Dentistry Unmasked: A Roundtable Podcast

Dentistry on Netflix: Are we ready?

This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Pam and Brian sit down with Dr. Jonny Norris, the creator of an upcoming Netflix documentary that promises to challenge long-held assumptions in dentistry and spark important conversations with patients. As the profession anticipates a public spotlight on treatment decisions and standards of care, Dr. Norris shares his perspective on minimal intervention dentistry and what true conservatism should look like in modern practice. The discussion explores the science and clinical application of preventive and bioactive materials such as silver diamine fluoride, povidone iodine, and glass ionomers—and how these tools can help clinicians preserve tooth structure while improving long-term outcomes. This is a timely, thoughtful conversation about ethics, prevention, patient communication, and how dentists can be prepared—clinically and conversationally—for the questions that may soon be coming their way.

Unmasking AACD accreditation

This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Pam and Brian chat with Dr. Charlie Ward, who was recently accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Ward pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to earn AACD accreditation—from the specific types of cases required and the rigorous evaluation process to the mentorship, preparation, and mindset shifts that made the difference. He also shares some of his go-to products and clinical strategies that helped elevate his results and set him up for success.  If you’re looking to sharpen your cosmetic dentistry skills or are considering the AACD accreditation pathway yourself, this inspiring and practical conversation is one you won’t want to miss.
 
Resources:
Email: drcaward82@gmail.com

More than social media: The clinical side of @BloodyToothGuy

This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Brian and Pam  sit down with Dr. Jason Auerbach—better known to many as @bloodytoothguy. With a schedule that seems nonstop, we finally ask the question everyone’s wondering: does he still see patients? (Spoiler: you’ll have to tune in.)  Beyond the social media persona, Dr. Auerbach dives into serious clinical ground—highlighting the critical importance of thorough diagnostic documentation, smart medical billing strategies, and how proper records protect both patients and practices. He also references the American Dental Association recommendations on CBCT use, sparking a thoughtful discussion on imaging standards and clinical responsibility. Insightful, practical, and refreshingly candid, this episode blends real-world dentistry with behind-the-scenes perspective from one of the profession’s most recognizable voices.
 
Resources:
https://www.ada.org/about/press-releases/new-recommendations-confirm-dental-x-rays-most-effectively-used-in-moderation
 
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212440325013252

PrEP, PEP & prophylaxis … and somehow chapstick

This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Pam and Brian sit down with renowned pharmacologist Tom Viola for a timely and practical conversation on preventives in dentistry. From the latest updates on antibiotic prophylaxis to what every dental professional should know about the growing use of PrEP and PEP, this episode breaks down complex pharmacology into clear, clinical takeaways you can use immediately. And in true Dentistry Unmasked fashion, the discussion takes an unexpected (and entertaining) detour into chapstick. Insightful, relevant, and just the right amount of fun—this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Salivary diagnostics: The next frontier in health care

This week on Dentistry Unmasked, we cover Brian’s all-time favorite topic… saliva.
Pam and Brian sit down with Dr. Paul Slowey—the innovator behind many of the salivary diagnostic tests transforming health care today. He’s the mind behind cutting-edge saliva tests, including the one used by the NFL to help determine whether a player has suffered a concussion.
But that’s just the beginning.
What if we told you that Alzheimer’s disease can be detected in saliva up to 10 years before clinical symptoms appear? The implications for dentistry—and for health care as a whole—are staggering.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
• How salivary diagnostics are changing medicine and dentistry
• Why saliva may be the most underutilized diagnostic tool in health care
• The science behind concussion testing through saliva
• What early Alzheimer’s detection could mean for patients and practices
• Why the future of precision health may start in the dental chair
Salivary diagnostics isn’t just “the future”—it’s already here. If you’ve ever wondered how dentistry fits into the larger medical landscape, this episode will change the way you see the power of a simple saliva sample.
Trust us—Brian is excited about this one and you will be too!
Resources:
 
pds@4saliva.com  Dr.Paul Slowey

Silver diamine fluoride: Science, strategy, and a code at risk

This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Pam Maragliano and Brian Novy take a deep dive into one of dentistry’s most talked-about preventive materials: Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF). They break down what SDF is, how it works at the chemical and clinical levels, and how to thoughtfully select the right cases to ensure predictable, patient-centered outcomes. But the conversation doesn’t stop there. There’s a bigger issue at play—pending legislation that could eliminate a CDT code tied to preventive care, potentially impacting how practices implement and get reimbursed for SDF treatment. What could this mean for your preventive protocols and your bottom line.  If you’re incorporating SDF into your practice—or considering it—this episode delivers the clinical clarity and policy awareness you need to stay informed and prepared and get involved.
 

The inverted food pyramid: What RFK’s proposal means for dentistry

This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Pam and Brian sit down with Dr. Uche Odiatu for a conversation that goes far beyond the operatory.
 
With RFK’s newly proposed inverted food pyramid making headlines, what does it actually mean for your patients—and for your own daily life? Dr. Odiatu breaks down how today’s heavily processed diet (now making up 55% of adults’ and 65% of children’s calories) is impacting systemic and oral health in ways we can no longer ignore.
 
You’ll hear:
 
The key nutrients almost everyone is deficient in
 
What to look for when choosing a high-quality fish oil
 
How the oral cavity is designed to protect itself—even when the diet is working against it
 
Practical, real-world strategies to reduce inflammation and support total health
 
 
Resources:
odiatudmd@gmail.com
 
https://static01.nyt.com/images/2026/01/08/well/08WELL-FOOD-PYRAMID1/08WELL-FOOD-PYRAMID1-superJumbo.png
 
https://epic.iarc.fr/
 
https://open.spotify.com/show/7iQXmUT7XGuZSzAMjoNWlX
 

Practicing empathy: Inclusive care in dentistry: Dr. Michelle Part II

In Part Two, the conversation expands beyond one individual’s story to examine what it means for all of us in dentistry.
 
Building on her lived experience, our guest shares insights on how transitioning reshaped her approach to patient care and why empathy is essential in creating trust and safety in the dental setting. Together, we discuss how dental professionals can better support transgender patients and colleagues, challenge unconscious bias, and foster more inclusive, affirming practice environments.
 
This episode offers thoughtful reflection and practical perspective for dental teams committed to compassionate care, deeper understanding, and continuous growth as healthcare providers.

A dentist’s journey to authenticity: Dr. Michelle part I

In part one of this two-part series, we sit down with a dentist who shares her deeply personal journey of coming out as transgender and the profound impact it had on every aspect of her life.
She reflects on years of struggling with her identity, navigating complex family dynamics, and facing the very real fear of losing the dental practice she worked so hard to build when she decided to transition. This episode is an honest and vulnerable look at what it means to choose authenticity in the face of uncertainty, professional risk, and personal loss.
Through her story, we explore themes of resilience, courage, and what it truly means to show up as yourself—even when the stakes are high.

Little patients, big teamwork: Mastering referrals and collaboration in kids’ dentistry

In this engaging episode, Brian and Pam chat with Dr. Jeannette MacLean, a board-certified pediatric dentist, as they dive into the power of effective partnerships between general dentists and pediatric specialists to deliver the best possible oral health outcomes for children.