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Dr. Leonard Hess began teaching continuing education courses in 2005, and the topics include occlusion, smile design, treatment planning, preparation design, and practice integration of complete dentistry.
He’s taught full-day continuing education courses at the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s national meeting, The Greater New York Dental Meeting, AACD National Meeting, Pacific Dental Conference, Ontario Dental Association meeting, and The Yankee Dental Conference.
Dr. Hess also has taught courses in Japan, Germany, Poland, China, and Canada.
Dr. Hess is currently serving as the Senior Clinical Director at The Dawson Academy. He also owns Union County Center for Comprehensive Dentistry in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Complete Examinations in Dentistry
By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com. Dr. Hess…
How To Track Key Dental Practice Performance Metrics
By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com Measure What’s…
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…
How to Master a Complete Dental Examination
By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDS, Clinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThis article originally appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com, Dr….
How Do You Know If You Achieved Centric Relation?
By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThis article originally appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com, Dr. Hess…
TMJ 101: The Best TMD Treatment Options For Dentists
By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThis article originally appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com, Dr. Hess…
What is Fremitus and Why Should You Check For It?
By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThis article originally appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com, Dr. Hess allowed igniteDDS to…
Dentist Education: How Do I Predictably Prep Second Molars?
By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyArticle originally appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com, Dr. Hess allowed…
Sequencing a Full-Mouth Rehab: Anterior or Posteriors First?
The correct sequence to begin a full-mouth rehab is tobegin with the anterior teeth first, particularly the…
Q&A with Dr. Hess: Patients Who Have More Pain After Wearing a B-Splint
By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com Question: What…
The Guilt Dental Professionals Feel When They’re Not Working
Why Stepping Away From Dentistry Can Feel So Uncomfortable By: Dr. Sable Muntean For many dental professionals, time away from the office doesn’t feel restful—it feels wrong. Even on days off, vacations, or quiet evenings at home, there’s often a low hum of guilt in the background: This isn’t laziness. This isn’t poor time management….
Why Reviewing Your Financial Plan Matters More Than You Think
By: Todd Doobrow, CFP According to an article from the Wall Street Journal, “the average person spends about 40 hours planning a week-long vacation, yet less than an hour a year on their finances.” With that in mind, we know many financial advisors are currently generating comprehensive financial plan documents representing the year ending 2025….
Saliva-Based Diagnostics for Preventive and Holistic Oral Care
By: Kelley Brummett, DMD This Article Originally Appeared in PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brummett granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Addressing Oral Inflammation with Saliva Testing In the pursuit of providing exceptional dental care, focusing on holistic oral health is essential. Addressing inflammation and limiting the risk of infection in patients is not just about…
Are You Unknowingly Rewarding the Wrong Thing?
The Hidden Messages Behind Our Praise (a Reflection for Dental Leaders) By: Candy Velez, CRDH, BSDH, IgniteDDS Dental Hygiene Coach As a leader or manager of a dental practice, have you ever considered how your words of praise are actually received by your team? As a hygienist — and as a coach who focuses on…
Holiday Recovery for Dentists: How to Reset After an Emotionally Draining Year
By: Dr. Sable Muntean The holidays are often portrayed as a time of rest and renewal. For many dentists, however, the reality looks very different. December tends to bring packed schedules, end-of-year insurance pressure, emotionally charged patient interactions, staffing challenges, and the unspoken expectation to finish strong, regardless of the personal cost. As January begins,…
Why Most Dental Practice Goals Fail by February & How to Prevent It
By: Dr. David Rice, Founder & CEO IGNITEDDS Every January – dental practices around the globe set goals with the best of intentions. We strive to … And yet by February – just like the gym promise so many make – most of those goals quietly fade into the background – replaced by overwhelming schedules…
Quick Relief: Minimizing Patients’ Discomfort in Aligner Therapy
By: Kelley Brummett, DMD This Topic Originally Appeared On PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brummett granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. As dental professionals, we often see patients experiencing muscle tension or jaw discomfort—sometimes even stemming from routine procedures like cleanings or treatments. For patients undergoing orthodontic therapy, this muscle tension can sometimes intensify, even though…
Why the Money Isn’t Showing Up: Part 1
A Financial Control Series for Dental Practice Owners By: Dawn Patrick, COO and Dental Business Strategy Coach, IgniteDDS Let me start by saying this plainly: If the money isn’t showing up in your practice, it’s not because you’re a bad dentist. It’s because most dentists were never taught how to run financial systems, only how…
Endo Diagnosis: High-Yield Tips That Actually Matter
By: Michael Eid Read more guides on Endodontics by Michael Eid: Endo diagnosis isn’t about memorizing tests. It’s about pattern recognition. Here’s how to get it right without overthinking it. 1. Listen Before You Touch the Tooth The story usually gives the answer. 🦷 Tip: If the history doesn’t fit the diagnosis, you’re probably wrong….
The Most _____ Time of the Year
By: Dr. Eric Recker Christmas is over. New Year’s is over. We have officially settled into the longest stretch we have without a scheduled break. It’s a long time until Memorial Day, and if you live in a place like Iowa—where it is ridiculously cold and often cloudy in January—this is where the walls can…








