Hiring untrained dental assistants "off the street" may seem like a quick fix, but it can lead to costly mistakes, low retention, and poor patient care. In this expert-backed article, Christie J. Baker, EFDA III, explains why proper training is essential and how investing in structured education builds safer, stronger dental teams.

In Never Burn Bridges: My OrthoBrain Story and the Beautiful Web of Connection, Tooth & Talent founder reflects on how a chance reunion with former colleague Dee Huston-Holloman sparked a meaningful partnership with OrthoBrain—an industry-leading orthodontic support company empowering general dentists through expert-designed digital workflows. The story illustrates how lasting professional relationships can create unexpected, full-circle opportunities in the dental world.

The Time article underscores a deepening dental health crisis in the U.S., where nearly 27% of adults lack dental insurance, Medicaid reimbursement issues and fluoride rollbacks are causing widespread “dental-care deserts,” leading to serious health risks like infections, chronic disease, and missed school or work—while experts advocate for expanded coverage and preventive measures

The Time article warns that as U.S. states increasingly consider banning fluoride in public water—following Utah and Florida—experts project a 7.5% increase in cavities (about 25 million additional cavities) and nearly $9.8 billion in extra dental costs over five years, with low-income children disproportionately affected, while health authorities continue to affirm the safety and cost-effectiveness of community fluoridation

Regular dental visits are essential not just for preventing cavities and gum disease, but also for detecting serious health risks like oral cancer and systemic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. While most adults benefit from seeing a dentist twice a year, experts stress that visit frequency should be personalized based on age, health status, and oral risk factors—especially for older adults, those with gum disease, or people with dentures.

This blog post tells the story of how Tooth & Talent went from a passion to a profession.

The Janis Stone Dental Assistant Excellence Award honors the heart, dedication, and skill that define incredible dental assistants—just like Janis, whose legacy of care and commitment continues to inspire. This post shares her story so we can better understand the honor of the award.

Tooth & Talent celebrates Dr. Chrislyn Fite as a dedicated dentist, loving mother, and advocate for women in her profession.