The Dr. Phil Klein Dental Podcast Show

Today we’re talking about direct restorative materials that can truly change the course of your patients’ dental health — and no, not just composite, but glass ionomer and resin-modified glass ionomer. Used strategically, these materials can help patients avoid a lifetime of fillings, crowns, and repeat dental work. And adopting this conservative approach doesn’t mean sacrificing revenue — in fact, building a practice focused on preserving healthy tooth structure attracts patients who value care that’s truly in their best interest. Joining us is Dr. Brian Nový, a leading cariologist at Virginia Commonwealth University with faculty appointments at Harvard and Western University, and a private practice owner in Salem, Massachusetts. He’ll explain how glass ionomer and RMGI bond to teeth, their clinical applications, address concerns about strength and aesthetics, and show how they can transform long-term patient outcomes.

Dr. Shaw shares how he’s transforming cosmetic dentistry in his practice with an innovative system for creating composite veneers chairside — no printing, no lab work, and no mess. It starts with a simple intraoral scan uploaded to the Clarity Portal. Within 48 hours, he receives a digital wax-up and a 3D preview of the final case. And when patients see it, their response is almost always the same: “When can we start?”

Happy New Year to everyone! Cheers to a bright, safe and happy 2026! So today, folks, we'll be talking about a dental practice owner that had to deal with a pretty serious situation after returning to her pediatric dental office following a vacation. It turns out she discovered open instrument pouches in the trash bin that were still marked red, indicating the pouch was not effectively sterilized. So what would you do in a situation like this? To tell us all about is our guest Dr. Karson Carpenter. He is a dentist and expert in OSHA, Infection Control Compliance, HIPAA Compliance and is founder and president of Compliance Training Partners. You can get more info at compliancetrainingpartners.com Thanks to our episode sponsors: NSK America - https://www.nskdental.com/ BISCO - https://www.bisco.com/

Imagine this: your assistant is juggling a heavy salivator, a mouth full of water from high-speed drilling, a gagging patient motioning to sit up — all while trying to pass instruments and prep materials. It’s stressful, it’s messy, and it can impact both efficiency and outcomes. Now imagine there’s a device that does the heavy lifting — it removes water, retracts soft tissue, and illuminates the field, all hands-free. Joining me today to talk about this game-changing side of dentistry is Shannon Pace-Brinker, an internationally recognized dental assistant and educator who’s trained tens of thousands of dental professionals on restorative techniques, digital workflows, impressions, veneer cementation, and — of course — isolation.

What if one of the most powerful tools in your restorative arsenal was something many dentists still overlook? On today’s episode, we’re talking about Silver Diamine Fluoride, or SDF — a simple, affordable solution that’s transforming how we manage decay, boost patient acceptance, and even improve practice profitability. Our guest, Dr. Timothy Bizga, is a seasoned general dentist, educator, and international speaker who calls SDF one of the most important tools in his toolkit.