Little Teeth, BIG Smiles

Dr. Reza Ardalan joins host Dr. Joel Berg to chat about his role as Master of Ceremonies for AAPD’s Annual Session and share some behind-the-scenes info about the exciting CE program and social events planned for May 2024 in Toronto. Listen today for a sneak peek at the all-new format for the Opening Ceremony and Keynote. Delve into some highlights of the Scientific Program agenda, including the pre-conference course and “Team Talk” for dentists and their teams. This episode is a must-listen for every AAPD member making the trip to Toronto. Guest Bio: Dr. Reza Ardalan, better known as “Dr. Reza” in the office, earned his BS in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1997. After moving to Florida, Dr. Ardalan received his DMD degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine in 2002. After graduation, he continued to receive his pediatric training at Nova Southeastern University and Miami Children’s Hospital, where he served as Chief Resident. Currently, Dr. Ardalan has a successful private practice in Port St. Lucie, Florida, where he prides himself in combining exceptional clinical skills with excellent customer service in a fun, creative atmosphere for children. Since opening his office, Dr. Ardalan has been recognized as the NSU-CDM Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, the Department of Health Champion Dentist of the Year and has received distinguished service awards from the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Dr Ardalan has also served two terms as president of the Florida Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and is a past president of the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. In his spare time, you can find him cheering on his beloved Tar Heels, spreading positive messages on social media, hosting a podcast, or attending another continuing education course. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What’s one topic that routinely comes up between pediatric dentists and their patients? Pacifiers. Dr. Christina Carter chats with host Dr. Joel Berg the physiological impact and pros and cons of utilizing pacifiers as a tool. She walks listeners through her thought process when counseling parents on introducing and weaning a pacifier habit. Guest Bio: Dr. Christina R. Carter is a graduate of Haverford College in Haverford, Penn. She earned her dental degree at UMDNJ-NJDS, now Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. She earned her Certificate in both Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics at New York University College of Dentistry. She completed a fellowship in Cleft, Craniofacial and Surgical Orthodontics at the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery- New York University Langone Medical Center. She earned her Certificate as a Holistic Health Coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Carter is in private practice in Madison, NJ. She has been named multiple times as a “Top Doctor” by New Jersey Magazine and “Favorite Kid’s Doc” by New Jersey Family Magazine. She has served on the AAO Council of Orthodontic Health Care and multiple AAO committees and is a past-president of the Northeastern Society of Orthodontists (NESO) and served as their Delegate Chair to the ADA House of Delegates. She often appears on Sirius Radio “Doctor Radio”, AAPD Podcasts, and has been published in Scholastic and Kiwi magazines. In addition, she has appeared on “Inside Edition”, WPIX NYC News, and Today.com. She lectures nationally and internationally on pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, and treating patients with special needs. She is an Assistant Professor at New York University College of Dentistry in the Departments of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. Dr. Carter enjoys volunteering with Special Olympics and alongside her certified therapy dog, Callie, through Creature Comfort Pet Therapy in New Jersey. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The recently “retired” Dr. David Tesini joins little teeth, BIG Smiles host Dr. Joel Berg to chat about the importance of identifying passions beyond your areas of professional expertise to stay engaged and energized in your work. Dr. Tesini shares his own personal path to passion endeavors, specifically a prosecco vineyard in Italy, along with suggested ways to diversify your interests. He also discusses the importance of considering one-, three-, and five-year plans to help combat burnout and determine what it will take for you to feel fulfilled. Guest Bio: Dr. David Tesini recently retired after 45 years from the private practice of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic in Natick and Sudbury, Mass. He received his D.M.D. and MS at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and completed his Fellowship in Pediatric Dentistry at the Boston Floating Hospital for Children. He holds a Fellowship in Dental Surgery from the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, Scotland. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and served as its Parliamentarian. Dr. Tesini was the 2016 AAPD recipient of the Merle C Hunter Leadership Award and currently serves on the Lowe Syndrome Association (LSA) Medical Advisory Board. His entrepreneurial endeavors extend to developing ergonomically designed baby products in the soothing and feeding categories i.e. such as pacifiers, teethers and baby bottles; he holds over a dozen US patents. His most recent research endeavors involve development of smartphone applications which allow parents to biometrically size pacifiers and for pediatric dentists to non-invasively diagnose non-syndromic mandibular retrusion in infants and toddlers. When he is not repairing cuckoo clocks, Dr. Tesini can be found with his wife Bernadette at his Prosecco Vineyard in Northern Italy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Kevin Donly joins little teeth, BIG Smiles host Dr. Joel Berg to share his journey through pediatric dentistry academia, including how he got his start and what he would have chosen to do differently. Dr. Donly breaks down what every professional contemplating entering academia needs to consider before making the leap. He also speaks to the importance of focusing on research early on during an academic career, as well as professional development geared towards teaching and leadership. Guest Bio: Kevin J. Donly, D.D.S., M.S. is currently a Professor and Chair Emeritus for the Department of Developmental Dentistry at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He received his D.D.S. in 1984, Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry in 1986, and M.S. in 1986 from the University of Iowa. Dr. Donly is a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, was on the Board of Trustees for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, was on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation, is the previous Chair of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Council on Post-doctoral Education, is Past-President of the American Society of Dentistry for Children, is Past-President of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and was the Pediatric Dentistry Commissioner to the Commission on Dental Accreditation. He has published over 400 chapters, manuscripts, and abstracts associated with pediatric dentistry, prevention, dental restorative materials research, and clinical utilization. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. Whitney Casares, a pediatrician and CEO/Founder of Modern Mommy Doc, who, through her podcast and coaching, helps working moms break the cycle of burnout in parenting and shift their focus to their own health and well-being so they can create work-life integration in a way that fosters greater joy and purpose in every area of life. She discusses ways to empower yourself to stop over-functioning and instead re-prioritize your own needs so you can be the parent, professional, and person you’re meant to be. Guest Bio: Dr. Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP is a board-certified pediatrician, CEO and Founder of Modern Mommy Doc, an American Academy of Pediatrics spokesperson, author of Doing it All: Stop Over- Functioning and Become the Mom and Person You're Meant to Be, set for release in Jan. 2024 (Fairwinds Press), and a maternal child health expert seen in The New York Times, Forbes, Parents, Fortune, NBC News, ABC News, TODAY, and more. Dr. Whitney advocates for the success of career-driven women in all facets of their lives, guiding them toward increased focus, happiness and effectiveness despite the systemic challenges and inherent biases that threaten to undermine them. She speaks nationally about her Centered Life Blueprint Framework, which teaches working caregivers how to pay attention to what matters most amid pressure at multibillion-dollar corporations like Adidas and Nike and at executive-level conferences. Dr. Whitney practices medicine in Portland, Oregon, where she and her husband raise their two young daughters. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Miscommunication can wreak havoc on the day-to-day operation of your practice, as well as its potential. Generational differences can be a major factor in miscommunication. Guest Lisa Copelands walks host Dr. Berg through the four generations potentially in the office every day, their strengths and concerns, and how to best communicate with someone who may not share your generational cultural milestones and experiences. Guest Bio: Lisa Copeland is a Gen X and an IRONMAN! She knows the corporate and clinical business of dentistry. As a team coach and professional speaker, her career has focused on sharing her 30-year expertise in diverse cultures that span the globe. She has been employed in dental practices in the United States and Southeast Asia as an office manager, dental assistant, and dental hygienist. Her unique experience and stories as a competitive athlete fuel her meaningful and memorable messages that: empower team engagement, customize generational language skills, and strategically developing practice communications, which increase profit, performance, and productivity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has held its Annual Session outside of the United States just once – in 1999 in Toronto, Canada. Now, 25 years later AAPD is excited to return to Toronto for AAPD 2024! In 1999, Dr. Paul Andrews was the Local Arrangements Chair, and he’s excited to reprise that role for AAPD 2024. In this episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles, Dr. Andrews chats with host Dr. Joel Berg about the exceptional education and exclusive experiences planned for AAPD 2024, as well as the unique opportunity to consider all of the advances and updates impacting pediatric dentistry over the past quarter-century. Guest Bio: Dr. Paul Andrews has been caring for kids for over 30 years and is a clinician first and foremost. In addition, he is an active academic, teaching in both the predoc and postdoc programs at University of Toronto. Giving back and advocating for the profession continue to be core values to Dr Andrews. He has represented pediatric dentistry at many local, national, and international organizations. Within AAPD, he is a Past President and District Trustee for the North Central District. Dr. Andrews has served on numerous committees at AAPD including membership, bylaws, and the Annual Session Scientific Committee, proudly serving as the poster competition chair for twelve years. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Craniofacial and pediatric oral surgeon Dr. John Caccamesechats with host Dr. Joel Berg about all things relating toconcerns that can arise within the specialties, including head, neck, and jaw tumors, cysts, and pathology; cleft lip and palate; speech issues; and bite problems relating to skeletal growth. Dr. Caccamese also delves into the latest news from the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA) and current strategic initiatives during his term as Board of Directors President. Guest Bio: John F. Caccamese, Jr., DMD, MD, FACS, is a Professor and Vice-Chair in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Maryland. He is board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and is dedicated to the care of pediatric patients. This includes the reconstruction of congenital facial differences, cleft lip and/or cleft palate, pediatric facial injuries, pediatric pathology/jaw tumors, and orthognathic surgery. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What is the effect of a sensory-adapted dental environment (SADE), compared with a regular dental environment (RDE), on the physiological stress of autistic children? Listen to superstar clinician scientist Dr. Leah Stein Duker detail her great work with her Tailored Environmental Modifications Lab. The TEM Lab focuses on the broad-ranging effects of environmental factors on stress, well-being, and activity engagement during challenging healthcare encounters, and the efficacy of environmentally-based interventions to alleviate these challenges. In this podcast, Dr. Duker tells us about her pivotal study showing the calibrated measurement of the effect of a sensory-adapted dental environment in your practice. Bio: Dr. Leah Stein Duker is an occupational therapist and Assistant Professor in the Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California. She runs the Tailored Environmental Modifications Lab utilizes a variety of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method research methodologies and highly interdisciplinary team science, bringing together collaborators from a diverse array of fields such as occupational therapy, dentistry, primary care, oncology, and engineering. Her work in dentistry has focused on autistic children, children with Down syndrome, children with dental fear and anxiety, and their families. Outside of dentistry, her work has included studies in oncology, emergency medicine, and primary care settings. Link to faculty website: https://chan.usc.edu/people/faculty/Leah_Stein_Duker Link to JAMA Network Open paper: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2805513 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here you’ll find every episode from the archives of Pedo Teeth Talk, and every new episode of Little Teeth, Big Smiles with your host, Dr. Joel Berg. Little Smiles, BIG Teeth is brought to by AAPD and sponsored Hu Friedy Group. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hear Dr. Scott Papineau talk about trends in different areas of the country that impact the need for oral conscious sedation, as well as different commonly used sedation combinations- some states have dictated no polypharmacy for pediatric dentists-basically limits to midazolam (short duration). Learn of Dr. Papineau’s favorite drug combinations, and why some practices do not feel comfortable with oral sedation—mainly, lack of comfortability with medications, not properly educated on handling emergencies that can accompany use of oral sedation, or staff not properly trained. Bio: Dr. Papineau moved to Indianapolis to attend Butler University where he earned his doctorate ofpharmacy degree (PharmD). He worked as a licensed pharmacist for two years before starting dental school at Indiana University School of Dentistry. After graduation from dental school, Dr. Papineau completed his pediatric dental residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. He currently lives in Indianapolis where he has owned and run a successful private practice for the last decade. Because of his unique dual pharmacy and dentistry degrees, Dr. Papineau enjoys giving the pharmacology lecture series to different pediatric dental residency programs. In addition, he was honored to be chosen as one of the faculty for the AAPD sedation course. Dr. Papineau enjoys helping dentists feel more comfortable with the topic of pharmacy as it relates to dentistry. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listen in to ADA President-Elect Dr. Linda Edgar, as she shares her journey from her former career as an educator, and her decision to go into dentistry as a career. Her story is inspiring to others. She will share her view of the importance of being an ADA member and a member of your specialty organization (AAPD). Dr. Edgar discusses the work the ADA is doing to engage new dentists. Also hear about her new book talking about her career journey called “Climb Every Mountain”. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listen in to Dr. Michael Webb, tell us how and why he became an EMT, even before he went to dental school. Now, a pediatric dentist, anesthesiologist and academic, Mike share’s his life as an EMT and describes the wonderful opportunities therein. He also shares who being an EMT is exceptionally helpful in his academic world. Tune in to be inspired. Bio: Dr. Michael Webb grew up in the Chicago area and attended DePaul University before obtaining his DDS from Northwestern University. He then completed a certificate in pediatric dentistry at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and a certificate in dental anesthesiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. In addition to his clinical training Dr. Webb has a certificate in Health Care Administration, a Master’s in Education with a concentration in Adult Learning and recently competed a Graduate Certificate in Health Professions Education at East Carolina University. He previously taught at Baylor College of Dentistry where he was the Graduate Program Director and the Chief of Dental Services at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. He then was the Graduate Program Director in Pediatric Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University before opening a private practice that focused on office sedation and general anesthesia. Dr. Webb returned to academics in 2014 to become the Director of the Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program at the East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Webb was named Chair, Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at ECU in January 2018. In July 2022, Dr. Webb was named the inaugural Jasper L. Lewis, Jr. Distinguished Scholar in Pediatric Dentistry at the ECU School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Webb is currently an advanced life support emergency medical technician/attendant in charge with Forest View Volunteer Rescue/Chesterfield Fire and EMS which is part of an urban 911 EMS system. He holds EMT certifications in Virginia and North Carolina and has served as a field training officer for both patient care and emergency driving. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to the May Pedo Teeth Talk! This month’s podcast focuses on resident education and assessments.Delivering safe and effective patient care begins with education, especially during residency. Joining us today on the podcast is Dr. Jennifer Cully, a board-certified pediatric dentist, talks about a new strategy for resident assessments. Introducing the topic of EntrustableProfessional Activities (EPAs), Dr. Cully explains how trust, competencies, and defining the core tasks of pediatric dentistry can be integrated into EPAs to make sure graduating pediatric dental residents are ready to provide unsupervised care. References for this podcast and for more information on EPAs: Cully JL, Schwartz SB. Pediatric dentistry residency program directors’ assessment techniques. Pediatr Dent. 2022; 44(1): 38-44. Cully JL, Schwartz SB, Quinonez R, Martini A, Klein M, Schumacher DJ. Development of Entrustable Professional Activities for Post-Doctorate Pediatric Dentistry. J Dent Educ. 2023; 87: 6 - 17. tenCate O. Nuts and bolts of entrustable professional activities. J Graduate Med Educ. 2013:157-158. Bio: Name: Jennifer Cully, DMD MEd Education: B.S., The College of William & Mary D.M.D., New Jersey Dental School Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry, Children’s National Hospital M.Ed., University of Cincinnati Current practice: Full-time faculty Areas of interest: Education, curriculum development and assessment; interprofessional collaboration; prevention; hospital dentistry; dental trauma Fun fact: Played Division 1 Lacrosse See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tune in to one of our favorite guests, Dr. Margherita Fontana as she updates us on the core of a pediatric dentist’s science-base pertinent to clinical practice based cariology. Hear her philosophy and strategies for primary and secondary prevention, as well as an update on the important focus on reductions of disparities and inequities in caries experience. Get updated on an important NIH funded clinical trial involving SDF. Learn that sealants remain one of the best things going for prevention and arrest of decay. Hear the latest on risk assessment and caries lesion detection. All of this and more. Tune in! Bio: Margherita Fontana (DDS, PhD) is the Clifford Nelson Endowed Professor of Dentistry in the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics at University of Michigan School of Dentistry. She is Director of the Global Initiatives Program in Oral and Craniofacial Health at the School of Dentistry. She is currently co-director of Cariology courses, and cariology discipline co-coordinator at UM. As a principal investigator, she has received research grants from NIH, CMS, foundations and industry. She was the 2007-2008 President of the Cariology Group of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), the 2010-2011 Chair of the Cariology Section of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), and the 2016-2020 President of the American Academy of Cariology. She is currently the 2021-2023 Vice-President of the European Organization for Caries Research (ORCA),and has been Co-Chair of the Alliance for Cavity Free Future (ACFF) Canada-US Chapter since 2015. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listen to this intriguing and informative podcast with Dr. Amy Dunleavy, pharmacist at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. Hear how Amy ended up taking a job as a full-time pharmacist at a dental school, and what role she plays in a variety of things from dental education, dispensing drugs and shaping policy. She tells us about the various supply chain issues over the past period and how shortages have evolved. You will also learn of the business of compounding – the idea that drugs can be mixed to a provider’s specifications. Amy is an expert in this arena and talks to us about various exciting areas of compounding and its importance to dentistry. Learn about mail order drugs and how this will shape the future of healthcare. Tune in to hear Dr. Dunleavy. Bio Dr. Amy Dunleavy is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa. Dr. Dunleavy graduated from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 2020. After graduating from the University of Iowa Dr. Dunleavy completed a residency in a community-based pharmacy at Osterhaus Pharmacy in Maquoketa, IA. Dr. Dunleavy joined the University of Iowa College of Dentistry faculty in May 2022 as a clinical pharmacist. In her role she is responsible for managing the in-house Dental Pharmacy and teaching pharmacology to the dental students and residents. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listen to this enlightening podcast with colleague Dr. Jed Best as he shares his passion for photography. You will learn of the similarity between dentistry and photography, as well as what got Jed interested in photography. Learn how photography can motivate ones perfection of another art (and science), and learn how to constantly and continuously engage in self-improvement through the work. Listen to Jed discuss his travels around the world, and how photography has taught him about cultures, perspective and nature. Bio: By day, he was a practicing pediatric dentist for over 41 years. Jed is Board certified and is on the faculty at Case Western Reserve, Columbia University, and the University of Alabama, Birmingham. His primary academic interest is light curing and restorative materials in pediatric dentistry. He has always had a keen interest in technology, glass ionomers, and resin-modified glass ionomers, in particular. However, Dr. Best is a passionate photographer 24/7. While we was always interested in photography, the introduction of digital catapulted his passion, becoming an obsession. It is as if he has an internal need to photograph, and now always carries a camera. As a self-described techno-geek, digital allowed both his right and left brains to work together which allowed him to express himself. Jed’s vision was now only confined by his heart, head, and eyes. Digital photography allowed him to unleash his imagination of the world no longer bound by the limitations of a commercial lab. Photography has allowed Jed to share his vision by self-publishing several books. He has traveled to Africa, Cuba, and, uniquely, to both poles. The book that displayed those images is called “My Bipolar Experience.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With pandemic creating focus on the long-term problem gaining access to hospital ORs to treat our most vulnerable patients under general anesthesia, the AAPD, Julie and her team helped identify the specific coding challenges and reimbursement limits that are at the heart of this problem, primarily affecting children covered by Medicaid. Starting this year, Julie serves as the Government Affairs representative for the Academy, advocating for our membership’s interests in Washington DC. This year, Julie was named as one of Capitol Hill’s top lobbyists (thehill.com), recognized for leveraging her expertise and connections to make a difference in the nation’s capital. Listen to this exciting, information and important podcast and be inspired! Bio: Julie Allen is a Principal at the Washington, DC-based Government Affairs and Law firm Powers Pyles Sutter and Verville. She has had a long career in dental policy, working as Manager of Legislative and Regulatory Policy for the ADA for many years. Julie then has consulted for dentistry over the years, helping to address implementation of Obama Care and the essential health benefit requirements. In 2020, Julie started working with the AAPD and broader dental community to help support dentistry’s efforts to address the challenges dentists face with operating room access for complex dental surgical procedures – today’s topic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Think you know what’s ahead regarding of compensation, quality etc. in the dental world? Maybe not. Listen in to this enlightening podcast with Mary Lee Conicella, Chief DentalOfficer of CVS Heath. Hear her speak about innovative work that will improve oral health and shape the way we all practice. Bio: As Aetna’s chief dental officer, Dr. Conicella drives clinical innovation that engages members, delivers superior health, and improves cost through integration. As an Aetna leader, she focuses on creating a work environment that inspires collaboration, high performance, and continuous quality improvement. Partnering with Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, she has authored numerous abstracts and articles related to the impact dental care has on overall health. The first of these resulted in the development of Aetna's groundbreaking Dental-Medical Integration program. As a member of Aetna’s Medical Affairs Team, she ensures alignment of clinical programs across Aetna to enhance member experience in all areas of healthcare delivery. Aside from her work at Aetna, she sits on the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP) Board of Directors and the New York University College of Dentistry Dean’s Strategic Advisory Council. Her professional affiliations include the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the National Dental Association’s Corporate Round Table. She’s worked with the NDA for over a decade to develop and support inter-professional programs in cities across America and most recently co-authored an article, “The Aetna-NDA Partnership for Achieving Racial and Ethnic Health Equity” published in both the American Journal of Public Health and in the book, "Oral Health in America" (January 2019 APHA Press.) https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-lee-conicella-1485203 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tune in to Dr. Tim Wright as he shares his vision of where the science of the dental profession is headed. A pediatric dentist clinician, teacher, author, and scientist, hear Dr. Wright describe the exciting future of published literature reflecting the growing boy of science affecting the way our profession will function in the years ahead. Bio: Tim Wright received his DDS degree from West Virginia University and completed his Pediatric Dentistry training and Master of Science Degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He currently is the Bawden Distinguished Professor in the Division of Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health at The Adams School of Dentistry at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where he has also served as Pediatric Dentistry Department Chair and Department of Endodontics Interim Chair. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, a Fellow of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science, and a Past President of the American Association of Dental Research. He has Chaired the Counsel of Scientific Affairs for the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. He has published over 200 peer reviewed scientific manuscripts, edited two textbooks and authored 24 text chapters. Dr. Wright is the Editor in Chief of the Journal of the American Dental Association. https://www.linkedin.com/in/wright-tim-a14455110 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.