DrBicuspid

How your dental team should handle the everyday medically complex patient

The medically complex patient is no longer the exception in dentistry — it's the new normal. In this episode of the DrBicuspid.com podcast, Editor-in-Chief Kevin Henry sits down with DrBicuspid hygiene editor Dr. Kelly Tanner, PhD, RDH, to talk about how the entire dental team needs to be thinking differently about the patients walking through the door. Dr. Tanner breaks down why the medical history form is far more than paperwork — it's a decision-making tool that the front desk, assistants, hygienists and doctors all need to be reading together. She explains how a patient's medication list can explain nearly everything the clinical team is seeing in the mouth, and why systemic literacy has to be a whole-team skill, not just a clinical one. The conversation also covers how trust shapes patient disclosure, how morning huddles can help teams get ahead of complex appointments, and why communication — truly reading and connecting with patients — may be the most undertrained skill in dentistry today. What's covered: Why the "routine" dental patient is increasingly rare How the medical history form should function as a team communication tool The connection between medications and common clinical findings How anxiety, neurodiversity and systemic conditions are changing patient care Why onboarding new team members should include communication training How to bridge the gap between what patients report and what the team is seeing Dr. Tanner is the co-host of Quit Dreaming, Start Teaming, a podcast-style CE series with pharmacology educator Tom Viola. Continuing education courses are available at rarebirddentalce.com.

A chemical shortcut to cleaner teeth and a smoother dental visit

If getting your teeth cleaned has ever felt like someone was trying to chisel dried concrete out of your mouth, you are not alone. But a product called TurboCR, made by Essential Dental Systems, is changing the math — for patients, hygienists and practice owners alike. In this episode of the DrBicuspid.com podcast, the hosts dig into how TurboCR works and why dental hygienists are paying attention. The science centers on chelating agents — chemical compounds that act, as one host puts it, like "microscopic chemical claws." Rather than relying on mechanical force alone, those agents target the calcium ions that give calcified plaque its structure, breaking down tartar from the inside out before the hygienist ever picks up a scaler. Hygienist Lizzie, cited in the episode, reported that applying the product via a foaming applicator or tray softened calculus by up to 50% in just one minute. Crucially, the chemistry appears to leave enamel, dentin and titanium implants unharmed — a detail that matters most for vulnerable patient populations. Dr. Sonia Dinar, known in geriatric dental circles as the "geriatric tooth fairy," highlights TurboCR's particular value for elderly patients, those with special needs and anyone with severe dental phobia, all of whom benefit from reduced scraping and shorter time with their mouths wide open. The efficiency gains extend to the practice side as well. Hygienist Gina Green tested the product mid-procedure on a patient she was running behind on, applying it to the untreated side of the mouth. She not only caught up — she finished with time to spare. That kind of time recovery, multiplied across a full schedule, changes the revenue picture. It also reduces the cumulative physical toll on hygienists, whose hands and wrists absorb the strain of heavy scaling all day. Learn more at https://edsdental.com/Turbo-CR/

AI in the dental practice: Opportunity, risk and how to navigate both

In this episode, Dr. Greg Grillo discusses the impact of AI in dentistry, the risks and opportunities it presents, and how dental practices can navigate this turbulent technological landscape. He shares insights from his extensive experience and offers guidance on implementing AI safely and effectively. Learn more at https://methodpro.com/ai-foundation/#offer

The 7 key roles of a dental office manager

In this episode, Dr. Roger Levin discusses the critical role of the office manager in dental practices, covering topics like practice operations, workflow, team leadership, patient experience, and financial management. Learn how to train, delegate, and lead your team to increase efficiency and practice growth. Learn more about Dr. Levin at https://levingroup.com/

How MRI will transform dental diagnosis

In this episode, Dr. Don Tyndall discusses the emerging role of dedicated dental MRI technology, its potential impact on dentistry, and future applications. Learn about how MRI can improve diagnosis, inflammation detection, and patient care in dental practices. Learn more about the collaboration between Dentsply Sirona and Siemens Healthineers that has brought to life the first‑ever dental‑dedicated MRI[1] (ddMRI) system – MAGNETOM Free.Max Dental Edition — at www.dentsplysirona.com/ddmri