Dental Entrepreneur Woman - Summer 2023

What’s Love Got to DeW With It?

Gina G. Parker

Filling the Glass: A Journey of Self-Improvement

Stephenie Goddard

Reclaiming My Heart, Mind, and Soul

Jamie Marboe

Saying Yes to Change

Dr. Aditi Agarwal

Summer 2023

Editor and Publisher

Anne M. Duffy, RDH

Assistant Editor

Clare Yeo

Project Manager

Tari Sixpence

Sales & PR Officer

Nyasha Maripakwenda

Creative Consultant

Beth Linesch

Design and Layout

Brian Rummel Production [CURAtive]

James B. Kennedy

Web Management

Bhakti Kulmala

Cover Photo

Victoria Chrystal

Photography, LLC

Summer Contributors

Dr. Aditi Agarwal

Kim Augustus

Dr. Carolyn Brown

Dr. Stephanie Gans

Stephenie Goddard

Sara Hansen

Amy Kluesner

Jamie Marboe

Gina G. Parker

Lynn Pencek

Dr. Truvella Reese

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

Kristie Boltz

Deborah Carrier

Dr. Hazel Glasper

Vanessa Emerson

Dee Fisher

Suzanne Kump

Joanna Scott

Samantha J Strain

Beverly Wilburn

Junior Board

Christie Bailey

Minal Sampat

I always find myself profoundly impacted whenever I receive a draft of our issues. This summer is no different. Like every year, 2023 has proven itself to be filled with highs and lows, uncertainties and celebrations. But through trials and tribulations, it is in the human spirit to find perseverance, tenacity, and community.

The gracious authors of our Summer 2023 issue vividly illustrate those traits through their stories. Our cover author, Stephanie Goddard shares a vulnerable look at her journey of selfimprovement. From being called to step into a role with more responsibilities when she wasn’t feeling wholly prepared – a situation we’ve all been placed in at one point or another. Stephenie shares advice that she would’ve given herself in the face of any challenge – advice that you can carry with you in stages of life.

On the theme of responsibilities and challenges, Sara Hansen has a heart-to-heart about cultivating your authentic self to build unwavering trust and inspiration with your team. Kim Augustus sheds light on facing our challenges head-on, from hitting rock bottom to doing hard things as it’s the only option.

Gina G. Parker reminds us of a lesson to never forget – one that encourages us to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Jamie Marboe takes you on a journey filled with pivotal moments, most importantly, what learning about her strengths at the DeW Retreat inspired in her life. Dr. Aditi Agarwal shares her journey of saying yes to change, and the magic that came forth from the acceptance.

Lynn Pencek takes us into a largely undiscussed area estate planning, executorships, and trusts, and how to best prepare yourself with grace. Amy Kluesner shares her viewpoint on the importance of human-centered lawyering and how her entrepreneurial spirit was key to helping her overcome adversity. As for our DeW Dishes, Dr. Stephanie Gans, Dr. Carolyn Brown and Dr. Truvella Reese share insight into the people who inspire them, their mottos, and what they do to turn a bad day around.

This issue is a celebration of the resilience of women. You’ll find inspiration, encouragement, and camaraderie through these stories as these authors remind you that no challenge has to be faced alone. I hope you enjoy reading this cover-tocover as you catch a little rest and relaxation this summer.

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6

Summer 2023

22 Reclaiming My Heart, Mind, and Soul

Jamie Marboe

26 When Doing Hard Things is the Only Option

Kim Augustus

30 Executorships, Trusts, Estate Planning: Not a Sexy Topic

Lynn Pencek

16

34 Saying Yes to Change

Dr. Aditi Agarwal

36 Finding Joy in Negotiation: The Importance of HumanCentered Lawyering

Amy Kluesner

FILLING THE GLASS: A JOURNEY OF SELF-IMPROVEMENT

By Stephenie Goddard

We all know some who view the proverbial glass as half empty and others who view it as half full. More inspiring to me are those who see it and ask: “What can we do to fill this up?”

It was Rob Grice, fondly remembered as the late COO of Glidewell, who first recruited me to join the lab as VP of Human Resources. While intrigued by his intensely motivational outlook and the company’s close-knit culture, I was also drawn to the unique challenges that the position posed.

In 2006, Glidewell was home to some 1,100 dental technicians and support staff still operating under a small-scale, familybased philosophy. My mandate was to maintain the sense of camaraderie that had served the enterprise for more than three decades while implementing new structures and processes that would spur explosive growth in line with an ambitious corporate strategy. With my background in organizational development, executive leadership, strategy, and business expansion, this pursuit scratched all the right itches.

Never could I have imagined that, 16 years later, Jim Glidewell, the company’s tireless founder and owner, would ask me to serve as his CEO.

A daunting prospect, to say the least.

Logically, I didn’t feel wholly unprepared. My escalating responsibilities over the years had spanned corporate education, business operations, product development, regulatory affairs, sales, customer experience, resource planning, innovation, and even information technology divisions. But leadership is less about functional or institutional knowledge, and more about the less tangible ability to inspire and motivate individual team members toward a common cause.

With an organization as sprawling, diverse, and fast-changing as Glidewell, could I possibly be up to the challenge?

After a little more than a year, I suppose the jury is still out. Then, as now, I opted to give more credence to Jim’s faith than my own self-doubt. How many times in life do we question our own readiness, only to realize that some situations must be faced regardless?

Like graduation, marriage, or motherhood, it was again time to stretch beyond my comfort zone. That’s often the only path to growth. So what advice could I give myself? What core principles might serve as navigational beacons? While far from a dogmatic system, I’ve relied to a great extent on the following advice.

Be Curious

The more we learn, the more we realize what we don’t know. When others seek our knowledge, we should share it freely. At all other times, we should seek it ourselves. I’m constantly asking questions and requesting feedback—anonymously, where I feel it necessary to ensure candid responses. Support is wonderful, but I find it even more helpful to engage detractors. Accolades are lovely, but the path to improvement, as we all know, is riddled with blind spots and paved with mistakes. How we explore and overcome them is more telling than how often we might manage to avoid them.

Remain Humble

I’m not referring to humility born from insecurities. That’s easy. I mean being realistic when it comes to acknowledging our own limitations. With a service mindset, it’s easy to surrender to protective instincts and an accompanying sense of personal responsibility to those underwings. So I have to remind myself to accept and embrace my reliance on others. Resist the temptation to swoop to the rescue with answers or take matters into your own hands. Those are hallmarks of the accidental diminisher. As leaders, we’re far more valuable when we take the extra time to invest in another’s growth and be a multiplier instead.

Practice Empathy

In working with others, strive to see the world through their

eyes. Listen more than you speak. I don’t have to agree with a viewpoint to respect it. The better I understand it, the more likely I’ll be to learn something or offer useful guidance. This includes having empathy for myself—again, remembering to forgive my own limitations. There’s a difference between selfreflection and self-criticism. Give yourself permission to be imperfect and vulnerable. It’s a great way to foster the human connection that ultimately breeds trust.

Embrace Obstacles

As fortunate and rewarding as my life has been, I’ve not been immune to hardship. But I’ve learned not to fear it. Hardships have taught me how to persevere and negotiate conflict. To stand up for my principles and advocate when necessary. They’ve taught me that life is in constant motion, and to trust that, for every storm, there remains a sunrise on a future horizon.

Seek to Inspire

Most goals are more readily achieved with a support network. For me, inspiration is a mix of vision, accountability, and collaboration. For vision, I try to focus on the big picture, or “why,” while inviting others to fill in the details. Accountability starts with ensuring mutual agreement and being willing to admit when I’m wrong. Collaboration, of course, requires me to resist providing solutions—which can often feel more expedient—and instead present opportunities for others to step forward. This can be hard when others are looking to you to have all the answers, but I don’t want people following

only as a matter of station. Commitment is more valuable than compliance. When team members are involved in setting the direction, they can’t help but take pride and ownership in pursuing it.

Demand Integrity

It hopefully goes without saying, but do what you say you’re going to do! The fastest way to build trust is to make a promise and follow through with it. Conversely, the fastest way to lose trust is to fail to live up to your own word. Plans will change. Twists and turns and pitfalls will appear. Go ahead and redirect as needed. But take the time to explain to the team the consequences of these unexpected scenarios, and involve them as you seek to devise an alternative strategy.

Be Mindful

I consider mindfulness the practice of being fully present. The

fast-paced, immediate nature of today’s world has a tendency to limit our problem-solving capabilities, creativity, and ability to establish meaningful relationships. With mindful habits and activities, we can help develop our emotional intelligence, cognitive capacities, self-awareness, awareness of others, and critical thinking.

Pay it Forward

Paying it forward can be a small act that carries immense significance—even if it goes unrealized for many years. We have all been aided in our careers by someone who expected nothing in return. This selflessness creates a ripple effect of kindness, generosity, and compassion. I haven’t made it to where I am today without a lot of people providing guidance, support, feedback, and sometimes just a simple shoulder to lean on. In lifting up others, we also uplift ourselves. One of the key reasons I created the “Guiding Leaders” program was, in essence, to pay it forward. To provide a safe space for female dentists to gain and build upon their business acumen so that

they, too, can build great teams and successful companies. To inspire a community of women who would, in turn, help others achieve their fullest potential. And to create a network of exciting new business opportunities for female clinicians.

Assessing the Results

Has my self-advice proven helpful? Given the current economic environment, Glidewell’s steady resilience and continued growth have been both humbling and gratifying. My contribution to this is something I’ll leave for others to define. I know I’ve tried to structure our teams in a way that builds camaraderie while setting a tone for healthy debate. I know that, as companies and as people, we must continue to innovate—willing to be our own disruptors. And I continue to believe that maximizing the customer experience, coupled with an earnest investment in supporting and celebrating our employees, is the best way to empower any organization.

Whether at Glidewell or interacting with industry peers, what continues to matter most to me in the professional arena is fostering an atmosphere of hope and achievement. Seeking the ideal solution to a particular problem is energizing, but the true journey is still about bettering myself and the team around me. I try to have fun every day by pointing out the humor to be found in various situations, and by assisting wherever I can in the pursuit of individual and collective personal development. Happiness in even the most engaging environment hinges greatly on mutual respect and a sense of fulfillment. When my time comes to an end, I hope I’ll have set an example not just of positivity, but of perpetual growth.

About the Author

Stephenie Goddard is the CEO of Glidewell, widely recognized as America’s largest and most innovative dental laboratory. Her multidisciplinary background includes extensive experience with organizational development and the implementation of advanced learning initiatives such as the “Guiding Leaders” program for women dentists throughout the U.S. A graduate of California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and postgraduate of San Jose State University, she remains committed to helping others realize their full potential.

DeW Dish

Stephanie Gans, DDS Senior Scientist: Crest + Oral-B

North America Professional and Scientific Relations

IG: @StephanieGansOfficial IN: stephanie-gans-02b47b44

What obstacles have you overcome in your career?

After five years of practice, I developed severe De Quervain’s tenosynovitis in both of my wrists from doing dentistry. Not only did the tendinitis make practicing dentistry painful, but suddenly common activities such as washing the counter, cutting up my food or holding my baby cousins became painful as well. The doctor gave me steroid injections in my wrists - but those didn't help. They also gave me wrist braces, but the braces restricted my movement so much that it would have been impossible to do dentistry in them. I’m really thankful I was able to use my dental background and transition to a non-clinical position with Crest + Oral-B.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Broadway Musicals - I have ZERO talent but I’m a great audience member. My sister and I love to go to New York and see as many shows as possible.

What “DeW” leaders do?

What is the best part of your job?

I am incredibly fortunate to work for Crest + Oral-B! I love learning from leaders in the industry and working directly with dental professionals to help improve oral health.

Who has been the most influential woman in your life?

My Mom! She’s amazing. She is always there to help guide me and give me advice. She always has my best interest at heart and I am so lucky to have her.

She raised my five siblings and me, gave us the best opportunities and experiences, and she did all of this all while working as an ophthalmologist.

How do you measure success?

There isn't one way to measure success. There are lots of ways to be successful and the meaning of success is different for everyone.

What do you do to turn around a bad day?

I always feel better after I workout. It also helps to call my sisters or watch a funny TV show.

They work hard to stand up for what’s right and help move the profession forward. Leaders guide others towards a common goal, and to do this they need to be articulate, fair and respectful.

What is your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?

I love being on the water - boating, swimming, jet skiing –anything as long as it’s near water and sunshine!

What famous person living or dead would you like to have lunch with and what would you ask them?

Fran Drescher! I'd ask if she'd like to be my friend because I love her and think she's hilarious!

How do you take your coffee?

Depends on the season! I'll always use two Splendas - but I do hop on the Pumpkin Spice Coffeemate bandwagon in the fall and use Peppermint Mocha in the winter!

But honestly most days I just use milk. Chocolate milk if I want to feel fancy.

Carolyn Brown, DDS, MEd Company Builder LinkedIn.com/in/carolyn-brown-dds

What do you do to turn around a bad day?

Call, text or WhatsApp one of my DeW friends, women in dentistry and in the investing world… I can always count on dishing and getting irreverent laughter and The Truth… Look at the articles of inspiration in my office, and lastly, walk outside in Mother Nature with my dogs, Peaches and Ginger.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Whats-Apping my favorite people around the world – we lift each other and share in deeply impactful ways.

What does balance look like?

Finding time to run at the start, having more time to work less on Zoom, WhatsApp’ing my favorite people, and playing Uno with my kids.

What is the best part of your job?

Freedom and Experience to be effective in building companies and supercharging innovation… be it as an investor, an advisor, a founder, or a consultant. I literally follow my nose and my gut. Why is this the best? I get to work with a broad range of great people, doing hard things at speed, and while incredibly risky, it is SO REWARDING!

Who has been the most influential woman in your life?

Easy, my mother. She is an entrepreneur and intrepreneur, risk-taker, and did it all very humbly. And she took care of a village of people in doing so… The Living with Abundance mindset is the most important thing she taught me… and do the right thing, all the time.

How do you measure your success?

Impact, speed, personal growth, strengthening of my moat, and most recently, having fun while doing all of the above.

What obstacles have you overcome in your career?

Being pigeon-holed – first as a clinician, then as a woman/ mom, then as an investor. I have a vast and robust set of interests and business experiences to draw from, plus acumen in data and business strategy… it is constantly an obstacle.

What “DeW” leaders do?

Find ways to both give to others and humbly fill your own buckets, risk take and bridge build.

What is your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?

Aside from hanging with people (especially my children), running and anything on the beach!

What famous person living or dead would you like to have lunch with and what would you ask them?

Easy, Nikki Haley. What she has learned so far, in her own elected positions, in running for office, and from the UN days… I am fascinated how she has managed that UN post, for that President, at the time in history. I think there would be a lot of parallels for me, entrepreneuring/ intrepreneuring. I like foils.

They are playing your theme song as you walk on stage. Name that tune!

The Business by Tiesto

Truvella Reese, DMD Dentist IG:@2thdocTrudy

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is the variety dentistry presents. Dentistry is ever-evolving. I can literally learn a new skill/ technique year after year and never get bored.

Who has been the most influential woman in your life?

Dr. Arlene Joyner-Tucker, DDS, has been my mentor for 20 years. She is a woman who taught me how to find balance as a wife and mother while still building a successful dental career. Dr. Joyner-Tucker guided me on how to manage stress so that it doesn’t affect my health like it did hers.

What do you do to turn around a bad day?

There’s this song by CeCe Winans called “Goodness of God,” and when my day gets rough, I will sit and listen to it over and over until my spirits are lifted. That song never fails to pump me up and remind me that I am not alone on this journey.

What “DeW” leaders do?

Leaders inspire, empower, and uplift those in their circle of influence.

What is your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?

My favorite indoor activity is playing “Monopoly Deal” at the dinner table with my family. Although it always becomes “gang up on Mom” night, we all look forward to quality family time. My favorite outdoor activity is Saturday morning farmers markets or yard sales with my kids. We love to see how far we can stretch $20.

What is your dream vacation?

One day soon, the Reese’s Pieces will board a plane and take a first-class flight to St. Lucia. We will spend a week eating fresh-caught seafood, local fruits, and veggies while being unplugged, soaking up the sun on Sugar Beach.

What is first on your dental bucket list?

I’m interested in learning how to create beautiful, lifelike composite veneers. Once I’ve mastered several techniques, I would like to teach those techniques to dental students at the UNLV School of Dental Medicine.

What movie always makes you laugh?

“What About Bob” starring Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss never gets old. Bob Wiley terrorizes his therapist Dr. Leo Marvin while Dr. Marvin is on vacation. I don’t want to give away the plot, but this may be where the term “drive me crazy” originates.

What is the best gift you ever received?

My 90-year-old grandmother made me a quilt for my dorm room in college. She was so proud of her granddaughter, who was the first in her family to go to college. Each stitch was done by hand and it took her months to do because of her arthritis. She was determined to send me off with a piece of “homemade love.”

What is the best gift you ever gave?

For our 20th wedding anniversary, I reached out to the people from our wedding party, family, and friends. I asked them to make a short video recording of well wishes to us. I merged the clips, added music, and posted it on my husband’s Facebook page. He was so surprised because I usually buy material gifts for him.

Who, Wear, When

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AUTHENTICITY IN LEADERSHIP: CULTIVATING THE REAL YOU BUILDS TRUST AND INSPIRES LOYALTY

What are you a champion of?

This is one of those questions that helps people understand what their passions and values are. It inspires self-reflection so you can articulate what motivates you. It’s a question I ask the dentists I work with to find out who they are and what they want out of life. As a champion of helping people find their true voice and tell their own stories, I’m deeply passionate about guiding others toward their bravest and most authentic selves. However, this realization wasn’t something that came easily to me. In fact, I had to navigate my own journey first - discovering the path toward my true self and finding my own voice. Only then could I become a guide to others who were seeking the same transformation. It’s a lesson I learned firsthand: in order to teach someone how to find their bravest self, you must first find your own.

When I was a little girl, I often imagined I could be anything I wanted to be. I was brave, and walked around with a pink blanket tied around my neck, because I pretended to be the most powerful person on the planet. I ran around so fast I thought my legs would fall off. And, of course, I had my secret mantra. I’d say, “Magic, magic, make me run faster!” and I was off like the wind. I was confident, brave, and unstoppable.

By Sara Hansen, Marketing Consultant, Productive Dentist Academy

When I entered my teenage years, I started to feel that confidence slip away. I tried hard to figure out who I was: wondering if I was wearing the right clothes, and whether or not I would be part of the “cool” crowd. I fell into the trap of self-doubt and mediocracy – something I was plagued with for many years after.

Then, when I became a mother to two beautiful girls, I wanted them to have everything. I wanted them to believe in themselves, have strong voices, and know that they are on this Earth to do great things. But I realized I couldn’t tell my daughters these things; I had to show them. That realization became the most pivotal moment of my life.

Before I moved toward helping my daughters become the best versions of themselves, I had to prepare myself for a lot of healing. I reflected on my past and previous experiences and knew that I often hid behind a facade of who I thought I should be rather than embracing my true, authentic self. When you’re little, it’s all pretend. When you’re a teenager, you try so hard to fit in and conform to societal expectations. You hold onto those feelings for so long that you start to lose sight of your own values and beliefs. Now, as someone who was beginning to reconcile my past, what did I need to do to become the person who others wanted to follow?

I sought out a therapist who listened and pushed me to places that were scary, but ultimately, helped me realize my strengths. I had to figure out my “why,” and as an adult, I needed to start believing in myself.

It’s here my journey toward authenticity began.

The more I aligned with my authentic self, the more my confidence returned. As I began to exercise my own voice, it became stronger and stronger within me until, one day,

needed to do something big, but I didn’t know what it meant, or what to do with it. So I leaned into it, not knowing where it was going to take me. I had to trust my gut and take a journey to an unknown place. That’s when my first speaking opportunity came my way. I was asked to get up on stage and speak for the first time in my professional career. I’d never considered speaking because it felt so foreign to me. But at the same time, something about it felt oddly right.

I understood that I was no longer wishing to be a strong woman with a strong voice - I was strong!

I wanted to share my story and help others find their strong voices also, but most of all, I wanted my daughters to see me and hear my strong voice so they could learn how to have strong voices of their own. I wanted them to see me as a leader so that one day they could be leaders themselves.

I’d always admired leaders. Not bosses, but leaders. Bosses are people in positions of power who oversee others and might not have earned or have the proper mettle for the position. But leaders, no matter what position they hold, are people who inspire others to follow them. Not every boss is a leader, nor is every leader a boss.

My entire life, leadership felt like a calling for me. Like I was meant to be part of something bigger. Maybe it came easier to me because I’m the firstborn, and my siblings often followed and sometimes looked up to me. For me, leadership was never just to lead. It’s to nurture, inspire, grow, and teach. The most influential leaders in my life have always been people who are authentic. They’re the real deal. Leaders are people you can feel safe around at all times. Real leaders are instrumental in helping others become the people they know they could be. That’s what I wanted for my daughters, and that’s what I knew I needed to become.

There was something inside me that I couldn’t explain, a feeling that I was meant for more. I kept feeling like I

I was a bundle of nerves when I walked out on that stage for the first time, but going through my presentation felt so natural. I even felt at peace, like being onstage was a place I belonged. I felt empowered by the positive response I’d received from the audience. Their energy was exciting, and when I finished, I knew that I had found my calling. I started seeking out more and more speaking engagements to share my message with other dental professionals and their teams about the ways they can find their authentic voice, determine what they’re champions of, communicate their own message with their teams, and connect with their patients on a much deeper level.

As I continued to speak, teach, and help others locate their own authentic voice, I was also finding my own. I’ve never felt more confident, empowered, and fulfilled in my life. I came to realize that what I do as a fractional marketing consultant (fCMO), is I help my clients determine their authentic voice, and then I share their message via their authentic voice with the market, and tell uplifting stories about how they transform their patients’ lives. I give them a voice to be their true selves, and to show how they’re different from any other dentist in town. My job is to help them discover their “why,” and their strengths to continue on the journey they were meant to live.

I no longer feel the need to pretend or hide behind any self-doubt or suffer mediocrity. The things that happened to me in my past did not dictate the person I am. Leading with my strengths and authenticity to help others dig deep and find theirs has been the journey of a lifetime.

As I continued to speak, teach, and help others locate their own authentic voice, I was also finding my own. I’ve never felt more confident, empowered, and fulfilled in my life.

That’s where the power of authenticity comes from. It’s discovering who we are, and how we’re meant to be seen. It’s how we are meant to lead within our own given roles. Of course some leadership roles are larger than others, but no matter what position you’re in, we’re all meant to lead.

The best way to understand this is by figuring out your “why” or your purpose. This is going to require you to:

1. Get a coach who can help you face your fears and learn to be brave by taking small steps toward big dreams.

2. Live in the YES instead of the NO. Be relentless in your pursuit of your dreams.

3. Don’t be the leader that others will want to follow, be the leader that you’d want to follow.

Becoming a leader and speaker in the dental profession was not something that happened overnight. It required a

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lot of hard work, self-reflection, and personal growth. If I hadn’t been willing to do the work in the first place, I’d hate to think where I’d be today. I might be alright, but would I be this happy? This content? Probably not. I’m living my purpose, and I’m helping others do the same. My hope for my daughters, who are now young women, is that they will be confident in themselves, have strong voices, and believe that they can do anything. By embracing my true self, I’m trying to be the leader my daughters can be proud of. This is what women in dentistry do every single day. We can stand in our own power and pave the way for the generation of women coming up behind us. It takes strong women like us to do this. I’m grateful for the experiences and opportunities that have led me to where I am today, and the future feels brighter than ever.

I understand it can be scary – leaning into your gut and listening carefully to where it is guiding you. You know it’ll take some hard work, but that you’ve got it in you to find the leader within, and bring her out. We must go first. Leaders always go first.

There’s still so much time left.

There’s so much potential.

You can do anything.

Be anything…

We are all born to be leaders no matter what position we hold.

What does your authentic journey look like?

About the author:

As an experienced marketer and dental industry expert of almost two decades, Productive Dentist Academy Marketing Consultant Sara Hansen specializes in crafting customized and comprehensive marketing plans that reflect your unique identity, values, and goals. By implementing her personalized marketing roadmap, your practice can establish itself as the leading dental authority in your community and attract the patients you deserve. With a track record of propelling practices to success through marketing, Sara is committed to delivering personalized marketing plans that showcase your authentic voice and guide your journey to becoming the dental authority in your community. Outside of work, Sara enjoys running and has participated in many races. She also enjoys hiking and spending time with her husband and two daughters.

WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DEW WITH IT?

By Gina G. Parker

In a world gone mad, love has everything to do with it. The Scriptures encourage us to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31, NIV). So, what does this kind of love look like? Saint Augustine described it well, “It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has the eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.”

A life devoid of loving others is empty and meaningless, but a life devoted to loving others is fulfilling. For me, it is the reason I work and live – to love God and love others. My career is multi-faceted: an attorney, the founder of Dental Creations – a dental manufacturing company, and in recent years an author. But there is a common thread in all these endeavors, which is to love others.

As a lawyer, I coach my team to view the practice as a legal hospital and encourage them to be compassionate to all who entered the doors. Normally, when people need a lawyer, it involves a major life decision, and many times their lives are in turmoil. Therefore, compassion frames how I practice law and was the segue for starting a dental manufacturing company.

What on earth do law and dentistry have to do with each other? My criminal clients who were convicted of felonies could not find jobs, but to change the trajectory of their lives meant they needed a job, transportation, and a good

support system. This was a few decades ago when the idea of second chances was not as popular as it is today, therefore, jobs for those convicted of crimes were few.

One day while on a swimming outing on the Brazos River in Waco, Texas, the inventor of Wonderfill asked about getting a patent for her new product idea. Patent law is not my legal specialty, but becoming an investor was of interest, and helping my clients find employment through a new business adventure was a strong motivation that ultimately gave birth to Dental Creations. My family and I set out to serve our customers with products that saved time and to serve our community through giving back by helping others find employment.

As a victim of childhood sexual abuse and date rape, I understood the shame that many women experienced as a result of abuse. Also, as an attorney, I witnessed the devastation that poverty and abuse caused in the lives of women. Thus, another part of the vision of Dental Creations was to provide financial support through the employment of battered women. Moreover, we also wanted to support women who found themselves alone and pregnant without resources. It is so easy to say to a woman, “Keep your baby,” but to be part of the solution requires engagement in the lives of these women. Therefore, we provide a portion of our online sales to the Waco Crisis Pregnancy Center. It’s our way of saying you’re not forgotten, and God loves you. It took years to

fulfill this part of the vision, but when we started giving a monthly corporate donation, God blessed us and increased our sales.

A third part of the vision for our company was to support international missions. I had made many visits to Hungary and other countries on mission trips which also included humanitarian efforts. Eventually, the pastors we supported became more involved with Christian programming for a Hungarian television station and were provided with the opportunity to purchase this station. Our family was able to make a substantial donation to help make this dream become a reality for them. To God be the glory, this station reaches 5 million homes with the gospel of Jesus Christ. For every soul that is touched, we are honored to be a small part.

In recent years, I began to write to encourage women that they could be a victor and not remain a victim. My first book, The 828 Journey, is based on Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” This verse is an anchor for the battle-worn soul when the heart-wrenching question that lingers during times of trial is this: Do all things really work for good? Amid shattered dreams, shame, and heartbreak, the voice of pain cries, why is this happening to me?

Where do you take your pain in the face of tragedy? Like Tamar, who was sexually abused, where do you take your shame? Like Job, how do you endure disease? Like the mothers of the faith—Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel—where do you take your unanswered prayers and disappointments? Throughout the chapters of this book, these questions are thoughtfully considered from the perspective of life as a journey.

Satan’s strategy is to wound your soul and destroy your trust in God. He wins the battle for your soul when you lose your way on the 828 Journey because of trials. To finish your journey and to keep the devil from devouring you, it is important to understand the cosmic battle of good versus evil and the consequences of living in a fallen world; to understand the plan of God, a personal relationship with each believer; and to embrace Jesus, the wounded healer. On your 828 Journey, you can move from the voice of pain to a testimony of trust, as you declare to Satan, the enemy of your soul, “I trust in the Lord!” My prayer is that the message of The 828 Journey empowers women to finish their journey victoriously.

My most recent book, due to be released this summer, is titled Hush Little Baby, Don’t Say a Word. It is about the power of silence while we wait on God to work on our behalf.

Whether I serve as an attorney, businesswoman, or author of books, each presents the opportunity to love others and to walk with them on their journey. I have often asked myself, “If my life is upside down, what would I want from others?” The scripture provided guidance and shaped my professional life – “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12, NIV). Or it could be said by DeWers, “DeW unto others as you would have them DeW unto you.”

It’s what we Texans call being a bubba which is a person that is a true friend, does the right thing for the right reasons, and shows kindness to friends and strangers alike. At Dental Creations, we have a slogan, “Let us be your bubba.” A little bit country, but a whole lot of love right from deep in the heart of Texas.

Mother Teresa said, “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God Who is sending a love letter to the world.” Write your love letter to the world.

For more information, visit dentalcreationsltd.com. To purchase the book, visit ginagparker.com or Amazon.

About the author: Gina Parker is a successful businesswoman, attorney, author, and speaker. She graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Business Administration (1983) and Baylor School of Law (1986). She has been in private law practice since 1991. In 2020, she ran statewide for judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, where she lost by a narrow margin. In 2001, Ms. Parker founded Dental Creations, a manufacturing company, while continuing her law practice. The company was founded with the vision to support missions, help women in crisis, and give second chances to criminal defendants through employment.

Gina was the National Eagle Forum Chairman for Judicial Reform and is a past recipient of the National Outstanding Eagle Award for Texas for her contribution to support of the United States Constitution. Gina served as pastor of Hands of Hope Revival Center for four years before she embarked upon her campaign for judge. Gina served on the Texas Advisory Board of American Family Radio and has written editorials for the American Family Association. She is the author of The 828 Journey, and her second book, Hush Little Baby, Don’t Say a Word, is due to be released Summer 2023. Visit https://www.ginagparker.com.

RECLAIMING MY HEART, MIND, AND SOUL

By Jamie Marboe

My experience crafting this article has been a little different. Initially, I wrote the piece two times on a totally different topic and felt somewhat satisfied with the final submission. That all changed when I attended Kristie Boltz’s seminar You Can Conquer It, “The Power of Resilience,” two days after submitting the article. Amid the numerous inspiring speakers, one touched me so profoundly that his words refused to let me rest that night. I was inspired by my Higher Power to rewrite this article.

It has been seventeen years since my twenty-year failed marriage ended, including a brief “mulligan marriage.” Recently moving cross country to Florida from Idaho, I found myself packing and purging a lifetime of boxes and junk. It afforded me the opportunity to reflect on the events of the past seventeen years; what worked, what didn’t, and how many blessings and ‘hard knock’ lessons I experienced over the course of life. In this article, I want to highlight a very specific dark time in my life and why it took me so long to emerge out on the other side.

All seventeen years weren’t bad, there were moments of short-lived happiness, a new career, and some great adventures. I was, however, still somewhat embarrassed by my knee-jerk reaction to re-marry so quickly and fail almost as quickly in this small town, USA. Everyone knew your business. So being single in my mid-forties,

I now found myself hanging out with people in a similar situation, it was like we were all part of a secret club of “misfits.” We encountered many new conditions, trials, and emotions; frustration, feelings of isolation, a marked decrease in income creating further distress, and coparenting. Very difficult times indeed. Yet we joined together in solidarity and found comfort in sharing the same struggles. The quote ‘misery loves company’ pretty much described most of our outings and conversations.

I was now heading into about a decade of life after my divorces. There were a lot of bumps and bruises along the way. At this juncture, my kids were mostly grown, off to college, and living their lives. I, however, was lost, unmotivated, and drinking way too much at times. If I weren’t on an airplane pouring myself into my clients and work, I would be sleeping. I couldn’t comprehend what my purpose was anymore other than to give to my job and clients. I started having routine thoughts as to why I was even alive, did I have a purpose anymore? And I started to wonder if I wasn’t here, would anyone even miss me? This led to a huge amount of shame and hopelessness. Because I didn’t know what this was other than me being in a bad funk, I pushed it down and ignored it. Until it showed its nasty little head again. Cry, push down, repeat. I never spoke of those dark thoughts to anyone. It was my new normal.

During the Fall of 2019, I experienced a string of pivotal moments that drastically altered this new pathetic life. These included the Dental Entrepreneur Women’s Conference (DeW) and a family gathering in memory of my father, who had just passed. It was at the family gathering when, privately, my sister asked me the lifechanging question, “Are you depressed?” I was stunned, and the first fleeting thought was, “Who me, no I am just going through a rough patch, I am fine.” After minutes that felt like an eternity, I could not hold back, I confessed the truth. I experienced a profound wave of emotions. I could hardly muster up words that made sense through the tears and deep sobbing. It was as if a pressure cooker was suddenly venting its lid. I found myself pouring my soul out to the one person who showed me love by asking that crucial question. I spewed all my darkest thoughts and my built-up anxiety was finally being released. It was emotional and raw. For the first time, I was vulnerable and honest with not just my sister, but with myself. It was then that I realized how grave my situation was becoming, and that I needed help. That day marked Day One of the start of my new self-awareness and recovery.

The other pivotal moment came a few months later as I reluctantly found myself at the DeW retreat. With my heavy heart, I just didn’t want to ‘fake it’ with the enormous number of other women I barely knew. It was at that

women’s retreat that we went through the Clifton Strength Finders portion of the conference. Strengths that for years I had abandoned, or at least I had convinced myself I didn’t possess. But there it was on my name badge, five strengths for the entire world to see, and I couldn’t deny them.

1. WOO

2. Communication

3. Restorative

4. Includer

5. Positivity

Joy and confusion ran down my cheeks as I wondered how I had lost my God-given talents, and if it was too late to reclaim them. The emotional intensity of the room was palpable, though we didn’t necessarily share the details of our tears with the whole group, some found solace in sharing during some of our breakouts, during a hallway reunion with a friend that lent itself to a deeper dive or perhaps later that night over a glass of wine. Nonetheless,

it was through that special and vulnerable time that I connected with my tribe - my professional sisters, and now, my personal friends, too.

After experiencing moments of clarity, I found solace in family, friends, and colleagues, allowing me to finally be my true self. I no longer felt the weight of my pride, and I slowly lost my feelings of loneliness and shame. The thoughts of suicide that once plagued me were replaced with an emerging sense of hope. I dedicated myself to learning self-love and self-forgiveness, and I found myself surrounded by those with ambitions and inspiring attitudes that reminded me to stay positive. By embracing this attitude of hope, I was better able to show the same to those around me and give the kind of love and encouragement I sought. After all, you can’t give what you don’t own yourself!

One year later, at the DeW retreat, I experienced a true ‘lightbulb moment’, when Valerie and Leanne unveiled the Balconies and Basements of Strength Finders themes. This made me realize that I hadn’t lost my strengths, I was simply existing in the basement of them. Suddenly, I had a roadmap of how to get back on track, and I began to strive to reach the balcony once more. Through conscious and deliberate decisions, I was on my way to reclaiming myself; I became more confident, kinder to myself, and I never felt more worthy of life. A new tune and tale began to manifest in my mind, showing me that I had the right to be happy, successful, and to be loved.

Fast forward to 9 months ago, as I was working through the monumental task: packing for the move to Florida with an abundance of boxes and items, I went through the laborious process of digging through my life’s possessions - childhood memorabilia, wedding trinkets, children’s artwork, homemade ornaments, baby blankets, birth certificates, and journals. Each item brought up its own set of thoughts and emotions. Rather than dwell on my past mistakes and ‘what ifs,’ I learned to ask myself the tough questions that would determine whether the object in my hands was adding anything to my journey of self-love. Things like, “Will this benefit me?” or “Will this positively impact my life by keeping it?” I had finally granted myself permission to move on. In this way, I discovered that self-love was key to helping me on my journey of reclaiming my Heart, Mind, and Soul.

By the time this article is in print and with great anticipation, I’m soon to be married to the man of my dreams, my high school sweetheart Dave. After 40 long years of losing track of one another and both having 40 years of separate lives, we now get to share a beautiful relationship filled with respect, love, and adorationsomething each one of us has never experienced before. I’m in the present moment, my decisions are intentional,

and I’m experiencing abundant joy and love. My struggles and my sister’s powerful question gave me the courage to take ownership of my heart, mind, and soul, enabling me to accept that I do deserve love and happiness. All I have endured has ultimately brought me to this blessed place. I’m thankful to God for the journey.

**If you’re feeling overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness, don’t be afraid to seek assistance. You can turn to your family and friends, as well as people on hotlines who will be more than happy to lend a helping hand and a compassionate ear. Remember, you are valued, and your life has purpose and hope, regardless of how it may seem in the moment. Everyone is worthy of happiness, success, and love. If you’re concerned for someone close to you, don’t hesitate to bring up the tough topics.

About the author:

Jamie Marboe BSDH, CEO and Founder of Marboe Dental Consulting, has accumulated more than 40 years of experience in Dentistry. She obtained her Dental Hygiene degree from Idaho State University and held a clinical instructor position there as well. During her early career, Jamie served as a Registered Dental Assistant in her home state of California. Throughout her time in the dentistry, she also became certified as an Eaglesoft trainer and still trains offices on best uses of their software today. Her main objective is to encourage and inspire her clients to develop their team and leaders into an effective and cohesive team, and to assist them in becoming the best versions of themselves. This led Jamie to earn the title of “Team Achiever” coach. Her commitment to the growth of people has rewarded her with countless lifelong friendships with her clients and colleagues.

www.dewlifecrew.com/dew-retreat

WHEN DOING HARD THINGS IS THE ONLY OPTION

By Kim Augustus

Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, challenges, and triumphs. At times, we find ourselves confronted with obstacles that seem insurmountable, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to move forward. However, it is through these moments of adversity that we can discover our true strength and resilience! Let me take you on a journey where I was left with no other choice but to do hard things!

When I met my husband almost 20 years ago, I fell head over heels in love with him. He was charming, funny, kind-hearted, and I couldn’t imagine spending my life with anyone else. Fast forward to marriage, kids, and a busy life, I couldn’t help but become increasingly aware of a troubling reality—one that I desperately sought to rationalize or dismiss as insignificant. Yet, with each passing day, its presence revealed itself more forcefully. That force in our lives—alcohol. It seemed to infiltrate every corner of our existence. How often do we, as a society, find ourselves in social gatherings where alcohol is at the forefront? It is almost as if abstaining from alcohol requires an explanation, a justification unlike any other. Declining a drink can become an act that raises eyebrows, as if it goes against the expected script, causing one to feel like an outsider among friends. My husband and I had that “picture-perfect life”—the nice house on the quiet dead-end street, nice cars, two children, and successful

careers—however, we also had a hidden secret. It was a secret that I had tirelessly tried to conceal, shielding it from friends and family. I believed that if I kept my tears locked away and wore a constant smile in public, no one would ever uncover the truth. My husband is an alcoholic. However, I learned you can only live this way for so long. As the years went on, I found myself desperately urging my husband to seek rehab—employing a blend of pleas, threats, and heartfelt begging—I reached a point where I could no longer bear the weight of our struggle in solitude. It was during this challenging time that I began to share my story, initially confiding solely in my in-laws. Despite the turmoil and uncertainty, I knew they had unconditional love for their son. Fearful of external judgment, I leaned on them as a pillar of support, relying on their understanding and compassion during the most trying moments. Navigating life with an active alcoholic was, at times, a nightmare, constantly living in fear. Those familiar with alcoholism understand all too well the rollercoaster of emotions that accompanies it. The mood swings, the unpredictable behaviors—it was a constant source of extreme anxiety for me. In addition to my trauma, it is important to acknowledge that the trauma of living with an alcoholic extends beyond my own experiences. My husband, too, grappled with addiction. He found himself trapped in a cycle of dependence, that I knew deep down he wanted to escape. The awareness

of his problem burdened him, however, admitting it was a problem was even harder.

Eventually, like most, we hit rock bottom. My husband’s drinking had escalated to the point where he was endangering his own life, his career, and our marriage. It was finally the wake-up call I had been waiting for. If you ever hear someone mention that their loved one has entered rehab, it’s important to realize the journey the family has endured to reach that pivotal moment. The path leading up to rehab is often marked by indescribable turmoil and anguish and is a testament to the depth of struggle and resilience that such a decision is made. Rarely does someone grappling with substance abuse willingly surrender to inpatient care.

But there I was, a mother of 2 young kids and a husband in rehab for the next thirty days. This was when I began sharing my story more. The more you share the more you realize that almost everyone is in some way affected by drugs and alcohol. Why, then, does shame persist when it comes to discussing addiction? It is my mission to shed light on the fact that addiction does not discriminate. It can very easily be your well-put-together neighbor next door. When faced with a deficiency in healthy coping mechanisms, the escape alcohol can provide becomes all too enticing. After relying on that escape for years, the thought of losing it can be utterly terrifying. Moreover, the weight of societal shame further compounds the struggle. How does one navigate a life without a drink at a social gathering or a nice cold beer on a sweltering day at a cookout? These questions reflect the challenges those facing addiction must come to terms with. However, that is when the real work comes in.  Over those thirty days, my husband would immerse himself in group work and individual work, and together we would begin to work on our marriage. Frequently, I am met with questions: How did you manage it all? What did you tell your kids? However, the one that often catches me off guard is, “Why

did you stay?” The answer, however, is straightforward: love. Love for my husband, a love that runs deep within my being. From the beginning, I learned the importance of distinguishing between the person I loved, and the monster addiction had created. The addict, a version of my husband I hoped never to encounter again, was a force to be reckoned with. Yet, amidst the chaos, my “real” husband remained—the steadfast companion, the pillar of support, the loving father to our children, and truly my best friend. Deep within my soul, I held onto the unwavering belief that he resided within the depths of his being, waiting to fully reemerge. It was this hope that drove me to weather the storm, to continue to do hard things, with the expectation that one day, he would return to me.

After completing a 30-day stay, I experienced a mixture of relief and hope. It felt like an achievement to have gone through rehab successfully, knowing that my husband was now sober, and we were on the road to recovery. However, it wasn’t long before reality hit hard. Over the course of the next year, my husband would struggle with relapses, throwing us back into the same difficult situation we had faced almost a year ago. It was hard to believe

If you ever hear someone mention that their loved one has entered rehab, it’s important to realize the journey the family has endured to reach that pivotal moment.

that we were experiencing this all over again. But this time, I was stronger, I had found myself a support group and the resources that I needed to enforce those difficult boundaries and pray once again that we get through this. The next stay would involve 3 months of sober living, and truly embracing recovery. During this process, we were very open with our friends, family, and most importantly, our children. You see, this has been such a difficult journey, but also so rewarding. We both learned so much about ourselves and our relationship, and we were able to begin the healing process. My husband is now approaching a year and a half of sobriety, and it’s been truly inspiring to witness the positive changes in our lives. He now works his full-time job along with 3 nights a week in recovery, giving back to those whose shoes he was once in. Our marriage is stronger than ever. We’ve learned how to communicate effectively, and we’re more open and honest with each other than we ever were before. We’ve also learned how to have fun and enjoy life without alcohol, as I, too, gave up drinking when we began this journey. But to this day, I am often told, “Kim, you are so strong. How did you get through such hard times?” Within my recovery community, we often discuss how common it is to be praised for our strength. However, it’s important to recognize that as spouses of alcoholics, we never chose to be part of this club, our only choice was to be strong. It’s a situation thrown upon us, and it takes a toll. In these moments, it’s incredibly comforting to find support among fellow women who truly understand what we are going through. So, when you acknowledge someone’s strength, I encourage you to go beyond that and ask, “Is there anything you need?” Personally, I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have the support of amazing friends and family who were willing to watch my children, provide meals, and check in on me. However, it was my co-workers who made the biggest impact. They allowed me to feel the pain of what I was going through, and cry in the breakroom in between patients in order to then seat my next one with a smile. Having the support of my team during this time makes me truly believe that they were all placed in my life, during that time, for this specific reason. It is very hard for a dental hygienist to face difficult times without the support of your coworkers. I highly encourage you to check in on these individuals, remembering it was not the life that they chose. Offer them a listening ear, ask how they are coping, and offer to clean their room so they can go in the breakroom to cry, eat a brownie, and seat their patient with a smile.

So how do we do hard things? First, we must remember to celebrate the small victories, then share our stories so that others who are in the thick of it can know that they are not alone. The experience of living with an active alcoholic can be a lonely and isolating feeling, as many people don’t understand the complexities of addiction and may judge or criticize those who are struggling. Instead, seek compassion, it’s important to remember

that addiction is a disease, and it’s not a moral failing or a lack of willpower. It’s a complex issue that requires compassion, understanding, and professional help to overcome.

It is true that we all go through hard times, and we may be amazed by the strength, resilience, and bravery we display during these trying times. We should take pride in ourselves for our ability to persevere and overcome adversity, and continue to remind ourselves that we can achieve greatness even in the face of difficulty. Let us embrace the challenges that life presents us, knowing that we have the power to rise above them and emerge stronger than ever before. If you or someone you love is grappling with addiction, I encourage you not to endure the burden alone. Reach out for support, for there are compassionate souls who understand the exact path you are on.

About the author:

Kimberly is the founder and creator of BloomRDH, a platform dedicated to helping newly graduated hygienists navigate their career paths. Combining her passion for mentoring with her expertise in dental hygiene, Kimberly has turned her vision into a reality. In addition to her work with BloomRDH, Kimberly continues to practice clinically, providing compassionate care to her patients. She also serves as an adjunct clinical instructor at her local community college, helping to train the next generation of dental hygienists. With her deep commitment to the dental hygiene profession, Kimberly is a true advocate for the power of education and mentorship to build confidence and empower individuals. In her downtime, Kimberly enjoys relaxing with her family and soaking up as much quality time with her husband and two children.

7 years old. Rampant decay on 13 teeth. Julia had never been to the dentist until she was brought to one of our member nonprofit clinics. Even at a reduced rate, the cost of the extensive care she needed put relief just out of reach. Together with MGE: Management Experts, we saved Julia’s smile, increased access to dental care in marginalized communities, and provided oral health education resources for thousands of kids to prevent tooth decay in the future.

To read Julia’s story and help more kids get the dental care they need, scan the QR code or visit AmericasToothfairy.org.

EXECUTORSHIPS, TRUSTS, ESTATE PLANNING: NOT A SEXY TOPIC

By Lynn Pencek, RDH

My mom passed away when I was in graduate school. My Aunt Ange is my mother’s older sister. She was one of the last amongst the living elders in my family. She never married, had no kids, lived alone, and had no intention of leaving Florida.

My husband and I would visit Aunt Ange each year in March. We would catch preseason Phillies games, check out the sights of western Florida, eat at chain restaurants, and play cards with Angie’s friends.

When my dad was dying of lung cancer, I learned he helped Angie manage her accounts, and he had asked me to take over the responsibility. As part of his will, he set up an annuity that pays $3K a year for me and both of my siblings. My sister uses the money to pay her taxes, I’m not sure what my brother uses the money for, and I would use this money to visit Angie.

Why did my dad choose me to take care of Aunt Ange? Was it because I am the firstborn of her nieces and nephews, I’m the only family member with a health care degree, my husband is a lawyer, or because I visited my aunt the most and had the best relationship? Was it that he saw skills in me I did not recognize in myself?

Over the years, I helped my Aunt check out options in assisted living, sell her house, downscale, move to assisted living, move to a bigger apartment in assisted living, and then eventually move from assisted living in Florida to the Jersey Shore, where I could be more available to help her as her needs increased.

My aunt’s place in New Jersey was just a few blocks from my beach house. Together with my brother, we moved her furniture from Florida to her new place in hopes that she would be comfortable in a “somewhat familiar” environment. I really enjoyed having Angie up with me at the Jersey Shore.  I was able to take her to doctors’ appointments and manage her finances during my weekly visits, take her out to lunch, and eventually, when the weather got warmer, I wanted to take her to Atlantic City.

Angie unexpectedly died before the warm days of spring. Had I known she was going to die in less than six months, I would not have moved her.

Angie put a lot of time and preparation into her departure. Becoming an executor is a big responsibility. My first piece of advice here is to check out your tax laws before you help elders move. There are reasons elders choose to live in Florida, tax laws are a big factor.

During this time, I was working as a territory rep for Nobel Biocare, I was distracted from my accounts while taking care of my Aunt. My sales performance was lower than expected, and my employer eliminated my sales position two months after Angie passed. It was the best possible thing that could have happened to me.

I am sure the HR representative on my call had never heard the “I’m good” as the response to being let go from their job. Being an executor can be thought of as a full-time job, it is a huge responsibility. At this point, I was over-extended and not doing a good job of either my sales position or collecting the information needed for the estate work. I was not sleeping well; I was experiencing heartburn, and my blood pressure was up. I’m a strong person who thrives with a challenge, but this is where I needed to call a safety.

No one expects to die early. Please read this next section with mindfulness of both being the executor of a loved one’s estate and the planning of your own estate. The more you do now to plan, the less burden (or mess) you will leave to your family. As a DEW – keep in mind how this affects your business, clients, and family.

Consider setting up a Trust

A Will is a document that defines how possessions and property will be distributed. You will go through the process of probate to determine the validity or invalidity of the will. Do note that probates can be complicated, time-consuming, and expensive.

A Trust is for the protection of your accumulated assets. With a trust, a trustee is assigned to hold the legal title to the trust to manage the assets and property for the benefit of the beneficiaries.

It is best to meet with a lawyer to determine what is best for you.

Be organized

To help my aunt when she was alive, I created a new email address for her accounts. This kept all her records separate from mine. This was probably my smartest step. I bought an inexpensive iPad to keep her account apps in one place, and I kept a sheet of her account’s balances. Her passwords were kept in my OnePassword App.

It is essential to keep this information separate and manageable.  I kept Angie’s paperwork in a spectacular vintage leopard fur coat bag of hers.

Keep good records

• Make a list of all accounts – banking/savings /retirement /pension/annuities/ insurance accounts /credit cards (all of them)

• Copy of living will, DNR, Will, Amendments of the Will, Trust, Power of Attorney

• Safe combinations

• Location of Keys

• Funeral prearrangements, your specific request,

readings, music, what you would like to be laid out in

• Phone/email of contact list of friends

• Phone/email of the previous person who prepared taxes/ financial advisor/ attorney.

Establish a location where records are safely kept Most institutions will require a certified copy of the death certificate before business transactions can occur. Request 10-15 copies of the Death certificate.

Legal documents – Trust guardianship letters and power of attorney. Real estate deeds, titles to property holding, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, property settlement agreements, and vehicle registrations.

Financial - Bank statements, certificates of deposits, stock certificates, tax returns, loan papers, life insurance policies, annuity contracts, health insurance information

Other/ ID - Information military service papers, Social Security card, birth certificate

Executors will be asked for the same information over and over, to be organized, make a quick reference list of the date of birth, date of death, and social security number. Keep a digital copy of your power of attorney, Trustee/ Guardian. I used an app called Genius Scan to keep PDF copies of my aunt’s trust.

Think wisely when you delegate an executor. Being that I had helped my aunt manage her accounts and had a relationship with her bank, financial advisor, and tax accountant, Angie was comfortable asking me to help with this responsibility. She left me a red book with all her prearrangements and directions. In this book, I found most of the notes in my father’s handwriting.

Make a list of what assets you would like to see given to specific family or friends. Assets distribution can sometimes bring out the worst in people and tear apart families, make a list of your intentions. This will prevent arguments among your loved ones later.

Include in this list - Jewelry, dishes, silverware, family bible, holiday decorations, CD’s/records, furniture, pets, the house, the car, timeshare, etc..

If you are blessed and have disposable funding or do not

wish to leave your finances to your family, you can set up a scholarship or charitable contributions in your will.

Filing taxes for someone who is no longer with us is sobering. It’s final.  I have found this past tax season the hardest part of the process emotionally.

Grieving….

There are grief counseling services available. Journey Hospice reached out to me the morning my aunt passed away and assigned a grief counselor to join me at the hospital when my aunt died. (Imagine having that job!) This hospice service offered to make teddy bears from my aunt’s pajamas. I shipped the teddy bears to my cousins with the distribution of my aunt’s fine jewelry. My cousins in Oregon opened their boxes to find pink bears decorated with my aunt’s costume jewelry. The teddy bears were wearing sparkly clip-on earrings, pearls, and antique rhinestone broaches.

I am blessed to have a solid relationship with my brother and sister. As siblings, we became a strong unit when addressing our father’s estate. There was no confrontation when my sister handled my father’s estate. Now that I am arranging my Aunt Angie’s trust, my six cousins are giving me space. I have had a good experience as an executor, but I am a changed person from this responsibility and feel closer to my aunt than before.

About the author:

Lynn Pencek left the cooperate world to serve as executor for a family member’s Trust.

Returning to clinical experience after twenty-five years in sales with Orascoptic and Nobel Biocare, Lynn self-identifies as a conduit. Helping bridge gaps in formal dental hygiene education and new technology, Lynn addresses common questions and misunderstandings about dental implant basics and maintenance.

Founding Practice at your Best, LLC, Lynn is available to share her unique balance of industry knowledge and clinical experience in Dental Hygiene study groups.

Lynn Pencek, RDH, MS  Helping Dental Professionals Practice at Their Best Lynn@PracticeAtYourBest.com (215) 206-8784

SAYING YES TO CHANGE

By Dr. Aditi Agarwal

Teeth can make you fly. Most people would say that is the weirdest thing anyone has said, but in my case, it is 100% true. Teeth have given me wings. Here is my story:

I was introduced to dentistry in the late eighties, when gloves were still not a necessity, because of my inherited class 2 malocclusion and anterior open bite. This orthodontic love affair continued until the age of 15 when suddenly I saw the power of pearly whites. I went from a gawky, slightly overweight tween, with a smile that was hidden behind wires, to this confident, cute, and still slightly overweight young woman. But the biggest shift came when suddenly I was accepted into the “in crowd,” the single most important thing in a teenager’s life. I credited my popularity to my new smile and the confidence it brought.

My obsession with teeth landed me in a little student town in India. There, I was not only introduced to more rainfall in 1 day than I had ever experienced in my 18 years living in the desert city of Dubai, but I also discovered all the tropical insects and bugs that came with the rain. My young mind was thrown into shock trying to navigate India’s teaching system, healthcare system, and social system. These were all new beasts to me.

I had to sink or swim, and at this point, I was the first woman in my family to even get into a doctorate program, so, I was not giving up that easily.

My time in India taught me so much more than just

dentistry. It taught me resilience and how to find humor in tough situations. As a person who was an outsider, there were plenty of opportunities in that department. Most importantly, my time in India taught me to never give up, despite the challenges.

For the first two years of dental school, my program shared a few classes with the medical students, and I was introduced to going on clinical rotations with the medical students as well. Rotations in general medicine and surgery wards were inspiring. They led me to change my perspective on dentistry and approach it more holistically. I quickly understood that so many systemic problems originated in the mouth, and this fueled my passion even more.

In my 5 years of dental school in India, I experienced moments of pure joy, especially when we took care of underserved populations in rural India. There are many ways to serve people who are less fortunate than us, but the ability to serve and relieve the physical pain of those less fortunate than us is truly a gift. I hope to be able to give back to both humanity and this profession for all the love and kindness it has shown me.

Being the tooth-hungry person that I am, when I was in the final year of my dental program at Manipal University, I decided that I wanted to be at the forefront of dentistry. This required me to spread my wings and landed me at Boston University in the summer of 2001.

Once again, I found myself in a new environment, leaving

my family and friends more than 3000 miles away. And once again, I learned a new way of living: I learned to let go of the metric system, how to navigate Boston using the T and bus system, and how to make the most of the McDonald’s dollar menu. I survived my first snowstorm and learned how to scrape ice off a windshield. There were many challenges, but the dedication and enthusiasm expressed by my professors and teachers kept me coming back for more.

I got married a month after graduating from Boston University and moved to Seattle, where my husband was then working for Philips Ultrasound. I was a full-time associate at a small group practice for seven years. It was at this time that I really honed my clinical skills. By doing so, I soared to new professional heights as I rose in the internal ranks and became the clinical manager of one of the clinics. This role helped me gain some knowledge about what and how insurance worked.

I started looking into buying a practice after my son was born, as I wanted a flexible work schedule. Most dental practices in 2008/2009, when I was looking to buy, were either not selling or were waiting for the market to turn. The ones that were selling were doing so at a premium. After a futile search for a good existing practice to purchase for almost 2 years, I decided to take the jump into the startup world, trusting that my wings, built from clinical expertise and perseverance, would ensure I did not fall. I might have been one of the only dentists in the state of Washington that designed, built, and operated a scratch-start practice in a depressed market.

I knew how to be a dentist once I had teeth to work on and torsos in the chair, but quickly realized that I had no idea how to run or set up a dental practice as a business. It 100% redefined my definition of flexibility. Now, I no longer only work in the business as a clinician but also hold the positions of HR, janitor, marketing manager, and dental equipment/supplies manager. All these responsibilities left me exhausted and unable to play my integral roles of being a mom, wife, sister, and daughter.

It was at this time that I went through many emotions of feeling like I had taken on more than I could chew. I was a first-generation immigrant with no business backing entering the ruthless world of business – surely my wings would be clipped. After putting my baby to bed, my husband and I would spend our evenings reading all that we could find on the business of dentistry.

I struggled with staffing, systems, insurance, and operations. I learned to do everything in a dental office, from scheduling, sending claims, posting, and processing payments to fixing and maintaining small equipment. I dealt with staff no-shows, needle stick injuries, leaks, and even break-ins at the office.

My husband, who was witnessing my struggles, would continue to help from the sidelines. The crux of the problems always came down to really understanding the numbers within my practice, whether it be patient-related, insurance-related, or even supplies-related. We realized that once we started to analyze the numbers of the practice, it became very clear to see which systems were working and which were not. Having this insight helped me make changes that were effective and enabled my practice to grow rapidly, which in turn motivated my team and enabled them to grow within the practice. We were on to something, and I started to feel that wind underneath my wings once again. By seeing firsthand the power of numbers, accepting the truth that came from those numbers, and realizing how important it is to understand how these numbers work, we were inspired to create Practice By Numbers when there wasn’t any other system in the market that provided this service just for dentists.

Practice By Numbers gave me the confidence to open a second start-up, which I still own and operate. Being a multi-site practice owner comes with its own set of rewards, challenges, and headaches. It is not easy to replicate success without solid systems.

With time, we grew organically through word-of-mouth. But it was during COVID, when the dental industry was faced with staffing issues, that we pivoted our approach and set out to find solutions to simplify the front office person's job by automating mundane tasks while staying compliant and thereby reducing the dentists’ stress. Our perseverance pushed us to become the first all-in-one dentist-created, owned, and operated software that we are today.

I know my entrepreneurial journey has just begun. I have been extremely fortunate to have some great mentors, teachers, staff, and patients. I have been humbled time and again by the love and kindness I have received from people in and around dentistry, and today, I’m able to give back to these people by helping make their day-today lives easier so that we, as dentists, can truly focus on making lives better one smile at a time.

About the author:

Dr. Aditi Agarwal is a general dentist practicing dentistry in the United States for 20 years with a prior education/practice of dentistry from India. She also founded 2 start-up practices, one of which opened in 2010 and the other in 2016. She helps simplify and organise the running of a dental practice through Practice by Numbers, which she founded in 2014 as a business analytics company. Practice by Numbers enables offices to run like a great team – seamlessly and without much effort. Today, Practice by Numbers has pivoted to become an all-in-one platform serving dentists nationwide.

FINDING JOY IN NEGOTIATION: THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN-CENTERED LAWYERING

By Amy Kluesner

Iheard recently that one of the greatest predictors of a person’s future success is whether they had an entrepreneurial spirit when they were young, meaning did they work to understand the needs of others and think of creative ways to fulfill them. No doubt, many DeW members can remember one of your first business ideas or how you were always itching to solve a problem. Women are particularly good at anticipating needs, rolling up our sleeves, and doing what needs to be done in order to advance the common good. We tend to be entrepreneurial to our very core. Perhaps like me, you thought you had to ignore that core part of yourself in order to fit a certain mold in your professional life. I would like to share a few highlights of how I found joy in my legal career by learning to embrace my entrepreneurial spirit and following my inclination to keep the human person at the center of every negotiation. My hope is that you will be able to identify with similarities in your journey.

I grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and was the first in my family to earn a college degree. I attended Vanderbilt and had considered going to law school since high school, but I had a nagging feeling that I was supposed to explore a much less traditional path.

The summer before my junior year, I went on a trip to Italy with fellow students. While standing in line to tour

the Basilica of Saint Paul, I encountered a religious Sister in full habit with a Southern accent. It just so happened that she was from a religious community based in Nashville. When I returned to campus that fall, I made a point to attend a retreat at the Sisters’ convent. I was very surprised by what I encountered. The Sisters were full of joy and knew how to have fun while living a life immersed in prayer and serving others. Despite having a boyfriend and promising career ahead of me, I longed for more of the peace and fulfillment the Sisters had. So after graduation, I entered the convent and spent the next five years discerning whether God was calling me to live as a religious Sister. Those were very fruitful years and I would not trade a single day for the self-knowledge, discipline, and charity that I learned living in community with over 200 Sisters. Ultimately, it was evident that God wanted me to experience the beauty of religious life for a time and then take that experience to further my vocation as a wife, mother, and lawyer.

Three years after leaving the convent, I realized my life’s dream of graduating from Notre Dame Law School. I met my husband during law school and began practicing at a mid-size firm in Indianapolis where we had our first two sons. Those early years of practicing law were grueling and it was easy to lose sight of the wisdom and greater purpose I had gained in religious life. Now I was deeply

entrenched in the struggle vibrantly familiar to many of you: how to have a family and career and feel like you are not miserably failing at both.

As I was learning to balance my career and young family, I accepted an opportunity to move to Atlanta and join a larger law firm. I was eager to get back to my Southern roots and I wanted to focus more on mergers and acquisitions in the healthcare space, which this opportunity afforded. Atlanta proved to be a great move for our family and I loved the sophistication of deals with which I was engaged. My amazing mentor taught me about each phase of a healthcare deal, key regulatory matters, the use of precise language when drafting documents, and how to effectively negotiate terms on behalf of clients. Most importantly, she allowed me to learn from my mistakes. Nevertheless, even with that support, I allowed myself to get caught up in trying to fit into a persona that was not truly me because I lacked the confidence to embrace the authentic version of myself.

Not long after having our third son, I decided to leave that firm and take a break from the intense grind that often accompanies large law firm life. My next step spoke to my entrepreneurial nature and pursuit for balance. As an inhouse lawyer, I had the opportunity to play a pivotal role in business decisions with the benefit of a more flexible schedule. I served as General Counsel for two privateequity backed healthcare companies, including a DSO. I found that I really enjoyed working with dentists and shared their mindset of striving to use professional skills to build something that would have a lasting impact on the human person.

The General Counsel role enabled me to step back into the person I was and remember the entrepreneurial creativity I possessed as a child. As General Counsel, I had to constantly think on my feet with few resources. I learned to communicate complex legal concepts to business leaders who had very little time for overly burdensome explanations. Each company was in rapid growth mode with its own set of distinct adversities. I learned to appreciate every aspect of how business teams approach a deal, from the initial letter of intent to full integration of the practice. As we completed acquisitions, I got to know selling dentists who worked so hard to make their dreams a reality. I identified with their career transitions and the opportunities they gained for themselves and their families. My legal services helped them fulfill their dreams. Through triumph and failure, I developed confidence and candor. Negotiating a deal and managing the legal function of a business can be highly emotional for all parties involved. When I can tell that emotions are rising, I draw on my experience of living within a large community of different personalities in the convent, and

remember that there is a greater purpose beyond what we may see in the present moment.

Armed with the new confidence I gained while working as a General Counsel, I decided to return to private practice in December. I feel called to fulfill my entrepreneurial dreams of building a legal practice focused on advising dentists and healthcare entities. Nothing is more exhilarating for me than understanding each person’s ‘why’ and listening to their distinct stories. In the convent, our life was focused on loving and being loved, on contemplation and giving to others the fruits of our contemplation. Only by living a life that is humancentered can we attain true happiness and the fullness of human flourishing. Finding courage to chart a path unique to my experience has allowed me to integrate my deepest beliefs into a profession that I love. My skill as a negotiator is precisely because of who I am and the challenges I overcame, not in spite of them.

Thinking back to what I heard about how one of the greatest predictors of a person’s success is whether the entrepreneurial spirit existed from a young age, I think it is really about overcoming adversity, as many DeW members have. Our careers might not go as planned, but the entrepreneurial soul is able to envision creative courses of action in order to make the best of the realities we face. Similarly, negotiating a deal may not go as planned, but by focusing on the human element at the center of every transaction I can bring people together and craft a deal beneficial for all. As entrepreneurs, we are people first and cannot lose sight of the passion that has driven us since we were young.

About the author:

Amy Kluesner is an attorney based in the Atlanta office of Barnes & Thornburg LLP, a full-service law firm with over 800 legal professionals throughout 23 offices. As an experienced deal lawyer, Amy is valued for her responsiveness and tactful negotiation skills while focusing on business objectives and regulatory compliance. She is particularly adept at providing outside general counsel services to growing companies, including mergers and acquisitions in the dental and healthcare space.

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: Anneduffy@dew.life

e Dew Good Fund is a program that serves to promote and contribute to worthy charitable non-pro t organizations that are dear to the heart of Dental Entrepreneur Women (DeW).

GOOD FUND

For more information on how to get involved, please visit www.dew.life/dew-good/

INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN DENTISTRY

SEPTEMBER 22–23 I IRVINE, CA

AN INDUSTRY FIRST!

Some of the most influential women in dentistry are coming together to present this two-day symposium dedicated to elevating technology in your practice.

WHY ATTEND:

The two-day Dentistry on the Rise event offers 9 CEUs and includes:

■ Fast-paced podium presentations focused on technology in your practice

■ Hands-on breakout sessions covering veneer preparations, smile design and neuromodulators, scanning and milling, and guided surgery

■ Exclusive after-hours cocktail party and dinner hosted by Jim and Parvina Glidewell

REGISTER TODAY:

$495 registration for both days

$395 with promo code*

*Use promo code DEW23 to receive $100 off

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

Top left to bottom right: Stephenie Goddard, M.S.; Rella Christensen, RDH, Ph.D.; Diana Batoon, DMD, Stephanie Botts, RDH; Taylor Manalili, DDS; Joy Poskozim, DDS; Kelly McCracken, DDS; Rebekah Browder, DDS; Amanda Sheehan, DDS; Trudy Reese, DMD; Jarrett Manning, DDS; Lan Chi Le, DDS; Mary K. Shields, DMD, MPH; Susan McMahon, DMD; Kaveeta Channamsetty, DDS; Christina Do, DDS; and Jinny Bender, DMD.

The Glidewell Symposium is an event for dentists and their team members. *Offer expires 08/31/23