How to become a dental hygienist: What you need to know
Are you interested in becoming a dental hygienist? Here are some things you need to know about preparing for this career.
Fall Into Balance: How Dentists Can Recharge This Season
By: Dr. Sable Muntean As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, fall brings a gentle reminder that it’s okay to slow down. For dentists, who often spend long hours focusing on precision, patient care, and practice demands, the idea of slowing down can feel foreign, or even impossible. But just as…
Increasing Case Acceptance Through Hygienist-Led Conversations
By: Clayton Davis, DDSThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Davis granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. What if your hygiene team could help patients commit to treatment—before you even walk into the room?15 years ago, while visiting New York City, I dropped by a high-performing dental practice I’d heard a lot…
Why Having an Insurance Expert on Speed Dial Is No Longer a Luxury… It’s a Necessity for 2026
By: Angela Holland, Founder of Preferred Dental SolutionsInsurance Expert and Strategy Consultant for Dental PracticesPreferredDentalSolutions.com The dental insurance landscape is constantly changing: carrier consolidations, new shared agreements, and ever-shifting reimbursement models. Managing it all while running a practice is like trying to fix a car engine while driving down the highway. It’s no wonder more…
How To Win at Work & at Home
By: Dr. Eric Recker Check out this scenario. You have had a day. Again. They seem to be happening more frequently, and it is getting harder to keep them to yourself. You are starting to realize you are at least a little bit fried, and you aren’t quite sure what to do about it. You…
Guiding Patients with Empathy & Purpose: Your Blueprint for Leadership in Dentistry
By: Paul Henny, DDSThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Henny granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Effective leadership in dentistry isn’t just about clinical excellence—it’s also about empathy, adaptability, assertiveness, and clear communication. That’s a powerful (and sometimes challenging) combination. In the pressure of a busy practice, it’s easy to default…
Why Your First Block Will Fail & Why That’s OK!
By: Michael Eid Your first mandibular block probably won’t work — and that’s part of the process. Learning local anesthesia in the clinic is less about perfection and more about troubleshooting, patience, and confidence. Here’s what I learned when I first started anesthetizing. 1. Landmarks Are Everything Diagrams make it look easy. Real anatomy isn’t…
That’s Not My Job: Why Clear Delegation Matters in Dentistry
By: Ronda Holman You’ve probably heard the old story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. A job needed to be done. Everybody thought Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. It’s a cute parable — but in the dental office, it plays out with serious consequences….
Say It So They Get It: How to Talk Dentistry with Patients
By: Clayton Davis, DMDThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. David granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. One of our biggest challenges in dentistry isn’t just diagnosing and treating problems; it’s helping patients understand what’s happening in their mouths and why treatment matters, eventually getting to case acceptance. Clear dentist-patient communication increases…
High Returns, Low Cost: The Power of Internal Marketing in Dentistry
By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Business Coach and Director of Operations, IgniteDDS When it comes to growing a dental practice, many doctors jump straight to external marketing — ads, mailers, or social media campaigns. While these have value, the most cost-effective, high-return strategy often starts within your own practice. A structured internal marketing plan can increase…
Adapting to Change in Dentistry is the Key to Career Longevity
By: John Cranham, DDSThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Cranham granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. No matter how many years in practice, dentists never have everything figured out. The things that you are doing now are not going to be right forever. My Advice for Young Dentists My advice to…