More Than The Mouth: Dentistry's Role in Total Health (w/Dr. Staci Whitman)

Airway, Wellness, and the Patient-Centered Private Practice (w/Dr. Trevor Nichols) [Ep.161]

Episode Summary Dr. Trevor Nichols returns to The Doc Podcast for his second appearance, and a lot has changed. Since opening Nichols Orthodontics and Aesthetics in Gilbert, Arizona, in August 2024, Trevor has grown from a two-person operation to a team of 20, with a waitlist. In this rich conversation, Dr. Mike and Dr. Nichols cover the full journey: the leap from corporate/DSO orthodontics to private practice ownership, the vision and systems that fuel their growth, the personal wellness habits that keep them grounded, and, most passionately, the case for early airway-focused, craniofacial orthodontic treatment. This episode is a must-listen for any orthodontist, dentist, or healthcare professional who wants to treat the whole patient, not just the teeth. Timestamps 3:29 — Welcome back: Dr. Nichols returns to the show after ~2 years 4:33 — "Probably the best two years of my life" — Dr. Nichols reflects on opening his practice 5:27 — Starting with just two people, leasing space from a general dentist 6:29 — "Fight for your dreams" — the case for private practice ownership 6:53 — Why private practice better protects patients and the profession vs. corporate/DSO models 22:03 — Building the vision: how to define what orthodontics truly fulfills you 23:29 — "Do a true audit of what in orthodontics brings you happiness" 29:34 — The three pillars of Nichols Orthodontics: patient experience, culture, and results 40:24 — Why Dr. Nichols hired a CEO (formerly at Crumbl Cookies) to run the business side 50:44 — Balancing plates: weekly date nights, gratitude practices, and intentional reflection 57:32 — Shifting to the clinical: why diagnosis is what separates orthodontists from OTC aligners 1:00:57 — "We're not just orthodontists — we're craniofacial orthopedists" 1:02:58 — "I don't really care about the teeth right now" — diagnosing profile, growth, and airway first 1:11:06 — Treating 3- and 4-year-olds: when early intervention is warranted and how to screen for it 1:17:44 — 45% of Nichols Orthodontics' practice is now airway-focused treatment 1:27:43 — The key to phase one braces success: bond ALL the primary teeth + disarticulate 1:29:00 — The tongue as nature's expander: ~400g of force at swallow — why we don't need more 1:37:18 — "Early adopters take the most scrutiny — and then we find out they were right all along" LINKS * Register for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive ($1000 off if register by June 30): https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ [https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/]  * Episode 50 w/Dr. Nichols: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-living-your-purpose-w-dr-trevor-nichols-ep-50/id1689703392?i=1000655038062 * Connect w/Dr. Nichols: https://www.nicholsortho.com/?utm_source=GBP * Instagram: @dr.trevornichols * Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/ [https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/] * Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/ [https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/] * Enroll in one-on-one coaching w/Dr. Mike: https://theorthocoach.com/doc-coaching/ [https://theorthocoach.com/doc-coaching/]  If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to share it with a colleague, friend, or fellow healthcare professional who would benefit from hearing it. Word of mouth is the single most powerful way to grow this community and spread this message. Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify; it makes a huge difference! And if you haven't already, subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Doc Podcast. Thank you for your support!  Together, we're changing lives, one conversation at a time.

More Than The Mouth: Dentistry's Role in Total Health (w/Dr. Staci Whitman)

Episode Summary In this powerful episode, Dr. Mike sits down with Dr. Staci Whitman, a board-certified pediatric dentist, functional and naturopathic dentistry expert, and one of the only dentists in the world certified by the Institute of Functional Medicine. Dr. Staci shares her remarkable journey from nearly leaving the profession entirely to becoming a trailblazer in functional pediatric dentistry. Together, they dive deep into the critical connections between oral health and whole-body health, exposing the gaps in traditional dental education and offering a roadmap for how dentists and patients can do better. Show Notes 0:00 — Introduction & welcome 1:49 — Topics covered today: fluoride, oral-gut microbiome, airway health, burnout, and more 3:33 — Dr. Staci's journey: from a childhood dental trauma to nearly quitting the profession 5:47 — "I almost left dentistry" — how debt kept her in and what ultimately changed 6:57 — The pivot to pediatrics and a root-cause, upstream approach 15:36 — Her three diagnostic priorities: nutrition, gut health, and airway (not the teeth) 16:11 — "We don't have dental physicians" — connecting the mouth to the whole body 33:12 — The fluoride debate: how Dr. Staci went from advocate to skeptic 37:06 — Fluoride works topically, not systemically — what the science actually says 56:06 — The oral microbiome: nitric oxide, the oral-gut axis, and why it matters 57:02 — "You cannot have a healthy patient without a healthy gut" 58:00 — Oral microbiome testing: options, tools, and why it should be standard of care 1:05:46 — Top action step #1: nutrition and reducing snacking frequency 1:07:40 — Top action step #2: hydration, saliva, and minerals 1:08:02 — Top action step #3: airway and the dangers of mouth breathing Resources & Links Mentioned: * Register for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive ($1000 off if register by June 30): https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ [https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/]  * Oral microbiome testing resources: https://www.viome.com/products/oral-health-intelligence [https://www.viome.com/products/oral-health-intelligence]; https://www.bristlehealth.com/ [https://www.bristlehealth.com/] * Cochrane Review on Fluoride (2024): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39362658/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39362658/] * The Institute for Functional Dentistry: https://functionaldentistry.com/ [https://functionaldentistry.com/] * Episode with Beth Lambert: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-causing-the-chronic-disease-epidemic-in-our/id1689703392?i=1000716655495 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-causing-the-chronic-disease-epidemic-in-our/id1689703392?i=1000716655495] Connect with Dr. Staci: * https://doctorstaci.com/ [https://drstaci.com/] * Dr. Staci on Instagram: @doctor_staci Connect with Dr. Mike: * theorthocoach.com [https://theorthocoach.com/] * Dr. Mike on Instagram: @theorthocoach * Email: drmike@theorthocoach.com * Join the DOC Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/ [https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/] The health of our patients and our profession depends on dentists willing to think differently. Please share this episode with a colleague or fellow parent who needs to hear it!

Real Estate, Taxes, & The Power of Planning: Inside the Generational Wealth Code (w/The Vento Family)

Episode Summary Dr. Mike welcomes a powerhouse family of financial professionals to The DOC Podcast: John Vento Sr., his daughters Christine Vento and Nicole Vento, and his son John Vento Jr. Together, they discuss their brand-new book, The Generational Wealth Code, and share decades of expertise in tax planning, real estate investing, and wealth management. John Sr. traces his journey from doing his first tax return in his parents' Brooklyn basement in 1985 to building a comprehensive wealth management firm. Each of his three children - all CPAs and securities-licensed - shares how they found their own specialties: Christine in 1031 exchange real estate solutions and Delaware Statutory Trusts, Nicole in tax-smart investment management and financial planning, and John Jr. in dental CPA and proactive tax strategy.  The conversation spans the importance of year-end tax planning (not April 15th), the power of passive real estate income, how to raise financially literate children, and why paying for expert financial advice is an investment, not a cost. This is the first of a five-part series with the Vento family, with each member returning for a dedicated solo episode. Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction & welcome to the Vento family 2:01 – Overview of *The Generational Wealth Code* and the five-part series 3:09 – Guests introduce themselves 5:04 – John Sr.'s background: From Brooklyn basement to building his own firm (1985) 6:03 – John Sr. on leaving KPMG and why he added a securities license to his CPA practice 9:20 – Christine's background: From KPMG deal advisory to real estate and 1031 exchanges 10:48 – Christine explains 1031 exchanges and Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) 14:47 – Nicole's background: Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and returning to the family practice 20:53 – John Jr.'s background: Working in the firm as a teenager, Pricewaterhouse, and becoming managing partner 27:09 – Why year-end tax planning matters: "Once December 31st passes, there's nothing you can do" 30:02 – The origin story of John Sr.'s first book, *Financial Independence: Getting to Point X* 32:04 – What's new in *The Generational Wealth Code* and the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act 38:37 – John Sr.: "Financial literacy should be required in every high school" 1:07:32 – John Jr.: "Almost every decision in life has a tax consequence" — preview of his solo episode 1:12:39 – Book release date, where to buy, and how to contact the Vento family firm Resources & Links * The Generational Wealth Code – Available June 9th on Amazon and Barnes & Noble (pre-order now): https://a.co/d/0iHwEITG [https://a.co/d/0iHwEITG] * https://www.ventotaxandwealth.com/  * Register for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive: https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ [https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/]  * Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/ [https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/] * Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/ [https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/] * Website: theorthocoach.com [http://theorthocoach.com/] * YouTube: @theorthocoach * Email: drmike@theorthocoach.com * Instagram: @theorthocoach

Should 3D/CBCT Imaging be the Standard of Care in Orthodontics? (w/Dr. Dania Tamimi) [Ep.158]

In this episode of The DOC Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Dania Tamimi, an oral and maxillofacial radiologist, Harvard-trained dental educator, and holistic health advocate, for a wide-ranging conversation on why diagnosis must come first in dentistry, and why 3D CBCT imaging is no longer optional for orthodontists who want to truly serve their patients. Dr. Tamimi brings a uniquely multidisciplinary perspective, weaving together radiology, yoga therapy, kinesiology, and craniofacial anatomy to make the case that the mouth and the airway cannot be treated in isolation. Together, we challenge the "tooth straightener" mindset still dominant in orthodontics, break down the science of nasal breathing and its profound impact on facial development, and take a critical look at recent AAO position statements on airway and CBCT. Whether you're a seasoned clinician, a young provider, or a curious parent, this episode will change the way you think about dental imaging, airway, and what it means to truly diagnose. Timestamps: 0:00 — Introduction & Meet Dr. Dania Tamimi 4:01 — Dr. Tamimi's background: oral & maxillofacial radiology explained 4:46 — A parallel career in fitness and why it matters for TMJ 6:55 — "It's all connected" - the TMJ, airway, and the whole body 10:01 — Dr. Mike's airway awakening: how getting a CBCT in 2014 changed everything 12:37 — Why we image: diagnosis is the single most important step 18:38 — CT vs. CBCT: what's the actual difference and why does it matter? 21:58 — Cone beam CT explained: lower dose, dental-specific, and what it can (and can't) show 25:52 — Why is 3D CBCT adoption still debated in orthodontics? 30:09 — Fear, comfort zones, and the cost of not knowing 36:07 — "Knowledge gives you power, fear takes it away" 38:59 — "I don't want to be responsible for what's on the scan" - the liability fear no one talks about 44:07 — Should orthodontists rename themselves craniofacial orthopedists? 52:00 — No such thing as a routine X-ray: why clinical exam must come first 1:13:34 — The science of nasal breathing: nitric oxide, filtration, and why mouth breathing changes your face 1:14:35 — How mouth breathing narrows jaws, crowds teeth, and displaces the tongue into the airway 1:19:01 — Challenging the AAO white paper: "No craniofacial phenotypes can identify airway problems"? 1:23:25 — Can orthodontists read their own scans? How to know when to refer LINKS * Register for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive:https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ [https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/] * Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/ [https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/] * Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/ [https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/] * Enroll in one-on-one coaching w/Dr. Mike: https://theorthocoach.com/doc-coaching/ [https://theorthocoach.com/doc-coaching/]  * Link to Dr. Mike’s review of the AAO White Paper Update on SDB: https://youtu.be/pKSD_PVO4G0?si=CSxQy4V6tZoe551t [https://youtu.be/pKSD_PVO4G0?si=CSxQy4V6tZoe551t]  * Dr. Tamimi TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/zlYuHwqrsPo?si=30NiJu_UiuPeKRlX [https://youtu.be/zlYuHwqrsPo?si=30NiJu_UiuPeKRlX]  * Contact Dr. Tamimi: https://inspire-imaging.com/ [https://inspire-imaging.com/]

Rethinking When, Why, & How We Treat Patients (w/Dr. Mike DePascale) [Ep.157]

Episode Summary Dr. Mike DePascale is a Connecticut-based orthodontist and co-owner of a multi-location practice with his partner and mentor, Dr. Jeff Kozlowski. In this episode, Dr. DePascale shares his remarkable personal journey from suffering severe obstructive sleep apnea in his early 20s and undergoing orthognathic surgery to becoming a passionate advocate for airway-focused, early-interceptive orthodontic care. The conversation covers the philosophy behind their thriving partnership, why airway is still woefully undertaught in residency programs, how to practically integrate early airway-focused treatment into a busy practice, the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration, and what it takes to maintain peak fitness while building a career and a family. This is a conversation about so much more than teeth, it's about breathing, thriving, and never settling. Timestamps 0:00 — Introduction to The DOC Podcast and Dr. Mike DePascale 10:57 — Dr. DePascale's origin story: cold-calling medical offices to find his path 12:30 — Diagnosed with severe sleep apnea in his 20s: 3 car accidents, 2–4 hours of sleep a night 15:30 — Choosing orthognathic surgery over CPAP — and how it saved his life 19:00 — Finding Dr. Jeff Kozlowski: choosing mentorship over immediate money 24:00 — What makes a practice partnership actually work: communication, consistency, and commitment 33:00 — Residency training: what it prepared him for — and what it didn't 38:00 — Why airway is barely taught in orthodontic residencies (and what needs to change) 45:00 — The 1968 Salzman Index, Medicaid, and how the system trains orthodontists to pull teeth instead of treat early 53:00 — How to practically integrate airway screening into a busy multi-doc practice 58:00 — Team training, sleep questionnaires, and the power of interdisciplinary referral networks 63:00 — The emotional reality: a mom crying after finally hearing "tongue tie" for the first time after 5 specialists 68:00 — How early is too early? Dr. DePascale's own son: frenectomy at weeks old, T&A at age 2 75:00 — Why orthodontists are uniquely positioned — and obligated — to lead in the airway space 80:00 — Fitness as a non-negotiable: from not finishing a mile to running a 4:53, and why he never gets out of it Links * Register for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive: https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ [https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/]  * Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/ [https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/] * Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/ [https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/] * Website: theorthocoach.com [http://theorthocoach.com/] * Email: drmike@theorthocoach.com * Instagram: @theorthocoach Thank you for your support of The DOC Podcast, and please share the show with others who may benefit from hearing this conversation!