmetic dentistry, we have improved our workflows, and ultimately, our patient journey. Pivoting during 2020 allowed my clinic to evolve and grow into so much more than I could have dreamed, and to my delight, my geographic reach has skyrocketed. We now draw patients from multiple provinces, including all of the Atlantic region, and as far as Ontario. Yes, patients are even flying in from Toronto!

With significant investments in training, technology,

and leadership, I am providing what I call a ‘luxury level experience’, a cut above and beyond traditional patient care in dentistry. When it came to my mind to rebrand, I did so because I felt that the quality of service and the comfortable care we provide should be reflected in the name of the brand. My personal name for the clinic no longer represented who we are. The name LUXE, however, allows me the opportunity to signal we are a destination for luxury dental care.

Unlike any other industry, dentistry has never been thought of as luxury, especially the GP clinic. With endless options for dentists to now invest in digital technology, more comfortable procedures, and patient-team collaboration, I am thrilled to create a new luxury brand for patients who want to experience dentistry in the most modern way possible.

Changing our brand name has also allowed us to recommit the values and mission of our clinic, into a practice worthy of fulfilling the name, LUXE. However, with any brand name change, comes the tough decision of a new logo. While my original logo remains dear to my heart, I knew an updated logo could be more meaningful.

I chose my logo to be two triangles facing one another. The mirror image of the iconic triangle symbolizes quality care and the relationship between patient and team. Together both triangles create a diamond shape meaning a high-quality patient experience that can only be described as ‘LUXE’.

I have to admit that along with dentistry, I have added a new passion for branding and marketing since becoming a business owner. I now help other dentists do the same through my courses called the Modern Dentist, where doctors can receive mentorship on how to become more modern and differentiate themselves in an ever-crowded market. Through sharing my story, I have realized the

massive demand for modern dentistry workflows and digital adoption. I have discovered many doctors have no idea where to start or what to do first, let alone how to implement it or market and brand themselves. Without the ‘how to’ guide of implementation, we have not progressed as a profession nearly as quickly as the technology has evolved. This makes the gap ever wider but a unique opportunity for some doctors to stand out.

Although my passion for dentistry was realized as a child, it has only continued to grow as I have found my path as a practice owner, and now, speaker. I am so excited to treat patients in a way that they have never experienced, while also showing other dentists how to do the same. There are endless opportunities to find your niche within this profession and reignite the excitement we all felt when we picked up our first mirror and explorer. A part of me hopes that by reading this, you are reminded of why you came into this field in the first place and that you, too, have satisfied the big dreamer inside of you that brought you along this journey toward becoming a dentist.

About the author:

Dr. Peggy Bown, a 2001 graduate of Dalhousie Dentistry, left her group practice in 2014 to open a modern and fully digital practice, later co-branding it as an official DSD Clinic. Her passion is creating an exceptional patient journey while improving public perceptions of dentistry. Dr. Bown has lectured across Canada and internationally on digital workflows, branding, and social media marketing. Sparked by the pandemic, she has recently created a curriculum and mentorship program called the Modern Dentist, with LIVE and on-demand courses, in addition to hosting a weekly podcast called The Truth About Dentistry. She can be reached on LinkedIn and Instagram @drpeggybown or via her website www.smilesbybown.com

In 2013, Pulpdent introduced a new restorative material that actively supported dental health.

A first of its kind, the material moved beyond the limitations of existing glass ionomers and RMGIs. It was durable, load-bearing, and esthetic. By releasing and recharging fluoride, phosphate, and calcium, it helped promote remineralization and apatite formation at the restorative-tooth interface. This significantly reduced microleakage—a leading cause of secondary caries and restorative failure.

Now in 2023, Pulpdent is celebrating 10 years of clinical success of ACTIVA™ BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE™ and ACTIVA™ KIDS. This year we will be introducing ACTIVA to a new generation of dentists, and celebrating the lifelong benefits for millions of patients around the globe.

We invite you to join us.

Today, we’re 10 years closer to merging preventive and restorative dentistry

For You, About You, By You!

DeW Life Magazine is both a digital and a print publication devoted to highlighting and empowering all women in dentistry. Our goal is to inspire women to connect and move each other forward lifting one another up to heights we only dreamed possible. We are delighted to receive general submissions from you, women in dentistry. What is your story? How can you inspire us? What are some of your ‘top of mind’ questions or comments about the dental profession? Is there a topic you would like to explore that could be introduced on our website as a blog or as a feature in our print edition? We want to hear from you and share your narratives.

How can you contribute to Dental entrepreneur Woman? Just DeW it.

Please send photographs and narratives to:

GLIDEWELL PROUDLY PRESENTS

Glidewell is launching its third annual Guiding Leaders program, an incredible leadership development opportunity for practicing women dentists who are ready to become key influencers in the industry. This program consists of in-person trainings for a select group of women dentists who exhibit the potential to guide, lead and spark change for other women in dentistry.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Practicing women dentists with 5+ years of clinical experience are invited to apply. Participants who attend all sessions can earn up to 70 CE units.

COURSE TOPICS:

• Practice Management

• Leadership Development

• Negotiating

• Financial Planning

Stephenie Goddard Chief Executive Officer, Glidewell and Visionary of Guiding Leaders

• Public Speaking

• Media and Brand Enhancement

• Photography

“Guiding Leaders is a phenomenal program that empowers women in dentistry. If you’re ready to be a voice of influence, Guiding Leaders is the right place for you. It is a dynamic environment to learn, grow and impact our industry together!”

guidingleaders.com

949-399-8425

Glidewell Education Center

Nationally Approved PACE Provider for FAGD/MAGD credit Approval does not imply acceptance by any regulatory authority, or AGD endorsement.

3/1/2021 to 2/29/2024.

Provider ID# 216789

guidingleaders@glidewell.com

2022 Guiding Leaders Cohort

“An educated patient is a more valuable patient ... this marketing has done what I needed. I am a woman who knows what I want: quality patients, revenue generation, and relevant information about practice metrics. Patient NEWS delivered all three.” –

Hazel Glasper, DDS, Owner,