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Dr. Edwin A. McDonald III received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Economics from Midwestern State University. He earned his DDS degree from the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. Dr. McDonald has completed extensive training in dental implant dentistry through the University of Florida Center for Implant Dentistry. He has also completed extensive aesthetic dentistry training through various programs including the Seattle Institute, The Pankey Institute and Spear Education. Mac is a general dentist in Plano Texas. His practice is focused on esthetic and restorative dentistry. He is a visiting faculty member at the Pankey Institute. Mac also lectures at meetings around the country and has been very active with both the Dallas County Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. Currently, he is a student in the Naveen Jindal School of Business at the University of Texas at Dallas pursuing a graduate certificate in Executive and Professional Coaching. With Dr. Joel Small, he is co-founder of Line of Sight Coaching, dedicated to helping healthcare professionals develop leadership and coaching skills that improve the effectiveness, morale and productivity of their teams.
Mentoring the Next Generation of Dentists: Your Legacy Matters
By: Edwin A. McDonald, DDS This topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. McDonald granted permission for igniteDDS to…
4 Promises of Leadership Development That Will Transform Your Dental Career
By: Dr. Edwin “Mac” McDonald The development of leadership competencies is about developing yourself. As you look…
Help…My Dental Assistant is Always On Their Personal Cell Phone While On the Clock
Tackling Cell Phone Distractions in the Dental Office By: Ronda Holman Dr. Smith is preparing to see her next patient, but as she heads toward the operatory, she notices the patient has not yet been seated. Curious about the delay, she checks the sterilization area and finds her dental assistant scrolling through social media on…
Top Phone Greeting Tips for Dental Practices
By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com In today’s competitive dental market, creating a lasting first impression is more important than ever. One of the simplest yet most effective ways to do this is through an excellent phone greeting. Dental practices, often preoccupied with patient care and…
Time to Look Beyond Index Funds
By: Todd Doobrow, CFP Index funds have gained immense popularity in recent years, often lauded for their low fees, diversification, and ease of use. However, while they offer a straightforward investment strategy, it may be time for investors to consider alternatives that may provide enhanced returns, tailored strategies, and unique opportunities. Why Look Beyond Index Funds?…
Preventing Burnout: How to Maintain Engagement & Discipline in Your Dental Team
By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Coach and Director of Operations, IgniteDDS In today’s demanding dental environment, burnout among dental professionals is increasingly common. As a dental leader, your team’s well-being is essential to the long-term success of your practice. Burnout impacts not only productivity but also patient care, team morale, and retention. Maintaining engagement and discipline…
Active Listening Tips For Patient-Centered Care
By: Dr. Bill Gregg DDSThis topic originally appeared on Pankey.org. Dr. Gregg granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. The first step towards becoming a great clinician, who can diagnose and treat diseases is becoming an active listener. Usually, the most important things you need to know for an effective treatment come from…
The Art of Listening: Clinical Mistakes with Dr. Chad Duplantis on Dental Fuel
Host: Dr. Tanya Sue MaestasGuest: Dr. Chad DuplantisEdited By: Candy Velez CRDH In this episode of Dental Fuel, our host, Dr. Tanya-Sue Maestas, sits down with Dr. Chad Duplantis, a seasoned restorative dentist based in Fort Worth, Texas. With decades of experience and a passion for technology in dentistry, Dr. Duplantis shares invaluable insights for…
Building Self-Esteem & Long-Term Commitment: How to Show Appreciation to Your Dental Team
By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Coach + Director of Operations, IgniteDDS In any dental practice, the team is its core. When they feel appreciated, their self-esteem rises, confidence grows, and they’re more likely to stay long-term. Showing consistent and genuine appreciation is not just a gesture—it’s an ongoing strategy to build a committed, high-performing team. This…
A Challenging Hybrid Overdenture Case
By: Dr. Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis topic originally appeared on Pankey.org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Dentistry is a life-learning career, and everyone encounters some cases through their career that challenge their clinical skills. That’s a positive thing, it motivates us to explore more and advance our skills further,…
When to Change Financial Advisors
By: Todd Doobrow, CFP Break-ups are rarely ever fun but are often necessary to help us keep moving forward. Whether firing a difficult patient or moving on from a significant other, closing one door hopefully leads to another opening. This is no different when thinking about your relationship with your financial advisor. As your needs…
Challenges & Benefits of Working in Healthcare
By: Dr. Savanah Craig Working in healthcare is challenging for many reasons. I would bet that most people in healthcare are high-achieving and have a strong desire to help others. This makes people susceptible to burnout. Dentists, however, have the added level of patient fear, distrust, and isolation to contend with. Spend enough time with…

