Dr. Katie Dumbell attained a Doctorate in Dental Surgery at the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Dentistry in May of 2019. Prior to dental school, Dr. Dumbell attained a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences and B.S. in Psychology from Southeast Missouri State University in 2013 and an M.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville in 2015. As a graduate researcher, Dr. Dumbell studied biomarkers for the early detection and diagnosis of submandibular salivary gland cancers at SIU School of Dental Medicine, completing a Master's Thesis on Dentin Matrix Protein-1. Dr. Dumbell is currently a Staff Dentist at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Kansas City, MO pursuing a lifelong passion for public health, treating patients of all ages. In addition to working full-time as a clinician for the underserved, Dr. Dumbell is currently a student at A.T. Still University College of Graduate Health Studies in pursuit of a Masters in Public Health – Dental Emphasis.
What Makes a Good Dentist? Top Skills To Be the Best Dentist
skills to being the best dentist aren’t things you learn in a classroom, writes Dr. Katie Dumbell.
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 share with our readers. After over 40 years of offering relationship-based dentistry, I’ve learned that while the clinical aspects of dentistry continue to evolve, the core human needs remain the same. Patients still want to be heard, understood,…
Removing Saliva Contamination Effectively from Indirect Restorations
By: Dr. Lee Ann Brady, DMD This topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org, Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. One of the most common and frustrating challenges with indirect restorations is achieving a strong bond after intraoral try-ins. Saliva contamination during this step is nearly unavoidable, yet even a small amount can…
Equal Pay vs. Fair Pay: What’s Best for Your Practice?
By: Garrett Wilson Compensation is one of the toughest decisions dental offices face. Limited access to reliable data, a lack of clear best practices, and the absence of a consistent structure can make it overwhelming. But one choice every practice must make is whether to follow an equal pay or a fair pay philosophy. Equal…
This Is Just How It Is, Right?
By: Dr. Eric Recker I remember so vividly being in the throes of burnout. My life had gone gray. Nothing excited me. I was under immense pressure running a practice with a team of 18. I was exhausted. I was dying inside. I questioned whether it would matter if I wasn’t here on this earth…
How Dentists Can Be Patient with Their Dental Assistant as They’re Still Learning
By: Ronda Holman Every dentist remembers that awkward learning curve when they first started practicing — the fumbling, the second-guessing, the mental checklist running in the background. Your dental assistant goes through the same thing, but here’s the kicker: they didn’t go to dental school. That means, in the beginning, …and that’s okay. Learning a…
Resin-Bonded Bridges: A Conservative Approach for Missing Lateral Incisors
By: Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. As restorative dentists, our commitment to providing high-quality, lasting dental care is unwavering. Ideally, we’d offer our patients restorative solutions that last a lifetime without needing repair or replacement. However, in reality, no restoration…
The Hidden Power of Strategic Insurance Credentialing for New Dental Practice Owners
By: Angela Holland When you’re a first-time dental practice owner, the thrill of finally running your own show is unbeatable. You’ve got the skills, the vision, and the patients — but here’s the catch: you don’t know what you don’t know. One of the biggest blind spots? Insurance credentialing. Strategic Insurance Credentialing It’s not just…
Building a Highly Productive Schedule with Fewer Patients
By: John C. Cranham, DDS This topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Cranham granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. When I’ve looked at and really studied my practice numbers over the years, my favorite has always been productivity per hour. I have aimed to focus on a low volume of patients who need…
Lessons Learned From Doing Emax Crowns 6–11 as a D4 Student
By: Michael Eid I had the opportunity to help my best friend, Bashar AbuJardeh, on a huge case as a dental student. Although crowning anterior teeth may be routine for a seasoned dentist, it’s a rare and special opportunity in dental school — especially when the case spans from tooth #6 to #11. Working on…
Designing Your Self-Determined Future in Dentistry: A Guide for Dentists & Dental Teams
By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Business Coach IGNITEDDS In dentistry, it’s easy to feel like the future is something that happens to you rather than something you shape. Between patient schedules, team needs, insurance headaches, and unpredictable emergencies, most dental teams end up reacting rather than intentionally creating the life and career they want. But the…