![]()
Dr. Laura Shaeffer Harkin graduated Cum Laude from Franklin and Marshall College in 1999 with a major in mathematics and a minor in flute performance. In 2008, she graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry and immediately began to live her dream as a family dentist. Her value to the dental team was undeniable, as she shared her spirit for both compassion and perfection.
In addition to the rigorous requirements of dental school, Dr. Harkin has completed level-four training at the prestigious Pankey Institute and has advanced dental implant and restorative credentials. Dr. Harkin has continued to further her education and is a certified Invisalign® dentist.
The Reason I Write Treatment Letters to Each Patient
By: Laura Harkin, DMDThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Harkin granted igniteDDS permission to share with…
Accurate X-Ray Records: Best Practices for Dental Teams
By: Laura S. Harkin, DMD This Topic Originally Appeared On Pankeygram.Org Radiographic imaging is an important diagnostic aid…
How Do You Know If You Achieved Centric Relation?
By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.comLearn about Occlusion at TheDawsonAcademy.com When we talk about utilizing bimanual manipulation as a way to get centric relation, one of the biggest misunderstandings we see is the tendency for dentists to think CR is achieved by forcing the jaw back…
Help…My Dental Assistant Wants More Money!
By: Ronda Holman Hi dear reader, my name is Ronda Holman and I have been sitting across from a dentist for a living for the last 25 years. I thought it might be time to make some written confessions as to what I have been guilty of over the years and how my dentist was…
Dentists: Why Should You Load Test the TMJs?
By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com Properly loading the joints tells you several things about the root cause of some patients’ problems. This will also determine how functionally stable the patient is. Let’s start with the first item. 1. Indicate if the Joint is Healthy You’re going to…
The Secrets to Success: Advice from Dental Assistant Ronda Holman
Interviewer: Tanya Sue Maestas, DDSInterviewee: Ronda HolmanEdited By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH In this interview, dental assistant Ronda Holman shares invaluable insights on the often-overlooked power of patience and communication in the dental office. The Importance of Patience In the dynamic realm of dentistry, Ronda Holman underscores the significance of patience for both dental…
Changing Vertical Dimension: When is it Safe?
By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com If you follow The Dawson Academy protocols, altering the vertical dimension is going to be the exception rather than the rule. We can work with the vast majority of patients vertical dimension and still fulfill the five requirements for occlusal stability and get a…
Buyer Beware: Numbers Can Lie in Dental Practice Acquisitions
By: Dr. David Rice In the world of dental practice acquisitions, potential buyers often find themselves navigating through a sea of financial data and performance metrics. The numbers presented can be a powerful tool in decision-making, but they can also be deceiving. As a new dentist buyer, it’s crucial to understand the web of factors…
Reducing the Tax Burden When Selling a Dental Practice
An innovative approach to reducing the tax burden for the buyer and seller when a dental practice is sold that has used conventional financing for its acquisition. By: Bruce Bryen When the principal payments on the loan are paid by the buyer of a dental practice, they become subject to tax. The seller knows that…
How Does the Occlusal Plane Relate to the Anterior Teeth?
By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com One of the most common mistakes I see in occlusal restorations is also the easiest mistake to observe. It is interference of the posterior teeth with the anterior guidance. A perfected occlusion allows the anterior teeth to contact in centric…
Dentist Disability Insurance: You Probably Won’t Read This…
Your ability to earn income should be protected – in the most meaningful way for you and your family. By: Todd Doobrow, CFP Maybe you will read this…who knows what piques your interest? If you do stick with us, here is a crazy story for you. I have a buddy who always dreamt of owning a…
Not Bringing Work Home With You
You have a long career ahead of you, setting limitson how much work you bring home with you can prevent you from burning out. By: Savannah Craig Arguably most people entered the dental profession to help people and to make a difference in the lives of those around us, particularly our patients. As members of…

