Dentistry Unmasked: A Roundtable Podcast

Before you sign your next employment contract, do you actually know what you’re agreeing to?  This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Brian and Pam sit down with Jim Weliky, an employment attorney who represents employees, to look at dental employment agreements from a perspective associates do not always hear.  Jim explains why there is really no such thing as a “standard” or “boilerplate” contract and why associate dentists should consider having an employment attorney review an agreement before signing it. The conversation covers at-will employment, termination provisions, non-compete and non-solicitation clauses, and what may (or may not) be negotiable before you accept a position. They also discuss one of the most important lessons in employment law: if something matters to you, get it in writing. Verbal promises and reassuring conversations may mean very little when they conflict with the language of a signed agreement. Whether you’re signing your first associate contract, changing jobs, or have been practicing for years, this episode will make you look at employment agreements differently. The few hundred dollars you spend understanding a contract before signing it could save you from a much more expensive problem later.

Do you really understand your taxes or do you simply hand everything to your CPA and hope for the best?  This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Brian and Pam sit down with Brian Hanks, author of the new book Taxes for Dentists, to break down what every dentist should understand about taxes and personal finance. Brian explains why dentists shouldn’t be passive participants in their financial lives, even when they have a great CPA or financial planner. Understanding a few fundamental tax concepts can help you ask better questions, make smarter decisions, and work more effectively with the professionals advising you.     From knowing what deserves your attention to understanding how tax decisions can affect your bigger financial picture, this conversation is about becoming a more informed practice owner not becoming your own accountant. If taxes are something you only think about once a year, this episode may change the way you approach your finances.

What if dental anxiety isn't just something patients have to live with? What if we could actually help them overcome it—in as little as three hours? In this episode of Dentistry Unmasked, Drs. Pam Maragliano and Brian Nový welcome Dr. Kelly Daly, a clinical psychologist and researcher at NYU, for a fascinating conversation about dental fear, where it comes from, and the surprising science behind treating it. Is dental fear the result of a bad experience, or is it something patients learn long before they ever sit in the dental chair? Can dentists really recognize an anxious patient? And are sedation and anti-anxiety medications helping patients overcome their fears—or simply helping them get through another appointment? Dr. Daly challenges some long-held assumptions about dental anxiety and explains how exposure therapy, behavioral strategies, and emerging technologies like virtual reality and telehealth could change the way we care for fearful patients. Perhaps most importantly, she reveals why the most anxious patient in your practice might be the one you'd least expect—and why simply asking about fear could be one of the most powerful things you do. This conversation might change the way you talk to patients, structure your appointments, and think about the role of psychology in dentistry. Want to help your fearful patients? Learn more about Dr. Daly's research and patient referral opportunities at dentalfearless.org. And don't miss next week's episode, when Pam, Brian, and Dr. Daly continue this eye-opening conversation!

This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Pam chats with Dr. Stephen Shaw and they explore the movement toward simplification in direct restorative dentistry and take a closer look at one of its most challenging steps: composite shade selection. Traditional composite systems can require clinicians to choose from an overwhelming number of shades and opacities, adding complexity to everyday procedures while leaving practices with materials that may rarely be used, or expire before they ever make it into a restoration.  So, how much inventory do we really need? The conversation dives into the science behind newer adaptive shade technologies and the Filtek Easy Match system, which was designed to simplify shade selection using just three shades while adapting to variations in tooth structure and opacity. They discuss what simplified shade systems could mean for clinical efficiency, inventory management, predictability, and the everyday restorative workflow. Can we really make composite dentistry simpler without compromising the final result? If you've ever stared at a tray full of composite shades wondering whether there has to be an easier way, this episode is for you.

Every "yes" comes with a cost. But sometimes, so does "no." This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Pam wraps up her candid conversation with Irene Iancu by exploring one of the most difficult realities of building a public career in dentistry: knowing when to walk away.  From declining lucrative contracts and speaking engagements to ending partnerships and losing income, Irene shares why protecting your reputation sometimes means making decisions that don't make financial sense in the short term. Together, they discuss the challenges of setting boundaries, handling criticism, being labeled "difficult," and staying true to your values in an industry where relationships and visibility often influence opportunity.  Whether you're building a personal brand, speaking on the lecture circuit, creating content, or simply navigating your professional career, this episode is a reminder that credibility is earned over years, but can be lost in a single decision.  Success isn't measured by every opportunity you accept; it's often defined by the ones you're willing to decline.