Dawn has 30+ years of dental experience spanning all facets of dentistry including pediatric, cosmetic, complete health, and sleep.
During her career, Dawn enjoyed 25 years in practice management including marketing, team training, and consulting.
She joined IgniteDDS in June 2022 as Director of Operations.
Dawn enjoys working directly with teams and customers to create a win-win. She is passionate about creating systems and processes that allow teams to excel.
In her spare time, Dawn enjoys time with family, her two Goldendoodles, and traveling with her husband, Jon.
What’s Keeping You From Being Good Rather Than Great?
One degree can make the difference betweenwater boiling and just being really hot. I know a lot…
Here’s the Key to Explaining the Oral-Systemic Link
Do you know the difference betweenmajor surgery and minor surgery? That’s the start of a joke that…
Class III Preparation and Restoration: High-Yield Guide for Dental Students
By: Michael Eid Class III lesions are your first step into esthetic dentistry and demand perfection. You’re now working on anterior teeth—where every margin, contour, and finish is visible. This guide breaks it down so you can restore it with a little more confidence. What Is a Class III Cavity? Location: Proximal surfaces (mesial/distal) of…
Scrubs, Stress & Leadership: Why Empathy Is Your Secret Superpower
By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Practice Coach + Director of Operations IgniteDDS In the fast-paced, high-demand environment of a dental practice, stress can build quickly—from back-to-back procedures and insurance hurdles to team tension and patient anxiety. What if the solution to reducing that stress isn’t about doing more, but about leading better? One of the most underutilized…
Composite Warmers: Why and How to Effectively Use Them
By: Lee Ann BradyThis Topic Originally Appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Many dentists warm composite by placing it on top of the operatory light, but I wonder what the patient is thinking when you reach for it on top of the light. Some dentists have water…
Do You Have the Right Retirement Plan for your Dental Practice?
By: Dr. James Pitts One of the best benefits that Dentists have are Qualified Retirement Plans. Qualified Retirement Plans are saving vehicles blessed by the IRS. They come in many varieties but are in two major categories. Individual Retirement Accounts The first category is Individual Plans. These include Individual Retirement accounts or IRAs. A Dentist…
Caries on #13D: Restored with Garrison Matrix System & Ecosite Elements
By: Dr. Mohammed Hammoud Today’s case: Caries on #13D, restored using two standout products: Here’s how they helped deliver an efficient, esthetic result! Procedure Breakdown: Isolation & Preparation: After isolating the area, caries removal was kept conservative to preserve as much enamel as possible. Matrix System: Used the Garrison Matrix System, which provided: Excellent tooth separation…
Boundaries with Heart: How Dental Teams Can Stay Compassionate Without Burning Out
By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Practice Coach + Director of Operations IgniteDDS In dentistry, we offer much more than clinical care—we offer emotional safety, comfort, and connection. But when patients are anxious, emotional, or even difficult, that emotional labor takes its toll on the team. You’re not just taking impressions and reviewing X-rays—you’re often absorbing fear, grief,…
Co-Discovering Oral Diseases Through Medical History
By: Mary Osborne, RDHThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Osborne granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Take Your Time For Detailed Medical History The earliest but yet the most powerful tool toward accurate diagnosis is detailed patient’s medical history. But to get the desired information that we need from patients for diagnosing…
Why Submitting Claims to Dental Insurance Under a Provider Not Rendering Treatment is Insurance Fraud
By: Angela Holland In the world of dental insurance, accuracy isn’t just important, it’s essential. When it comes to submitting dental claims, one of the most critical pieces of information is the rendering provider, the licensed dentist who actually performed the service. Whether you’re a single-practice office or part of a larger dental network, it…
Draw the Line: How to Hold Your Team Accountable Without the Drama
By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Practice Coach + Director of Operations IgniteDDS As a dental practice owner or manager, you work hard to create a positive, high-performing team culture. But what happens when a team member continuously falls short of expectations? Allowing poor performance to persist damages morale, impacts patient care, and affects profitability. That’s why…
The Importance of Making Time for Time Off from Work
By: Dr. Kaufman One of the most important lessons I can share with my colleagues is taking time off from the hustle and bustle of modern life. While this might seem like an indulgence it is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Rest serves as a catalyst for increased productivity. Dentistry is mentally and…