How MRI will transform dental diagnosis

Walk into enough dental practices and you hear the same reasoning: That 5-mm pocket has been there for years, the patient is doing fine, and the team knows them. Kelly Tanner, RDH, PhD -- DrBicuspid.com's hygiene editor -- has heard this many times. She has questions about it. In this episode of The DrBicuspid.com Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Kevin Henry sits down with Tanner to work through what the 5-mm pocket actually represents, why the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) staging and grading system draws a clear clinical line there, and what it means when a practice decides to watch and wait. Tanner's argument is not that every 5-mm site demands the same response. It is that familiarity with a patient stopped being a clinical rationale some time ago. The AAP framework uses that depth as an indicator of disease -- not a suggestion or a guideline -- but a marker that something specific is happening biologically. The question Tanner returns to is one that is often skipped: Why is that pocket there in the first place? What about the patient's immune response, stress load, systemic health, and the composition of their subgingival microbiome? And if the site has been watched for years without changing, why has it not been addressed? The conversation takes an unexpected turn when Henry asks about gut health -- a thread from Tanner's original article that she expands on here. She is direct: The answer to a nonhealing periodontal site is not always picking up the ultrasonic scaler again. Sometimes it is stepping back and asking what the body is trying to communicate. Research is strongly backing the gut-oral microbiome connection, and Tanner argues it belongs in the periodontal conversation even when it is inconvenient to raise. The second half of the episode addresses communication strategies when the patient refuses treatment. "You're not doing that to me," is a sentence many hygienists know well. Tanner explains the approach she uses -- framing the body as a source of information rather than a problem to be corrected. Tanner then raises the harder questions: What is the office protocol when a patient declines treatment? What does the dentist expect? What does the hygienist do at the next appointment? Those calibration conversations, she says, need to happen inside the practice before the patient is in the chair, not after. Tanner's continuing education courses and coaching are available at nextleveldentalhygiene.com.

The medically complex patient is no longer the exception in dentistry — it's the new normal. In this episode of the DrBicuspid.com podcast, Editor-in-Chief Kevin Henry sits down with DrBicuspid hygiene editor Dr. Kelly Tanner, PhD, RDH, to talk about how the entire dental team needs to be thinking differently about the patients walking through the door. Dr. Tanner breaks down why the medical history form is far more than paperwork — it's a decision-making tool that the front desk, assistants, hygienists and doctors all need to be reading together. She explains how a patient's medication list can explain nearly everything the clinical team is seeing in the mouth, and why systemic literacy has to be a whole-team skill, not just a clinical one. The conversation also covers how trust shapes patient disclosure, how morning huddles can help teams get ahead of complex appointments, and why communication — truly reading and connecting with patients — may be the most undertrained skill in dentistry today. What's covered: Why the "routine" dental patient is increasingly rare How the medical history form should function as a team communication tool The connection between medications and common clinical findings How anxiety, neurodiversity and systemic conditions are changing patient care Why onboarding new team members should include communication training How to bridge the gap between what patients report and what the team is seeing Dr. Tanner is the co-host of Quit Dreaming, Start Teaming, a podcast-style CE series with pharmacology educator Tom Viola. Continuing education courses are available at rarebirddentalce.com.

If getting your teeth cleaned has ever felt like someone was trying to chisel dried concrete out of your mouth, you are not alone. But a product called TurboCR, made by Essential Dental Systems, is changing the math — for patients, hygienists and practice owners alike. In this episode of the DrBicuspid.com podcast, the hosts dig into how TurboCR works and why dental hygienists are paying attention. The science centers on chelating agents — chemical compounds that act, as one host puts it, like "microscopic chemical claws." Rather than relying on mechanical force alone, those agents target the calcium ions that give calcified plaque its structure, breaking down tartar from the inside out before the hygienist ever picks up a scaler. Hygienist Lizzie, cited in the episode, reported that applying the product via a foaming applicator or tray softened calculus by up to 50% in just one minute. Crucially, the chemistry appears to leave enamel, dentin and titanium implants unharmed — a detail that matters most for vulnerable patient populations. Dr. Sonia Dinar, known in geriatric dental circles as the "geriatric tooth fairy," highlights TurboCR's particular value for elderly patients, those with special needs and anyone with severe dental phobia, all of whom benefit from reduced scraping and shorter time with their mouths wide open. The efficiency gains extend to the practice side as well. Hygienist Gina Green tested the product mid-procedure on a patient she was running behind on, applying it to the untreated side of the mouth. She not only caught up — she finished with time to spare. That kind of time recovery, multiplied across a full schedule, changes the revenue picture. It also reduces the cumulative physical toll on hygienists, whose hands and wrists absorb the strain of heavy scaling all day. Learn more at https://edsdental.com/Turbo-CR/

In this episode, Dr. Greg Grillo discusses the impact of AI in dentistry, the risks and opportunities it presents, and how dental practices can navigate this turbulent technological landscape. He shares insights from his extensive experience and offers guidance on implementing AI safely and effectively. Learn more at https://methodpro.com/ai-foundation/#offer

In this episode, Dr. Roger Levin discusses the critical role of the office manager in dental practices, covering topics like practice operations, workflow, team leadership, patient experience, and financial management. Learn how to train, delegate, and lead your team to increase efficiency and practice growth. Learn more about Dr. Levin at https://levingroup.com/

In this episode, Dr. Don Tyndall discusses the emerging role of dedicated dental MRI technology, its potential impact on dentistry, and future applications. Learn about how MRI can improve diagnosis, inflammation detection, and patient care in dental practices. Learn more about the collaboration between Dentsply Sirona and Siemens Healthineers that has brought to life the first‑ever dental‑dedicated MRI[1] (ddMRI) system – MAGNETOM Free.Max Dental Edition — at www.dentsplysirona.com/ddmri

Kimber Cobb, executive director of the American Association of Dental Boards, provides an update on the progress of the Interstate Dental & Dental Hygiene Compact, legislative efforts across states, and the importance of portability and standards in dental licensure. Learn more at https://www.aadbdentalboards.org/

In this episode, Kevin Henry interviews Steve White from DDS Rescue about the upcoming overhaul of the HIPAA security rule, the rise of ransomware in healthcare, and best practices for cybersecurity in dental practices. They discuss the importance of risk assessments, staff training, and layered security measures to protect patient data. He can be reached at [email protected] Join us in Fargo ... https://web.cvent.com/event/623c339a-63b6-4ec5-8993-f9e99710c37f/websitePage:969e0000-8b27-4676-b524-a44f787574ad Join us in Green Bay ... https://web.cvent.com/event/2B486A72-9784-418F-BD3C-1F7F674E7C2D/websitePage:10a8ddb4-4b07-4266-a1da-a7de14b43ae6 Note: This podcast is brought to you by the American Heart Association’s Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts initiative in collaboration with Delta Dental. Your patients want you involved in their overall health -- and you can be! By offering blood pressure screenings at every visit, dentists can help detect the early signs of heart disease. The American Heart Association’s Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts initiative, partnering with Delta Dental, gives you the tools to do just that. Learn more at https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/oral-health/about-healthy-smiles-healthy-hearts

Join Kevin Henry and Dr. Kelly Tanner as they discuss the importance of communication, leadership, and seasonal reflection in dental practices. They share insights from recent industry events, practical tips for team engagement, and ways to foster a positive practice culture. Learn more about Dr. Tanner here ... https://www.drkellytanner.com/ Read here review of Chicago Midwinter here ... https://www.drbicuspid.com/dental-hygiene/article/15819907/the-innovations-that-made-2026-chicago-midwinter-special

Dr. Ashley Clark, a board-certified oral pathologist, emphasizes the importance of biopsies in dental practice to prevent missed diagnoses of oral cancer and other serious conditions. She discusses common hesitations among dentists, the significance of early detection, and how to improve communication and biopsy practices. Learn more at https://www.ashleyclarkdds.com/