The DOC Podcast

This is the fifth and final episode in my financial series with the Vento family on creating generational wealth. I'm joined by John Vento Jr., president and managing partner of Vento Tax and Wealth Management Group, who leads the firm's accounting and tax advisory division.In this episode, we dig into the practical side of tax planning, including what it means to work with a true tax advisor versus a tax preparer, the critical difference between tax evasion and tax avoidance, and how to think about entity selection for your practice. John walks through the tax advantages available to practice owners, independent contractors, and W2 employees, and we spend a good amount of time on two of my favorite strategies: employing your spouse and employing your children. John also gives a thorough overview of retirement plan options (from SEP IRAs to solo 401ks to defined benefit plans) and how profit sharing can be used to attract and retain top talent. We close out with the most common tax mistakes practice owners make, including why waiting until April 15th is already too late.As always, this episode is for educational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or investment advice. Please consult your own professionals before implementing any strategy.Timestamps1:00 — Welcome & Introduction4:00 — Tax Advisor vs. Tax Preparer9:36 — Tax Evasion vs. Tax Avoidance16:30 — Tax-Smart Strategies Explained18:47 — Entity Selection Overview27:59 — Independent Contractor vs. Employee35:47 — Tax Advantages: Owner vs. IC vs. W242:08 — Employing Your Spouse49:22 — Employing Your Children1:02:01 — Retirement Plans Overview1:09:52 — Profit Sharing & Team Incentives1:22:32 — Common Tax Mistakes to Avoid1:34:13 — Closing & Wrap-Up1:36:48 — DisclaimerLINKSFirst Episode w/Vento Family: https://youtu.be/9sEzEto2mAM?si=P-0Nj007DWcvXUCzSecond Episode w/John Vento Sr: https://youtu.be/UEXxh7DKJdQ?si=YOtpFvJcUk0xEm3yThird Episode w/Christine Vento: https://youtu.be/6DLfd8xBjHs?si=Vbmg9Ug5ZNrCJxEmFourth Episode w/Nicole Vento: https://youtu.be/zllqo8EtGOk?si=wUowpmZc2p6p0bRrThe Generational Wealth Code: https://a.co/d/0iHwEITGJoin The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/Connect w/Dr. Mike:Website: theorthocoach.comYouTube: @theorthocoachInstagram: @theorthocoachConnect w/John Jr.:Web: Ventotaxandwealth.com  Email: [email protected]: 718-980-9000

Episode SummaryIn this episode, I sit down with Dr. German Ramirez for an in-depth conversation about early orthodontic treatment, craniofacial growth and development, bone biology, and the critical role of nasal breathing in facial development. Dr. Ramirez shares his remarkable training journey from Colombia to Australia to Tufts University, his pioneering research on the mandibular condylar cartilage, and his passionate case for treating children early rather than waiting until age seven. We dig into the six dimensions of diagnosis, the connection between bruxism and airway, why AHI is a flawed metric for pediatric sleep-disordered breathing, and how collaborating with ENTs and sleep physicians can transform patient outcomes. This is a must-listen for any orthodontist or dentist who wants to understand the biology behind proactive, functional orthodontic care.Timestamps0:00 — Introduction & Guest BackgroundIntroducing Dr. Ramirez and his credentials.2:07 — Dr. Ramirez's Training JourneyFrom Colombia to Brazil to early ortho training.6:25 — Mandibular Condylar Cartilage & Bone BiologyGrowth potential persists into the 90s.8:41 — Why Early Treatment MattersMandible grows more in first five years.10:55 — Sleep, Breathing & the Orthodontist's RoleWe normalize anatomy, not treat airway.15:06 — Responding to "No Need to Treat Before 7"Six-dimension diagnosis vs. isolated single-problem studies.21:05 — Functional Evaluation: Mouth Breathing & Nasal BreathingIdentifying mouth breathers and cellular hypoxia effects.26:47 — The Tongue as Palatal ExpanderNasal breathing first, then tongue positioning.29:57 — Collaborating with Medical ColleaguesCBCT, ENTs, and a cleft palate story.37:27 — Tonsils, Adenoids & Post-Surgery RelapseWhy habits persist and relapse rates soar.41:38 — AHI Limitations & Study Design ProblemsAHI is a flawed pediatric sleep metric.47:47 — Bruxism & Airway ConnectionTongue protrusion causes grinding — here's how.51:47 — Resistance to Change in OrthodonticsTechnology-driven vs. biologically-driven education disconnect.56:17 — Genetics vs. Environment in Craniofacial GrowthEpigenetics and the genetic window concept.64:56 — Muscle, Bone & DietMuscle stimulation drives bone growth over time.72:02 — Communicating with Child Patients"Nose for breathing, mouth for eating."81:28 — Closing & Contact InfoBooks, courses, and upcoming lectures worldwide.LINKS:Airway videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h0JgmmLj_Q&ab_channel=TMJ%26SleepTherapyCentre Dr. Ramirez’ website: https://www.kidsmalocclusions.com/ Pediatric Airway-focused Myofunctional Orthodontics: https://a.co/d/b1wQhD9 Dr. DeLuke’s Early Treatment Course: https://theorthocoach.com/courses/phase-i-arch-development/?portfolioCats=99  (00:00) - Introduction & Guest Background (02:07) - Dr. Ramirez's Training Journey (06:25) - Mandibular Condylar Cartilage & Bone Biology (08:40) - Why Early Treatment Matters (10:55) - Sleep, Breathing & the Orthodontist's Role (15:06) - Responding to "No Need to Treat Before 7" (21:04) - Functional Evaluation: Mouth Breathing & Nasal Breathing (26:47) - The Tongue as Palatal Expander (29:56) - Collaborating with Medical Colleagues (37:26) - Tonsils, Adenoids & Post-Surgery Relapse (47:46) - Bruxism & Airway Connection (51:46) - Resistance to Change in Orthodontics (56:16) - Genetics vs. Environment in Craniofacial Growth (01:04:55) - Muscle, Bone & Diet (01:12:01) - Communicating with Child Patients (01:21:27) - Closing & Contact Info

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Julia Sadove-Lopez - a dentist, parent advocate, and founder of Oris Wellness - to explore a side of pediatric airway health we haven't covered enough on this show: what it's actually like for the parents trying to navigate it. We dig into Julia's personal journey from dental school through corporate dentistry, into holistic practice in Chicago alongside Dr. Kevin Boyd, and ultimately to a career pivot that took her to Portugal and led her to found Oris Wellness. She opens up about the mental health toll of clinical practice, the moment she realized she needed a change, and how she turned her passion for patient education into a coaching and advocacy business. We also tackle some of the most frustrating problems in our field, including why parents are hearing completely conflicting recommendations from provider to provider, why our diagnostics are all over the map, and why the interdisciplinary nature of airway care makes things even harder for families. Julia shares what she hears from parents every day, how she helps them cut through the noise without ever telling them what to do, and what clinicians can do better to move families from fear and confusion toward clarity and action. Chapters:0:00 — Introduction & Episode Overview3:21 — Welcome, Dr. Julia4:16 — Julia's Career Journey: From Dental School to Holistic Practice15:18 — Life After Clinical Practice: The Pivot19:08 — Why Dental School Falls Short23:07 — Sponsor Break: The Generational Wealth Code27:37 — From Clinician to Coach: Understanding Parent Motivation36:12 — What Parents Are Frustrated About37:47 — Conflicting Treatment Options & The Diagnostic Problem58:24 — Social Media's Impact on Parents and Providers1:02:25 — Navigating Interdisciplinary Care1:09:01 — The Coaching Model: Education, Not Diagnosis1:14:47 — Advice for Parents & Providers1:25:11 — Where to Find Dr. Julia Key Topics:Julia's path: from traditional dental education to holistic practice to career reinventionWhy dental school isn't preparing graduates for modern practice (and the new CODA airway/sleep requirement coming in 2028)The parent experience: conflicting diagnoses, competing treatment philosophies, and the emotional weight of decision-makingWhy diagnostics, not treatment methods, are the real failure in our professionSocial media's dual role: empowering parents while fueling confusion and anxietyThe interdisciplinary challenge: navigating ENTs, allergists, myofunctional therapists, and dentists who don't always agreeHow Julia's coaching model works: education, advocacy, and helping families ask the right questionsAdvice for clinicians: stop disparaging colleagues, start listening to parents, and invest in comprehensive diagnosticsAdvice for parents: don't navigate this alone; find community, trust your voice, and expect to be heardLINKS:Oris Wellness: https://www.oriswellness.com/Get Expanded: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAQ91rq2OKATooth Seekers: https://www.oriswellness.com/toothseekersThe Generational Wealth Code: https://a.co/d/0iHwEITGJoin The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/Website: theorthocoach.comYouTube: @theorthocoachInstagram: @theorthocoachEmail: [email protected]

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Melissa Methven - a former flight attendant turned dental hygienist, widow, author, and breathwork facilitator - to discuss the hidden mental health crisis in dentistry. Melissa shares the story of her husband Scott, a beloved dentist in Wasilla, Alaska, who died by suicide in March 2022 after years of suppressing the pressures of the profession: student debt, perfectionism, emotional labor with patients, chronic pain, and escalating substance use. Melissa opens up about her own suppression and the physical toll it took on her body, the signs she wishes she'd seen sooner, and how she found healing through community, faith, and breathwork. She also reads from her book The Truth Behind the Smiles and offers actionable solutions for dental schools, including mental health education, peer communities, and a dental-specific crisis hotline. This is a raw, important conversation about breaking the silence around depression and suicide in the dental profession, and the hope that comes from living your truth.Timestamps:0:00 — Introduction & Content Warning2:41 — Welcoming Melissa & Scott's Story3:50 — The Pressures of Dentistry & Early Signs9:33 — Hiding Behind the Smile & Physical Symptoms13:28 — The Common Dental Struggle16:19 — Why We Suppress — Roots & The Perfect Illusion19:51 — Scott's Fear & Writing the Book25:30 — Feeling Stuck, Faith & Moving Forward34:50 — Faith vs. Religion & Signs from Beyond42:41 — Dental Statistics & Solutions for the Profession47:15 — Tools for Healing & Helping the Kids57:59 — Being of Service, Fulfillment & Closing73:06 — OutroLINKSTo Purchase Melissa’s Book: https://a.co/d/8nYzyTO Melissa on FB: https://www.facebook.com/tremblaymel/ Melissa on IG: https://www.instagram.com/melissamethven/Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/Website: theorthocoach.comYouTube: @theorthocoachInstagram: @theorthocoach (00:00) - Introduction & Content Warning (02:40) - Welcoming Melissa & Scott's Story (03:49) - The Pressures of Dentistry & Early Signs (09:33) - Hiding Behind the Smile & Physical Symptoms (13:27) - The Common Dental Struggle (16:18) - Why We Suppress — Roots & The Perfect Illusion (19:51) - Scott's Fear & Writing the Book (25:29) - Feeling Stuck, Faith & Moving Forward (34:49) - Faith vs. Religion & Signs from Beyond (42:40) - Dental Statistics & Solutions for the Profession (47:14) - Tools for Healing & Helping the Kids (57:58) - Being of Service, Fulfillment & Closing (01:13:05) - Outro

I'm excited to welcome Nicole Vento back to The DOC Podcast for the fourth installment of our five-part series with the Vento family on creating generational wealth. Nicole is a financial advisor, CPA, and CFP who leads the investment committee at her family's firm, and she brings a rare dual perspective with her CPA background combined with institutional trading experience at Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan Private Bank. In this episode, we dig deep into the investment and tax-efficiency side of wealth planning, breaking down retirement accounts, ETFs vs. mutual funds, estate planning, 529 plans, the student loan crisis, Trump accounts, charitable giving strategies, and the discipline and mindset it takes to achieve financial freedom. Whether you're just starting out or you've been building wealth for decades, Nicole delivers practical insights you can apply to your own financial journey. Be sure to pick up a copy of the Vento family's book, *The Generational Wealth Code*, linked in the show notes below.**Chapters & Timestamps:**- 0:30 — Episode Intro- 3:06 — Welcome Back, Nicole- 11:09 — Why You Need a Fiduciary- 16:50 — Understanding Retirement Accounts- 47:02 — ETFs vs. Mutual Funds: Tax Treatment- 54:46 — Estate Planning & Step-Up in Basis- 1:03:35 — Education Planning & 529 Plans- 1:10:05 — The Student Loan Crisis- 1:22:44 — Trump Accounts: A New Savings Vehicle- 1:27:36 — Charitable Giving Strategies- 1:33:11 — Discipline, Delayed Gratification & the Margin Mentality- 1:37:39 — Closing & Contact Info- 1:38:54 — Disclosure**Links & Resources:**The Generational Wealth Code: https://a.co/d/0iHwEITGJoin The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/Connect w/Dr. Mike:Website: theorthocoach.comYouTube: @theorthocoachInstagram: @theorthocoachConnect w/Nicole:Web: Ventotaxandwealth.com  Email: [email protected]: 718-980-9000