Dental Sound Bites

We're answering your most frequently asked CDT Code questions and covering the key changes coming in 2027 to help you navigate CDT codes with confidence.
For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast

Featured Guest:  Dr. Shelley Barker Olson
Show Notes 

In this episode, we're answering your most frequently asked CDT Code questions, and covering the key changes coming in 2027 to help you navigate CDT codes with confidence. 


Our guest for this episode is Dr. Shelley Olson. Dr. Olson received her DDS degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry. While at UNC she was President of the American Association of Women Dentists. Since receiving her degree, Dr. Olson has been in private practice, active in her community, and served in elected offices of local, district, state and national dental societies. Additionally, she is actively working with the North Carolina Dental Society as President and the American Dental Association as Chair of the Council on Dental Benefits Programming. 


Coding plays a critical role in every dental practice. The conversation begins with a CDT code primer, exploring what CDT codes are, why they matter, and some key concepts every dental professional should understand.  


More than just a billing tool, CDT codes serve as a standardized language that helps dentists, dental benefit plans, and other professionals communicate consistently about procedures and services.  


Dr. Olson explains why CDT codes change from year to year, and how the Code Maintenance Committee reviews new code requests. The conversation covers the criteria used to determine whether proposals are added, and the role dental professionals can play in the submission process.  


The group discusses CDT Code updates for 2027 that are expected to have the greatest impact on everyday clinical practice. The conversation highlights updates to implant-related codes, the addition of new pain management codes, and efforts to address gaps to better reflect current procedures and patient care. 


Dr. Olson shared practical advice for navigating some of the most common CDT coding challenges faced by dentists. Some of these include frequent coding errors, including those involving nightguards and extractions, and she offers insights to help improve coding accuracy, documentation and claim submissions. 


Dentists are told "code for what you do", but what if your claim still gets denied? Dr. Olson explains how to navigate claim denials, and shares what you should do when this happens. 


Even for practices that are not participating with dental insurance plans, accurate CDT coding is essential, Dr. Olson says, because codes are a standardized record of care, they support clear documentation and help ensure clear continuity of care if patients transfer between providers.  


The conversation addresses some of the most frequently asked questions about CDT coding, including documentation requirements for scaling and planing. The discussion also explores what dentists can do when they identify a gap in the CDT codes. 


One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is that dentists can play an active role in the evolution of the CDT Code guides.  Dr. Olson explains how dental professionals can participate in the code maintenance process, learn more about the ADA Code Maintenance Committee, and contribute ideas that help ensure CDT codes continue to reflect the needs of today's dental practices.  


  


Resources 

Get answers to some of the most frequently asked CDT questions. 


Need CDT support? ADA can help!  Free coding assistance is available to all ADA members, plus any non-member who has purchased the current manual. Please contact ADA at 800.621.8099 or dentalcode@ada.org. 


Did you know 67 changes are coming to the CDT Code in 2027? Order your new CDT 2027 and Coding Companion Kit. 


Learn more about the ADA's Code Maintenance Committee. 


Need to request a CDT Code addition, revision, or deletion? Find out how here. 


See how the ADA is pursuing insurance and benefits reforms that improve how dental care is financed and administered for all. 


Explore ADA Continuing Education courses to ensure your dental team understands CDT codes and how to use them correctly. 


ADA members get discounts! Not an ADA member yet? Join the ADA to get access to these resources and more. Visit ADA.org/join to get started. 


Connect with us through ADA on social media! Follow us on  Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

The conversation continues. In this bonus episode, Dr. Arnell Wright and Dr. Effie Ioanidou reflect on their journey into dentistry, and share their favorite moments from Season 7.
For more information visit https://www.ada.org/podcast

It's the money roadmap you need now to help you build long-term financial security. We're sharing five money moves you can make today, what you need to know before switching career paths, and the one student loan deadline that you can't afford to miss. 
For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast

Featured Guests:  

Joseph McGrath 


Dani Buschick 


Dr. Michael Jerkins 

Show Notes 

In this episode, we explore practical ways to take control of your finances and plan for long-term financial security. We're talking about student loans, what to know when switching careers, and the five money moves you can make right now.  


To help explain what everyone needs to know about student loans, we asked our friend Joseph McGrath from KeyBank to walk us through new details, dates, and updates. 


Mr. McGrath shares that big student loan changes are coming, and that July 1, 2026, is the key date to know. He explains that some programs are being phased out, and that federal repayment options may narrow significantly. 


Big changes are underway for income-driven repayment as well, impacting both dentists and residents. With new federal loan caps and fewer repayment options, Mr. McGrath underscores the importance of borrowers understanding their loan structure, exploring available options, and seeking professional guidance to navigate the changes. 


Dani Buschick, financial wellness coach, and host of the podcast Life. Money. You. joins us to break down the five numbers every dentist should know to take control of their financial well-being.  


Ms. Buschick offers actionable tips and an easy-to-follow framework for creating spending plans, automating savings, and building lasting financial stability. 



Small actions can create big impact. Ms. Buschick emphasizes the importance of understanding your debt, building an emergency fund, protecting your credit, automating savings, and using available resources available, like free financial coaching, to create sustainable habits and personalized financial plans. 


Our next guest, Dr. Michael Jerkins, joins us to talk about how to navigate career transitions. Dr. Jerkins is the President and Co-founder of Panacea Financial and is also a practicing physician in Little Rock, AR. 


Dr. Jerkins explores the transition between employee and practice owner roles and highlights the financial and personal considerations involved in these career shifts. 


To prepare for these career transitions, Dr. Jerkins emphasizes the importance of building a trusted advisory team, assessing your financial readiness, and developing a clear plan.    


Resources 

Read an ADA News story about how the One Big Beautiful Bill impacts student loans.
Learn more about ADA Member Advantage partner KeyBank.
ADA Credit Union is tailored for ADA member dentists, their teams and everyone's extended families — offering exclusive financial products and personalized coaching that support your goals through every life stage. Visit ADACU.org to learn more.
Banking Built for Dentists. Not Shareholders. At ADA Credit Union, your money works for you—because you own it. If you're part of the dental profession, your financial institution should be too. Join ADA Credit Union. Member‑owned. Dentist‑focused. Built for your future.
At the Credit Union, financial well-being comes first. Life. Money. You.® (LMY) is ADA Credit Union's holistic financial well-being program, designed to help you achieve financial success through digital tools, one-on-one coaching, and practical resources. Check out the latest episode of the Life. Money. You. Podcast.
Read more about Panacea Financial and the savings for ADA members.
Keep learning! Watch another episode on smart finances for dentists.
Not an ADA member yet? Join the ADA to get access to these resources and more. Visit ADA.org/join to get started.
Connect with us through ADA on social media! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Disclosures 

This podcast is produced for information purposes only and is not an offer or solicitation of any product. KeyBank and its affiliates are not providing any financial, economic, legal, accounting or tax advice or recommendations in this podcast. The information contained in this recording may not be current, and KeyBank has no obligation to provide any updates or changes. Neither KeyBank nor any of its affiliates makes any representation or warranty, of any kind, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in this podcast and expressly disclaims any and all liabilities around such. Key.com/ADA 


IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Please note that if you refinance qualifying federal student loans, you will no longer be eligible for certain federal benefits or programs and waive your right to future benefits or programs offered on those loans, which may include, but are not limited to, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Driven Repayment plans, forbearance, or certain forgiveness options granted to Parent Plus borrowers. Please carefully consider your options when refinancing federal student loans and consult http://www.studentaid.gov for the most current information.

An honest conversation about the challenges surrounding substance addiction and misuse, and the available pathways people can turn to for support, healing, and long‑term wellbeing.
Featured Guest: Dr. Bill Claytor

For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast
Show Notes 

In this episode, an honest conversation about the challenges surrounding burnout, substance addiction and misuse, and the available pathways people can turn to for support, healing, and long-term wellbeing. 


Our special guest is Dr. J. William "Bill" Claytor, Jr., a nationally recognized dental professional from Shelby, NC, with expertise in general dentistry, substance use disorders, mental health, and burnout prevention. Since 2022, he has served as Executive Director of North Carolina Caring Dental Professionals.  


Dr. Claytor shares the moment he realized he needed help managing burnout and the pressures of dentistry, and what he did to seek out help. Plus. He shares the life lesson he learned from this experience.   


What began as volunteering with North Carolina Caring Dental Professionals turned into something much bigger, ultimately leading Dr. Claytor to step into the role of executive director and continue to help shape the organization's future. 


The discussion dives into the most common mental health issues facing dentists right now, along with realistic steps they can take when they find themselves in these situations. 


The stigma associated with substance misuse or asking for help often comes up as a major challenge, along with other difficult hurdles. 


For anyone quietly struggling with substance misuse, addiction, burnout, or mental health challenges, Dr. Claytor highlights some of the available resources, and outlines the first steps toward getting support. 


Dr. Claytor also introduces a simple but powerful framework for wellness using the acronym C.A.S.E., focusing on being collegial, improving access to care, breaking down stigma, and finding ways to engage and empower one another. 


This episode also tackles a tough but important question: how to recognize when someone needs help and how to approach them with care. Drawing from his own experiences, Dr, Claytor offers guidance, tools, and resources to help listeners support colleagues who may be struggling. 



Resources 

Find peer support and wellness resources for dentists across the U.S. through the Well-Being Directory. 


The ADA offers many programs and resources to support your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. You can find a complete list at ADA.org/wellness. 


Reach out to your local and state societies to see what resources are available near you. 


The Well-Being Index, an anonymous validated assessment, resource and measurement tool developed by the Mayo Clinic to address clinician distress and well-being, is newly available at no cost for every ADA member. 


Listen to Dental Sound Bites episodes on perfectionism and mental wellness and mental health. 


Not an ADA member yet? Join the ADA to get access to these resources and more. Visit ADA.org/join to get started. 


Have a story or show idea you want to share? Connect with us through ADA on social media! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok .

After‑hours calls, patient autonomy, nervous patients… how do you handle the ethical curveballs that show up in everyday practice? We've got advice to help you confidently navigate some sticky situations. 

Featured Guest: Dr. Kelly Roth 

Special Guests: Dr. Craig McKenzie, Dr. Maryann Lehmann, and Dr. Lance Attiq 
For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast
Show Notes 

In this episode, we are talking about sticky situations. From after‑hours calls to patient autonomy, and nervous patients… how do you handle the ethical curveballs that show up in everyday practice? We've got advice to help you confidently navigate the tough issues.  


Our guest for this episode is Dr. Kelly Roth, a general dentist in Canton, OH. She is the speaker of the House of Delegates of the Ohio Dental Association. She also previously served as the ODA's vice speaker of the House of Delegates and is the past chair of the ADA Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs, past chair of the ODA Credentials, Rules and Order Committee, past chair of the ODA Ethics Subcommittee, past member of the ODA Council on Membership Services, and past president of the Stark County Dental Society. She is a member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, Academy of General Dentistry, National Association of Parliamentarians, American Institute of Parliamentarians, and International College of Dentists.  


Dr. Roth breaks down the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct, explaining what it is, why it matters, and the critical role it plays in modern dentistry. 


In this episode, dentists openly share their stickiest real-world scenarios. First up, we're joined by Dr. Craig McKenzie, an assistant professor of dental anesthesiology and the director of the Center for Patients with Special Needs at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. He is a past national president of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) and was a founding member of the Coalition for Modernizing Dental Licensure. He currently serves as a member of the ADA Council on Membership, CODA site visitor for dental anesthesiology, as well as the Pennsylvania Dental Association's (PDA) Membership Committee and New Dentist Committee. He was recognized for his contributions with the ADA's 10 Under 10 award in 2025. 


Dr. McKenzie shares his real-world case involving an adult patient with special healthcare needs who understood the risks and benefits of a specific procedure but was too anxious to consent, highlighting how he navigated consent, patient autonomy, anxiety management, and family involvement. 


Our next guest is Dr. Maryann Lehmann, who has been in private practice for over 35 years in Darien, CT. She has been a dental researcher as part of the PBRN PEARL Network, and an inventor holding numerous patents in dental technology.  Her philanthropic efforts include being a volunteer adjunct professor of General Dentistry at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, making service trips with students, and working at the CT Mission of Mercy.  Dr. Lehmann feels her greatest intention in being a dentist is to improve the quality of dental care for the greater good. 


Dr. Lehmann shares how the overwhelm of all-hour messaging, and non-urgent demands have blurred patient boundaries after hours and raises questions about charging for emergency call-backs. The conversation turns to defining dental emergencies, boundaries, delegating in these situations, and how to protect dentists' mental health while still fulfilling ethical obligations. 


Dr. Roth shares a story of an incident that helped her define boundaries for herself.  After prescribing medications to someone she believed to be a patient of her practice, she reflected on the lessons learned and the importance of establishing safeguards for emergency care. 


Our last sticky situation comes from Dr. Lance Attiq, a general dentist practicing at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Arizona. With involvement in dentistry since a young age, his experience includes roles as a dental assistant, free clinic manager, clinical dentistry IT coordinator, and active participant in organized dentistry. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Attiq serves as Adjunct Faculty at the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, where he educates students and colleagues on leveraging technology to improve patient care. 


Dr. Attiq recounts treating an extremely nervous patient who was vomiting before and after an extraction, despite stable vitals and repeated confirmation to proceed. This prompted a thoughtful discussion on managing severe dental anxiety, practicing the principle of doing no harm, and knowing when to pause treatment. 



Resources 

Download the 2026 ADA Principles and Code of Professional Conduct. 


Learn more about the Council on Ethics Bylaws and Judicial Affairs (CEBJA). 


You can read the Ethical Moment section in current and back issues of the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA). 


Listen to the ADA's CEBJA podcast, Dental Dilemmas. 


Dr. McKenzie was recognized for his contributions with the ADA's 10 Under 10 award in 2025. 


Have a story or show idea you want to share with us? Connect with us through ADA on social media! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok for the latest industry news, member perks and conversations shaping dentistry.