Devin Hodell is a general dentist in Chesterfield, MI. She graduated with honors from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry in the class of 2021. Dr. Hodell went on to complete a one-year, general practice residency at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, where she earned an award for Clinical Excellence and Professionalism in Dentistry.
Full-Mouth Rehabilitation — What I Learned
By: Devin Hodell In the course of my dental residency, I completed a full-mouth rehabilitation over the…
Buying a Dental Practice Is the Easy Part—Earning the Team’s Trust Is the Real Work
By: Ronda Holman Purchasing an existing dental practice offers a significant advantage: a team that already knows your patients, systems, and practice culture. However, one critical factor doesn’t automatically transfer with ownership—trust. Building trust with your new team requires intention, patience, and thoughtful leadership. 1. Listen More Than You Lead in the First Weeks When…
Would It Even Matter If I Wasn’t Here?
By: Eric Recker I froze. Where were those thoughts coming from and why were they in MY head? It was the end of yet another chaotic day in my practice. A day of all alone at the top as my team of eighteen left the office to go about their normal lives outside of the…
How Young Dentists Can Succeed with Debt
By: Dr. James Pitts As a former practicing General Dentist, I understand the challenges all Dentists face concerning debt. Over the last 10 years, the student loan debt problem has reached crisis levels. The cost of dental education has risen faster than inflation, leaving most young Dentists with student loan debt of $400,000 or more….
The Importance of Caries Risk Assessment and Management
By: Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis article originally appeared on Pankey.org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. For most of us, caries risk assessment feels second nature; we’ve been trained to do it from the start. Diagnosing caries and periodontal disease are among the first skills we develop in dental school. Early…
Top 5 Mistakes Dentists Make When Starting a Practice & How to Avoid Them
By: Dr. David Rice There is no moment more exciting, or more overwhelming, than building your dream dental practice from the ground up. But with no patient base, no production history, and endless decisions to make, a start-up can either launch your self-determined future or trap you in stress, debt, and discouragement. We coach fearless, trailblazing…
The Guilt Dental Professionals Feel When They’re Not Working
Why Stepping Away From Dentistry Can Feel So Uncomfortable By: Dr. Sable Muntean For many dental professionals, time away from the office doesn’t feel restful—it feels wrong. Even on days off, vacations, or quiet evenings at home, there’s often a low hum of guilt in the background: This isn’t laziness. This isn’t poor time management….
Why Reviewing Your Financial Plan Matters More Than You Think
By: Todd Doobrow, CFP According to an article from the Wall Street Journal, “the average person spends about 40 hours planning a week-long vacation, yet less than an hour a year on their finances.” With that in mind, we know many financial advisors are currently generating comprehensive financial plan documents representing the year ending 2025….
Saliva-Based Diagnostics for Preventive and Holistic Oral Care
By: Kelley Brummett, DMD This Article Originally Appeared in PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brummett granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Addressing Oral Inflammation with Saliva Testing In the pursuit of providing exceptional dental care, focusing on holistic oral health is essential. Addressing inflammation and limiting the risk of infection in patients is not just about…
Are You Unknowingly Rewarding the Wrong Thing?
The Hidden Messages Behind Our Praise (a Reflection for Dental Leaders) By: Candy Velez, CRDH, BSDH, IgniteDDS Dental Hygiene Coach As a leader or manager of a dental practice, have you ever considered how your words of praise are actually received by your team? As a hygienist — and as a coach who focuses on…
Holiday Recovery for Dentists: How to Reset After an Emotionally Draining Year
By: Dr. Sable Muntean The holidays are often portrayed as a time of rest and renewal. For many dentists, however, the reality looks very different. December tends to bring packed schedules, end-of-year insurance pressure, emotionally charged patient interactions, staffing challenges, and the unspoken expectation to finish strong, regardless of the personal cost. As January begins,…