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Dental Assistant Nation

Dental Assistant Nation

By: Dental Assistant Nation
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About this listen

 Kevin Henry is a champion for dental assistants and host of the Dental Assistant Nation podcast. He is also the editor in chief for DrBicuspid.com. Speaker, consultant and author focused on empowering, enlightening and educating dental assistants.All rights reserved Economics
Episodes
  • Episode 420: Dental Assistants Avoid Burnout With These Steps!

    Episode 420: Dental Assistants Avoid Burnout With These Steps!
    Jan 26 2026
    Dental assistants work under constant pressure, expected to stay focused, calm, and precise while caring for patients and supporting the dental team. Over time, this demanding pace often leads to stress, physical pain, mental exhaustion, and burnout, especially when dental assistants put everyone else first and ignore their own health. This conversation explores why burnout is so common in dental assisting and how daily stress builds when self-care is treated as optional instead of necessary. It covers practical ways dental assistants can manage stress, protect their physical and mental health, and build simple daily habits around sleep, movement, nutrition, emotional awareness, and boundaries. It also shares quick techniques that can be used during the workday to reduce stress and support long-term career sustainability. This podcast is sponsored by: CareCredit CareCredit alleviates financial stress so you can focus on the precision and skilled work your patients deserve. Our financing options provide a foundational support system for both your practice and your dental team. drop me an email at: Kevin@kevinspeaksdental.com to learn how care credit works with your practice and you as a dental assistant. —------------------------------- Connect with Wendy Ernzen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyernzen/ Email: letsplanthouses@gmail.com Website: https://www.letsplanthouses.com/ —------------------------------- Meet me at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting, February 20–21, for two powerful sessions: ✨ Harnessing the Power of Personalities in the Dental Practice February 20, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM learn how understanding personalities can transform teamwork and communication in your dental practice. 🔥 Battling and Beating the Demons of Dental Assisting February 21, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM an honest, empowering session just for dental assistants about overcoming the real challenges in our profession. Let’s connect, learn, and grow together. In 2026 it’s going to be a year of real conversations and real change for dental assistants everywhere. 👉 Chicago Midwinter Meeting: https://midwintermeeting.eventscribe.net/?_gl=1*15ae5ic*_ga*MTY3Nzc0OTM5OC4xNzU5OTcxOTAw*_ga_VZTQV2NKLH*czE3NTk5NzE5MDAkbzEkZzAkdDE3NTk5NzE5MDAkajYwJGwwJGgw
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    15 mins
  • Episode 419: How A Dental Assistant Can Achieve Financial Freedom Without High Salary or Burning Out?

    Episode 419: How A Dental Assistant Can Achieve Financial Freedom Without High Salary or Burning Out?
    Jan 19 2026
    Can a dental assistant really achieve financial freedom without a high salary or burning out? In this episode of the Dental Assistant Nation podcast, Kevin Henry sits down with Angela Tipton, founder of Fire Your Career, to talk about what financial freedom actually looks like for dental assistants. They explore the idea that freedom isn’t about getting rich fast, but about living on your terms through intentional money choices, self-care, and career alignment. Angela shares how balancing motherhood, chronic illness, and a demanding career pushed her to rethink finances, burnout, and the traditional definition of success. The conversation breaks down the FIRE movement in a realistic way, showing how even dental assistants living paycheck to paycheck can work toward debt freedom, flexibility, and long-term stability. This episode connects money, mental health, and career empowerment, reminding dental assistants that small, conscious decisions can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life. Connect with Angela Website: https://fireyourcareer.com/ This episode is sponsored by CareCredit. If you'd like to make sure that's an option for your patients, just reach out to Kevin Henry at kevin@kevinspeaksdental.com and he'll hook you up with the resources you need. -------------------- Big things are coming in 2026 for dental assistants! Join me at the Rocky Mountain Dental Convention in Denver, January 22–23, for Real Talk About the State of Dental Assistants happening 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM MST. We’re getting real about what’s working, what needs improvement, and how we can strengthen the future of our profession together. Then meet me at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting, February 20–21, for two powerful sessions: ✨ Harnessing the Power of Personalities in the Dental Practice February 20, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM learn how understanding personalities can transform teamwork and communication in your dental practice. 🔥 Battling and Beating the Demons of Dental Assisting February 21, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM an honest, empowering session just for dental assistants about overcoming the real challenges in our profession. Let’s connect, learn, and grow together. In 2026 it’s going to be a year of real conversations and real change for dental assistants everywhere. 👉 Rocky Mountain Dental Convention: https://rmdconline.com/ 👉 Chicago Midwinter Meeting: https://midwintermeeting.eventscribe.net/?_gl=1*15ae5ic*_ga*MTY3Nzc0OTM5OC4xNzU5OTcxOTAw*_ga_VZTQV2NKLH*czE3NTk5NzE5MDAkbzEkZzAkdDE3NTk5NzE5MDAkajYwJGwwJGgw
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    17 mins
  • Episode 418: What a Dental Assistant Needs to Do to Get Paid More

    Episode 418: What a Dental Assistant Needs to Do to Get Paid More
    Jan 12 2026
    Most dental assistants know they deserve more pay, but very few know how to get it without risking their job. If you feel underpaid, overlooked, or unsure how to talk about money at work, this episode shows you a smarter way forward. In this episode, Kevin Henry breaks down what every dental assistant needs to understand about career growth, pay increases, and job security in today’s dental industry. With staffing shortages continuing and practice costs rising, now is the best time for dental assistants to take control of their careers, but only if they do it the right way. You will learn why asking for a raise too soon can backfire, how to clearly show your value in the practice, and what steps to take in January and mid-year to set yourself up for better pay. Kevin walks you through simple, practical actions like tracking what you do every day, setting career goals with your dentist, and creating a plan that makes it easier for your employer to say yes when the money conversation comes up. This episode is not about demanding more. It is about earning more by proving your worth and positioning yourself as a dental assistant your practice cannot afford to lose. Listen now and start taking control of your dental assistant career. If you want help applying these steps in your own practice, email me at kevin@kevinspeaksdental.com . Be sure to check out past episodes of Dental Assistant Nation for more practical advice to help you grow your skills, confidence, and career. -------------------- Don’t forget to follow us! Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dentalassistantnation/ Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@dentalassistantnation -------------------- Big things are coming in 2026 for dental assistants! Join me at the Rocky Mountain Dental Convention in Denver, January 22–23, for Real Talk About the State of Dental Assistants happening 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM MST. We’re getting real about what’s working, what needs improvement, and how we can strengthen the future of our profession together. Then meet me at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting, February 20–21, for two powerful sessions: ✨ Harnessing the Power of Personalities in the Dental Practice February 20, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM learn how understanding personalities can transform teamwork and communication in your dental practice. 🔥 Battling and Beating the Demons of Dental Assisting February 21, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM an honest, empowering session just for dental assistants about overcoming the real challenges in our profession. Let’s connect, learn, and grow together. In 2026 it’s going to be a year of real conversations and real change for dental assistants everywhere. 👉 Rocky Mountain Dental Convention: https://rmdconline.com/ 👉 Chicago Midwinter Meeting: https://midwintermeeting.eventscribe.net/?_gl=1*15ae5ic*_ga*MTY3Nzc0OTM5OC4xNzU5OTcxOTAw*_ga_VZTQV2NKLH*czE3NTk5NzE5MDAkbzEkZzAkdDE3NTk5NzE5MDAkajYwJGwwJGgw
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    20 mins
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