Feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or just not like yourself lately? You're not alone. In this candid and deeply relatable episode of Audio Amalgam, four Arizona dentists open up about the real mental health challenges behind the smile—sharing personal stories of burnout, perfectionism, addiction, financial stress, and the silent struggles many dental professionals face. If you've ever questioned your self-worth after a tough patient encounter or felt isolated running your practice, this podcast offers not only empathy, but practical insights, humor, and hope. Tune in to hear how your peers are finding balance, building resilience, and rediscovering joy in dentistry.

If you're a dentist who needs help, consider reaching out to the speakers in this podcast, or you can call the AzDA office (480.344.5777) so a referral can be made to the Dentists Concerned for Dentists Committee (DCD). The DCD has been in existence for more than thirty years. It is comprised of a group of fellow dentists who, with their past experience, can come to the aid of any of our fellow practitioners who are in distress (with the use or abuse of alcohol, or prescription/non-prescription chemicals).

Dr. Pete Mellas (602) 741-3300 (C)
Dr. Allison House (602) 316-6215 (C)
Dr. Ann Blue (602) 677-5331 (C)
Dr. Elliot Martich (602) 920-4271 (C)
Dr. Jeffrey Garelick (480) 216-7131 (C) (not in this podcast)

AzDA member dentists Dr. Jennifer Fineberg, Dr. Lisa Bienstock, and Dr. Rob Roda emphasize that patient distress in dental offices often stems from fear of the unknown, lack of control, financial concerns, and personal stressors. To de-escalate tense situations, they recommend clear, jargon-free communication, visual aids, active listening, and empathy—acknowledging patient fears, sharing vulnerability, and offering sincere compliments to build trust.

Financial transparency is also critical; strategies include signed agreements, clear insurance expectations, and, when needed, offering refunds to preserve peace.

Recognizing non-verbal cues and setting professional boundaries, including dismissing patients when trust is lost, are essential, as is ensuring informed consent for all procedures.

Listening to this podcast is a must for any dentist practicing in Arizona. Current Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners President Dr. Anthony Herro sits down with attorney Jeff Tonner of The Dental Advocate in an engaging, eye-opening discussion about navigating Board complaints, identifying potentially problematic patients, and most important, steps you can take to protect yourself and your practice in this sue-happy culture we live in.

If you're an AzDA member dentist, your support allows us to bring programs like this to you. Thank you. If you're not an AzDA member dentist, we want you to have this information—it's valuable for all dentists. In return, would you consider supporting us through membership as well? Joining is easy, and we're asking you, visit AzDA.org or call 480.344.5777 to get started.

A no-nonsense, in-depth look at embezzlement in the dental office. How dentists can protect themselves from being a victim and what to do if they suspect something is amiss. AZ Dental CPA Chris Torregrossa (https://azdentalcpa.com) shares practical insights that will help you mitigate embezzlement risk (as well as offer some advice that's going to surprise you).

Embezzlement can happen anytime, anywhere, and to anyone (no matter how much you trust your dental team). This podcast is definitely worth a listen. Host Jeremy Tuber, AzDA marcom director.

In this podcast, AzDA Executive Director Dr. Regina Cobb and AzDA member dentist Dr. Anthony Dicello cover:

• ERISA, what is it? Let’s clear up the mystery once and for all.
  What is it originally created for?
• Who is it really benefiting?
• How are insurance companies using it?

ERISA is the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, which was designed to set minimum standards for most voluntarily established retirement and health plans in private industry to provide protection for individuals in these plans. It provides fiduciary responsibilities for those who manage and control plan assets, requires plans to establish a grievance and appeals process for participants to get benefits from their plans, and gives participants the right to sue for benefits and breaches of fiduciary duty.

88% of dentists say that referrals are their number one source of new patients. However, most dentists lack a system for attracting new patients through referrals.

In this podcast, guest Brandon Barnum, Chairman of Champion Dentists, touches on the art of asking for referrals, setting the stage, listening for referral triggers, and then making the ask. He also explores the role of incentives and gamification in encouraging the dental team to actively seek referrals.

The podcast then moves into offering insights into opportunities for dentists to increase profitability through partnerships, charging market rates, and optimizing unused scheduled time. For dentists looking for opportunities to make their practice more profitable, this podcast provides some good insights.

Host Jeremy Tuber, AzDA marcom dir.

In this latest Audio Amalgam podcast, three AzDA member dentists (two practice in an urban setting; one in a rural) discuss the challenges they face in hiring, training, and managing their dental staff. Their frank discussion covers finding the right employees, conducting performance reviews, and making the decision to let someone go. They also discuss the changing landscape of the dental workforce and the importance of creating a positive work environment. Host Dr. Eric Curtis, Dr. Brett Dameron, and Dr. Allison House share their personal experiences and strategies for managing their teams effectively.

1. The challenges of hiring and retaining dental staff, including finding the right fit and dealing with employee turnover.
2. The importance of creating a positive work environment and maintaining a strong team dynamic.
3. Strategies for conducting performance reviews and providing ongoing feedback to employees.
4. The changing landscape of the dental workforce and the impact of factors such as the pandemic and evolving technology.
5. The need for continuous education and staying up to date with industry changes.

The podcast episode features an interview with Dr. Kent Tuttle, a dentist who is passionate about charity work and making a positive impact. Dr. Tuttle discusses his background in dentistry, including his initial hesitation to pursue the profession and how witnessing humanitarian dentistry in Ecuador changed his perspective. He explains that he wants to inspire others to prioritize impact over money and emphasizes the benefits of doing charity work for dental practices and their staff. Dr. Tuttle also outlines his charity movement called "The Smile Movement," which focuses on providing comprehensive smile makeovers to those in need. He describes the screening process for potential patients and encourages other dentists to get involved by donating their time and skills. Dr. Tuttle shares his vision for the future, which includes expanding the charity nationwide and training other dentists. He also emphasizes the importance of dentists reflecting on their motivations and using their profession to give back.